Matt Powers: Solo & Acoustic On The LES

Matt Powers: June 17 @ Parkside Lounge, New York, NY

This past Thursday, I made my way to the Parkside Lounge to catch singer/songwriter Matt Powers do an acoustic show. This was the first time I'd had the chance to see Powers since we discovered each other via Twitter.

Powers is a personable performer. His laid back demeanor and wit made you feel like you were hanging out with a friend. Well, that is if you have friends who write good songs and can sing. He was fighting off a cold and was concerned his voice wouldn't hold up but, he need not have worried. Armed with a cache of intelligent songs he proceeded to work his way through a ten song set that ended all too soon. His set list consisted of two pages of song titles that he chose from as he went along. My favorite song of the night was "All The Ghosts" which you can check out below along with "Listening." He also did a nice cover of The Kills "Black Balloon" that can be found HERE.

It was an enjoyable show and I'm glad I got a chance to check him out in-person. Sadly, Powers doesn't do many shows on the East Coast these days so we'll have to wait awhile before we have the pleasure again.

More photos on Flickr.

"All The Ghosts"

"Listening"

Video of "Tonight" can be found HERE.

Set List (not in order of play)

• Gold Lion
• Black Balloon
• Gravity
• Tonight
• Listening
• The Hero
• Blasphemy
• Not Enough
• All The Ghosts
• I Believe What I Say

www.reverbnation.com/mattpowers
www.myspace.com/mattpowers2

Around New York ... June 14 - 20

This week's highlights ...

Two words ... The Heavy! (pictured right) They'll be at Bowery Ballroom on Monday, June 14 with The Black Hollies supporting them. You should go. These cats are not to be missed. They're also at the same venue on Wednesday, June 16, supported by Mount Carmel. But, that show is sold out! So, if you didn't get tickets for that one, your loss! *Bad-ass show pick of the week*

The CareFusion Jazz Festival New York starts this week too. The festival takes place June 17 - 26 at various locations around the city. The trio of Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, Jack DeJohnette will be at Carnegie Hall on Thursday, June 17. The Jazz Gallery All-Stars will be at Symphony Space on Friday, June 18. And on Saturday, June 19, Bitches Brew Revisited at Prospect Park Bandshell. For other shows and more info visit the festival website.

The National takes on Radio City Music Hall with The Antlers in support slot on Wednesday, June 16.

June 17 - Thursday is a hot night for music! The London Souls (pictured left) will be melting faces down at Bowery Ballroom that night. Seriously folks, these guys will melt body parts.

Also on Thursday, June 17, Matt Powers is back in New York. He'll be on the LES taking the Parkside Lounge stage.

New York rock band Audio Fiction will be rockin' out over at The Studio at Webster Hall on Thursday, June 17. They're on a bill that includes, I Love Monsters, Jangula, Apollo Run, Tenements and Viv Savage.