Not your typical in-store at Seattle’s Easy Street Records Friday night. John Vanderslice played an hour where a twenty-minute slot would do, but there were things to celebrate — like last week’s release of his seventh LP Romanian Names, but also his 42nd birthday! Cue the balloons, the special “Happy Birthday” song composed by his bandmates that day, the hugs and the happy times. Laura Musselman didn’t just take the photos; she supplied the cake. (Other concert photographers, you’re on notice.) Happy birthday, JV. Romanian Names is out now via Dead Oceans. Here’s an MP3 from it:
John’s going on tour. There won’t be cake (probably).
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haven’t given romanian names a listen yet, gotta get on that.
JV = nicest guy i’ve ever met. classy guy.
Romanian names is quite good. Probably won’t convert anyone who isn’t into him based on his previous work. But it holds up well with his discography. And you’re right, he’s a really nice, classy, guy. Looking forward to the show at the Middle East.
i’m not blown away by Romanian Names, but i will definitely support the man who wrote “Angela” and “Sarah Shu”. SAID DAMNNNN
o sure he’s a classy guy, but he’s also destined to be an opening act for the rest of his life
I don’t think that’s the case, but I could never see him getting too well known.
I actually heard of this guy in my down years, it?s good to see he?s still around.
Great setlist! With some newer additions (obviously), it looks a lot like the Cellar Door tour, which was probably the best headlining show I ever saw him play. Can’t say I love his last two albums as much as his previous work, but I’ll catch him here in Denver on Friday nonetheless.
The five-piece band should be great…
I’ve wondered about this guy for a while…Heard his music on and off for a while now…
How did he get famous?
In my neighborhood, I’d get beat up if people heard me listening to this.
Farmer Ted
Maybe its time to move (?)
JV used to play in a band called Mk Ultra, which made a name for itself through some really clever marketing and opening for Sunny Day Real Estate. Vanderslice’s first four solo records are why he’s a big deal to me–great songwriting and some of the most ambitious recordings I’ve ever heard.
Saw JV open to Jets to Brazil a number of years ago and was absolutely flattened. Three piece band, featuring Christopher McGuire–just mind-numbingly brilliant. He was really at his peak those next two years…
JV is great. I do think he has a unique sound and voice and I like him a lot, and he is very funny and charming live. Romanian Names was a bit underwhelming though, still strong but compared to Emerald City which was like amazing it was slightly underwhelming.