Has Anyone Seen Damien Jurado?
This was my first time experiencing the tales of despair, retribution, mass-murder and other such cheerful subject matter of Seattle artist, Damien Jurado. His music is powerful and can work on your imagination and emotions. In fact, I don’t know if I realized how powerful and emotive his music was until I saw him in person. During the concert, Damien took time to tell the audience “hey, I’m OK, these songs are just made up… ” perhaps he sensed we were worried about him??? He was very nice however seemed a bit weary at the end of the line perhaps of a long tour. During his tour, he had become addicted to driving, taking little time to rest but driving straight to the next town. I have read that in his other shows on tour he wasn’t as talkative but just played song after song to conclusion. This night, Damien told the story surrounding the song, “Shannon Rhodes”. Apparently, Damien had dreamt that a woman had been murdered by her lover. Shannon Rhodes was an actual person in Damien’s life, an old classmate, who he had not seen for 20 years. Shannon contacted him after hearing the song. She obviously was not dead but it made for a good story/song material. (video and Damien’s story below)Listening to the song “medication” gave me goosebumps, literally blew me away. You could hear a pin drop in the room afterwards. Damien Jurado is definitely an artist to experience live just be forewarned it can be a sobering occasion.
Shannon Rhodes (Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR 5/6/09
Medication (Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR 5/6/09)
Sheets, (Live at the Doug Fir, Portland OR)
The Killer (Live at Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR)
Damien Jurado-The Killer (live)Damein Jurado – Sheets (Live)
I heard he fired his band before this tour, is that true?
That would explain the reason he was alone.. there was no mention of it by anyone that niight?