LOS ANGELES, CA- Before heading to Indio to perform at Stagecoach, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors stopped by the El Rey Theatre to entertain Los Angeles.
Drew Holcomb is a singer-songwriter whose music comes straight from the heart. There is an honest tenderness in his lyrics that his fans, both young and old, connect with. Perhaps, his music is a reminder that songs don’t have to be about bar hopping or red dixie cups to be memorable. Perhaps his music is a reminder that we all need to take those moments to connect with stuff that’s pure in the world. Love, family, friends … you know … the stuff that matters.
Touring in support of his latest album, “Souvenir” (released March 24th), Los Angeles was able to once again revel in Drew’s authentically American songwriting. The lyrics wax nostalgic (“Postcard Memories”) while at the same time question the present (“Wild World”). With his friends and “Neighbors” performing with him (Nathan Dugger (guitar/keys/vocals) and Rich Brinsfield (bass/vocals)), Drew’s music sounded appropriately flush with rich musical textures on this evening.
But the beautiful music aside, I was most moved by Drew’s commitment to enrich every local community that he and his band performs in. Through his “Love Your Neighbors” initiative, Drew donates 20% of t-shirt sales from each show to a local charity, even setting up a table next to the merch booth staffed with volunteers to offer more about the organization that he is donating to that evening. Needless to say, it’s not every entertainer who will make this kind of daily sacrifice of time and money, but actions speak louder than words and Drew’s commitment to giving aid speaks volumes to his genuinely good heart.
Now, back to the music. Like Stephen Kellogg before him, Drew took moments between songs to banter with audience, describing the origins of a handful of his songs, professing how much he missed his family, and musing about other’s people stories who got engaged, or even conceived children, to his music. “In that moment, just for that moment, I was Marvin Gaye,” he laughed.
He even lovingly took a playful jab at the local prior to going into “California” by confessing, “I hate to admit, but I love you guys.”
Well, as long as you keep doing your thing, Drew, we’ll love you back.
Follow Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
LIVE CLIPS
Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors 4/27/17 at The El Rey. Thoughts and photos coming soon to @BlurredCulture.l pic.twitter.com/wdokJHZPrw
— Derrick K. Lee (@methodman13) May 15, 2017
Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors 4/27/17 at The El Rey. Thoughts and photos coming soon to @BlurredCulture.l pic.twitter.com/GPZWIUK9Wa
— Derrick K. Lee (@methodman13) May 15, 2017
Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors 4/27/17 at The El Rey. Thoughts and photos coming soon to @BlurredCulture.l pic.twitter.com/dfBkVxRMMz
— Derrick K. Lee (@methodman13) May 15, 2017