Badger Me
I am no fan or friend of what is commonly known as "new country," which, as far as I can tell, means that over-produced, post-Eagles quasi-country-rock crap that Nashville spews out these days. And I don't mince words about it either. But I'm very fond of the real deal - genuine country & western, and a lot of the retro, Americana or roots-influenced music that can be easily unearthed if you know where to dig: folk-rock, alt-country, old-timey what have you.
So I was a sucker for Leslie and the Badgers, a plucky, Los Angeles-based country-styled ensemble led by adorable, sweet-toned singer-songwriter Leslie Stevens whose pipes and presence recall such honest and heartfelt vocalists as Emmylou Harris, Iris DeMent, and Alison Krauss, with a touch of Patsy Cline's guilelessness. The fact that Leslie also brings to mind the airy, girlish voice and self-deprecating wit of my current heroine Martha Wainwright is just a bonus. As a fellow writer and enthusiast suggested, if you like Jenny Lewis' flirtation with country music on her solo recordings away from Rilo Kiley, you should love Leslie and the Badgers.
Leslie and the Badgers hangin' at the ranch.
A pal of mine who's been haunting the Hollywood hills and canyons for the last year encouraged me to see the band as soon as I could, and I thank him profusely for the recommendation. When Leslie and the Badgers swung into San Fran last weekend to play a set at the Hotel Utah, I made sure to be there. The Utah, a funky South-of-Market watering hole with a big ol' bar and a cozy, adjacent show room, is an ideal joint for such an unpretentious group.
Unless I'm mistaken, the line-up for the show was Stevens on vocals, acoustic guitar, and charming patter; the limber rhythm section of bass-player Ben Reddell and drummer Travis Popichak; and a nimble-fingered Charlene Huang on violin; plus an adept lap steel and electric guitarist named Eugene sitting in for regular band member Glenn Oyabe, and a local gal (whose name escaped me - sorry) on occasional harmony vocals. Although informal in manner, they provided lively, tasteful, and sympathetic interpretations of Leslie's melodies. The song selection relied mostly on their debut album, laid out for an appreciative gaggle of patrons.
They set the stage with "My Tears Are Wasted on You" - a poignant, traditional-sounding weeper that Patsy would have embraced. Then, they rolled into one of my favorite numbers from Ms. Stevens' pen - the spry-but-wistful lifelong-love song "Old Timers" - and followed it with the bounce of "Don Juan," a droll putdown of a Lothario who tried to take advantage of the singer. They had me at "My Tears…"
The rest of their performance was a ramble through material that ranged from the shadow-cabaret vibe of "The Torture," a jagged, surreal postmortem of a relationship gone bad; to "Air Force One," a gentle-sounding yet canny swipe at the retrogressive philosophies and behavior of the current administration (amusingly, it ends with a guitar line that quotes Santo & Johnny's dreamy doo-wop-era instrumental "Sleep Walk"); to "That'd Be Fine," a compelling mix of mournful melody, rueful lyrics, and juke-joint rhythms that finished the gig with a flourish.
With their heady juxtaposition of traditional folk styles and pointed post-modern text, Leslie and the Badgers is quite a ways removed from the puerile likes of Trace Adkins and Shania Twain. Light years, I'd say. Leslie's willingness to confront dark themes sometimes reminds me of the late Gram Parsons' Western Gothic leanings, in the best possible way. Through it all, she has a dulcet quality that makes the bleakest turn of phrase go down easy.
Their eponymous album is a fine representation of the band, and worth hearing from first track to last. Interested? I recommend giving a listen to "Old Timers" at the top of the post. And, to provide a little flavor of the band in live mode, I've embedded a clip of them doing an acoustic version of "Don Juan" in the great outdoors. Talk about rustic…
Locating MOG account...
Comments (27)
Wow. Love it! -- Right up my alley. I'm a big Mindy Smith, Elana James, Laura Cantrell, Nanci Griffith, Emmylou, Tift Merritt, The Watson Twins, etc. My wife calls them my alt-country girlfriends. I wish.
great call on this one, Mike! met leslie at a show a couple of months ago and when i saw her band i got ROCKED! they were truly the real deal and i'm hoping to work with them. it's downright genuine and she feels like she's talking to you when she sings.
great that you noticed, man!
Love it...love that old soul voice...beautiful stuff!
funoka: I've got a yen for many of those you mentioned, too. But of course, it's strictly about the music. Well, mostly about the music.
Robin: And damned if it doesn't feel like she's singing to you when she talks. (Spoke with her briefly. Got a sense of decency and realness from her that just made her more appealing as an artist.) Good luck getting something musical going with them. From what I've heard of your stuff, you could give Leslie's voice a very congenial setting.
satisfiedmind2: You and me both, Blair. I'm gonna try to catch 'em in L.A., and try to give you a head's-up if and when I do. Maybe we can have a micro-MOG-meet
Sigh....
Damn right Mike, this is hitting me right tonight. You and Blair both posted some great music to listen to after spending the day outside doing landscaping in the hot minnesota sun.
ivylander: Yep. They have the same effect on me - when they don't have me doin' a Texas two-step.
Rawk: I'm heading to the satisfiedblog even now to hear what's up. And, just so's you keep cool tomorrow, don't forget the sunblock, man.
I am definitely in your camp regarding your thoughts on "Country" music (well, mostly...I do have a weakness for Shania). Leslie looks and sounds charming, reminding me of Alison Krauss vocally. Thanks for the education, prof!
Prefer my alt-country ladies a little filthier, like Neko Case, but that was a sweet and melodic little tune. Enjoyed the review.
My first ever post on mog was about this band. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!
The last show in April or so? --was so great so I'm glad they came again.
I expect big things from these talented musicians.
Leslie is a sweetheart, and that fiddle player Charlene is god's gift to the violin appreciating music afficionados.
So sorry I missed em!
http://mog.com/dangerdot/blog_post/150717
oh that's the post. it's short and sweet and before i even saw them live. but u can tell it was love at first....listen.
dermahrk: De nada, man. A few of the "bad girls" of Nashville interest me and I certainly admire outsiders such as Lyle and Dwight, but the current country-music establishment - rife with baloney like Alabama, Big & Rich, Tim 'n' Faith, and even worse - makes me nauseous.
FluxCapacitor: Leslie may very well get down and dirty, but I have not been privvy to such sensitive info. Meanwhile, she still manages to enchant.
dangerdot: I'm sure you'll catch 'em again. And thanks for the link to your post. Great minds think alike! ;-)
For some reason I'm not wild about altcountry bands fronted by females. It seems my ears 'n brain only like male vocals w/this style of music. Granted, I am able to recognize that Leslie & others do have great voices & talent. Good review Mike, as always!
August: Not wild about alt-country bands fronted by females? I shall pray for your immortal soul, you poor fellow. (Thanks for the kind note, sir.)
Yvw. Haha, you can 'pray' all you want but I'm proudly going to hell (sans handbasket), so you might want to rethink your prayerful efforts, oh Saint Knifely!(you ain't foolin' me though, hehe)
Have kept this page open for a few days now so that I can listen. She has such a sweet voice and the backing is perfect. A tip of the Stetson to you for bringing this our way.
August: Saint or sinner, I loves me some Leslie and the Badgers.
Jonh: Mah pleasure, pardner!
Even me, the country/roots/ etc imbecile, can feel their allure. Said allure, combined with your writing allure, is a grand mixture :)
Ah, you are too kind, Anna. And they are that good...
Sorry I'm so late to the party - but I try never to miss a Mike the Knife post... even with a crazed schedule... I share your sentiments Mike, I used to say, I like every type of music except Country and Western - but New Country is so much more than the cliches that they have perpetuated over the decades, like a really great fusion meal in a fine restaurant, Leslie surely is presenting something unique here, and much more than just a genre being served up in a neatly labeled industry box.
Thanks Mike, for introducing more of what is new and good (sometimes even great like this...) to me than any other Mogger...
Cheers!
You're very welcome, van. I will add that Leslie & company are the antithesis of what I laughingly call "new country," and certainly more in touch with real, honest trad country & western, which I respect, than the Nashville twaddle of today. Even if I'm not a devotee, the C&W originals and the real revivalists and alt-country-ites have my admiration.
I agree with you here too ... I re-read my hastily typed comment - and meant to say basically, that they are breaking the mold of what I believe to be New Country - should have said ... "...but this type of New Country is so much more ..."
V
D'accord.
Cette bande a tous l'intimité d'un petit groupe français au cours du trimestre, ou même suspendus sur la rue de Seinne à Paris.
Van
van: I can imagine. But I'd say that Leslie and company are uniquely American.
Even Americana - however, her voice does remind me (although not as breathy) as say the lead singer of Autour De Lucie - first written about here: http://mog.com/vannatta/blog/135877
Van
And I love Lucie!