Laura Gibson started off the early show at The Casbah around 7:30 PM. She was clearly someone when I spotted her outside in her cute dress, but her demeanor is so meek and mild. She began with a soft "Hi" and then played her acoustic guitar all by herself. The fairly sparse crowd became silent under her distinctive vocal presence. After the first song she expressed her happiness of being back on the west coast after touring with her indie pop folk for four weeks.
Sean Ogilvie, with his mismatching socks, came up for most of the rest of the music. The next song he played keyboard, as well as back up vocals and percussion. There was only a floor tom and cymbal, but when you are playing these as well as another instrument, that is impressive. Later he would also play two different keyboards at the same time. Laura Gibson explained after the song that usually they are a three piece band but Micah Rabwin was absent because he was attending a wedding. She said that Sean was filling in for the drums, but Micah also plays the saw which I noticed outside as the two arrived and thought I would be hearing, but of course that did not happen.
On the third song Laura Gibson introduced the band, letting us know she was Laura Gibson and added that the band was Laura Gibson. She proceeded to tell a story about the next song, saying that she sold out and let her music be used in a commercial for The Humane Society, but that if you are going to sell out, you might as well do it with something like The Humane Society. Most everyone probably does not consider it selling out at all though. The song was "Hands in Pockets" and the commercial can be found on youtube.
The following song Gibson was going to play herself, but Ogilvie wanted to do the piano part. Gibson was hesitant since they had not practiced it, but said to Ogilvie to play if he was "feeling it". Apparently he did, and it turned out just fine. It was one that usually is not played on tour, but she felt like doing it this time. The next was punchier than all the songs before but was moderately paced. "Sweet Deception" was done next followed by one that had Gibson missing Micah's drumming the most, but said to clap if we wanted. The song, "Spirited" went just fine as it was played, being very solid.
The last song was a mellow one and it was too bad that it was over. Laura Gibson was a wonderful surprise for an opener as she clearly could and should be a headliner. Her beautiful songs had the crowd at full attention and she always received the applause she deserves. The planes could be heard flying by because of her style and the fact there was only her and another playing, but nothing could diminish the enjoyment of the music. The main feature of her work is her own unique voice that has so much character that it does not really matter what is being played behind it, but usually the music was well done anyways. My girlfriend went straight to the merchandise area after and bought both of her albums. Technically, now I own them too.