“Obadiah was a cripple and a grump, on the beak of a bald-headed bird”
Some lyricists are able to delicately transcend cohesive thoughts into imaginative worlds of abstraction. The latest such songwriter-talent to come across my ears is Joel Thibodeau, he is the man responsible for Sub Pop’s latest offering of neo-folk. He has a voice like a boy angel, but Death Vessel’s greatest strength is in the diversity of genre. Bluegrass, blues, rock, and folk scurry over Nothing is Precious Enough For Us with complete awareness of schizo-variety. And yet, the album does not spin into unfocused musical free-for-all. The result is an interesting and unique take on the indie-folk sound. One that has been growing on me heavily for the past month or so.
Joel’s appearance as Music Blog Guest is brief, but he is worth getting to know:
Dylan: Hi Joel. What’s your favorite CD today?
Joel: The Congos “Heart of the Congosâ€â€¦ because, for starters, the bass line on Congoman…
Dylan: I will listen to that. How about your best memory from Death Vessel’s last tour?
Joel: Discovering that some people enjoy eating cockscombs.
Dylan: I don’t know what that is, but it just might lead into my next question. What is a philosophical/theological thought you’d like to share with the ReleBlog?
Joel: Expect less in return.
Dylan: Thank you for that. What are you reading these days?
Joel: Brian Evenson’s “Dark Propertyâ€
Dylan: What are you wearing right now?
Joel: Boots, jeans, belt, t-shirt, watch and undergarments.
Dylan: Fascinating. Since conducting these interviews for the ReleBlog, I’ve deduced that most musicians don’t wear watches, nor do they mention undergarments.  Why are you making music?
Joel: Because no one asked me to.
Dylan: Before we go, what else would you like to add the interview?
Joel: I’ve moved to a new residence fifteen times during the past fifteen years.
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Death Vessel is currently on a headlining tour of the United States. For an intimate little show of sincere musicianship, try to catch Joel if he’s in your town:
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Media Club | Vancouver, British Columbia | ||
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The Tractor Tavern | Seattle, Washington | ||
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Doug Fir Lounge | Portland, Oregon | ||
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Bottom of the Hill | San Fancisco, California | ||
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Spaceland | Los Angeles, California | ||
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Modified Arts | Phoenix, Arizona | ||
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Rubber Gloves | Denton, Texas | ||
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Emos Lounge | Austin, Texas | ||
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Spanish Moon | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | ||
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The Earl | Atlanta, Georgia | ||
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Local 506 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | ||
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Black Cat Backstage | Washington, Washington DC | ||
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Johnny Brendas | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | ||
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Mercury Lounge | New York, New York | ||
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Union Hall | Brooklyn, New York | ||
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BAR Nightclub | New Haven, Connecticut | ||
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Che’s Lounge | Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts | ||
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The Living Room | Providence, Rhode Island | ||
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SPACE | Portland, Maine | ||
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Harpers Ferry | Boston, Massachusetts | ||
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The Rendezvous | Turners Falls, Massachusetts |
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“Send me permanent ultra-marine,
scratching the surface from in-between
i love you’s”
