Joseph Arthur in Lausanne

While I was visiting my friend Kara last week we had a short discussion about how certain music just seems to fit where you are – it becomes part of the soundtrack to your life. She was talking about how Feist is one of her current favorites though she doesn’t think she’ll still be listening to The Reminder in another 20 years. I’ve had my share of these bands and moments (John Mayer’s first album my freshman year of college, Switchfoot the summer after pre-junior year), though I hope that I can hang on to what they mean to me with a bit more longevity. I have to say that currently I can’t seem to get enough of Joseph Arthur. I have been familiar with him for several years: I knew his song “In the Sun” (video directed by Anton Corbijn and track covered by Michael Stipe for Hurricane Katrina relief) and “Honey and the Moon” is one of the highlights of the early OC soundtracks. However, I didn’t really delve any further into his work until I made it to Switzerland (ironic, since he’s originally from Ohio). One of my Shema friends, Sébastien, is a big fan and has played a few of his songs during our gatherings. This was enough to intrigue me and when I was in London earlier this year I found a copy of Our Shadows Will Remain at a used CD store for 2 pounds. I was blown away by the album and have since picked up a few more including the equally impressive Redemption’s Son. For whatever reason, this music just seems to speak to me right now. It deals honestly with faith, pain, hope, relationships and myriad other topics. For instance, this amazing lyric from "Devil’s Broom”: "I just pray that the Lord is gonna come down and take me / Sweep me off the floor with the devil’s broom / Where are you? / What did I do? / Why can’t you see? / You mean everything to me.”
I honestly can’t believe I hadn’t gotten into this guy before.

All that being said, on Tuesday night I had the good fortune to travel to Lausanne with Josh, Sébastien and two of Séb’s friends to see Joseph Arthur & The Lonely Astronauts (his band) live. It was at a venue called Les Docks which purportedly has the best sound in all of French-speaking Switzerland. I can’t say that it tops the LC Pavilion in Columbus (still my favorite venue sound-wise), but it was quite good.



Most of the times Séb has seen him, Joseph has played solo (with an assortment of guitar pedals and loops to help flesh out the sound) so he was wary of the full band. I have to say, I think we were all thrilled with the show. The setlist was a generous mix of material including several tunes from my two favorite albums (those mentioned above) and plenty from the new CD “Let’s Just Be.” The older stuff took on new arrangements but never to the songs’ detriment and the full band (including female background vocals) contributed a lot.





JA is a very entertaining, spontaneous performer. At one point he decided to use the lead guitarists’ mike and wander around the stage, forcing everyone in the band to regroup as well. He and the band all seemed to truly enjoy themselves during the show and we had a chance to chat briefly with he and Kraig afterwards. It was a long show but never tedious. It was a late night but in good company. It was meaningful in many ways. I highly recommend you go get yourself some Joseph Arthur – and check him out when he’s in your neighborhood.