Dawes
Getty Center - July 10, 2010
Last summer I went to The Getty Center to see The Dodos, and I was pleased to find that during my visit to see Dawes, the communal atmosphere was still in full force in the courtyard. This time, though, I visited in mid-July, which I would recommend doing if you’re in the area, rather than in August.
Why? Because patrons of The Getty Center and especially the “Saturdays Off the 405” are incredibly beautiful people. This is part of why I love living in Los Angeles, it is just chock-full of some of the most stunningly attractive folk. I get confused whenever I leave the city and, say, go to a restaurant. When my food is not brought to me by an actor or actress, it just doesn’t taste as good. Eye candy is necessary for a successful meal.
But besides my very pretty fellow listeners, the music was great. Dawes is slightly country, in a very SoCal kind of way. Much of their personality comes from lead singer Taylor Goldsmith, who had the habit of making some really incredible faces during his guitar solos. Quite enjoyable. He also told the audience, several times, that they had a long time on stage and they’d be rocking for awhile. Terrified that they would play right up until the time the museum kicked everyone out, I snuck away during one of their songs to view a couple of Rembrandt paintings that were visiting. Too bad you can’t really hear the band while enjoying the galleries.
The songs from Dawes' debut album, North Hills, seem to work even better live, especially outdoors, emphasizing the vulnerability of the lyrics. The atmosphere was like a laid back festival, and this made songs like “Love is All I Am” that much more heartbreaking, surrounded by groups of happy, cutely dressed friends and parents with their young children. Seeing Dawes should definitely be on every country and indie fan's list, with an asterisk next to it saying “see outside if possible.”
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