Anti-Cynicism: Oh Jason, Are You Still Waiting?

I first saw Jason Anderson perform several years ago in Ithaca, when he was still calling himself Wolf Colonel.  Around the same time, I received from K Records a promo copy of Something/Everything!, the transitional album with which he came out from under his lupine nom de plume (it was credited to Wolf Colonel/Jason Anderson).  That album contains one of my favorite songs ever, "Jet Ski Accidents" (later covered by the Blow).

  

Since then, he's become something of a post-millennial Bruce Springsteen, if Bruce hailed from New England via Oregon instead of Jersey (via Jersey) and collaborated with Phil Elv(e)rum instead of Max Weinberg.  He's amassed a pretty ardent following, which is understandable if you've seen one of his incredibly exuberant and intimate shows (click those last three links; it'll be worth it!).  

Anderson plays almost exclusively All Ages shows in a refreshingly earnest D.I.Y. vein—putting himself out there rawly and passionately and without pretense (click it, dammit!), completely vulnerable and vital (it'd be cheesy if it wasn't so inspiring to see/hear someone so unencumbered by stylistic self-consciousness—just emphatically and uncynically dedicated to pure artistic connections).  Sometimes he performs with just an acoustic guitar, standing in the center of the crowd dripping sweat and belting out without a microphone; other times he's joined by a full band that shares his unbridled vivacity and optimism, like Guided by Voices pretending to be the E Street Band at a sweaty basement show.  

Anyhow, he currently has a month-long residency at Pete's Candy Store, performing each Wednesday in April for FREE, so you have ample opportunities and no excuse to miss him!

A song:

Same song, visually enhanced:

Anti-cynicism:

JASON ANDERSON

EVERY WEDNESDAY IN APRIL (2, 9, 16, & 23)

10PM
PETE'S CANDY STORE
(709 Lorimer St., Brooklyn, NY, 11211)
FREE