caught nat baldwin of the dirty projectors doing a solo show tonight in a small coffee shop in ottawa. solo, in this case, meant "stringed bass and vocals in a roughly singer-songwriter type capacity".
i have to admit that i wasn't walking in with much baggage, not being very familiar with the dirty projectors. i've heard some things, sure, but none of it has ever really hit me very hard. yet, for a ten minute walk and a ten dollar cover i could hardly not go and i'm glad i went, if for no other reason than to say that i got to see nat baldwin do a solo set in a small coffee shop in ottawa.
the singer-songwriter trope has been done and overdone with just about every instrument besides a stringed bass. yes, even the kazoo. on one level, that's really all there is to say about what nat baldwin does; it's singer-songwriter music with a stringed bass and works solely due to the uniqueness of this wonky twist.
however, there is something else to say about it and it's that baldwin doesn't use his instrument as a gimmick. his songs are written with enough care to remain interesting, twisting and winding through song structures full of unexpected harmonies and thick harmonics, both the result of the instrument he's using, as well as strategically placed little bursts of noise.
i'm not sure i'd be able to really cherish a full record of this on a regular basis, but i'd absolutely suggest having a beer with him if he comes through your town.
i don't have serious ottawa footage, but there is an interview up above and here is the set from buffalo: