Don’t you hate pants?: Sondre Lerche at the 9:30 Club

by Katie

Such was the Simpsons-quote-cum-question posed by some high-spirited audience member during Sondre Lerche’s set on Monday night. I would like to add to that question: If not, why do you insist on charming them off of EVERYONE IN THE ROOM?

Seriously. Sondre Lerche might be the most charming thing to come out of Norway since Santa Claus.  I’m not sure who was more charmed–me, or the guy standing next to me who alternately swayed to the music and clasped his hands under his chin. Whether opining on Beyonce’s new single (he’s a fan) or releasing new songs on t-shirt, Lerche’s obvious enthusiasm and sense of humor held the full attention of the rather sedate Monday night crowd and garnered laughs without meaning to. He performed solo, which created plenty of opportunities to show off his sweet guitar skills.

Lerche opened his set with one of the new songs that’s been released on t-shirt, “Heartbeat Radio,” then asked the audience’s permission to work in a few new songs between “all the old hits.” His set drew from all of his previous releases, but mostly 2006′s jazzy “Duper Sessions” and 2007′s “Dan in Real Life” soundtrack. Rock tracks like “The Tape” lost none of their edge, even on acoustic guitar, while ballads like “Minor Detail” swelled to fill the entire venue. Though it’s probably not my favorite Lerche song, “Minor Detail” was my favorite part of the night; his voice was at its jazz-crooner best, and the spaces between the words were heavy with the anticipation of what was next.

Other highlights? When Sondre invited opener Sylvie Lewis back out to perform some of the duets he usually has to perform alone–”Hell No,” originally a duet with Regina Spektor, and “Modern Nature” from the “Faces Down” album. Lewis shocked Lerche by gargling her whiskey into the microphone. “Is this how you greet my audience?” he gasped. “By… by gurgling????” Lewis suggested they gurgle a duet, so watch out for that on Tuesday night in Philly, y’all.

Even though he called the crowd “sporty” early in the night (sometimes he  makes up his own meanings to English words. Charming!) Sondre asked, for the sake of his own ego, for some audience participation during “Two-Way Monologue.” He managed to get the crowd to sing the chorus a few times, but entreaties like “Louder!” didn’t do much. Maybe the crowd was getting tired, as Lerche had been playing for almost 90 minutes straight at this point.

By “straight” I guess I mean “sometimes with a five-minute break to talk about Beyonce and recover from the wicked guitar solos he kept shredding all night.” Is it still a solo when you’re the only person on stage? Somebody look into that for me. Guitar features? I dunno. But Sondre was rocking so hard, he was shaking, swinging his hair, convulsing, all in time to the jumping, asymmetrical rhythms he cranked out.

After the show, Lerche was peddling the “Polaroid Pumpkin Party EP” which featured new songs and a polaroid photo, but that shit sold out while I was at the stupid 9:30 club ATM. You fuckers got my transaction fee, I hope you’re happy! But that same charm and excitement that sustained him as he sat on the merch desk, taking photos, signing CDs, and talking about James Bond. He’s a big fan, particularly of George Lazenby‘s Bond.

Lerche has an incredible catalogue of four unique and incredible albums plus some other stuff, and he balanced new and old really well. I could gripe that, “Oh, he didn’t play ‘Phantom Punch’ or ‘Let My Love Open the Door’” but then I wouldn’t have heard new treats like “Good Luck,” which will hopefully make it onto the next record.

And, if Sondre wanted to me to quit my job, leave DC, and live inside of his guitar or brain, I’d totally do it, health insurance be damned!

Set list:

Heartbeat Radio (new)
Everyone’s Rooting for You
The Tape
Good Luck (new)
Airport, Taxi, Reception
Minor Detail
Dead Passengers
You Knocked Me Off My Feet
Hell No
Modern Nature
To Be Surprised
My Hands Are Shaking
Just Like Lazenby (new)
Sleep on Needles
Two-Way Monologue

Encore:
She’s Fantastic
We’ve Got All the Time in the World (Louis Armstrong cover)

UPDATE: Have a video!