Talent emanated from Horton Lawn Thursday evening at the October Eddy. The three acts, Bridgetown, The Summer Set and Jonathan Jones of We Shot the Moon, played for a small, intimate crowd of Biolans.
The first band, the local boys of Bridgetown, brought out their set of funky, unique piano pop rock with tastefully eclectic flavor. At times dancey, at others straightforward rock, the band kept the listeners guessing as to the next song’s disposition. All in all, the Costa Mesa outfit exuded a confidence and tightness as a band that serves them well.
The next group to play was the Summer Set, hailing from Phoenix, Ariz. The band brought out a lively interpretation of their infectious pop songs to the grassy stage, something vocalist Brian Dales appreciated.
“You all look very comfortable,” he told the crowd, most of which was sitting on couches and chairs. “We are too. I kinda like playing on the grass.”
That was the mood throughout the night – a laid-back conversation between band and audience. One of the highlight’s of The Summer Set’s performance was an entertaining rock/pop cover of Usher’s “In This Club,” which sounded like it would fit perfectly in the popular “Punk Goes Crunk” compilation CD. They also played their brand new “Chelsea” and closed out their solid set with the electronica-tinged “She’s Got the Rhythm.”
It was a job well done by a young, 20-and-under band that is likely slated for bigger things ahead.
Last to take the stage was Jones. Finally back home in Southern California after a year-long national tour with his band, Jones looked relaxed and was engaging with his keyboard through the nine-song set. Pulling songs from throughout his career with his band, Waking Ashland, Jones delivered a near-flawless performance. Some of the songs sounded even better stripped down, a testament to the musical versatility of the singer.
Some highlights of the set were We Shot the Moon’s current single, “Sway Your Head,” an infectiously catchy pop tune, as well as a song from Waking Ashland’s repertoire called “All Hands on Deck.” Jones sheepishly downplayed it as “very emo,” asking himself, “What was I thinking?” as he recollected the earlier years of his songwriting. The “emo-ness” of that era did, however, provide one of the most moving moments of the evening with Ashland’s “I Am for You.” It was a moment that summed up Jones’ performance: a fitting diet of tastefully emotional songs, executed to near-perfection.
And good news: Jones says there’s a lot more to come. “We’ll definitely be back, if you guys ask us,” he said. “We’re on break now, but I’m definitely writing stuff.” His new album is tentatively slated for release next summer.
