MOG

I saw Chad as well at the Variety Playhouse show with the much over hyped, but nonetheless, still a pretty damn good group Band of Horses. I have been listening to Mr. VanGaalen ever since I read a raving review right about the time Infiniheart was first released over at the Cokemachineglow website(check it out if your tired of pfork and what not). Before the show I was interested to see how his material panned out live due to the intimate nature of his well crafted bedroom pop he records. I read previously about how he was notoriously shy and did not have a fond view of performing his material live. Upon Chad walking on the stage, he sits down, pulls out a violin and immediately belts out a tune of which to my knowledge has not been released (correct me any one if I am wrong). The song called for not typical string arrangements but plucking and strumming. The crowd stood somewhat surprised and bewildered from the odd choice to open up the set and then Chad shyly introduced himself to the applause of the show going people. Chad seemed somewhat out of place and unsure at the beginning but he found himself through the set gaining confidence throughout and converting the crowd which was mostly there for Band of Horses. He did this through his great music which by the way was performed just by himself as a one man band manning percussion, guitar, harmonica, and his vocals along with his easy going attitude which he interacted with the crowd through comedy and discussing Waffle House. Overall the set by Chad was highly entertaining and reinforced my belief he is one of the better artists out there today.

Don't know why i just wrote all of this but I saw kaleef went to the same show and just wanted to comment on the actual music of the canuck. Cool pin and thats nice he took the time out to talk to you. I never take the time to meet such artists cause hey they are people just like you and me so what is so special. But I am sure Chad is most likely the exception, no?

great recount joey p! before that night, i never heard the name chad vangaalen. i was there to see BOH, but _his_ performance was the one that stuck out in my mind. all night. he was so engaging and quirky. and i met him by chance, i was buying a BOH t-shirt and he was manning the counter. i was like... "hey, you were just on stage... great music." and i didn't know what else to say, i didn't expect him in front of me, looking into my eyes. anyway, great show, and i would love to see hi again.

yea I enjoyed Chad's set much more as well and actually he took a bow from a violin and used it on a guitar not an actual violin. It was such a while ago the events in my head were a little shady...but indeed Chad stole the show in my mind

what did you think of simon dawes?