Garett Brennan & the Great Salt Licks // Kevin Lee Florence
Event Details
https://garettbrennan.com
Garett Brennan is an Oregon-based songwriter, singer and instrumentalist. His solo work explores the far intimate corners of the acoustic, roots and Americana worlds. His side project work with pigWar explores the fringe boundaries of soul, psychedelic and rock. His live performances are undeniably authentic and raw.
Tonight the ‘Licks are Garett with Luke Price, Jon Neufeld, Will Amend and Dave Coniglio!
From a young age, Kevin Lee Florence was always singing – first in church, and then inadvertently around the house. It wasn’t until his early twenties, however, that Florence picked up the guitar and immersed himself in Neil Young, Damien Jurado, Paul Simon, and a host of other folk legends, despite being raised in an community that disparaged folk music. He found inspiration in his father’s vinyl collection and an inborn penchant for writing poetry, and gradually set about turning his passion into something viable.
Given, Kevin Lee Florence’s debut album, represents the cream of the crop from his personally penned songs, along with two of Florence’s favorite covers: Paul Simon’s “Peace Like a River” and Damien Jurado’s “Ohio.” These gentle nods to two of his biggest influences help flesh out the simple, nine track record. Flecked with folk influences, finger-picked guitar lines and distinctive harmonies provided by his sister Kelly Florence, Given falls somewhere between Sam Beam’s hushed, vivid folk and Simon’s own conversational, quirky lyrical genius. The slow-burning hope of “Could Today be the Day” falls into a groove, and contrasts with harmony fanfare and drama on album closer “Kindness.” For the more traditional minded, “Shining Shining” is pure pastoral bliss, with bright piano accents and lush harmonies. Through it all, Florence’s understated, warm voice carries the record, wrapping you like a warm blanket on an autumn evening.