- Jen Cray
- Sarah Shook & the Disarmers at Will’s Pub
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND
Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, Matt Woods and Terri Binion, Will’s Pub, Aug. 9
Without condition or argument, North Carolina’s Sarah Shook is one of the best, most compelling forces rising in American roots music today. And this latest performance reaffirmed the spark I saw in her band’s 2017 Orlando debut. She and the Disarmers, a robust country-rock combo complete with pedal steel and upright bass, played another set that vigorously framed Shook’s signature union of lacerated heart, sweet bourbon twang and switchblade edge.
- Jen Cray
- Sarah Shook & the Disarmers at Will’s Pub
But even greater than any single virtue of this one performance, at least for Orlando, is that Shook and the boys are working our city hard right now. Whenever that involves an exceptional, upward contender like this, that’s worth noting.
- Jen Cray
- Sarah Shook & the Disarmers at Will’s Pub
- Jen Cray
- Sarah Shook & the Disarmers at Will’s Pub
Taking the same road through here that now-major bands like Lucero and American Aquarium did on their way up, Sarah Shook & the Disarmers have now played Orlando three times in just two years since emerging on Bloodshot Records. And from the reception here that’s gone from maybe a dozen bodies a couple short years ago to a full room this time, this locomotive looks like it’s gathering steam. Get on board now because this express is the toughest, possibly even the best, of the new class of real-ass country.
- Jen Cray
- Sarah Shook & the Disarmers at Will’s Pub
Also on the bill was Matt Woods, a well-traveled Tennessee country-rocker who ranks alongside Americana notables such as Ben Nichols, BJ Barham and Jon Snodgrass who’ve all done considerable time in the Orlando scene over the years. As a five-piece band complete with organist, this return was one of the most deluxe he’s ever come with, and it resulted in one of Woods’ most resonant performances here.
- Jen Cray
- Matt Woods at Will’s Pub
What more can I say about local opener Terri Binion except for she ain’t considered the queen of Central Florida Americana for nothing?
- Jen Cray
- Terri Binion at Will’s Pub
Oh, and she just released a video to my absolute favorite song off her latest album (“Tiny Little Landmines”) that was beautifully shot by fellow local musician and budding photographer Mike Dunn:
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Email Bao: baolehuu@orlandoweekly.com