Unwicked

Matty Charles

Jake Armerding

I love it when I take the right turn instead of the wrong one. I didn’t get out today because I didn’t feel like it. That simple, actually. If I could have dealt with laying on the couch, I would have done that. But I did vow to get off my ass and get out to see some live music tonight. I saw on the website for Pete’s Candy Store that a couple of solo acts were on the bill tonight: Jake Armerding and Matty Charles. I checked out their songs on the web, and while I enjoyed the delicate nature of Armerding’s songs, he didn’t set me on fire. Charles, however, he got me up and out to Pete’s.

Armerding reminded me of Paul Simon, and when he mentioned late in the set how much he loves Simon, that made sense. He’s a terrific musician; his violin and guitar work were very good and kept me interested.

Charles has a journeyman way about him. You only have to hear him perform a couple of songs to know he’s very serious about his craft. He handles each tune like a teacher who says goodbye to a favorite student at the end of the school year, like a farmer handles a favorite calf. He doesn’t treat his sings as precious or delicate things; he puts them out there to fly or fall on their own merits.

His playing is rollicking and tender; his voice is equal parts barstool and nomad, filling his songs with ache and regret.

Finding music this good is like finding a gold nugget on a driver river bed. I feel like a rich man, and I love it.