As Lava Cantina here in the Colony was going through their final shows before shuttering the doors for an upcoming renovation (or more), no one was sure what the future would hold for the venue I called home for many years. Taking the opportunity to see bands I’ve never seen, Shea Abshier and the Nighthowlers was set to play a over a week ago. My first thought was “who” but after a quick Spotify artist check, oh yea. I was in!
So, before I dive into the night’s performance and pics, lets back up to that Spotify moment and build a bit, shall we?
29k+ monthly listeners. Check.
1st song – As You Weep, 4.7+ million listens, Check
2nd song – Kickapoo Redemption – 4.2+ million listens. Check.
Kickapoo Redemption. I have to be honest, after looking at the title and overall plays, I has to ask myself just what the hell a “kickapoo redemption” could ever be.
And after 3-4 times listening to it, I still have zero idea what it is in as much as what it’s about. knowing exactly what a “kickapoo redemption” may take a live interview to just ask. WTH, dude, tell us about this? 1st question in the books.
In the end, however; I answered my own questions along the way.
The song itself is a style shift in as much as anything. It drops to a heavy blues tone after an adult rockounry song (when rock and country blend, forgive me, it was off the cuff) with the 1st song, As You Weep. A heavy sad tone with a “touch” of blues and a soft vibratto I’m not sure if he’s trying to control or not.
But it’s so much his style and I love it.
So, while the tone of the music shifts to the heavy blues riff, his vocals are already there cause that’s kinda just what his vocals are. An emotional tone that has an edge. Edge of blues, edge of country, edge of rock; edge of a lot of sounds.
But it does all mix in the end to his overall style. Put THAT into your Mp3 player and play it.
So now we have an adult rockountry song (i may have to keep that) and then a blues “Kickapoo Redemption” drops a new style and we move to song #3 on Spotify, Take Me 2 Your Hell.
If this is the music to hell, pack up and let’s go.
We’re to a 3rd style of writing and delivery but they all keep the foundations of haunting vocals and an adult “sound” that crosses many genres into this feeling he delivers song after song. So far Shea Abshier and the Nighthowlers is 3 songs in and Im a fan.
I knew at this point I was Lava bound to hear this live and take pics.
Thought I forgot about the point of the evening while jamming again to the music and doing the review, huh?
After the Spotify run and hearing songs live for the first time, I quickly became a fan. He’ll be at Andys in Denton and if I can make it, hell yea I’m there. Maybe this time just pay attention to the show n take less pics. Love it when an artist can make me put my camera down and just get into it.
Last songs to reference is one I remember seeing live and doing just that, putting my camera down and just jammin. Spinning My Wheels and his latest song Tonight. What I love so much is the tone is set right away for the style of music they will play. From there they vary it up song to song so you’re hearing something new but familiar at the same time.
Easy to say that if you like one song, you’re gonna love this artist. In fact, we’re about to redo the look and feel of the entire website and change up our Renegade Favorite artists, and I can see Shea Abshire and the Nighthowlers right at home here on Renegade.
Now, when you go out on a whim and see a “new” artist do that, you know you found a new “favorite” artist. The fact that they are local is like icing on the cake. See you soon, Shea.
