Six Steps to Save Langhorne Slim’s Soul
Langhorne Slim is going to be famous.
Now, his soul must be saved. Not from the excess of success, but from the purgatory, the emotional void, the mindless regurgitation of lyrics of lost love and social activism. He must be saved from college rock.
First, let me preface my sentiments with the fact colleges have and continue to do great jobs in creating publicity for mid to lower stream and local bands. College radio is often a stalwart of integrity when for profit radio shifts towards national and mainstream acts (cough – WBCN). The college rock I’m talking about is the kind that caters to the scared.
Fresh places make for scared faces. People attach themselves to anything that suits the lowest common denominator because it allows them to fit in. This blind acceptance allows for a mediocre artist to gain widespread appeal among this fan base that refuses to be challenged because challenge could cause division and division could mean exile from their oh-so-important grouping of friends. A challenge over whether lyrics of a broken heart over dub and folk inspired tunes that (have to) feature bongos and risk banishment. One says, “Well, sure it’s catchy, but it’s also kind of boring,” and the mob screams, “Heretic!”
Unfortunately, he may be on a collision course with this horrid college rock circuit. And once there is impact mediocrity is ensured. A band becoming engrained in the college circuit is like every modern asteroid movie. Sure, there is money to be made in the product, but the product is always second rate. Langhorne Slim could be so much more than another B act, but standing in the back of the upstairs at the Middle East his fate seemed all but sealed – he is destined for college rock stardom.
I know, I know. I may be unfair to fault an artist for their fan base. Langhorne makes solid folk, soul, and bluegrass inspired tunes that I genuinely enjoy. Sure he plays to the pop side of all those genres, but what’s wrong with that? Nothing by my estimation. He seems to have the same root sensibilities as bands such as the Avett Brothers, the Felice Brothers, and Deertick, but has managed to more effectively to incorporate his pop influences.
His live set takes the more upbeat portions of his folk/pop sound and expounds on them. The songs get a little extra – effort, speed, and loudness. The band is clearly having fun and their enthusiasm is reciprocated by the crowd. There is all the standard guitar swinging, foot stomping, scratched voice vocals one would expect. Everyone moves and many joyously dance. I enjoyed their set very much. Maybe a little too much.
But, there are more important matters to address other than his set. Such as, why am I so frustrated that Langhorne is headed for the quicksand that is mediocre college rock? And, what can he do to escape that financially prosperous but emotionally and artisically void scene? First, I’ll address why a good artist falling prey to upper middle class riches is so damn trying.
Have you ever been on the T (or your local from of public transportation), or in the vicinity of a college rock concert prior to said concert? It’s awful. Hordes of loveable college students unable to hold their liquor, vomiting on the sidewalks, streets, and each other while sadly attempting to sing their favorite song by the artist they’re on the way to see. Vacuous conversation about something or other that you cannot seem to avoid overhearing even though you know full well you will leave the situation with a genuine frustration with your peers (or former self). The scene is perpetually obnoxious. Give me pretentious assholes instead of privileged, annoying, drunk assholes any day of the week.
How can Langhorne Slim avoid the aforementioned torment? Well, I’d say that it’s not entirely avoidable, but counter-stepping the trappings of the scene are a reasonable goal. I’ve outlined a six step plan.
Six Steps to Save Langhorne Slim’s Soul:
1. Avoid incorporating any reggae influence into your songs. Sure, Fugazi had reggae influences, but they’re Fugazi.
2. Avoid attaching himself to a political cause at all costs. Political and topical opinions are okay as long as they remain in his songs. Between song and everyday political vetting is a sure way obtain the love of current college students.
3. Do not make fun of college. College students eat it up when people make fun of their alma mater or college in general because they feel like they’re somehow fighting the system within the system.
4. Do an unbelievable raucous cover of Sam the Sham and the Pharoah’s Wooly Bully. Honestly, this step won’t accomplish anything, but I think the band has the potential to do a righteous cover of the classic punk track.
5. Play some electric guitar. Students will think this is some kind of grievous sin.
6. Disregard this list (except for no. 4). Be yourself, but embrace change.
Go catch Langhorne Slim before you have to be careful no one throws up on you. He puts on a fun show; which is the reason we all should hope he saves his soul.
Langhorne Slim’s S/T LP will be released April 29th through Kemado Records. Pre-Order.
Langhorne Slim – Rebel Side of Heaven
Langhorne, don’t forget: cover Wooly Bully…and now, for my own personal enjoyment…
Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs – Wooly Bully
