Last Exit books is truly a tiny, Kent charm. The low-lights cast a warm glow on the diverse mediums of artwork scattered on the walls, amidst rows and rows of books that people pick through to the erratic whirring of the espresso machine.
Acoustic Night drew a quiet crowd, but people slowly filed into the cafe area as the first performers, The Labra Brothers, warmed up. The Youngstown natives also played at Kentchella a few months ago, and I was blown away by their performance then, but I have to say I liked their Acoustic Night performance even more. With a demanding and professional stage presence, the band played through various songs off their self-titled EP (available to stream on Spotify). They showcased their perfect harmonies and a sound reminiscent of the Eagles, but with the occasional Spanish-language twist. Their sound is jovial and vibrant, and it’s difficult to concentrate on anything else in the room while they’re playing.
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- The Labra Brothers play Black Squirrel Radio’s Acoustic Night at Last Exit Books. Photo by: Emily Brodke
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- The Labra Brothers play Black Squirrel Radio’s Acoustic Night at Last Exit Books. Photo by: Emily Brodke
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- The Labra Brothers play Black Squirrel Radio’s Acoustic Night at Last Exit Books. Photo by: Emily Brodke
Next up was Alex Jackson, hailing from Kent and sharing not only his acoustic singer/songwriter talents but his rapping talents as well. His songwriting was sincere and catchy, and his quiet back-and-forth banter with the audience made him incredibly likable. Check out some of his tracks on SoundCloud.
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- Alex Jackson plays Black Squirrel Radio’s Acoustic Night at Last Exit Books. Photo by: Emily Brodke
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- Alex Jackson plays Black Squirrel Radio’s Acoustic Night at Last Exit Books. Photo by: Emily Brodke
Closing out the night was Young Folk Band, comprised of three talented students from Case Western University. This band absolutely blew me away. Their trumpet player (who was a riot to watch because he truly looked like he was having the best day of his life) combined with their smooth harmonies and soft energy made me feel like I should be listening to this band on a back porch in New York City. Check out their music.
There is definitely a special atmosphere at exclusively acoustic performances because the audience has no other choice than to REALLY listen to the music. There is no danger of PBRs being spilled on you, and no risk of being a sudden and unwilling participant in a mosh pit. Acoustic nights are all about the music, and it’s a refreshing change of pace.
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- Young Folk Band play Black Squirrel Radio’s Acoustic Night at Last Exit Books. Photo by: Emily Brodke
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- Young Folk Band play Black Squirrel Radio’s Acoustic Night at Last Exit Books. Photo by: Emily Brodke