John Doe and the Sadies Pics

Full set of photos from the show can be viewed here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/biggaydragon/sets/72157616726422211/

Extradition 2009's Inaugural show review Part 1: Richmond Fontaine 8/8/09.

Richmond Fontaine opened up for John Doe and the Sadies last Friday night at Hawkins Amphitheater on Bartley Ranch. I have long admired the strong story based songs of singer Willy Vlautin. He weaves vast narratives rich in the history of the West, Nevada, and Reno. What a treat it was to see RF for the first time in Willy’s hometown where a number of the stories in his lyrics are set. He has loads of adoring fans in the West as evidenced by the two fellas sitting next to us who drove seven hours from SLC that day just to see RF. A hometown crowd, a cool summer evening, and a lovely outdoor show backed by a chorus of crickets made for a fantastic opening set. Hawkins was the perfect setting for this show, an intimate outdoor venue that has really amazing sound clarity. It didn’t hurt that the band seemed completely stoked to be sharing the stage with John Doe and the Sadies. RF played for about an hour before they relinquished the stage to the headliners. It was too brief an introduction to live Richmond Fontaine, but very compelling. I hope to see more of them live in the not too distant future.

Willy Vlautin at the Studio on 4th St.

Willy Vlautin played an intimate set at the Studio on 4th Friday night, it was a benefit show for Reno mayoral hopeful Caleb Cage. Willy and Dan Eccles, guitar player from Richmond Fontaine, played 12 songs to a crowd of about 75 and they sounded lovely and warm. This show was a perfect appetizer for Saturday's full Richmond Fontaine set.

Thanks to Kathy from Gallatin Road Productions for inviting us to this show. It was a pleasure to hear a few of the Richmond Fontaine tunes stripped down to just guitars. We got to chat with Willy and Sean from the band after the set, they are really nice fellas. Hey Willy and crew - don't wait so long to come back to Reno!

This Saturday

I am looking forward to this show IN RENO(!!!) on Saturday. I have missed John Doe in the past when he has come through Reno and just recently missed Richmond Fontaine open for M. Ward in Oakland, so this show is perfect!

I am also very hopeful and excited about this new Gallatin Road Productions, they have a burb on their site that is quite tantalizing ...

"The Extradition concert is just a start for Gallatin Road Productions, one that we're hoping will lead to a full summer concert series and a music festival bringing the most creative, expressive and exciting alternative country acts to Reno."

Yes, bring it on! This combined with the news that The Knitting Factory may be opening a venue in Reno is very promising.