Jeremy Messersmith’s concert on Feb. 13 at the High Noon Saloon featured a mix of old and new, highlighting plenty of tracks from his latest album, Heart Murmurs, released on Feb. 4.
When I spoke to Messersmith before the show he had trouble defining his new album.
“It’s a record of love songs,” Messersmith said. “And I hope it finds a home with people and people like it. Hopefully it speaks for itself at some point. How’s that for the worst quote ever?”
Opening with “Tourniquet” off of his latest album, Messersmith showcased the larger sound that his band brings. Backed by drums, guitar, keys and cello, Messersmith is able to bring a heightened energy to fill bigger venues than on earlier tours, while still maintaining the gentle elegance of favorites like “A Girl, a Boy, and a Graveyard.”
After older tunes “Lazybones” and “Dillinger Eyes,” Messersmith slowed it down with “It's Only Dancing,” an ode to innocent friendship. In an almost-whisper, he stated “it’s something that all good friends do/it’s not like I’m in love with you.” His promise is ultimately undermined by ending with a hint of jealousy and resignation over a one-sided love that cannot be.
But it is his next song that Messersmith described as the closest thing he has to a love song. “I Want To Be Your One Night Stand” masks a sweet sentiment with wry lines like “you don’t have to meet my folks/I won’t bore you with my stupid jokes/just a guy with a minivan/I want to be your one night stand.”
Since it was the only night that Madison cellist Dan Lawonn joined him on stage, Messersmith played “Steve” for the first time on the tour. Lawonn’s moving cello lines soared over a lilting piano and Messersmith’s simplistic melodies.
To bring the energy up again Messersmith had the crowd singing variations of “ba” on “Violet.” For a half-full saloon, the crowd had no problem filling the venue with overlapping non-words.
The opening act, Tristen, came back on stage to join in on “Bridges.” Tristen’s indie rock sound has a harsher edge than that of Messersmith, but she meshed very well on the slightly melancholy track.
The choice to end on a mellow, quiet note with “Someday, Someone”—a track inspired by an Internet meme—was surprising, but fitting. In an expletive-filled chorus Messersmith promises that the one who will love everything about you is out there and eventually you will meet them, offering hope to all those hopeless romantics out there.
Despite the crowd’s enthusiasm Messersmith seemed genuinely concerned about his album’s reception when I spoke to him.
“I haven’t actually heard that much feedback on it because the record just came out,” Messersmith said. “I don’t know if people like it or not. Maybe it sucks.”
But in reality the concert was just the opposite—with a mix of pounding danceable tunes and delicate, intimate songs, the concert was the best I have gone to in a long time.
