Music

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A week at the Wild Buffalo

By Carey Ross · Tuesday, September 18, 2012

It is an occupational hazard that writing about music in this town means not writing about so much of the music that happens in this town. Which is a convoluted way of saying a simple thing, merely that there’s generally more going on during any given week than one person—or newspaper—can give adequate attention to.

Obviously, this is not the worst problem to have.

Such is the case at the Wild Buffalo during the coming days. So, instead of choosing whether give attention to Ben Taylor or Father John Misty or Laura Marling, common sense would dictate time be devoted to all three.

First up in this musical triumvirate is Ben Taylor, who will warm up the Wild Buffalo on Thurs., Sept. 20 and provide ample foundation for what is to come. The son of Carly Simon and James Taylor, Ben’s feet have been on a musical path since before they emerged from the womb. After making a foray into what he called “neo-psychedelic folk funk” in an effort to distance himself from the dual legacy of his mighty musical parentage, the younger Taylor has accepted his musical destiny as the spawn of two of the greatest folk rock musicians in history and come to embrace it in his own music. Which is probably for the best, because when listening to his music, there is no doubt of the musical well from whence he sprang—and that well is deep and plentiful indeed.

The talented offspring of a couple of folk legends might be a tough act to follow, but Father John Misty will do just that a few days later when he takes his own turn Mon., Sept. 24 at the Wild Buffalo. Although the artist known as Father John Misty might seem like he’s been barnstorming music for just the past year or so (thanks, in no small part, to an assist from a video for his song “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings” that stars Parks and Rec’s Aubrey Plaza), as J. Tillman—his actual name—he’s been around awhile. As Tillman, he befriended and toured with Damien Jurado, as well as David Bazan, Richard Buckner, and more. He then signed on for a multi-year stint as drummer for the Fleet Foxes, a role he downplays, but one that clearly contributed to his current status as a Sub Pop artist and his evolution into Father John Misty. His first album under the new moniker, 2012’s Fear Fun, was released to great critical acclaim, and his live shows are becoming the stuff of legend wherever he goes.

Closing out this roundup of what will undoubtedly be an unforgettable week of music at the Wild Buffalo is Laura Marling, set to take the stage Tues., Sept. 25.—and it makes a certain amount of sense to come full circle from someone who is the son of James Taylor back around to someone who counts him among her influences. But Marling hasn’t exactly spent her musical life sitting around, strumming “Fire and Rain” and hoping for her big break. Indeed, she’s had the kind of career—complete with awards, accolades and musical compatriots who have sought her out—that signals this UK folk chanteuse is either very good or very lucky. I suspect it’s the former, and I further suspect that having the chance to see her at the Wild Buffalo—a show at which tickets are limited to the first 150 sold—is not an opportunity that will come our way again anytime soon.

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