The Kitchen Garden was looking and feeling its quirky best. Christmas lights ever present since lockdown resumed a status of seasonal presence. Surreal Brummie paintings adorned the wall behind the artist including two iconic bulls locking horns. The infamous mirror adding depth to the side view. The 'L' shaped configuration testing a performer's dexterity. But most importantly, a packed house hooked onto the every word and musical note. There's no hiding place in a sold out Kitchen. Dylan LeBlanc knew the feeling as he ambled down the wooden stairs to the performing space. Just over a year ago, his full band had commandeered and conquered the tight playing confines to deliver a masterful show for the ages - arguably the venue's finest moment of recent times. For the return, the comfort blanket of familiar sidekicks was stripped. This was just one man, a guitar and a heart blasted open. The rest was history.
8:15 and the call went out, where's Dylan LeBlanc? 8:30 the protagonist sheepishly appeared with an apology. You sensed things being a little different this evening. By 10:45, seventy minds were blown. Profound beauty blossoms from unconventional waters. The voice, the stories, the songs, the anecdotes - they came at pace as the cog revolutions intensified. There can be no formal schooling in how Dylan LeBlanc portrays his music. Innate brilliance eases a gut coated sound to circulate an intense listening room. Soulful with a tender raspy edge that both smooths the words and blends seamlessly with degrees of instrument amplification. The acoustic guitar weaved its magic on a show escalating in eminence from an unplanned pool.
9:30 and a commercial break ensued. Not from the floor, he would have played for ever. Two hours on the hard chairs requires a bum shuffle for even the hardiest of gig goers, and small venues need to sell their beer. After a short break and minimal merch perusal (2024 is a year for touring after 2023's release of COYOTE), it was business as usual. Sheer randomness, great tunes, stories best kept in-house and more insight into an interesting world co-existing alongside somebody born to make music followed. The main upshot is Dylan LeBlanc likes this room and the room likes him back. Mutual appreciation hung thickly in the air.
Escaping alligators, youthful chaos, dodging cops and eventful flights all filled lengthy but engaging gaps between songs that draw little explanation, just evolving in their own bubble of effect. Maybe we weren't shown the best side of Shreveport Louisiana. For the record, songs like 'Coyote', 'Dark Waters', 'Hate' and 'Stranger Things' represented recent times, but for overall tenacity and resolve, older numbers in 'Cautionary Tale' and 'Easy Way Out' retained a prominence during post-gig reflections.
Perhaps it is aura that breaks Dylan Leblanc away from the more grounded singer-songwriters with a similar level of fine compositions. A gene garnering strength from the odd flaw. Great art often flourishes from a bout of imperfection. A trait separating the jobbing from the inspirational artist. The result induces a seamless bond between performer and listener, locked tighter within the enclosed boundaries of an intimate venue.
Dylan LeBlanc - the band- and the Kitchen Garden: the perfect fit. Dylan LeBlanc - solo - evoking the ethereal emotion of a room's spirit. If good things come in threes, get the booking in now. Whether band or solo, the welcome mat will be rolled open and vibes of ingrained intimacy will wring every ounce of nuance from musicians who matter and know how to connect.
