Shane Henderson- 6/13/12 North Star Bar, Philadelphia, PA
Valencia and Promise of Redemption have a resonating influence on the majority of the playlists/CD’s I’ve compiled over the past five years. The one consistent factor in their music is the heart-breaking, passionate, sometimes angry, but always brilliant work of Shane Henderson.
Shane’s music is a rare breed. It evolves and grows with the listener through changes in their own lives. The lyrics of a song heard (and sung along with) hundreds times will suddenly and unexpectedly hit the listener with the emotional equivalent of a dump truck. As an example, a friend of mine experienced a short, yet painful battle with skin cancer last year. As if predetermined, “Still Need You Around” started playing on her drive home from the initial diagnosis, and she had to pull over to calm down. She’s fine now, but that song will never lose its relevance to her or her boyfriend.
As of June 2012 I had never made it to a show, always taking for granted that I would “catch Valencia/Promise of Redemption/Shane Henderson next time around.” My reasoning was that he, like many of the bands I consider staples in my music collection, is local. Since moving to Philly, I have been in a perpetual state of awe at how many bands are so accessible here.
Case & point: upon entering the North Star, I firmly planted myself leaning against the “all ages soda and water bar” in the back of the venue to listen to the openers. Within a few seconds, a male in his mid-twenties approached me and my boyfriend with free download cards for a new Promise of Redemption song. Hooray! Unknowing, I looked into the eyes hidden under the burgundy Phillies cap to see the familiar face of Shane Henderson. Considering his sheepish grin and how low he was sporting the brim of his hat, I was apprehensive about blurting out “Shane Henderson! So nice to meet you!” and thrusting my hand out for a shake, so obviously, I let him walk away, probably still doubting as to whether or not it was him. As is my solution for most quandaries: To the bar!
I am always apprehensive about meeting the artists I listen to, as I have been sorely disappointed in the experience once or twice, and no longer enjoyed their music the way I had before the encounter. My concern with Shane was that he has such a powerhouse of a voice, and writes lyrics that can disarm the listener with their honesty… but I assumed he had to embody a bad caricature of a movie-based lead singer who doesn’t have time for his fans. I couldn’t have been more off.
Inside the bar (my much beloved 21+ area), my boyfriend and I discussed how excited we both were to see Mr. Henderson’s performance. Other than him and Ryan Adams, we do not agree on music-- at all. Unbeknownst to me, my boyfriend flagged down the man we were discussing to pose for a picture with me, where I immediately forgot how to shake hands… and how to form an articulate sentence. He was very sweet as he was clearly in the midst of getting ready to take the stage but still had time for us.
Settled into the show area, I was amazed. One would think the studio versions of his voice couldn’t be sustained in a live show. Surprisingly, they can. There’s a raw, exposed element to Shane’s voice, as if he’s belting out his lyrics for the first time, and experiencing the catalyst for their creation all over again.
The combination of the venue, the personality of the music and the laid back presence on stage made the show feel like an intimate gathering. Trevor and Shane addressed the crowd without condescension, repeatedly thanking everyone for coming.
At one point during their set, Shane introduced his friend, Bean, visiting from Buffalo, who had picked up a guitar and seamlessly joined the first part of the show, reinforcing the small gathering vibe in the room.
In a matter of what seemed like fifteen minutes, they covered a vast array of Valencia, Promise of Redemption and even Death Cab For Cutie.
I Will Follow You Into the Dark
Remember the First Day
Away We Go
When Flowers Bloom
Trace Those Steps
Dancing With a Ghost
Safe to Say
Can We Get Away
Pieces
Losing Sleep
The Good Life
From the Second I Wake Up
How Fast
Better Be Prepared
The Space Between
I’m paraphrasing, of course, but, Shane paused to remind the crowd that any artist who gets on stage and acts like they’re better than their fans isn’t worth their time or attention.
North Star Bar was impressive, Mr. Henderson. Just do us a favor, and don’t disappear. The music industry needs more artists like you.
