Author: Yasmin Ettobi
Show photos by Erin Christie, header photo by Michael Lavine
Lindsey Jordan, the brain and voice behind indie-rock project Snail Mail, is 19-years-old. The fact that I’m just over a year younger than her and still struggling to remember to wash my sheets, while she sold out a concert at the Neptune Theatre on January 28th is really hard to wrap my head around, but that definitely didn’t stop me from attending the show. After hearing her live, it’s clear to see why there’s been so much hype around Snail Mail in the last couple months.
After doors opened, the floor quickly flooded with a multitude of the expected beanie-clad, roughly college-aged Snail Mail fan demographic, as well as a slightly concerning number of lone 35 to 40-year-old men who, just by the looks of it, abide by Pitchfork as their musical bible…but we won’t dwell on that.
Excitement was positively buzzing throughout the venue by the time Utah four-piece Choir Boy opened the night off. Equipped with Morrissey-esque vocals, a keyboard in the place of a drum set, and a lead singer with dance moves that were firstly strange, then strangely endearing, easily won the crowd over by the end of their 40-minute set.
Jordan took to the stage around 9:20 clad head to toe in Adidas, including a personalized Snail Mail jersey to top the look off. As the beginning of “Heat Wave” rang out of the Neptune’s speakers, it was clear that Jordan had no problem taking each song as slowly as she needed to in order to convey as much emotion as possible. Her vocals were astoundingly crisp and clear and rang throughout the venue for what seemed like an eternity, especially when she belted out the more heart-crushing lyrics of her most personal songs.
Snail Mail kept it simple when it came to stage presence and performed most of her songs with no between song conversation. I couldn’t really blame her; I wouldn’t want to talk to a crowd either if random grown men took any quiet opportunity to proclaim their creepy and unwarranted love for me. Jordan mostly let the music speak for itself as she performed most of the tracks off of her debut album Lush, as well as a couple off of her 2016 EP, Habits.
Perhaps the most special moment of the night occurred at the tail-end, when Snail Mail’s supporting band dropped their instruments and left Jordan alone with her guitar to close out the show. The crowd seemed to be in a trance as Jordan crooned “Anytime” and “Stick,” then erupted into thunderous applause as she gently placed her guitar down and left the stage.
It seems like with every passing day, more and more young talent emerges from the music industry. If this movement was to need a face to act as the leader, I would be the first to nominate Lindsey Jordan. The vulnerability, passion, and love for her art that she made apparent as she played her own music was truly inspiring.
YASMIN ETTOBI | but seriously, someone please remind me to wash my sheets | KXSU Music Reporter