Live: Jack Garratt at Hotel Café, LA

Thursday, March 26^th:  It’s early in Hollywood, the restaurant dinner crowd is just getting started and the clubs aren’t even unlocked yet.  The unassuming building off Cahuenga Blvd and Hollywood Blvd known as the Hotel Café with it’s back alley entrance has become a hot spot for up and coming talent and surprise appearances by established acts.  Tonight the UK import, Jack Garratt, is making an early appearance to an intimate crowd eagerly packed in at 8pm with high expectations.
Looking as low key as the venue he is in, the heavily bearded Jack was all but inconspicuous during his 30-minute set.  Virtuoso is the term that comes to mind.  The one-man-midi-band has become a trend in the current Electronic scene with Alternative acts like Chet Faker.  A gimmick that amazes at first but slowly wares thin as you realize you’re watching a guy primarily twist knobs while looking down and singing to his equipment.  Jack might be a one man band, but this is not that.  Selections from his recent EP, Remnants, were masterfully executed as his left hand played keys, right hand wielding a drum stick pounded away on the drum machine, feet working pedals, guitar strung around neck all while singing with superb accuracy and emotion.  The opening song ends, crowd erupts in ecstasy with jaws planted on the floor.  He cranks into the aggressive new single “Chemical” before first single “The Love You’re Given” comes in, a piece that would be ideal for Neo-Soul vet D’Angelo as his low tone rides over Dilla esque drums .  Crowd favorite “Worry” follows proceeded by a guitar only piece, which can only be compared to a lost Jeff Buckley song.  His rich soulful voice jumps up to a flawless falsetto over Hendrix style guitar riffs commanding the same attention from us with simplicity as his musical juggling act did previously.  This is no ordinary man, and the audience fully acknowledges this.
Between songs Jack talks humorously with the humbleness of a street corner performer, and for all we know that is how he was discovered.  One more song and it’s over.  Standing ovation proceeded by demands for “one more song” but sadly it was not meant to be.  It’s safe to assume all in attendance will be first in line at his Troubadour show on June 1^st.  Make sure you catch him now while he’s still doing intimate venues.
The new single, “Chemical” and the Remnants EP are available now on Island Records/UMG.
For tour dates got to jackgarratt.com
 
- Dominic Painter