A couple of months ago, I caught Jeffrey Lewis and the Junkyard opening for ultra-British talk-rockers Art Brut at the Mercury Lounge in New York, which struck me as unlikely, to say the least. This is a dude who sings in a nasal, simplistic, and subtly brilliant style to narrate his hand-drawn comic books, which he refers to as “low-budget Netflix.” It turns out Art Brut frontman Eddie Argos is quite the comic book enthusiast, so while this makes more sense, it also causes me to wonder what Jeffrey Lewis has in common with his other past tourmates. Do he and John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats both dig re-runs of Magnum, P.I.? Are he and Jarvis Cocker the only remaining fans of the Pet Rock? And now you’re telling me he’s touring with Akron/Family!? I need to know what brings these dudes together. It can’t just be mutual respect for each other’s music and record label agreements and booking companies... Oh, it can? Says you.
It’s a quick stint, but the bandana- and beard-wielding Akron/Family join Jeffrey Lewis and the Junkyard on the road in support of Lewis’ new album, Em Are I, his fifth full-length for Rough Trade. Perhaps he and Seth Olinsky will grow beards of solidarity together and solve my mystery.
Sorry, New York City:
09.10.09 - Baltimore, MD - Talking Head **
09.11.09 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's **
09.14.09 - Hudson, NY - Jason's Upstairs
09.15.09 - Williamsport, PA - Site: B
09.16.09 - Ithaca, NY - Castaways
09.17.09 - Buffalo, NY - Mohawk Place
09.19.09 - Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
09.20.09 - Louisville, KY - 21C Museum Atrium Gallery
** Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard only
