“This set is dedicated to the child that is growing inside of my wife, I’m not sure what it is right now.”
Last Wednesday American country/folk singer Micah P. Hinson made his way on stage, put down his cane, picked up his guitar and began his second night headlining an All Tomorrow’s Parties Pop-up Venue in Dalston with this dedication.
From the neck down, Hinson’s flannel shirt and baggy overalls give the indication that’s he’s just come in from a day of farm work in rural Tennessee. From the neck up, his disheveled hair, glasses, cap and earrings brought on memories of Elliott Smith, as did the few missed notes and chickens that would squeak out as he shuffled around on stage between his notebook and his extensive pedal board.
The latter, however, is not due to the many problems that ailed Smith but to the fact that a van accident while on tour in Spain severely injured his arms and forced him to relearn how to play his signature instrument, a confession he made to the audience after playing through his album Gospel of Progress in it’s entirety and a brief cigarette break. Now the missed notes represent perseverance and dignity and his stage presence shines with both.
If I recall correctly, Hinson played all the way through a couple of his albums and to a bulging and eager crowd no less, swaying along to his brand of soulful folk. Their attention never wandered, which is no small feat since the dawn of the age of the smart phone and the copious amounts of booze the venue (formerly the ground floor of the Total Refreshment Centre) had on offer.
For now, Micah P. Hinson has since moved on to Europe before heading back to his home in Abilene Texas. He doesn’t have any planned tour dates in the UK for the moment but he’ll be back, he always is. His fan base this side of the pond is ever strong and always growing.
As always, head over to Walloh to download the app and enter for chance to win free tickets to London Gigs. Up for grabs now are tickets for Sir Richard Bishop at Tin Tabernacle May 22nd and Mikal Cronin at 100 Club on the first of June. Hope to see you there.
