Lera Lynn
The Triple Door, Seattle, WA
10.07.15
The phrase “beyond their years” is loosely used these days, whether it be a child piano virtuoso, a young superstar athlete, or a rising politician – it comes up often. I’m guilty of it as well. However, there are times when it is spot on, and I believe that Lera Lynn is one of those people to whom it can genuinely apply.
At age 32, her music possesses a range of emotions, stories, and experiences which are unexpected from one just entering into their prime. Calmly, with a breezy style, she started her set by walking onto stage with a glass of wine and acknowledged the crowd with a “cheers” and a smile, and went right into the moody ballad, “Out At Sea.”
Her set largely contained songs from her new album The Avenues, and selections from HBO’s True Detective, which she wrote with T. Bone Burnett. Highlights of the night were the alt-country tribute to whiskey, aptly named “Whiskey,” a haunting solo cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire,” and “Drive,” a nice departure from her typical methodical pace. At one point, she and her band went a cappella and captivated the audience to a state of awe and quiet. I was in that trance; hence, I do not know the name of the song.
At the end of the night we were treated to a second encore, something she admitted she has never done. Her final song was her honky-tonk anthem to men everywhere, “Good Hearted Man,” and she left it all on the stage with a performance full of vibrant, fun energy.
In the end, her performance could be described as an effortless seduction of the crowd. There wasn’t a person in the crowd who did not lose themselves for at least a moment during the night. Being that she plays a mysterious songstress on TV, it would be fair to say that she was born to play the part.
For more information on tour dates and Lera’s music, visit her website here.
Opening for Lera Lynn is rock/country artist and Kirkland’s own Brian Whelan.
Review and photos by Phillip Johnson
Lera Lynn & Brian Whelan 
