The Joshua Band Cholmondeley’s Waltham, MA September 27, 2008

Sep 27

AndrewArt Rock No Comments

Joshua Bennett-Johnson’s one-man show made its debut at Cholmondeley’s Coffeehouse at Brandeis University affectionately known as Chum’s. Chum’s, as the story goes, is the inspiration for Central Perk in the Friends TV show.

The six-song set was complete with quiet memorable hooks and his performance style, though understated, was perfect for the setting. The showcase exhibited Bennett-Johnson’s nimble songwriting craft, striking tunes evoking an assortment of autumnal imagery. Iranian Delight, a song about heroin, appropriately had the feel of a sweeping love song. Working through some tension early in the set, he hit his stride during Chase the Road, which he wrote in the last month. The Spaces in Between was the crowd favorite.

As Bennett-Johnson himself told the audience towards the last song of the night, “What’s the point of having these songs if you can’t go out and play them for people?” Indeed, hopefully this just the first time he does so.

The Joshua Band setlist
Iranian Delight
Gone Away
Chase the Road
The Spaces in Between
Untitled
Eleni