if there's one thing new york doesn't have a shortage of, it's fabulous music. i decided at the last minute to go to a show at bowery ballroom this past wednesday, and i'm pretty darn glad i did. this swedish musician named kristian matsson, who goes by the moniker the tallest man on earth, played a delightful catalogue of raw, gravel-y folk songs (think a slightly twangier bob dylan). he's a tiny bit quirky, but oh-so-charming (not to mention, a damn fine singer). i hadn't heard much of his music before the show, but i was pleasantly surprised how much i dug it (and how small he is, ironically enough).
he seems like such a gracious soul, too. his response to some potentially troublesome technical problems? a smile and a wink. when things were back up and running, he thanked the crowd in muted english for their patience and said we (the audience) were so very kind. i replied with. "tack så mycket" (thank you) -- the only swedish i know. he smiled, which i like to think means he was mildly impressed. at least that's what i'll keep telling myself...
