LarsMortensen.com Bio/Blog

Last night’s gig was a real pleasure.  I played a few rare ones and some of the songs really surprised me when they come out.  Utilizing all the sounds I have from my guitar and loopers is really a beautiful journey.  Last night’s 2nd set opener, Imaginary Walls, was probably the most dreamy, softly psychedelic version I have ever done of that one.  The beauty of it (or some would say the horror) is that I almost never plan or practice the ideas that get transformed into reality on stage here.  Imaginary started with a soft vocal loop, (one of my signature layered vocal synth sounds) and just grew out of that.

Now that I’m really getting settled in at the Kiss, set two is becoming a real treat.  Not that set one isn’t sweet too, it just serves a different thing.  After set one (about an hour/hour fifteen) I take a 20-30 minute break, have a beer at the counter, and greet new faces who are diggin’ things (Hi Brendan, Dale, Nancy, and the silent ladies in the back).   Then I usually step outside and reflect on the first set, feel where I’m at, and write the second setlist.

Set two is for the music after the kids go to bed.  The people have decompressed from the work day.  Their minds and bodies have opened to the more subtle things.   The sun is starting to fade slowly and I am more settled into the space for the evening.   This is where I let myself get lost in the songs (which is my natural way when performing but sometimes I gotta pull myself back into reality just to stay in touch).

Some songs turn from 3 minute nuggets into 10+ minute dreams.  I almost never play a set in the order, or with the exact songs, that I’ve written out.  There are always surprises along the way that lead me elsewhere.  Sometimes I’ll be improvising on something and a tune will enter my brain and I’ll segue into that.  Other times, something in the room, whether an actual event or just a mood tells me that something else is right at this moment.  This week I played a song and in the outro ended up playing a medley of covers including Stand by Me, and Lean on Me.

The music is alive. I let it breathe.  I guide it and it guides me.  It’s an easy, mutually respectful flow between us.  Come and get it…