review by Sophia DeSade

A Melodic and sweetly darkened mood set the tone for the Eric Apoe and Danny Godinez show at Egan’s Jam house on Ballard Avenue. The Jam House provides a closely intimate and entirely relaxed venue which speaks to the past with a sentimental appreciation of the traditional club atmosphere. “We’re really trying to emulate the small jazz clubs of New York and Paris from the 30s and 40s, but with a bit of Ballard and the Pacific Rim,” stated owner, Suzanne Weghorst.

With the surround sound acoustics, candle lighting and stage centered seating; the atmosphere speaks to rekindling of the past and a true appreciation of the music. The club features predominantly live jazz, blues and folk with a consistent line up of fine players any night of the week. On this night, a UW locksmith by day and musical juju man by night, Eric Apoe was set to play guitar and vocals in a duel showcase with the soulful and astounding guitarist Danny Godinez.

Like a chill creeping into the room, Eric Apoe’s music stimulates a heightened sense of awareness through his penetrating and enigmatic lyrics. Apoe’s fiery personality, marinated voice and ominous presence contribute to the feeling. A man who describes his work as “Cinematic Poetry” and types his songs as “psychological investigations” provides an unexpectedly crafted delivery.

From the macabre waltz of the “Tin Foil Marty Grais”, the sentimental blues “Broken Hearted Blackbird” to the gypsy folk of “Russian Roulette”, Apoe’s music speaks to a myriad of moods and memories. His personality sets the tone of the night, friendly and disarming, yet entirely out of this world.

Apoe spent years of involvement in the deep sludge of the music world, touching elbows with many a known musician and professionally songwriting for Warner-Chapel Music in Los Angeles. After some 23 years of drumming, songwriting and guitar work, Eric’s style is well crafted to say the least. Apoe’s professionalism is most found in his well developed sense of expression in which his songwriting invokes almost universally felt experiences with a creativity that is specifically unique.

Apoe shared his inspiration for the lyrics in his song “Sayonara”, which he describes as “a surgical separation of emotions, one that gives memorable applications of goodbye”. Although the song was personally inspired by his daughter’s departure from home, the lyrical style acts as a brilliant metaphorical mask for a broad spectrum of emotions felt in deep loss. On a more colorful note, the curiously titled “Spider and the Octopus” is by Apoe’s description, “A fable about political suicide, about the insanity of war, the uncontrollable nature of humans”.

Not only does Eric have rare approach to songwriting, but the music of is an uncommon fusion of self-described “American and European Roots Music” that is inspired by figures like Bob Dylan, Billie Holiday and Leonard Cohen. His band, Eric Apoe and They, appear to breathlessly flow from blues to folk-rock, then throws a curve ball with a little eastern European violin with just a touch of punk.

The band incorporates numerous styles and skilled musicians who cultivate a truly impressive sound. Just to have a more specific idea, Eric Apoe and they create music with similar qualities to Tom Waits, Van Morrison and Nick Cave in their strong use of vocals, lyrical aptitude and folk influences. However, the band really cannot be defined as one particular style, which can be a bit disorienting to some and to others a welcome surprise.

Not only is the music a great get away from the Seattle’s common denominator of alternative rock, but it also makes you think. The lyrics are exceptionally well cultivated and his musically style creates a heavy and almost tangible atmosphere to experience this one-of-a kind performance.

Check out Eric Apoe’s performance on Friday December 7th at Café Allegro (42nd and University) or come on down for a grand reunion show with Doug Kershaw on January 16th at the Triple Door. For more information on Eric Apoe, visit ericapoe.com and Egan’s Jam House performance calendar is posted at the ballardjamhouse.com.