LAist Hangs At Citizen Cope

LAist is a frequent concert goer, an in-the-know kinda LA person and thus usually feels most comfortable simply tapping our feet in the every present "arms crossed" tough guy stance that you'll see at music shows across town. We stand where the music guys, agents and managers stand - in the back and looking engaged but not dancing around like a fool. And so - every once in awhile - when we start to sway and our head starts to bob a little, well we know we've found a live show that is worth every penny and we would go to again.

Welcome to Citizen Cope Friday night at House of Blues. A little bit Matisyahu, a little bit Ben Harper, but ultimately a sound all of his own - he is jammy and soulful and engaging. His slightly ragged mountain man appearance, "What oh this, I just woke up and threw this on," almost hides his good looks. And we respect that his third album, Every Waking Moment, shows marked growth from the first two and he seems happy where he is and not wanting to clean up his look or change his sounds to fit traditional music markets and hopefully keeping him away becoming too mainstream.

And for those who don't know who Citizen Cope is? Well you would have been lonely in the HOB crowd Friday night, where everyone seemed to know all the words and cheered loudly as each song opened and closed.

Overheard? Ryan Cabrera next to us on the balcony as his little emo-rocker friend turns to him and says, "Hey man, you should really collaborate with Cope, that shit would be dope." Indeed, but good luck. Citizen Cope is developing into a sound all his own and us, for one, are going to keep track of the evolution.