Phosphorescent's triple-vinyl concert album Live at the Music Hall will be out on February 17 through Dead Oceans, and we can get a new taste of the set with "Nothing Was Stolen (Love Me Foolishly)."
This performance of the folk-rock song from 2010's Here's to Taking It Easy finds Matthew Houck backed by a band who provide a spacious arrangement with lots of bright, watery tones. Houck lets some of his backing players have a moment in the spotlight when he calls them out by name to perform solos.
In a statement, Houck said this about the song:
"Nothing Was Stolen (Love Me Foolishly)" is probably the most straightforward four-on-the-floor-type pop song I've got. I wouldn't have expected it to become a live staple but it has consistently found a spot in the sets over the last couple years.
I think of shows the same way I think of albums in that, ideally, you can establish a world and then create something like a journey within that world. That said, I rarely make set-lists because you never know what kind of vibe the evening might bring. So it's sort of like sequencing an album in real-time; reacting to the room and the crowd and the band; and aiming for a nice arc.
Anyway, "Nothing Was Stolen" has established itself as a welcome guest on these journeys. Like an easy-going buddy who pops in and refreshes the party. Maybe lightens the mood if needed. Or maybe focuses the mood if that's what's needed.
Also it gives me the chance to give shout-outs to whoever's gonna take the solos. I enjoy that bit.
Hear it below.
This performance of the folk-rock song from 2010's Here's to Taking It Easy finds Matthew Houck backed by a band who provide a spacious arrangement with lots of bright, watery tones. Houck lets some of his backing players have a moment in the spotlight when he calls them out by name to perform solos.
In a statement, Houck said this about the song:
"Nothing Was Stolen (Love Me Foolishly)" is probably the most straightforward four-on-the-floor-type pop song I've got. I wouldn't have expected it to become a live staple but it has consistently found a spot in the sets over the last couple years.
I think of shows the same way I think of albums in that, ideally, you can establish a world and then create something like a journey within that world. That said, I rarely make set-lists because you never know what kind of vibe the evening might bring. So it's sort of like sequencing an album in real-time; reacting to the room and the crowd and the band; and aiming for a nice arc.
Anyway, "Nothing Was Stolen" has established itself as a welcome guest on these journeys. Like an easy-going buddy who pops in and refreshes the party. Maybe lightens the mood if needed. Or maybe focuses the mood if that's what's needed.
Also it gives me the chance to give shout-outs to whoever's gonna take the solos. I enjoy that bit.
Hear it below.