tonight at the Make-Out Room

We're going to see Etienne de Rocher again tonight. I'm starting to feel a bit like a groupie. We've seen him a bunch of times, but he always leaves you wanting more. He's a self-defined "weird, soulful French Southern white guy who writes songs that a lot of people really dig." If you passed him on the street, you'd think he was just another San Francisco hipster working that thrift store look. But to see him on stage, you quickly learn that he's quite unique--smart, funny, modest, and a great storyteller. We saw him perform at Porchlight, a monthly storytelling event at Cafe du Nord. (KQED was filming a bit for their show SPARK! that night, and you can see us in the audience.)

I'd say his music is moody indie rock but it's got serious R&B leanings. I would recommend him if you like Jack Johnson, Jamiroquai, Badly Drawn Boy, G Love & Special Sauce. I hate to admit it, but this white boy can rap. Also, he’s got an excellent stage presence, proven by his last show when he tactfully dealt with the drunk, rich, 60-something fan that was screaming out, “How much to buy a song??” Etienne cleverly named off an expensive brand of bourbon, and the next thing you know, the bartender brings the band a bottle of $500 bourbon. Then the showy lady slinked on stage in her diamond flip-flops and laid there during the next song, sipping her drink with a boozy smile. Slightly distracting, I’d imagine. Etienne remained cool and asked the bartender to serve the audience shots. Don't mind if I do! Anyway, the opening band is A Conspiracy of Beards. They are a 15 member acapella male choir performing exclusively the songs of Leonard Cohen.