Chisai Jackson @ The Lost Lounge
I’ve seen Chisai Jackson (www.chisaijackson.com) for the first time last summer when they played the same, yet different, venue with jemo. I have his recorded album which includes a full band, yet all of the shows I’ve seen are him by himself with an acoustic guitar. Returning from a successful “Four Voices Tour” with some of his closest friends, this was Chisai’s first solo show in a while. It was hosted at the Lost Lounge, inside the Executive Snooker Club in Mississauga, Ontario. (The last time I saw Chisai here, they called it the Sound Lounge, and had since completely renovated the space)
The set promised to be a full set, and over an hour in length. Chisai delivered. From what I’ve been able to gather from his songs, they’re all very personal, and introspective to who he is and what brought him to this point. More on that when I review his album.
It’s a very quiet show when there is only one person on stage, and at the same time I’m still blown away by the range of songs, where some are quiet and melodic and into what I would consider a ballad and sappy fun and happy, there are also songs that are filled with I’d say are emotions not everyone wants to display to the world. You can feel the music before you hear the lyrics or watch him on stage.
Lots of songs and lots of explanations of songs went on this night. I always like artists who have time to talk about what’s going on in their lives, musically and not, just to get to know them better beyond what I would take away from their music. Like how he was at work and the girls he works with (who were also present for the show) were teasing him by putting stickers on him. Where he works I know not, but it’s a funny little story either way.
Chisai’s website claims that every show is different, and when I think about the shows I’ve gone to, I can agree. They’re all similar so far in that it’s always been him solo on stage, but the vibe to me, the feeling, the atmosphere, it’s different every time. It might be me, it might be the venue, but it’s true.
Chisai plays next January 27th at The Red Rooster Cafe in Burlington Ontario. (With Tim Tibbitts Band, Matt York and Angie Nussey)
