As of three months ago, Peter Bradley Adams is a proud homeowner. Oh, and he once bailed himself out of jail in Calhoun County, Georgia.
Saturday night, a mere $12 got me into Schuba’s Tavern to see Peter Bradley Adams, a melancholy indie/folk singer and songwriter who occasionally borders on country. I’ve been a fan for a while, so much of the show was familiar – but it was a familiar that was better than anything I expected. In person, Adams plays with an intensity that draws you in before you realize what’s happening.
Whether strumming old favorites, new songs, or using a guitar to play things written for piano, Adams put on a show that was at times humorous (he was unapologetic if he forgot the words to his own songs) and that sometimes left me aching with nostalgia for…something. And with so many songwriters obsessed with love and only love, it was refreshing to discover Adams’ songs are obsessed with something else: weather.
Opening for Adams was Chicago-native Haroula Rose. Awkwardly endearing, her lyrics reflected interests all over the map (“I have this whole sociological theory about why people in Los Angeles get plastic surgery,”) although her songs sometimes blurred together in the similarity of melodies.
The highlight of the show, however, was the two songs Adams and Rose sang together. Their voices blended so well it sent chills down my spine.
If you missed Adams while he was in Chicago, just make sure you don’t repeat the mistake next time.
Oh, and can I just say what a great venue Schuba’s makes? The back room, with its wooden paneling, dark lighting, and isolation from the bar gave a true tavern feel that made it easy to connect with the performers on stage.
(…right, the Calhoun County thing. After being pulled over for a broken taillight, Adams got hauled off to jail when it turned out his license was suspended. He convinced the clerk to drive him to a motel and “stayed there for two days until I convinced an ex-girlfriend to drive down from Nashville and pick me up.” In court, the judge asked him what he did for a living.
“I write songs in Nashville,” Adams said.
The judge looked him straight in the eye and said, “I used to write songs in Nashville.”
All charges were dropped.)
See him at: No concert dates currently posted, but expect a new CD around late January.
Curious Tracks 
Good stuff, Kate!