At a powerhouse concert at the Echoplex in Echo Park a week ago, indie folk artist Odie Leigh edged her way into rockin’ pop with a touch of slightly gritty punky edge.
Through her tight, 15 song playlist, Leigh’s voice was impeccable, her lyrics often darkly romantic and powerfully intense – and even occasionally lighthearted and whimsical, as was the case with “All Star Breakfast,” a gentle Americana love song duet performed with her friend Field Medic.
Playing a mix of songs from her Carrier Pigeon albumn, and older tunes such as her poignant “Crop Circles,” a viral hit on TIkTok, Leigh might remind the audience of a young Lucinda Williams or Fiona Apple – the former, perhaps at least a bit, because of their shared Louisiana roots – but she is uniquely her own.
Melodic yet powerful, commanding on stage yet comfortably interactive with the audience, Leigh’s songs vibrated with a heady mix of sorrow and fun, determination and wonder.
Highlights of the strong set at Echoplex included heartfelt lyrics, a lively band to support her sounds, and a general upbeat vibe even when musing about loss and vulnerability. While the band supported her on most cuts, she did perform some songs solo, including the delicately wistful “Crop Circles.”
From the contagiously singable chorus in her “Chutes and Ladders” – “I’ll prеtend love’s Chutes and Ladders/’Til the game stops playing me” to the edgy rocker “My Name on A T-Shirt,” in which she sings “I wanna know how this one еnds…”
Well in Leigh’s case, listeners won’t want this to end at all.
Vibrant, soulful even, and still retaining some of that Americana lyricism, long may Leigh rock – and roll out whatever musical alchemy may come next.
Opening act Clover County was no slouch either, offering rich vocals and sweetly melodic sounds with a strong mix of indie folk and country sounds with themes of heartbreak and modern love.
The Georgia native has a smooth yet intimate style that warmed the audience in the best way – winning those unfamiliar with her hopeful melodies and raw breakup stories to ask for one more song before she left the stage.
- Genie Davis; photos: Jack Burke, Genie Davis