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When the Charleston rock group, Leslie, broke up in the fall of 2011, Ballard Lesemann compared it to the tinge he felt at 16 when he heard of the Police calling it quits. Comprised of drummer Jonathan Carman, bassist Jason Fox and the singer-guitarist Sadler Vaden, the trio reportedly had killer live performances and their full-length album Lord, Have Mercy, showcased their perfect balance of classic southern rock and grunge. While the trio had just released their album earlier that year, there were new opportunities on the horizon; especially for Sadler Vaden who moved shortly afterwards from the coastal city to Nashville to join Drivin N Cryin. During that time, the Southern rock band was making a comeback with a series of four self-released EPs, the first being Songs from the Laudromat, all of which Vaden played a major role in crafting.
The talent showcased by Vaden during his two years recording and touring with Drivin N Cryin led to his later gig as the lead guitarist for Jason Isbell’s 400 Unit. However, throughout his time away from being a frontman, Vaden has continued to exercise his role as a songwriter and solo artist. Actually, the same year that Songs from the Laudromat was released also brought Vaden’s debut solo album, Radio Room. And when he’s not touring with the Isbell crew, he squeezes in solo performances – namely in Nashville or other towns in the Southeast – but those have been few and far between.
Last October, however, Sadler Vaden released his first single since the 2012 debut. Featured on American Songwriter, “Yesteryear” embodies the Southern rock soul of the 70s which Vaden has become known. Not only is a testament to his own aesthetic, bred from his father’s influence but also highlights the talent that Vaden has been closely aligned with for the past several years. As American Songwriter reported, the single features “keyboardist Derry Deborja (another 400 Unit bandmate), bassist Rich Brinsfield (Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors) and drummer Jon Radford (Steelism).” And the single is indicative of a new full-length album that is anticipated to be released sometime this year.
This show comes days before Vaden’s wedding, which is bound to be full of some of the same local talent and flavor that will be accompanying him on stage Thursday night. As noted in the Pour House listing, the show is being put on by the music collective Shrimp Records, which includes beloved locals of Joel Hamilton, Bill Carson, and the duo Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent (Shovels and Rope), just to name a few. Several of those musicians are expected to share the stage with Vaden that night, which is something you don’t want to miss.
The show is Thursday. Doors are at 8:30, show starts at 9:30. A portion of the proceeds are also going to the non-profit radio station, Ohm 96.3 (as if you needed another reason to go).
Purchase Tickets here.
