One To Watch: San Francisco’s Ryan Auffenberg

If you have a soft spot for the haunting male/female vocal harmonies of Damien Rice, the bright Americana of ‘Gold’-era Ryan Adams, or the smooth sounds of Josh Rouse, you will love this next artist. Ryan Auffenberg is a San Francisco singer-songwriter who is making some amazingly good (mature, thoughtful, musically solid) songs for someone of his age (25). He’s opened for the likes of Mark Kozelek and Jon Auer (of The Posies), and is starting to gain some well-deserved notice of his own.

If you find yourself in the city by the bay tomorrow night (Tuesday August 15th) I highly recommend swinging by San Francisco’s scenic Cafe Du Nord for the record-release party for Auffenberg’s The Bright Lights EP. This is the the first new music since his 2003 debut Climb, and an appetizer to his upcoming sophomore album Golden Gate Park, and it sounds great. Doors open 8pm, show at 8:30; be there. They are playing with The Bittersweets and Brothers & Sisters.

His song “Under All The Bright Lights” sails effortlessly into my top ten favorite songs of 2006 thus far. Seriously, I love it and you will too. It is a stellar, evocative, emotional tour de force set against a lush backdrop of gorgeous strings and wrenching piano. But for all the prettiness of the melody, listen closely to the lyrics for a dose of jarring reality. Highest recommendation for download:

Under All The Bright Lights – Ryan Auffenberg (must listen)

Climb – Ryan Auffenberg (from his 2003 self-titled album)

Head on over to his MySpace page right now to stream all four songs that will be appearing on the Bright Lights EP, and make sure to download “Hey Mona Lisa,” which is a midtempo beauty with a dusty, jangly alt-country feel.

The reviewer that best nailed my sentiments put it this way: “This kid deserves a chance . . . and when he gets one, he’s gonna be on the radio.”

UPCOMING TOUR DATES
Aug 23, Portland OR (Mississippi Studios)
Aug 25, Beaverton OR (Urban Rhythms)
Aug 26, Seattle WA (The Triple Door/Musiquarium)
Aug 27, Seattle WA (The O Lounge)
Aug 28, Boise ID (Terrapin Station)
Aug 29, Salt Lake City UT (Kilby Court)
Sep 1, Boulder CO (Rock N Soul Cafe)
Sep 2, Wichita KS (Java Nation)
Sep 4, Omaha NE (Mick’s Music Bar)
Sep 7, Ames IA (The Bali House)
Sep 8, Des Moines IA (Mars Cafe)
Sep 11, Minneapolis MN (The Fine Line Music Cafe)
Sep 14, Chicago IL (Uncommon Grounds)
Sep 16, Indianapolis IN (Radio Radio/Future Shock)
Sep 20, Boston MA (Kennedy’s Midtown)
Sep 22, New York NY (The Living Room)
Sep 23, Philadelphia PA (Grape Street)
Sep 25, Charlotte NC (The Evening Muse)
Sep 26, Decatur GA (Eddie’s Attic)
Sep 28, Tuscaloosa AL (Pours Cafe)
Sep 30, St. Louis MO (TBA)
Oct 4, Dallas TX (Standard & Pours)
Oct 5, Waco TX (Common Grounds)
Oct 6, Austin, TX (TBA)
Oct 7, Austin, TX (TBA)