song performed: “Down the Line” from the album Veneer
conan’s reaction: “thank you so much *shakes yukimi hand* thank you so much that was great *shakes josé hand* josé gonzález everybody, we’ll take a break, we’ll be right back, stick around. *claps 5 times then bends down to talk to both on stage*”

before you read anything, if you haven’t seen this yet, please for to watch¬


that is josé singing there.

before you think too hard about the spanish name and classical guitar sound, josé is a swede, and that is where his heart is which makes him a bit more vunerable as an artist. he can sing soft and i think we can listen.

tonight’s set-up is beautiful, two seats close together - josé and back-up vocals yukimi nagamo who sings with him on his latest album. that is it, classical guitar and handclaps and this deep dark song. that is the simple beauty of josé. this is one of my favorite performances on conan i’ve seen.

if you ever have a chance, try to find a record of joy division’s “love will tear us apart” sung by josé. that is the type of music that haunts me, and I’m not always the biggest fan of covers.

two sidenotes:
- if in my humble career i am ever able to produce a commercial like the bravia one with the meaning and aesthetics and production value, i will be one exquisitely happy cookie
- on sept 25th halo 3 was released. so was josé’s album.  good day. good day.

playing:
oct 5 - aladdin theater - portland, or
oct 7 - showbox - seattle, wa