“I heard Satan”
I often interview musicians, and often I am tempted during the interview to ask, “What are your thoughts on Dax Riggs?” I have yet to blurt out this question, but the burning desire to discuss the impact that this one artist has upon another artist or possibly recruit a new Dax Riggs fan will overcome me and I will cave.
I literally stumbled upon Dax Riggs at SXSW last year when I wandered into Emo’s. To say I was blown away by the stranger on the stage would be an understatement. I have since purchased six of Dax Riggs’ albums, two t-shirts, and have seen him live four times. You could say I’m a fan. There was no question that I would be attending his show on December 14th at The Earl.
Riggs and his two band mates walked onto the stage quietly without any fanfare, adjusted some technical guitar stuff, and then said, “I hear Satan.” This was not a proclamation but the title of the first song of an amazing set. Riggs performed mostly songs off of his latest album Say Goodnight to the World, but the song that made me jump up and down included “Stop, I’m Already Dead” off of the album We Are the Night Sky from his previous band, Deadboy & the Elephantmen. One after one I was transported to a world of dark, spooky, romantic notions via his words. Riggs said nothing during the show except occasionally saying, with a sincere voice, to the crowd, “I love you.” I love you too, Dax.
Review and photos by Rose Riot
