Meric Long Might Be A Musical Genius

San Francisco Folk Duo The Dodos [MP3] Dodo Bird - The Ball [MP3] Dodo Bird - Men I haven't said this of many artists (well at least not today), but I'm pretty sure Meric Long of The Dodos is a musical genius. The fresh faced songwriter and insanely talented guitarist barely looks old enough to buy a drink in the east side dive bars that have welcomed his intriguing music and left of center live show to Los Angeles, CA. The Bay Area resident released his first solo EP under the name Dodo Bird just over a year ago. Logan Kroeber was added on drums and the pairing released a full length, Beware Of The Maniacs, in December of last year. On the surface the record appears to be nothing more than a collection of simple folk songs about life, love, and facial hair. Delve slightly deeper and you will find a masterfully crafted and complex album. Meric's bittersweet vocals battle it out against Logan's frantic toms on tracks such as "Men" and "The Ball." Bridging the sonic gap seamlessly is wonderfully layered acoustic guitar and vocals. I honestly have no idea how they did it. I sat with the record this weekend listening to all the parts individually (it's one of my cuter OCD qualities). I discovered the more you try to pick apart the tracks - the more you find. Insane! The duo changed their name to The Dodos just before playing our first Rock Insider Presents show of the new year with Peter and the Wolf. It was my first time seeing them live. They positioned themselves across from each other on stage - Meric sitting in a bar chair and Logan positioned on a wobbling stool. They launched into their first number and did not hold back. I was positively DUMBFOUNDED by the display of musicianship seen on stage that night. Meric picked his guitar like he had 3 hands. Logan went bananas behind his drum kit - no kick drum, just a trio of toms, a few symbols, and a tambourine ducked taped to his shoe. I could not believe I had never heard of this band before. The Dodos will be performing TONIGHT at Silverlake Lounge with Wovenhand. Admission is $12 at the door. TONIGHT IN LOS ANGELES: Wovenhand, The Dodos, Lamps @ Silverlake Lounge Nightfur, Rocking Horse People, No Little Kindness, Old River School @ The Scene - FREE Die! Die! Die! Gliss, The Moderators @ Club Spaceland Glen Philips @ Largo Unpoppable, Invid, The Janx, Sleeper City @ Mr Ts Bowl The Show is the Rainbow @ Pehrspace Amber Pacific, Just Surrender, Monty Are I, Powerspace @ Troubadour Clouds, Autonym @ Mountain Bar Ladyfox @ The Mint Bitch & The Exciting Conclusion w/ Emily Wells @ Hotel Cafe Automatic Music Explosion, Silver Needle, Inazuma, The Prix. The Lieutenants @ Safari Sam's Crank Sturgeon, P.C.R.V, Moth Drakula, Robedoor, Tik///Tik, Moment Trigger @ Pehrspace Dub Club @ The Echo