You can say you knew him when

I have a new infatuation and his name is Ian Axel. Ok, that sounds creepy. But my point is that I think he's incredibly talented. I would go so far as to say I think he is the next Ben Folds. And yes, his real name is Ian Axel. He actually brought that up at the show - saying that people think it's fake. But his mother was in the audience, so clearly he wasn't lying.

I first met Ian Axel a week or so ago at a small benefit concert/air guitar competition for Threads that Teach. He went up at the end and played a few songs. I was completely blown away. He was an amazing pianist, his songs (which he wrote himself) were awesome, and his performance fun and engaging, despite the fact that it was just him and the piano on the stage (not just anyone can pull that off). He only got to play a few songs though, none of which are on his EP, "im on to you," so I jumped at the opportunity to see him play a full set at the Rockwood Music Hall last night.

The name Rockwood Music Hall is kind of misleading - it implies a big open space. It was definitely not a big open space. In fact, it was small, dark and crowded. However, it was intimate and friendly, and the perfect space for someone like Ian Axel to play in because the crowd (which consisted mostly of people who seemed to know him or his music quite well) can interact with him. There was lots of audience participation - clapping and singing along and the like. All in all it was quite a good time.

One of the things I really like about Ian Axel is the range of styles that he achieves with just him and his piano. A lot of his songs are slow, beautiful, piano-rock ballads - but then there are fun, kind of silly songs like "Heartbreak Girl" or angry songs or dark songs (I don't remember their titles because they're not on his EP, but one of them is a waltz - the dark song, which is kind of silly at the same time somehow. The waltz is my favorite of all of his songs that I've heard him perform). He is a very talented and engaging performer, no matter what style song he is playing. You can tell he's having fun and that he really loves music. And that's what I love to see in a performer.

So go check him out and when he's super famous you can say you knew him when. Myspace him or buy his EP on iTunes. Here are some samples for you from his EP:

Afterglow [mp3]
We Are [mp3]

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