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| Parker Gispert (of The Whigs) performing live at the Bootleg Theater / Picksysticks® |
We take “The Whig” off, after the break!
“That’s life…”
That’s what… Parker Gispert, longtime frontman of The Whigs, sang to close out his intimate performance at the Bootleg Theater last Friday night.
Surrounded by his friends and supported by his longtime west coast ‘Whigs’ followers, Parker weaved the story of his new record – ‘Sunlight Tonight’ – while providing insightful breakthroughs he had while making the bright, colorful, and far out LP. The “Goldilocks Zone” reached out through Parker’s experienced canvas… yanking all of us from the unnaturally cold & rainy LA night into a limitless world filled with such warmth.
Seated by Parker’s side was the evening’s opener & fellow Georgia native, Thayer Sarrano, who began the night by showcasing her virtuosa musical talents that are imbued with her deeply rooted-dark southern soul.
She even reimagined The Whigs’ “Sleep Sunshine” during this “fun, awkward” time she joked about in-between her stories. A perfectly quick introduction that left a lasting impression.
Same can be said for Criminal Hygiene’s high octane, no nonsense, hype train that followed. The guys opened for Parker & The Whigs over 6 years ago and never thought they’d “play a half-full Bootleg Theater ever again,” exclaimed with big smiles on their faces. Criminal Hygiene couldn’t be happier to be here for Parker as he continues to trek out on his own. And they did their job. It was the ultimate hair whipping, blood pumping, Budweiser fueled, good time. Less talk, all rock. Personifying everything the LA music scene is known for & more.
After a brief break, the lights sank low and Parker Gispert took the stage to punctuate his ‘Sunlight Tonight’ showcase. This author wasn’t sure how Parker would bring the artistically complex-multilayered indie project to life with just a solo voice & guitar. Luckily, he had a little help from his LA friends: opener Thayer Sarrano, singer-songwriter Jenny O, & cellist Heather McIntosh.
These sirens provided key instrumental support throughout the set. Allowing us, the audience, the power to easily soar along with Parker’s journey. It all felt fresh & organic. The amount of joy on all their faces as they played seemed to tell a much bigger story of friendship behind the scene.
You can’t deny how committed Parker is to his solo path either. He didn’t buckle down to hecklers asking him to play classic ‘Whigs’ tracks. Something he probably gets in every town. Instead opting to cover two classics from Frank Sinatra & The Ronettes that seem to have a much more personal meaning to the man behind the artist. Making the night’s setlist a true reflection of the journey he’s now on. He did respond to the hecklers a little later by telling the story behind his track – “Do Some Country” – which was birthed by a similar experience. But this author is totally digging this brand new “Magnolia Sunrise” rising before our eyes.
Huge THANKS to Parker Gispert, Criminal Hygiene, & Thayer Sarrano for allowing us to capture this moment. ‘Sunlight Tonight’, the debut solo effort from Parker, is available everywhere now and catch him live in a city near you all the way through May 4th!
PS: All the photos seen here were shot by my longtime mentor, amazing friend, & frequent collaborator Picksysticks, who has been ripped from retirement.