Two from 2022 You Might Have Missed but Can Catch Live on Friday

Last updated on October 16th, 2023 at 12:42 pm

This Friday, September 29th, the Parkway Theater is hosting Preston Gunderson, a local American Idol alum, plus j. bell and the Lazy Susan Band for a night of stories told by music and songs.

I took this opportunity to review last year’s album releases from these two artists. I think the Parkway audience is in for a treat from these two musical acts with upbeat yet introspective music.

j.bell and the Lazy Susan Band

This group has an infectious energy in their songs about relationships and life. In their release Waitin’ on Better Weather, the singing and instruments work so well together that it gives my day extra pep.

Right off the bat, “Windswept Way” eases us in with gentle guitar riffs and smooth vocals. Catching my attention immediately is the lyric, “Kiss me before you go.”

A nice blend of rock guitar and twangy vocals carries us through each track, with a different story to every song. Some topics are heavy, though it seems like the band is smiling through the recordings.

The vocals and the guitar take turns with staccato sounds keeping the music danceable and entertaining.

Ending with the replayable track “I Liked You Better,” this EP does a spectacular job of letting both instrumentation and vocals shine in various parts. I’ve heard this song will be played Friday night, so get there early – j.bell and the Lazy Susan Band take the stage at 8 pm sharp!

Preston Gunderson

Preston Gunderson has been working on his dream of being a musician since he was 15. Playing numerous shows throughout the years and appearing on both The Voice and American Idol, he proves his worth as a musician with his earnest album Fall.

Pairing synths with his gentle voice and heartfelt lyrics makes the songs on this record stand out well.

Each track highlights his unique storytelling ability through his vocals and careful instrumentation. I appreciated how individual songs each have an additional feature, like the gentle finger snapping on “Love Like This” or the beautiful piano on “Fall.”

Get your tickets here for the show at Parkway Theater this Friday, September 29. $15 in advance / $21 at the door.