Click here to see the photos.

Joseph Arthur And The Lonely Astronauts played the Strand-Capital Theatre on 10/16/2008 in York, PA.  The night got off to a delayed start, fans all huddled in the entrance or took to the streets on an unusually warm October night while the band finished sound check.  Once inside, we all got treated to the music of Joseph Arthur.

Joseph Arthur is a singer songwriter that caught Peter Gabriel’s ear when he was looking for artists for his own creative label.  Joseph Arthur gained national attention however when Micheal Stipe of R.E.M. invited him and his band The Lonely Astronauts to open for R.E.M. in 2004 and 2005. 

Joseph Arthur is also a abstract modern painter, his artworks are displayed at his own art gallery in New York City called Museum of Modern Arthur.  Presumably, the painting on Joseph Arthur’s guitar in the photos was also done by himself.

Joseph Arthur is an artists while on stage as well.  He knows when to hold back, when to let the song go a little and when to release the energy.  Throughout the set you are introduced into folk, rock, alternative, as well as some indescribable music that you can hardly compare to anything but Beck.  It is actually difficult to peg him as a certain genre… His bounces around quite a bit musically, but it is all anchored down with solid songwriting. 

Songs like “Honey And The Moon” are shining examples of his superior songwriting skills.  The lush and textural soundscapes with layered and looped melancholy vocals are mesmerizing at times.  To play these songs live solo, Joseph uses looper and delay effects, with the full band the sound really comes alive.

If you get a chance to see Joseph Arthur, I’d recommend going.  His songs are heartfelt, at times rocking, and at times full of sound and feedback.  Just as you’d suspect an abstract painter would sound like.