Noah Gundersen

Words: Sean Moore/ Photos: Kenneth Coles

Music can be an emotional experience, especially when it is experienced live. The first time I saw Noah Gundersen, in the same room he played last night, Port City Music Hall, it was exactly that for me. On that tour, Noah was playing solo, accompanied by his sister who played the violin on several songs, in a comparatively very chill atmosphere. His songs and voice moved me in a way that had me thinking about it weeks after the show. 

He put out an incredible new album this year, Lover (not to be confused with Taylor Swift’s album, of course, even though they both came out on the same day). He’s been touring in support of it and this time around he has a whole band helping transform his songs into something else equally incredible. This album has been described by Gundersen as a set of songs about love, failure, drugs, sex, aging, regret, and finding peace. Perhaps he knew after writing them that they would need a band in order to become fully realized on stage. I would say he accomplished his mission. 

 Last night, his set of older songs paired with his new Lover songs became an amazing cross between electronically-charged and rock opuses. He opened with a reflective tune, “Robin Williams,” a song that’s about life and death that could make the listener cry with his soul-baring melodies and evocative singing voice. The crowd held back their tears, and was ready for the band to kick it up a notch. When you listen to the lyrics in songs like this, among others, it’s hard to believe Noah is only 30 years old and writing such profound and incredible songs, having put out over half a dozen albums with songs about every subject matter imaginable. It’s no wonder several of his songs have been featured on television shows like The Vampire Diaries and Sons of Anarchy. Many of them are perfect soundtrack tunes, with the ability to set the mood for a scene. The scene in the venue last night was one of intense focus, as even Noah pointed out that everyone was being so quiet and attentive.  

It was really great hearing songs like “Heavy Metals” and “Lose You” as well as “Older” with the added effect of electronic keyboards and pulsing drums. It was interesting, albeit a bit strange to see Noah not playing guitar during his more “electronic” tunes, but he was still moved by the songs enough to sing them with eyes shut and his body swaying to the melodies he’d written. 

When the band was finished with “Older,” they left Noah alone on the stage and he played a couple of songs by himself. “Jesus, Jesus” was one of these songs. It’s one of his older tunes, and beloved enough that I heard a couple of gasps within the crowd when he started playing it. I’m convinced that Noah is at his best when it is just him and his guitar, as evidenced by “Jesus, Jesus.” 

When his band returned to the stage, Noah introduced them and played the song “Annie,” which is a song from one of other projects, a band called Young in the City. One of my favorite songs, “The Sound” from White Noise, was transformed into an amazing loud rock opus that shook the walls and floor of Port City with vociferously. An otherwise quiet, reflective tune in the hands of his band, with his exceptional drummer pounding out the crescendo of the song became a rock song that the entire crowd loved. “The Sound” came pretty much in the middle of the set and I couldn’t help but think about the way he had crafted his setlist to near perfection, with the slower, more introspective songs placed in between the heavier, louder songs that really showcases the band’s talent as a unit. “Send the Rain” and “Bad Desire” (both from White Noise, as well) were tunes that the band brought new life into, including Noah’s ability to howl out certain phrases in such a way that could possibly make the hairs on the back of your neck stand. 

Noah’s voice demands your attention when he sings. That is an undeniable fact. Gundersen has the ability to be a rock star, but can contain himself and keep his humility intact. New songs “Kamikaze” and “Lover” ended his set, but the audience demanded more, clapping and screaming loudly for him and the band to return. They obliged and played a raucous, longer version of “All My Friends” that had the crowd moving their bodies as they sang along. 

After seeing Gundersen perform with his band, it’s clear that he has continued to evolve into an incredible musician and songwriter whose lyrics burn themselves into your mind and heart. His arrangements are fuller and more intense with a band in tow, which makes these songs more expansive and intense, as I witnessed last night. This was another moving experience, but in a completely new and unique way.