Read previous – Laura Stevenson @ MilkBoy Philly
We made it out to Crossroads in Garwood, NJ to catch a Don Giovanni Records double-header featuring Laura Stevenson and Marissa Paternoster. Located in the dense ‘burbs of Central Jersey, this venue has been on our radar for a while but we’d never managed to check it out until now. By all accounts, it’s a groovy spot and we’ll be back again sooner rather than later for sure.
It’s been nearly 9 years since the last time we caught Laura Stevenson live (around the time of release of her 2013 LP Wheel). Since that time, the Bomb the Music Industry! vet has released 3 additional LPs including a self-titled album in 2021. Produced by the renowned John Agnello (who was in attendance for the show) and featuring BtMI! pal Jeff Rosenstock, the album cover also hints at what Stevenson has been up to in her personal life in more recent years. In other album-related news, all 6 of her vinyl LPs are concurrently in print for the first time ever.
Fresh off a recent show opening for Lucy Dacus, tonight’s show in Jersey was the first of a brief 3-date headlining tour to warm up for her upcoming EU/UK tour kicking off in April. During her nearly 20-song set, Stevenson played songs across all of her albums (including fan-favorite track “The Living Room, NY”) as well as a new one (or two). Mid-way through her set, she played a few songs solo before welcoming her full band back to the stage to close out the night. It was an amazing set spanning her career in an intimate venue with solid crowd vibes. It was a perfect way to get reacquainted with Stevenson in a live setting. Check out the music video for her excellent track “State” from her self-titled LP below.
Seeing Marissa Paternoster at this venue in front of a tame and intimate crowd was a huge contrast to her Screaming Females Garden Party show at White Eagle Hall just last month (check out our coverage of that show here). As a solo project, Paternoster recently released her Peace Meter LP and just last week recorded a Key Studio Session on the XPN Local Show – you can check out that live session here. They’ll be playing some additional shows in Philly in the coming month, on 3/18 at Johnny Brenda’s (with Big Nothing) and 4/3 at World Cafe Live (with Ted Leo).
Make sure to keep scrolling to see more photos from the show.
