Caleb Caudle at the Raccoon Motel -- September 21.
Saturday, September 21, 7 p.m.
Raccoon Motel, 315 East Second Street, Davenport IA
Touring in support of his 2024 release Sweet Critters, which No Depression hailed as an album of " intoxicating melodies, percussive lyrics, and peerless craftsmanship," folk singer/songwriter Caleb Caudle brings his tour to Davenport's Raccoon Motel on September 21, the artist's previous recording Forsythia lauded by Americana Highways as "an album that is not only one of this year’s best, but one that stands as a wonderful aural document for our times."
As stated at AllMusic.com, "Equally inspired by American indie, classic rock, and roots rock, singer/songwriter Caleb Caudle has carved out a cult following with his albums Carolina Ghost (2016) and Crushed Coins (2018). At its core, his songcraft is indebted to the Americana movement of the 21st century – it has echoes of Ryan Adams and Jason Isbell, both in their evocative melodies and introspective lyrics – while his records blend elements of the burnished country-rock of the '70s with spooky modern rock, creating a distinctive roots sound. 2014's Paint Another Layer on My Heart most clearly reflects Caudle's rock influences, Carolina Ghost puts his country influences front and center, and Crushed Coins finds him experimenting with a more moody and atmospheric studio techniques.
"A native of the Winston-Salem area of North Carolina, Caudle began playing music as a teenager, notably with a group called the Bayonets. Initially inspired by punk, his tastes expanded to encompass rootsier music as he aged. He released an indie debut, Red Bank Road, in 2007 but didn't dedicate himself to music full-time until 2012, after the release of Tobacco Town. Two years later, he released Paint Another Layer on My Heart, which emphasized his heartland roots. Carolina Ghost, which followed in 2016, pushed him toward country sounds, but for its 2018 successor, Crushed Coins, he teamed with War on Drugs producer Jon Ashley to create a moodier approach. Caudle relocated from North Carolina to Nashville in 2019, and his next album was recorded in his new hometown. Aiming for a natural sound, he recorded 2020's Better Hurry Up at the Cash Cabin, which was once Johnny Cash's personal recording studio; the musicians included members of Wilco, the Jayhawks, Drivin' N Cryin', and Willie Nelson's and Sturgil Simpson's road bands."
Since then, Caudle has continued to amass raves for 2022's Forsythia and this year's Sweet Critters. Forsythia inspired Folk Alley to rave of Caudle, "His country-tinged vocals are clearly at the fore, with their thoughtful, poetic lyricism." And with Sweet Critters, the singer/songwriter, according to No Depression,, "has found the sweet spot between his explorations into folk, gospel, country soul, and funk. This is an album of homecomings and growing into yourself – and taking the time to notice the process."
Caleb Caudle headlines his Davenport engagement on September 21 with an additional set by Melanie McClaren, admission to the 7 p.m. concert is $15.88, and tickets are available by visiting TheRaccoonMotel.com.
