My Obsessions: Chicago Farmer
Last night I was finally able to make my way to the Black Box theater to see Central Illinois' own Chicago Farmer. His real name is Cody Diekhoff, and he is a man with an incredible talent for sincere, funny, raucous, warm, intimate, mellow folk music. He plays the guitar with the skill and speed of an accomplished banjo picker, but he strums and coos like the true folk guitarist that he is. It was autumnal and cozy, familiar, new, and perfect.The venue contributed to a good portion of the sentiment I felt last night as I lounged on a couch and sipped a Diet Coke and nibbled on Wild Berry Skittles. The Black Box is a converted studio storefront with a small stage and risers with couches and recliners. It was a perfect setting for the acoustic sounds of Chicago Farmer.
There were so many great aspects of Diekhoff's music. His seamless ability to segue from song to song, short story poetry connecting one to the other. His excellent guitar playing, his great sense of humor, his touching tales of love. His fantastic stage presence, a calm, collected, confident performer, sure of himself and his ability.
I was surprised at one particular moment, not with anything in particular that was happening around me, but rather, I was surprised at the feeling I was having during the song, "River Down". I had a bizarre sense of comforting, musical deja vu. I know I'd heard it before (he has it on his myspace page), but there was an immediate connectedness I felt with this song in particular that was unlike anything I've ever felt. It was almost like the song was part of some great cultural subconsciousness, it felt like it was part of something I have known forever, so familiar and comforting. It felt like a warm quilt, my grandma's couch and a pot roast simmering in the kitchen.
I think it's impossible to pick a favorite moment of last night's show, but I think it might have been during his song about the Illinois surfer boy, a tale of revenge, friendship, hilarity and crowd singalong. It was a magical moment and I felt like I truly belonged, I felt like an Illinois-an as we all shouted along, "It's not Florida, Not California, It's Illinois!"
I hope to keep in contact with Cody and maybe sometime in the near future I may be able to arrange an interview or something special for you all. Stay tuned, and in the meantime, enjoy some songs, videos and photos from last night's show.
I know all but one of these songs are mislabeled, but hopefully either Cody or his wife Kymberly (or maybe one of his fans) can help me out with the titles. I took a guess on all but "Postcards". When I hear any info, I'll fix the files (and the YouTube clips)
"I'm Gettin' Into You" Chicago Farmer Live at the Black Box
"It's Alright if You Love Me " Chicago Farmer Live at the Black Box
"Love Song" Chicago Farmer Live at the Black Box
"New Song (Big House Now?)" Chicago Farmer Live at the Black Box
"Postcards" Chicago Farmer Live at the Black Box
"Princess to Lonely with Bloomington Interlude" Chicago Farmer Live at the Black Box
"Acoustic Encore 1" Chicago Farmer Live at the Black Box
"Acoustic Encore 2" Chicago Farmer Live at the Black Box
Chicago Farmer Live at the Black Box zip file
Labels: Chicago Farmer, concert, live mp3, obsession, video
posted by H-Bomb @ 2:19 PM
2 Comments:
Glad to know that I am not the only one who after one show was hooked. Hands down, always and forever, my single most favorite performer.
Great article and thanks for the clips! I met Cody years ago while he was playing his weekly residence at a neighborhood bar in Chicago and was immediately hooked. His music, style and lyrics are witty and deep, genuinely heartfelt and raucously fun. If you've been to a hundred or it's your first Farmer show, you're guaranteed a good time.
Cody is not only an amazing singer/songwriter and perfomer, but he's an even better guy. He and his beautiful wife Kymber are the genuine article - salt of the earth. His fans are often their friends and they have a way of making everyone feel like they are part of the party. My only complaint is we Chicagoans don't get as many shows as we used to!!
If you've seen him, your nodding your head. If you haven't, treat yourself and your friends. You'll leave with a shit eatin grin and probably make a couple more friends while your there.
Keep on making that beautiful music brother!!!
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