Shy Guy : Mark Kozalek

The Mark Kozalek show was one of the highlights of my trip to NYC. Playing at the appropriately name Highline Ballroom, with a guitar - without his "band" of Red House Painters or Sun Kil Moon, Mark Kozalek serenaded his audience. His fans learned a lot about him that evening. He is painfully shy and a little resentful of the attention he gets. Making comments about people photographing him for blogs (insert laugh) and to show their other girl-friendless friends the photos they would be taking that night of him which he thought was pathetic.....but that just goes to show you - he is an artist, not a pop machine.















His performance was effortless. When he played it was as if the cd was rolling - clear and soulful.

After the show I went up to meet him and I was the only person at that point back stage - I didn't know what to do! The space was so tight I was forced to say something to a man who didn't like the spotlight. I complimented him on the show, shook hands and then I stood there thinking now what? I mean the guy asked for the lights to be dimmed during the show. He would have been more at ease in a dark room playing for an audience than being the center of attention.



















For those who don't know Mark Kozalek was in the movie Shopgirl. He played himself - when Jason Schwartzman's character went on tour with a band..that was him. Well - earlier this week I went on a band's tour bus when my friend's friend (who is a sound engineer) was in town. I felt like I was experiencing a litle bit of the movie in life.

Thanks for a great show. Thanks Mr. Kozalek.