Nicolai Dunger + Mercury Rev @ Mercury Lounge, NYC | pics

"Nicolai Dunger is a Swedish singer-songwriter whose music evokes the emotions of early Van Morrison and the poignant vocals of Jeff Buckley. Nicolai has toured or recorded toured with artists like Soundtrack of Our Lives, Calexico, Will Oldham, Sufjan Stevens, and Mercury Rev." [Listen @ NPR]

Last night (February 28, 2006) Nicolai Dunger played with members of Mercury Rev at Mercury Lounge in NYC. There were four band members. At least three of them were from Mercury Rev - Grasshopper (guitars, clarinet), Jeff Marcel & Anthony Molina (bass). I've seen Nicolai a few times and it's always a good show.

One song had them rockin' at a higher volume level. Nicolai went on to say he'd have to get used to that. He played a few songs solo too - the whole crowd joined in for a 14-year-old song about his mom (she passed away 2 years ago), and he stumbled a bit over "Last Night I Dreamt of Mississippi", a request from the crowd. The album he did with Mercury Rev is out March 14th on Zoe/Rounder.