Vancouver Courier

Waiting for the Lights to Come Up

Black Hen Music

Genre: roots

Mood: down-home and laidback

Good for: porch parties and barbecues east of Main

Story: one of two albums Dawson will release this year. The Vancouver-based singer/ songwriter/producer has worked with Jim Byrnes, Kelly Joe Phelps, Jenny Whiteley, and more. He was the Dawson half of neo-bluegrass duo Zubot and Dawson

Covers: Jon Brion's "Ruin My Day," which is worth the price of admission alone, and Bob Dylan's "Walkin' Down the Line"

Reminds us of: John Prine

What sets it apart: nice package, impeccable playing, crazy-funky bluegrass instrumentals

Target demographic: Railway Club bartenders, Railway Club patrons, Herald Nix

Highlights: "Room to Room" and "Ruin My Day"

Sample lyrics: "You don't have the pull that you used to/But you can still ruin my day" ("Ruin My Day")

-Shawn Conner