Song Spotlight: Nat Lefkoff's Broken Down House (a night at Zebulon)

Nat Lefkoff took the middle spot on a three band line up at Zebulon. The headliner was Hotel Mira (you can read my US Rocker Music write-up here). What I found interesting about the night was the fact that each band had a distinct fan base. The opener Passion Mango had their fans who rushed to the front of the stage as soon as the doors opened. Once their set ended, a few spots at the front of the stage opened up and Lefkoff's fans pushed forward to take those spots. 

Nat Lefkoff at Zebulon

His music was a blend of Americana-folk tunes that had his fans singing along. He mentioned that his song "Rot" was about admiring those who have faith in the unknown. His song "Broken Down House" is about not feeling good inside your body. 

He was backed by three band mates. What I noticed was that his bassist and guitarist switched who played what based on the song: meaning that both played each instrument. Maybe it was based on who's vocals fit best on a particular song as they also switched to opposite sides of the stage. That's just speculation, I don't know, but I would have asked that question if I was doing a post-set interview. Sometimes I just get interested in certain aspects of a set. 

Nat Lefkoff at Zebulon

He loved to tell stories or musings throughout the set. He had to mention that Passion Mango and Hotel Mira are Canadian bands, which meant that he was the only American in the line up. He joked that he played off the ugly American stereotype, "In the Green Room, we trash that place every f*cking time. They open doors for us. And I'm like, 'F*ck you, I'm not tipping you for that.'" 

His one big story was the aftermath of spending New Year's Eve out in the mountains with a friend. The two took some drugs. The result must have included some outdoor nudity and an encounter with a poison oak. Unfortunately, for him, the rash ended up around his genitals. He went to visit his parents who immediately took him to the hospital. He laughed about how in the waiting room his parachute mother kept on asking if she should go with him to the doctor's office. He kept on having to tell her no. Anyways, being a male with sexual desires, he was hoping that he would be attended to by an elderly male doctor. He did not get his wish. Instead, he was first met by a very beautiful female nurse and then later by a similar beautiful female doctor. His concern was that once he had to show his privates that he might just get aroused. Due to that lengthy story, he had to cut a song from the setlist, but I don't think the Zebulon crowd minded. 

Nat Lefkoff at Zebulon

He mentioned during the set that his song "Broken Down House" was about not being comfortable in your body. I think the song also delves into the need for love as well as trying to define what personal success means.  

I live alone in a broken down house
Waiting on the future but it never comes around

Setlist: Rot, Broken Down House, Night Vision, Sure Thing, Avalanche Lily, Damn, I’m Your Worm.