Song Spotlight: talker's Gold Rush (a night at the Moroccan Lounge)

I first came across talker (moniker for Celeste Tauchar) in 2018 at a WFNM night. Zealyn (my favorite American Idol) was the reason I went to this particular night at Madame Siam, but I came away with another artist that I've continued to follow through the years. I loved her so much that I put her on my favorite new bands /artist list of 2019. You can see that list here. That's not I typo. Yes, I first saw talker in 2018, but I put her on my 2019 list. I admitted to making a big error when I wrote, "First, what was I thinking in 2018? I left talker off my 2018 list. How dumb. She rocks from the first song to the final song." I've got to say, looking through that 2019 list, I'm rather impressed with my selections. Yes, patting myself on the back. 

talker at The Moroccan Lounge

My latest encounter with talker was at a recent Rocknite showcase at the Moroccan Lounge. It was April 1st, which means things did not go as planned to start off the set. I think it took around 15 minutes of working with the sound guy to get everything set up properly on the stage. Maybe there was a slight curse on the night. The opening artist, Katy Kenny played a set without two band members who had to back out at the last minute due to illness and car problems. When all was made well between talker's drummer and the sound guy, it was mentioned that, "Last night, I was asleep at this time." 

talker at The Moroccan Lounge

The set focused primarily on songs from her 2024 album I'm Telling You the Truth. Per her bandcamp write-up about the album, it is about "There were no topics left unexplored, nothing left unsaid for fear of hurting someone’s feelings, and no words left unwritten for the sake of avoiding an uncomfortable emotion." Perhaps my favorite song off the album is "TWENTYSOMETHING." Is life over as you edge towards your 30s? Does primal scream therapy (Tears for Fears "Shout" as an example) work? What is life as you age out of being under your parent's umbrella? The song doesn't provide answers, but it does provide an outlet. 

talker at The Moroccan Lounge

The song spotlight goes to "Gold Rush." Potentially, the clock had flipped the date to April 2nd, but April Fool's was not totally done with the band. A handful of people in the crowd started to point towards the drummer. One of his cymbals was off in an awkward direction. Perhaps the moment fits the song, which is about the polar opposite of a gold rush. Are the struggles of life overwhelming?   

talker at The Moroccan Lounge

Tryna hold my head up but it’s never enough

Setlist: In Memory of My Feelings, Return To Sender, Say My Name, Suck Up, Easygoing, Happy Birthday, Gold Rush, TWENTYSOMETHING.