By MeaganKate
Matt Nathanson may have an opponent in the election for my heart. His name: Joshua Radin.
On Wednesday night, 1200 people crammed into the hot and bouncy Crystal Ballroom downtown to see two of the most lovely songwriters of our day: Missy Higgins and Joshua Radin. Anyone who loves Greys Anatomy or any show/movie that Zack Braff has ever been in/produced/written, you've probably heard both Missy & Josh without knowing it.
Josh (whose former career was as a comedy writer) has spent the last four years as a singer/songwriter and has gained enormous success with the support from celebrities and album critics alike. He has been compared to the likes of Simon & Garfunkel and James Taylor and has been credited with being one of the most important songwriters of this generation.
For anyone who is interested in checking Joshie-boy out, I would suggest heading to his website, where you can hear a few songs from his newest album. The song “Today” is not only my friend Alicia and her boyfriend Chris' favorite song, but the song that Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia de Rossi had played at their wedding (aweeeeeeee how sweeeeeettt).
“I've only had two girlfriends, really” Josh told the audience “And I only have two albums.” Through the audience's giggles, one girl yelled “I'll be your next!”
My thoughts exactly, miss.
Josh's live show was extraordinary in its simplicity. No band. No flashy lights. Just him and his guitar. And that adorable hat he wears that I fantasize about ripping off of his head. Wait. What? Nothing. Anyway…
After his set, there was a long wait for Missy – in which, someone next to me passed out from the heat in the crowded room. Either that, or Josh made her faint — which I could definitely understand.
When Missy Higgins, an Australia native, finally came out with her full band, she blew everyone away with her impressive live vocals. I saw Missy about four years ago when she came here as an opening act for Anna 
Nalick (remember her song “Breathe“?) Even back then, during her first time touring the U.S. as an opening act, Missy was the favorite for most of the concert goers, and I have been following her ever since.
As a songwriter, Missy is innovative and intricate. Her voice weaves in and out of the piano and guitar seamlessly. For anyone who hasn't heard her before, I would suggest checking out her song “Secret” (you can play her entire album on her website), which is one of my favorites, and I would say it really highlights both her songwriting and vocal skills. Her song “Where I Stood” has been featured in Greys Anatomy and has gained U.S. radio play.
Josh told us he would be back through Portland in January on his own tour, and Missy Higgins will also hopefully be back next year – so please check out their websites for tour dates!
After a series of unfortunate events, this has not really been a “Portland concert sweep week” like I'd hoped. It's more like four amazing artists at two shows during one week. Hope nobody is too heartbroken over this.
******
MeaganKate is a Graduate student with a shopping addiction and a love of crunchy leaves. Her rants can be found at http://meagank.wordpress.com. You can also follow @MeaganKate on twitter.
Other PDX Pipeline posts by MeaganKate:
- Portland Concert Sweep Week ‘08: Matt Nathanson, Jessie Baylin
- Portland Zombie Walk Review: Adventures in Zombiedom
**Photo by Alicia DeCosta
| Site powered by 
If Ray LaMontagne had not been in PDX the same night these two played, I would’ve been there. Alas, I had to pick one over the others.
thanks for the photo props! and for revealing my fav song! it’s true. the.best.