Photos: David Gray Live on KCRW

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David Gray close smiles by Larry Hirshowitz
KCRW
hosted an intimate, private performance with David Gray last night at Apogee’s Berkeley Street Studios. His fans will be able to hear/watch it live on Morning Becomes Eclectic and in the archives on Wednesday, December 22.

It was the first time we were hearing many of the songs from Gray’s latest album, “Foundling,” which comes right on the heels of 2009’s “Draw The Line,” a station favorite. New tracks like “Only the Wine” (which he performed at a taping of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show just hours before), “Holding On,” “When I Was in Your Heart” fit in seamlessly with more familiar tracks from “Bablyon” and “Kathleen” to “Jackdaw.”

It’s hard not to find personal meaning in a David Gray song. He has this magical ability to amplify whatever it is your feeling with his music. It’s a really powerful emotional experience and the crowd last night seemed thrilled to be witnessing it for themselves.

David Gray and Jason Bentley by Larry Hirshowitz
David Gray and Jason Bentley by Larry Hirshowitz (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

Jason Bentley interviewed David mid-set and asked him about some KCRW folklore – the story was that the singer did an interview on KCRW ON his wedding day. We not only confirmed it to be true, but David said he played a show that night as well!  “I’ve always had a strong work ethic, she should’ve known she was in trouble,” said David.

He talked a lot about his songwriting process, saying “you have to want the song before it comes to find you.” He also called music an “emotional substance.  It’s the mathematics of emotion.”

David has sold over 12 million albums so it was pretty remarkable to hear a candid interview and performance in this setting.

More photos from Larry Hirshowitz and the set list below!

David Gray by Larry Hirshowitz
David Gray by Larry Hirshowitz (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)
David Gray crowd by Larry Hirshowitz
David Gray crowd by Larry Hirshowitz (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)
David Gray at the piano by Larry Hirshowitz
David Gray at the piano by Larry Hirshowitz (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)
David Gray by Larry Hirshowitz
David Gray by Larry Hirshowitz (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)
David Gray by Larry Hirshowitz
David Gray by Larry Hirshowitz (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)
David Gray by Larry Hirshowitz
David Gray by Larry Hirshowitz (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)
David Gray and Jason Bentley by Larry Hirshowitz
David Gray and Jason Bentley by Larry Hirshowitz (The original image is no longer available, please contact KCRW if you need access to the original image.)

David Gray Live on KCRW Set List

Only The Wine
Flame
Sea
Jackdaw
Holding On

>interview

Draw The Line
Fugitive
Kathleen
A New Day at Midnight
When I Was in Your Heart

Encore

Living Room
Babylon