NFV Song Spotlight: Matt Axton's Golden Times

I first came across Matt Axton in Glendale. In 2023, The ALEX Theatre was holding a short music series called Country In The Courtyard. I don't recall how I noticed that this was occurring, but the reason I went on that particular night was because Rosy Nolan was playing. I had previous seen Nolan playing the Americana West Fest at Hotel Cafe. Since I live in Glendale, I walked over to The ALEX Theatre, which took about 30 minutes or so. 

Matt Axton at the Bigfoot Lodge

A couple months later, I caught another set at Sassafras Saloon. Harry Katz and the Pistachios was playing that night. It was rather amusing watching the band squeezing into the tiny balcony space. 

Back in Dec 2023, LA Mag documented the growing Americana and Country music scene in Los Angeles. My sense is that a year later, it is still going strong though I am no expert on the matter and I am just basing that opinion on limited knowledge. I do keep an eye on what is going on at Americana Joy, Bigtop Bandstand, Grand Ole Echo, and Small Town Friday Nights. There are a couple Americana / Country bands that I do circle the calendar for: Emily Rose & the Rounders and The Doohickeys. Unfortunately for me, I have not seen Emily Rose enough this year. The Doohickeys, I've definitely seen them a number of times. 

Matt Axton at the Bigfoot Lodge

Anyways, I recently went to the Americana Joy Instagram page and noticed that they were doing an event at the Bigfoot Lodge to celebrate Axton's birthday. Hey, why not. I circled the date on the calendar. 

The Bigfoot Lodge is in Atwater Village, which touches the border of Glendale. Guess what I did? Duh, I walked to the bar. When I got there, I was one of the few people not decked out in Country Western fashion. Hey, what can I say. I don't own boots. I don't own a Stetson hat. I just went in with my camera bag strapped around my shoulder and wearing a hoodie to keep me warm while doing a 30 minute walk.

Matt Axton at the Bigfoot Lodge

First thing to say about Matt Axton is that you've got to love his deep bass vocals. When he got to his song "Badmoon" he got into a jamming battle with his lead guitarist. He lost the battle by default, because he busted a guitar string. He had to switch guitars for "Musclechops" and joked that "any bad notes are because I don't know how to use this guitar." Throughout the set, he and his band were having so much fun freestyling that the songs easily hit the 8 minute mark. That caused problems, because he needed to cut his set off by midnight. After both clock hands pointed straight up to 12, it would no longer be his birthday. Hand signals were given that he needed to cut songs from his set, which he did, cutting four or five songs out. 

He concluded with "Golden Times." It is an emotionally positive feeling song. There's a country twang for dancing and sung with an obvious smile. 

Friends sharing laughter
Keep your grinning all the time
Let loose nothing matters
Living free and feeling fine

In a way, that's a theme song for Americana Joy music showcase. Just hanging out at the Bigfoot Lodge, you could see the conversations flowing and the various dance partners having fun. If a dance move went horribly wrong, there was laughter all around. 

Matt Axton at the Bigfoot Lodge

With the clock just about to hit midnight, a super large donut from Donut Friend was brought out with candles to be blown out. A large box of mini-donuts were handed out to the crowd. I myself took one. It is Donut Friend after all. 

Setlist: California Women (Hoyt Axton cover), Badmoon, Musclechops, Another Midnight Rider, Ramblin Man, Same Old Story, Golden Times