NFV Song Spotlight: Scout LaRue Willis' Mysterious Ways

I wrote the following back during the summer on Instagram, "This is my third time catching Scout LaRue Willis. The first two times were in 2016 at the Bootleg Theater. It only took 8 years to catch another set. I did try to catch a set in 2023. I was at an early show at the Moroccan Lounge and decided to make a dash to Zebulon. I got to the Zebulon and the set times had been moved up by 30 minutes. Usually Zebulon has a 15 minute buffer going in the other direction. Oh well, I waited a few months and got to finally catch a set at Zebulon."

Scout LaRue Willis at Zebulon

Add a fourth time as Scout LaRue Willis recently opened up for Henry Hall at Zebulon. (You can read my review of the night up on US Rocker Music.) The below are some additional tidbits from the set. 

Scout LaRue Willis at Zebulon

When introducing the song "I Already Have Enough Friends" she had the following to say, "This song was inspired by two people. The one who it's about, you'll hear all about him.  And the one who inspired me to write a salty pop country song about a man who may or may not have wronged me. And that's Odessa who's up here with me. She was telling me about her project that is about all her exes who have done her dirty." 

Scout LaRue Willis at Zebulon

When it comes to Odessa, I first caught a set in 2015 at the Bootleg Theater. A small sample size in this blog post of just two, but you can see how important this former venue was to introducing me the various Los Angeles bands and singers. There is a bigger event (at least for me) when it comes to my following Odessa. Odessa played on my final night out before venues shut down in early 2020. 

Scout LaRue Willis at Zebulon

Willis played her song "Mysterious Ways" during the set which had Odessa playing violin and Dylan Day on guitar. It is country blues infused song that explores her spirituality (or maybe straight out Christian beliefs). 

To that, I call God
I am not ashamed
To ask for help
I am not so proud
To think I can do it'll myself

To end the set, she went with her 2024 release "Over and Over" and told the audience in a joking fashion, "I can't see you, but I can tell that you're very good looking . . . . it's true, I know some of you personally." 

Setlist: Take Me, Silver Dagger, Mysterious Ways, Might Be Intimidated, Canyon, The God’s Whisper, I Already Have Enough Friends, Blue Moon, Little Wolf, Over and Over 

Playing Permanent Records Roadhouse on January 24th.