Suzie Wright of Le Chat Meow performs at Greener Groundz in Bowling Green. Photo by Pennman April 18, 2009.

Musically speaking, do you enjoy something a little off the beaten path once and awhile? Do you mainstream with the best of them but still enjoy a good acoustical set when you hear one? Well, like a shopper who enjoys scavenging flea markets, garage sales, or antique shops just to find that hidden gem, music lovers had this kind of opportunity recently at Greener Groundz as Le Chat Meow came to Bowling Green.

This trio, fronted by Laura Joseph (vocals/acoustic guitar), plays what I’ll call a cool, original set of eclectic songs. Ms. Joseph writes all the material, and is accompanied perfectly by Greg Urbaitis on the upright bass (along with the mandolin and melodica), and Suzie Wright on the djembe drum (and various other percussive instruments, or as she calls them, toys). The result varies from a rich, smooth, and never boring smorgasbord of sound. However, since variety is the spice of life (and I think the spice of music too), the mood sometimes shifts to a jarring, stark, and powerful mode, all courtesy of Joseph’s emotive soprano vocals combined with her crisp, staccato strumming, which often bursts into the forefront. The transitions from delicate and smooth to powerful and sometimes even haunting, all without the aid of high-powered amplification, was quite refreshing. As for the songs themselves, they’re generally about relationships (good and bad) and life reflections, and as such have that classic folksy feel of poetry set to music.

You can hear some streams of their music on mysapce.com/lechatmeow. You will also find a long list of the band’s diverse musical influences. If that doesn’t pique your interest I don’t know what would. That diversity certainly has a powerful, positive effect on the music. The band plays predominantly in and around Nashville, so check their myspace before heading down to Music City and make a night of it. But if you never get to Nashville, don’t despair. The myspace page also says they are returning to Greener Groundz in June (no date specified), so be on the lookout either there or at www.greenrgroundz.com. Go treat your ears, and get some food and drink too.

New Venue Alert:  This was my first visit to Greener Groundz, which opened in March. Besides the back room (where the music events are held) they have added a separate bar area. So its got atmosphere, is a great venue for music in a casual, intimate setting, and has good food and drink as well. So come on down, sip some gourmet coffee (or a beer), and have a bite. They support local music and, in my opinion, it’s a great alternative to the smoky bar scene.

Le Chat Meow @ Greener Groundz, Bowling Green, KY 4/18/2009

Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman’s work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg