Alex Brown Church has long been a lone wolf. Maybe that’s why the man behind the Sea Wolf moniker doesn’t look lonely onstage when not joined by a flurry of musicians, some of whom have become regulars in his live-band rotation. Reveling in the freedom of having recently fulfilled his label contract, the one-man Sea Wolf will bring his solo show to Luce Loft at UCSD on Thursday.
That Church won’t be backed by a live band hasn’t dissuaded fans, however. The venue, sold to capacity, will be filled with Church’s acoustic renditions of Sea Wolf tracks from all three records. Though the sophomore White Water, White Bloom was more of a group effort, Church doubled back to Sea Wolf origins for Old World Romance, the latest record, which evoked the sort of mythical, musical storytelling of 2007’s Leaves in the River, his innovative debut. The troubador’s telltale lyrical hue, rounded and full, continues to espouse warm, woodsy textures that complement his jumping intonations and volumes. It’s not a playful sound, but it entrances in earnest, emitting eternal dusk.
Church comes to the tour not only contractually free but also fresh off a Kickstarter win, where fans pledged more than $63,000 to see a stripped-down record, available (for now) exclusively through the campaign. After three albums under the Dangerbird label, Church wanted to take full creative license in writing and producing a record that he says is specifically for Sea Wolf fans -- music that he wants to make, with only his fans to answer to. Here’s hoping to a preview of that locked-down record on Thursday night.
Sea Wolf plays Luce Loft on Thursday, Jan. 9, 7:30 pm, $15, all ages. Drew Andrews opens.
Hannah Lott-Schwartz, a San Diego native, recently moved back to the area after working the magazine-publishing scene in Boston. Now she’s straight trolling SD for all the music she missed while away. Want to help? Hit her up with just about anything at all over on Twitter, where -- though not always work-appropriate -- she means well.
