Emily Wells played in New York Wednesday Night. She re-named her song “Take it Easy, San Francisco” to reflect her new home. By popular crowd applause, it became “Take it Easy, Long Island.” Wells has a regular haircut now and was wearing a burnout T-shirt that says Love. Sam, the drummer, was wearing flannel.

The best musical news of the year is that Emily Wells moved to the East Village. On the east side of Tompkins Park, 9th Street is quite and peaceful, and that’s where she moved. At least I imagine that’s where she moved. Wells is so musical and energetic, I imagine she needs some tranquility to even herself out. I want to take her brain, project it on the building next door from my rooftop and enjoy her whole soul.

Wells, who just moved from L.A., played City Winery last night in TriBeCa and watching her was the smile-inducing raw talent I thought it’d be. She played her keyboard, an electric guitar, a eukalaly, a harmonium and — for just one note — some finger symbols. Wells had her violin too. To me that’s her signature. It’s the silky smooth strings that tie her set together, and she accented it with style by painting the fingernails on her left hand bright pink.

It’s inadequate to write about Emily Wells. I can’t capture her. Maybe someone like Sasha Frere Jones or Kelefa Sanneh of the New Yorker could, but I can’t. That’s OK cause I’ll be seeing her every time she plays in NYC and I’ll just sit back and enjoy. Try it out.

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SO Note: (Greg T. Spielberg is the founder of Streetwater, and will soon be guest posting beautiful things on a bi-monthly basis for Serial Optimist)

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Tags: Emily Wells, Musicians, NYC