| One of the more popular new names on the music scene is young pop-rock singer-songwriter Jonathan Cour, who is popping up everywhere overnight.
Cour recently sold out Blueberry Hill's Duck Room with his release party for his "A Motion Picture Scene" EP, followed by a slot on a Ticketmaster New Music Spotlight at the Pageant. He has shows at Finale Music & Dining at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. (Tickets are $8.)
Cour comes with a secret weapon: His band is made up of musicians well known on St. Louis' rock scene. Backing Cour is Matt Hickenbotham, formerly of Colony, on drums; Grant Essig, formerly of Seven Star, on guitar, keyboards and vocals; Mike Steimel of Just Add Water fame on bass; and Dave Alans, who has done time with too many local bands to mention, on guitar.
Cour hooked up with Hickenbotham after Colony's Ted Bruner introduced them, and the rest of the band followed. On the enjoyable "A Motion Picture Scene," they've created something he says might be a cross between John Mayer and Coldplay. Cour says the EP and concert provide two experiences.
"On the CD, the songs are really sweet and produced, but the live show is more raw and organic. It sounds more like a band than a singer-songwriter."
Cour started playing drums in grade school in Springfield, Ill., as a member of the concert and jazz bands at Sacred Heart-Griffin. He gravitated toward drumming after watching Nirvana's Dave Grohl in the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" video, then taught himself to play guitar with a few tips from his music-teacher mother.
By the time he got to Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, he began writing songs and singing - his true callings.
More information on Cour is available at www.jonathancour.com
may 2006
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