Last Thursday night the rooftop of the Chelsea Hotel felt like a Brooklyn backyard… in a good way. It was comforting and familiar, friendly faces looked on admiringly amidst the skyline and star-shine, even the overgrown weeds were welcoming as they crept closer towards the instruments and speakers.  Then Chris Garneau took to the ‘stage’ and a hungry silence fell upon the crowd.

With a voice so tender, warm and haunting, Garneau launched into the songs of El Radio, his second album. His piano-drenched melodies were supported by a delicate blend of instruments: a cello, trumpet, harmonica, and harmonium.

Often likened to a male Regina Spektor (with a touch with Sufjan Stevens), Garneau is a gentle force to be reckoned with – a delightful mix of heart-wrenching lyrics and deep, multi-layered instrumentation.

For a few songs, Garneau chose to perform alone on the piano. As he sang “Hands On The Radio”, everyone stared at his moon-kissed face – which resembled a softer Robert Pattinson. “This town is my favorite, and I promise I will come back. Girls, I promise you and boys I promise you too…”

Garneau’s new album is out July 7th on Absolutely Kosher records. Try to check out his performance at Le Poisson Rouge with Scary Mansion on July 9th.

That night, all at the Chelsea Hotel, from visitors to fixtures, were lulled into a melancholic dream as Garneau continued “I left you underneath the moon. I love you underneath the moon…”

http://www.myspace.com/chrisgarneau