Southern Comfort

posted in: Artist Features

 

Those who attend the Citadel in South Carolina get a double dose of ROTC and regular academic courses, so it’s understandable that many spend their free time studying. But not Sean Waterman. The former cadet skipped the books and headed straight to open mics around Charleston, guitar in tow. And he hasn’t stopped playing since. Waterman’s music is largely acoustic fare. Every once in a while you’ll get a whiff of an electric guitars or keys, but for the most part it’s just a man, his voice, his axe and his heartache. Wrong is a dreamy, dusty affair made up of cascading guitars and Waterman’s languid vocals. Unlike the sharp metallic edge that the name implies, Aluminum is all gossamer and ether, while Sour Patch Girl delivers lustrous swirls of acoustic and electric strings. If Waterman has applied any small part of his military background to his songcraft, then it’s clear what the command is: at ease.