Check out Julia Kasdorf’s “Motel”

A CD-release party for singer-songwriter Julia Kasdorf hits all the notes of her home-spun musical stylings

I was recently lucky enough to catch a musical performance by Julia Kasdorf and the Ready Boys at a unique venue in Hillsboro, Virginia — a renovated church that is now a private home. The event was an intimate gathering of Kasdorf’s friends, family and fans, along with those who serendipitously stumbled upon the public invitation on Facebook. The dinner and musical evening was a celebration of the CD release of Motel, Kasdorf’s latest collection of folksy and contemplative renditions, backed by her band, who take their moniker from Kasdorf’s affectionate cue, “Ready boys?”

The ethereal acoustics of the vaulted ceilings, above the stage, once an altar, gave a rich and full sound, from the front row of comfy sofas and blanketed futons, to the Eames-inspired wooded chairs in the back of the room, overflowing into the former vestibule.

The casual evening began with a wine-and-mingle reception, followed by a home-prepared farm-to-table buffet dinner, including made-from-scratch bread rolls, baked up by Kasdorf herself. After a brief conversation with the star of the show, whom I met in the downstairs kitchen, where I went seeking the powder room, she quickly recruited me to run a video camera to capture the concert after I told her I had recently relocated from Los Angeles, where I worked in the film business.

So there I was, guest and now “with the band,” as I adjusted the tripod and panned the camera to frame up Kasdorf and her boys, including her bass-playing husband, in a lively and friendly show.

Kasdorf kept it laid back and informal, speaking directly to the audience, addressing many members by name, and giving credit due to the host, Cindy, who had opened up her exceptional home for the event. Throughout the show, Kasdorf recounted her inspiration for her latest songs, like the title track, Motel, which she wrote after driving past an obscure motel, on a day when she pinned for an escape to a place where she could check in and not be found.

So glad Kasdorf did not retreat into that motel and keep to herself, or else none of the few dozen fortunate guests would have had the experience of such an exquisite evening. It was just the kind of evening that makes for great stories, of a night of musical entertainment, delicious food, and interesting people under the roof of an architectural wonder. I just hope the video will do it justice.