Cactus lee concert review

By Alyece Rodriguez

On a Thursday this Past January, Cactus Lee performed at Antones. Kevin Dehan was

dressed in Wranglers, a button up, a vest, and boots. As Dehan performed you could see how

he was truly feeling the music. He swayed with his eyes closed as sang and strummed his

guitar. Me and the friends that I brought were so allured by his sound. He sang with purpose

and honesty. In the beginning of the performance everyone watched and took it in, soon after

energy filled the room and everyone began to dance. My friends and I twirled and tripped over

our feet as we attempted to two step with each other.

I found Cactus Lee initially through the song Dry Creek Blues. This is on his album Texas

Yard Sale which he released in 2019. Each song tells a story and Dry Creek Blues is about an

old dive bar that Dehan used to work at, book music, and bartend. When the bar closed he

would sit alone and write songs. This album is personal and with much variety. I particularly like

how he addresses the people he is writing his songs about as if he is singing the song to them.

Dehan’s music falls in the category of folk and Americana. Some of his influences are

Townes, Blaze, and Guy Clark. He’s released 5 albums in the last 5 years. Texas Yard Sale and

Cactus Lee were released simultaneously. He’s decided to passionately move forward in a New

direction. In an interview with the Ryan Ellis from the Austin Chronicle, he states “The first four

albums were like, ‘i want to make an album that sounds like X, Y, or Z.” He speaks of a transition

he is making with Perfect middle Hall, and everything that follows. Ellis describes Dehan’s

beginning albums as “honkey-tonk Jaunts” and Perfect Middle Hall appears to me much more

personal. He addresses his life’s tender moments. I’m excited for this new direction and how he

will choose to convey himself creatively.

Cactus Lee will be dropping a New album this April titled, Big Red. Stay tuned.