JACKSON, Wyo. — Some songwriters compose content with the intent of climbing the mainstream ladder, or writing the perfect tune. For Benjamin Tod, writing is a heart-on-the-sleeve, seemingly open-wound approach, as if he’s constantly overcoming his own mythos through dark folk. Tod will be joined by his longtime Lost Dog Street Band with special guest Kelsey Waldon this Monday at the Center Theater.
Tod recently released the ambitious double album, Vengeance & Grace, an unfiltered, opinionated vessel of heavy emotion and raw feelings. There’s a lively, full-band side with 10 tracks, and an “alone” side with an equal number of tracks — leaning into the minimal, desolate and unflinching introspectiveness. Tod went viral and built a following after being featured on video channels Gems on VHS and Laramie’s own Western AF. From honkytonk to roots country and poetic folk, the Grammy-nominated artist has absorbed the hard times with a prolific run of records that continue to show a man in the woodshed, chiseling his writing voice.
Some will remember the opener, Kentucky native Kelsey Waldon, from her headlining performance at Music on Main last year in Victor. As a proud member of John Prine’s Oh Boy Records, Waldon is a counterpoint to Tod’s music — classic, gold standard country with a deep sense of working-class empathy and regional pride.
This show is a diversion from typical Center for the Arts programming. In an era where independent music venues and localized story-based songwriters face constant uphill battles against algorithmic curation and corporate music festivals, tours like this function as essential lifelines. This is independent American roots music at its most vulnerable and authentic.
The Center Presents Benjamin Tod & Lost Dog Street Band with special guest Kelsey Waldon, 8 p.m. on Monday, July 20, at the Center Theater. $31-$51. jhcenterforthearts.org.
