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Illiterate Light Shines Bright at Charleston Pour House (Photos + Review)
Published: September 10, 2024

Illiterate Light at Charleston Pour House, 9/7/24. Photo by Clif Rhodes.

This past Saturday September 7th, Harrisonburg, VA-based Illiterate Light returned to the Charleston Pour House for a nearly-sold out show with support from locals Colors in Corduroy. This banger of a show was a makeup for a postponed date in April, after one-half of Illiterate Light, drummer Jake Cochran’s wife gave birth to their first child.

Extra Chill has been following along with Illiterate Light since 2019, when they had just released their debut EP Sweet Beast. I’ve been to at least five of their shows since then, and each one showcasing a further evolution of the musical brotherhood that is Jeff Gorman and Jake Cochran of Illiterate Light. In our early interview, they described the experience as entering a “flow state,” which is being creatively in-sync with themselves, each other, and the audience.

The “flow states” were in full effect on Saturday night, in a town where they have established a home away from home. Each show draws a larger crowd with both dedicated fans who know all the words, and newcomers who heard about the quality of their live show and wanted to check it out.

Illiterate Light at Charleston Pour House, 9/7/24. Photo by Clif Rhodes.

Charleston: A Home Away from Home

This band loves Charleston, and they were clearly pleased with the turnout at the Pour House, because they came out swinging. They opened the set with two brand new songs from their upcoming album, Arches, out 11/01 including “Payphone” which will be out this coming Friday, September 12th.

Both members bring an engaging presence, but Jake as the drummer was especially fun to watch this night. Standing up drumming is an athletic feat and he takes full advantage of the mobility. Right away he pulled the ride cymbal off his kit and started to run around the stage with it. Some drummers worry when they’re short a wing nut — Jake doesn’t even use them. Three songs in, he’s leaping off a step stool into the hands of the crowd.

Jake Cochran of Illiterate Light crowd surfs at Charleston Pour House, 9/7/24. Photo by Clif Rhodes (@clif.rhodes.photo)

Before “Always Always” from the 2023 EP, Aloe, Jake addressed the canceled show in April and told the crowd that he canceled the show to be there for his family. Then, he gave a dedication to his newborn son, Riley, and they launched into the song. It was a beautiful moment before they cranked up the intensity.

The setlist was a journey through half a decade of Illiterate Light music, with a hefty dose material from the upcoming album. “Blood Lines,” the final song on Arches, is written down in my notes from the show as a “HIT.” It’s got timing, distortion, vocal power, and a hook that simply gets the people moving.

Illiterate Light at Charleston Pour House, 9/7/24. Photo by Clif Rhodes.

The Neil Young Arc

Neil Young’s “Vampire Blues” is a cover that they’ve been doing ever since the first time I saw them, and it has become a staple in their setlists. The brooding track is consistently made their own, and always welcome as a Neil deep cut that truly suits their sound. Jake’s guitar playing has a distinct Neil Young influence to it, which can especially be heard on “Paint The Town” from the Slow Down Time EP (not played this night).

Illiterate Light at Charleston Pour House, 9/7/24. Photo by Clif Rhodes.

“Better Than I Used To Be” and “Carolina Lorelei” capped off the evening, with the former featuring a distinct My Morning Jacket guitar sample.

Overall, this was an excellent show from Illiterate Light, and I will continue to see them any chance I get. Including at Boogieman Halloween Festival, coming up on Saturday, October 26th at The Royal American. I love seeing them grow while maintaining the musical connection that makes them special in the first place, and I look forward to their continued evolution.

Enjoy a full photo gallery from the evening below.

Illiterate Light at Charleston Pour House, 9/7/24. Photo by Clif Rhodes.

Illiterate Light at Charleston Pour House – 9/7/24 (Photos)

All photos by Clif Rhodes (@clif.rhodes.photo)