Have you ever had the balls to quit your job, move to a new city, and see if you could “make it”? That is precisely what Meiko did a little over a year ago as she went from waiting tables to headlining her first tour.

It was my first trip to The Crocodile after the club reopened and Meiko was on the bill. The crowd of about 175 people filled the room with just enough space for you to slalom back to the bar, grab some beers, and easily make it back to your buds. Not being able to go on what the club once was, a legendary haven for some of Seattle’s brightest up and coming talent, first impressions are that I’m looking forward to coming back to see many more shows. The frosted pomegranate walls (I have been watching a lot of HGTV lately) are festooned with the Rock & Roll photography of Jini Dellacio.

Ten o’clock rolled around.

“It feels really fucking great to be back here in Seattle. I love this place!” bellowed the tiny Meiko. She talks like a sailor, sings like an angel, and will kick your ass without batting an eyelash.

It only took a song or two for the crowd to warm up to the Georgia native. Armed with her acoustic guitar and backed by “The 5 Balls” (3 dudes, btw), heads bobbed along with “This Side Of Me”. Seeing Meiko live was great. It is as if we found her secret notebook under her bed and was embarrassingly proud to play what she wrote. At first listen, Meiko sounds like she has channeled the voices of Paula Cole and Norah Jones. Flawlessly and effortlessly, singing about a bad relationship in “Under My Bed”, the crowd joined in word for word.

Meiko is a talented performer, she really knows how to connect with her audience other than the obligatory “Thanks for coming!” or “I love <insert city name>!” She spoke of her “Guitar with no strings” dream and admitted to drinking a “shit-ton” of whiskey backstage because you cannot drink onstage. For the record, Meiko hates whiskey, but if you hand her a shot she will knock it back like one of the guys.

I really liked “How Lucky We Are”, but there was something about the couple in front of me playing tonsil hockey through the entire song that took away from the experience. Ah, to be young and shitfaced again.

Planning to come out with an EP before the year is up; Meiko tried out some new songs including “Good Looking Loser”. Just before the 60 minute set wrapped up, The 5 Balls left the stage and Meiko was left alone to treat us to “Real, Real Sweet”…a slightly camp song where she explores the idea of “doing really whorish things to somebody’s boyfriend or husband, but never actually doing them”.

Sadly, the night had to end. Meiko put on an awesome show and the crowd was responsive. Just when I thought the night could not get any better, Meiko ended the show with a cover of Rick James’ “Superfreak”. Peppered with the flavor of a Hammond organ and slowed down just enough to make the original sound as if it had artistic merit.

Bottom line: If you get the chance to see Meiko live, do it. She is a talented musician and puts on a great show. Even if you do not like her style of music, go to hear some of her great stories in-between songs. She will either convert you to being a fan or drink you under the table. Either way, it is win/win!