Jason Isbell and his wife Amanda Shires went to the movies last night.
They and the rest of the 400 Unit attended a screening at the Grammy Museum in L.A. of Running With Our Eyes Closed. The Sam Jones-directed documentary uses the making of Isbell and the band's 2020 album Reunions as a jumping off point to explore his life story and his relationship with Shires, among other things.
After watching the two hour HBO film, Isbell and Jones were interviewed by actor Colin Hanks. Isbell conceded that seeing the film is uncomfortable for him, but that he's very happy with the way it turned out.
Finally, he and 400 Unit violinist Shires and guitarist Sadler Vaden performed. Their seven-song set kicked off with the film's title track; and was followed by:
- "Overseas"
- "Only Children," which he introduced as a song the late David Crosby had sung on
- "If We Were Vampires," which he announced had just gone gold (his third gold single, if you count the one he wrote for Bradley Cooper to sing in A Star Is Born)
- Townes Van Zandt's "Pancho and Lefty," which he called "the best country song ever written" and said he regularly plays for his daughter Mercy before she goes to sleep
- "Tour of Duty," performed in a speeded-up bluegrass-type arrangement
- "Cover Me Up," probably his signature song at this point in time
The film will premiere on HBO and HBO Max on April 7th.
Here is the trailer to the documentary and a video of Jason and Amanda performing at the "Love Rising" benefit in Nashville on 3/20. What a musical power couple!