Windser wraps up the summer with intimate show at the Casbah

It’s getting to be that time of year: August is coming to a close, the heat wave is upon us, and all the tourists are going home, which means it’s time for San Diegans to enjoy their city again. What better way to kick off ‘San Diego Summer’ than with an early evening show on a Friday; specifically one that elicits chill summer vibes and nostalgic sunsets with hometown friends. Luckily, Santa Cruz singer-songwriter Jordan Topf, who performs under the name Windser, stopped by the Casbah this Friday (August 29), while on tour promoting his self-titled debut record.

Photo Credit: Eric Wilkinson

Having previously supported The Head and the Heart earlier in the summer, on this leg of the tour, Windser was performing as the opening act for the indie singer-songwriter Yuno. As soon as the band settled on stage, Topf came out soaring, serenading like a seahawk on the opening riffs of “Abandon,” the first track off his new record. Toting a simple four-man band, the group played cleanly, with a warm, full-bodied sound that felt refined and rehearsed after weeks of touring. “We have travelled 5000 miles the past two weeks,” Topf said to the sparse crowd. “Yesterday was our first day off, and we were lucky to be in San Diego. It’s hot, but what a beautiful day.”

Photo Credit: Eric Wilkinson

Despite the band’s proficiency, Windser played to a tiny crowd; they started with an audience of about thirty, which only grew to fifty by the end of the show. But the size of the crowd didn’t seem to affect Topf, whose warm personality and stage-side professionalism demonstrated his comfortability and experience as a performer. The singer shared anecdotes about his favorite California burrito, and connected with the passionate fans that had made the effort to come out to the show. Announcing the next song, “TV,” two of those fans let out a loud squeal. “Hold on, what are your names?” he said, stopping the song. “Sierra! June!” they cried out. “Ok, Sierra, June, this song is dedicated to you, thanks for coming.” 

After “TV,” Windser played several more songs from the new record, as well as several tracks off his debut EP, Where the Redwoods Meet the Sea, such as “Paris” and “Memory.” While none of the band members displayed god-tier musicianship or auteur-like qualities, the chemistry between the musicians and their error-free performance demonstrated a high level of craftsmanship that positively complemented Topf’s songwriting and singing. Topf’s voice was the highlight of the set, combining the vocal range of MIKA with the vocal timbre of Bono or Beck; his energy provided the “it” factor the band needed.

Windser closed their set with “Lose You,” a dreamy, reverb-laced song that resembled an indie-pop version of “The Mother We Share” by the Scottish electro-pop band CHVRCHES. Catching June and Sierra after the show, June said, “That was a dream. I’ve been listening to ‘TV’ for months on repeat.” Originally from Chicago, June moved to San Diego two years ago and loves the local music scene, highlighting our smaller venues like the Casbah and the Music Box. “I love the Casbah for how small it is,” she said. “It’s a bit spooky to hop into the dance floor because it’s so exposed and right in the center, but I don’t care, I’m vibing.”

June met Sierra at the show, who had also recently moved to San Diego. “I’ve been a long time fan,” Sierra said. “I started listening [to Windser] since his first single in 2020.” Sierra saw Windser in July, but appreciated how small and intimate this show was in comparison. As the headliner, Yuno, made his way to the stage, June and Sierra filed outside to chat with Topf and the rest of Windser, who were at their merch table selling stickers and t-shirts. 

Photo Credit: Eric Wilkinson

While the quality of Windser’s performance demanded a standing ovation from a packed house, there’s something to be said about the gift they granted to those in attendance on that hot August night: chill summer vibes, and what will eventually become nostalgic sunset memories with new-hometown friends. “I know the crowd is small,” June said. “But I think we’re lucky, because we’ll never get to see him in this small of a venue again.”