This was supposed to be a short, two-person set at 8:30, but therewas a last minute add-on of a singer-songwriter named Mary (who was very good, though I did not catch her last name. ooops)
Tim and I recently wrote a song together, 'Sweetwater Road,' which has yet to be played in public because we both are a bit fuzzy still on the chords and words. We keep intending to, so one of these times it might actually happen.
I did play a new song, a sort of sweet love song that is still finding its right chords and changes. For it being a new song, though, the performance was quite comfortable. I think it will become a part of the reportoire. I also played a really solid version of "N Judah" (Tim helped out with this great atmospheric lead line) and then, for the last one, I started out with playing "Wasting Time With You" and it was rock solid through the intro and then I realized I forgot the verse chord progression (which never happens to me. Very weird). I had to scuttle it (sadly, because it was so solid a lead-in) and I retuned quickly and fired off the old standby "The Girl Explains", which went well, again with Tim on lead guitar.
Tim's set was solid, as well. I have gotten comfortable with his songs to the point where I can just jump in with harmonies and words and shaker, so I did that. We had a good groove going.
I wished I could have stayed late to hear Jerry Oliver's set, especially since he seemed to be playing with some folks from the Fido coffee shop, who I have yet to hear. Alas, I had to scoot. Next time.
Categories: shows played
12 May 2006
They Might Be Giants at Exit/In, Nashville, on 5.5.06
I am embarassed to say that, prior to this, I had never been to a TMBG show. My friend Lyndsey won free tickets and invited me along. Hands down, this was the best show I have seen in a long time.
The opener was Michael Leviton, playing a ukelele and singing some pretty hilariously skewered anti-love songs (think the Mountain Goats meet Tiny Tim) - and the crowd was right with him. The place was packed even for the opener set and yet I still had a lot of room to move and didn't feel crowded the whole night.
The show that TMBG put on pleased me especially because they dipped into a lot of their back catalog. The only disappointment for me was "Rhythm Section Want Ad" (an absolute jump around favorite of mine) which felt like it dragged a little (ironically, the drummer looked tired and like he was struggling to keep up while playing it). I was introduced to several new songs (because I am lame and don't have a lot of their newer stuff) and one in particular, "Dr. Worm," flat knocked me out.
So Lyndsey and I danced and sang along and had a great time. Highly recommended.
Categories: shows seen
The opener was Michael Leviton, playing a ukelele and singing some pretty hilariously skewered anti-love songs (think the Mountain Goats meet Tiny Tim) - and the crowd was right with him. The place was packed even for the opener set and yet I still had a lot of room to move and didn't feel crowded the whole night.
The show that TMBG put on pleased me especially because they dipped into a lot of their back catalog. The only disappointment for me was "Rhythm Section Want Ad" (an absolute jump around favorite of mine) which felt like it dragged a little (ironically, the drummer looked tired and like he was struggling to keep up while playing it). I was introduced to several new songs (because I am lame and don't have a lot of their newer stuff) and one in particular, "Dr. Worm," flat knocked me out.
So Lyndsey and I danced and sang along and had a great time. Highly recommended.
Categories: shows seen
05 May 2006
Everything louder than everything else.
Every once in a while you meet someone and fall in love with them. This is often very inconvenient. It happens to me all the time. My life (even oh yes in America) is full of inconveniences.
Uncomfortable pause.
But see, here's the thing. Yes - there is an art to falling in love properly and on that scale I'm more likely a Jackson Pollock (it's meaningful but it's rarely pretty). Disaster is the word I am looking for. But this does not deter me. It is like breathing - a natural reflex.
Every once in a while you meet someone who loves you back. This is rare. Rarer still is being loved back in a convenient way. Times and places are always all wrong. My life (even oh yes in America) is full of inconveniences.
Every once in a while you meet someone you can't touch, or perhaps can't hold the way you'd like to, or for as long as you'd like to. But still, they bring something out in you. Suddenly you're doing pushups again. Or you take another shot at learning to skateboard. This is the secret truth Shakespeare knew, this is what drove Mr. Rogers and his neighborhood. People matter. The love we show and the love people show us matters. This is the crushing weight of the Real that cannot be avoided. Shouldn't be hidden from. Don't work on the antidote.
A little tip of the hat and a thank you to the Universe for inconveniences.
Uncomfortable pause.
But see, here's the thing. Yes - there is an art to falling in love properly and on that scale I'm more likely a Jackson Pollock (it's meaningful but it's rarely pretty). Disaster is the word I am looking for. But this does not deter me. It is like breathing - a natural reflex.
Every once in a while you meet someone who loves you back. This is rare. Rarer still is being loved back in a convenient way. Times and places are always all wrong. My life (even oh yes in America) is full of inconveniences.
Every once in a while you meet someone you can't touch, or perhaps can't hold the way you'd like to, or for as long as you'd like to. But still, they bring something out in you. Suddenly you're doing pushups again. Or you take another shot at learning to skateboard. This is the secret truth Shakespeare knew, this is what drove Mr. Rogers and his neighborhood. People matter. The love we show and the love people show us matters. This is the crushing weight of the Real that cannot be avoided. Shouldn't be hidden from. Don't work on the antidote.
A little tip of the hat and a thank you to the Universe for inconveniences.
03 May 2006
Hurts to Laugh / Xperimental Dental School at the Basement 5.1.06
I know Eric from Hurts to Laugh from Baja Burrito (my favorite burrito joint in town). This is the second time I have seen them, and they have developed both a coherent stage presence and quite a good following in the space between my two appearances at their shows. I enjoyed them last time, I really enjoyed them this time.
They have some stage gimmicks that they do - somewhere between audience participation and a self-help group. On another group this might be annoying, but here the chops are solid and the tunes are catchy (and a bit dark. I like dark and catchy) and did I mention that they brought a hibachi and had a pre-show grill-out for the fans? Class.
So I recommend 'em. Go see 'em.
An unexpected surprise was the opener for HtL, Experimental Dental School - a band out of the Bay Area on tour in the South. I'd call 'em a mix between Enon and the Shaking Ray Levis, with touches of Dead Kennedys, Fred Schneider, and Oingo Boingo thrown in for good measure. The songs are intricate and there's a very prominent organ which makes it all sound like a carnival gone wrong. Mucho energy and very tight stage presence. I'd go see 'em again in a heartbeat, and I bought the CD.
Categories: seen
They have some stage gimmicks that they do - somewhere between audience participation and a self-help group. On another group this might be annoying, but here the chops are solid and the tunes are catchy (and a bit dark. I like dark and catchy) and did I mention that they brought a hibachi and had a pre-show grill-out for the fans? Class.
So I recommend 'em. Go see 'em.
An unexpected surprise was the opener for HtL, Experimental Dental School - a band out of the Bay Area on tour in the South. I'd call 'em a mix between Enon and the Shaking Ray Levis, with touches of Dead Kennedys, Fred Schneider, and Oingo Boingo thrown in for good measure. The songs are intricate and there's a very prominent organ which makes it all sound like a carnival gone wrong. Mucho energy and very tight stage presence. I'd go see 'em again in a heartbeat, and I bought the CD.
Categories: seen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
