onotob

In order to break the long dry spell which has been haunting this web site (and to appease the three people who actually come here on a regular basis and say “what’s the deal?” when I see them at work) I’ll write one long post about all the things which have happened in my life, which I meant to write about at the time, but just didn’t, and not in chronological order. I really should write about this stuff as it happens, because the details are failing me.

I went up to Austin with my sister and my friends Catherine and Tommy to see Rilo Kiley play. My pal Jon felt a bit torn (as did I) because Del the Funky Homosapien was playing that night in San Antonio, practically within walking distance of his house. Jon went to Del, I went to Rilo. In the end, we were both rocked to our core.

Rilo Kiley was playing at a venue called Emo’s, one of hundreds of little bars in Austin which cater to live music. There were six, count ‘em six, other bands playing that night, of which I can only remember The Elected (a side project of Rilo) and The Fiery Furnaces. I can remember them because I saw them, as the other bands played on the inside stage and I didn’t dare leave the vicinity of the outside stage, for I desired a certain proximity to Rilo when they came out.

The Elected were a bit of a surprise. Another band was billed to play that slot but they got the chance to tour with REM, so Blake Sennet got the members of The Elected together and put on a show. It was apparent they didn’t have much time to prepare, but being the talented bunch they are (Mike Bloom plays keyboards, lap steel guitar, harmonica and sings) they managed to play a great show. Probably not making any converts, but preaching to the choir just fine.

When it finally came time for Rilo to play the outside area was packed. The energy of the crowd was intense. Rilo is a vigorous Alt-Country Indie Rock band, and we were ready to rock.

After their first song it began to rain. We’re talking Great Flood here. The stage and main crowd area were covered by a tin roof and the sound of the rain was impressive. Feeling the intensity of the band, the crowd and the rain flowing through me I felt that the world was born anew that night, there in our modern ritual space. It was amazing and, of course, difficult to articulate. Walking through downtown Austin in the pouring rain after the show just heightened the experience. There was almost no where you could go to be out of the rain, and so everyone just walked right through it. Clubs opened their doors and people danced in the streets, splashing in the giant puddles and grinning. I felt alive.

On another night I saw Ratatat and Mouse on Mars at The Parish with a few friends from work. Another mind-blowing experience, a chance to dance as hard as you can for 3 hours, the smile never leaving your lips. Ask me about Scarf Boy some time.

More recently we saw Lyrics Born and RJD2 at The Parish. RJD2 played a 4-table set and the Reverend Lyrics Born threw it down. The man knows how to work a crowd. I have never yelled as loudly for as long as I did during his set. There’s something magical about shouting “Don’t worry ‘bout the president, he can’t stop us now” along with Joyo Velarde, who is standing about 6 feet away because the venue is little more than a bar in a mid-sized room with hardwood floors.

And other than the music? Well, tons of stuff. New years was a blast, including a show by Mingo Fishtrap (more music!) and dancing with two women at once (see kids, shaking your ass on the dance floor can really pay off).

The new year looks promising and will probably be filled with crap to write about. Now if only I’d sit down and do it, eh?

Posted at 11:32 pm.