Two shows, two cities, ONE DAY!
note: this is a really long description of the history and subsequent happenings of these 2 shows. the short version is "they both went off really great, everyone had a good time, the bands played great, and I'm very happy with the whole thing." if you want, you can now skip the rest.
I used to promote shows. Secure a date at a venue, assemble a lineup, make sure everyone involved is doing all they can to get an audience to show up, and then run the event as it happens. I switched to booking for bands instead, working with a few different groups to handle all their shows, as well as a tiny tour once upon a time. As it turns out, all of it is essentially thankless and stressful, amounting to a glorified hobby. There is a reward of helping make shit happen, and the shows are usually fun. Nevertheless, I stopped a year ago, and I'm glad.
When a great Boise pop band called The Very Most contacted me a couple months ago to help them set up their first Seattle show ever, I accepted the challenge. I've known their lead singer/songwriter Jeremy for a long time, distantly, starting with a show his brother's band played with close friends of mine in a Walla Walla mexican restaurant 10 years ago. In between I played his band on the radio, and when The Very Most's new album came out, I took him up on the "buy our album and we'll write a customized song for you!" promotion. So it was easy for me to say yes when he asked for help setting up a show in Seattle.
I got ambitious. They only had a day in the area to spend, so I proposed an afternoon show in Bellingham, and an evening show in Seattle. With the help of my friend Meghan and her bandmates in Connecticut Four, the Bellingham Pop Brunch was established at the house they practice at (and their drummer Valerie lives in). I was lucky enough to get Terry from Five Gears In Reverse to agree to a rare solo performance as Magnetic Bicycle Craft at both shows.
For the Seattle show, I contacted my friend Alicia, who runs Make Believe Productions -- she puts on kickass house shows regularly. After checking out the Boise bands, she agreed to assist, and with her help we found a home for the show at New Crompton, a house venue in the U. District. She found a great band called Webelos to headline the show, and folks at New Crompton also got an artist who plays under the moniker Real Live Tigers to open the whole thing up.
The night before the show, Terry aka MBC had to cancel his Seattle set due to his partner's unexpected visit to the hospital. The situation wasn't dire, but it was enough to warrant Terry's discomfort with a trip to Seattle, and rightly so. I managed to get Paul, Terry's former bandmate from Five Gears, to fill in with his americana/folk project Caleb and Walter. It was a last-minute scramble that paid off.
Once it was all set, everything worked out great. The Bellingham show at the Vajay House was full of appreciative young student types, cupcakes made from brownie mix, and good vibes. Terry was nervous at first about being rusty, but after he asked everyone in the room to introduce themselves, and also share what their favorite jelly belly flavor was, he relaxed and played a lovely set of old and new songs, plus some covers. A Seasonal Disguise went up next, who is also from Boise and The Very Most's tourmate/bass player, starting off just as a solo dude playing songs that reminded me of Karl Blau or perhaps Neutral Milk Hotel. He was joined by the drummer and lead singer of The Very Most for 4 full-band songs to close his set. Then the Very Most played a bunch of bouncy pop for the room as the day darkened, and their smiley, jokey set was just great fun. Lots of laughs. Connecticut Four ended things with a bang, literally being tremendously loud and powerful. They were powerful power pop. Outstanding. They get better and better every time I see them.
The Very Most and A Seasonal Disguise packed up and headed south. After saying my goodbyes, I jumped in the car with Meghan and her boyfriend Eric for the trip to Seattle. They dropped me off at New Crompton where the 2 bands were just arriving to unload. We got everything set up, Caleb and Walter arrived, and off we went. Those dudes played a jaw-dropping set of brilliant musicianship and foul-mouthed banter. It was fucking awesome. You have got to see these guys. They were brilliant substitutes for Terry. Paul (aka Walter) played mandolin, flute, and the saw (!), while Caleb stuck to guitar. These gentlemens can also harmonize like nobody else. Totally clever and great. I can't say enough good things about them. After that, Real Live Tigers played a set of dark folk with a deep baritone and somber lyrics. It was just one fellow named Tony from Austin, and it was very pleasant, yet sad. A Seasonal Disguise and The Very Most each took their turn, and I have to admit it was fun to see them a second time in the same day. They admitted to being tired out, but you couldn't tell. The Very Most played a Built To Spill cover (they played it in Bellingham too), and during a song where they just couldn't figure out a bass line, Zach from A Seasonal Disguise instead just wandered the room hugging everyone in turn (which also had happened in Bellingham). Overall it was so bouncy and smiley and fun. Webelos ended the evening with weird lights and spare songcraft, and blew the fuse a few times with all their gear. It was quiet and spooky and the perfect ending to a long day.
I was exhausted, but entirely satisfied. (twss) What fun! I'm so glad I quit booking. Thanks to everyone who bothered to show up. To those who didn't, I know how it is. You totally missed out!
