@ Vaudeville Mews.
Meghan and Cristina got up early and went out to breakfast with Aunt Peggy and Grandma. We packed up and hit the road when they returned, driving north into the perfect American landscape of Missouri and Iowa. It was largely an uneventful drive. There was excitement in the air as this show is with CT4’s pals iji from Seattle, who are themselves on tour for like 10 weeks(!). Keenan (from iji), who used to be in Paxil Rose with Cristina and was once roommates with Meghan, helped get CT4 on the bill. Vaudeville Mews is a great venue on its own, and the fact that it’s an oasis in the middle of the Midwest makes it all the more special for the band to play at.
This was an early, all-ages show, so we arrived in mid-afternoon for load in. There was hugging and high-fiving as we hooked up with iji, and I was extra-extra stoked to discover the big café next door is equipped with free wi-fi. Java Joe’s is large and airy and full of nice locals. I have been dying to sit and stare at the internets for several days now (sad, I know), so it was no time before I was perched on a tall chair posting blog entries and looking at news about Sotomayor’s confirmation hearing. Good times.
Actually, after discussing matters with the band, we agreed to let me take some “Matt time” during their set tonight so I could chill on my own for a bit. So while things got rolling and band members were buzzing about next door, I camped and drank a coffee and put some pictures on Facebook.
Now this means that I took no pictures or video during the set, nor can I describe it. I apologize. Well, actually the bad literally played about 10 feet to my right, and even though there was a brick wall between us, I could hear them just well enough to know which song they were playing. According to them, the set solidified after the first couple-few songs. I did slip in after their set to help load out, and can say definitively there were more people in the audience for the show than any other we’ve played thus far. It was a very successful show for the band, with kids getting their copies of the EP signed, lots of merch sold, and a decent sized chunk of the door – considering this was a 5-band bill, that’s pretty sweet.
Speaking of which, the first band was called Craig!, and I have no idea what they sound like, but I know they were quieter than CT4 because I could not hear them. Watercolor Paintings, from California, who are touring with iji, actually started their set while I was helping load out. They have an orchestral pop thing, with all the members singing choir-style to start things off. Seemed pretty cool. iji were next, and they are twee indie pop. Des Moines’ The Erased Life played last, and I missed out on it. On the bright side, I really enjoyed my time to myself.
At Java Joe’s I made friends with Claire, a nice person who offered her parents’ home to us, iji, and Watercolor Paintings as a place to stay.
Claire + CT4!
Because I am old and grumpy, however, I really wanted to find a place we could be sure to get to sleep – no slumber parties! We also had to get up sooper early for a 9-hour trek to Denver in the morning. We agreed to split a hotel room between us instead, over at the Hotel Fort Des Moines.
The band made sure to get their money's worth.
Finally, ever since I brought it up over a week ago, there has been a plan for Val and me to go see Harry Potter when it comes out. Well my friends, on 07.15.09 at 12 midnight, we were at the Southridge Mall with a throng of, as Valerie put it, Iowa Potter nerds. It was great! We filed in with the herd and found seats. I had spent some time earlier in the day explaining the rudimentary plot points of the story so we were all ready. A couple seats down from us were some big dudes who were really excited – encouraging everyone to clap when the film began and everything. Also, there was an odd smell in the theater, although that may have just been my own hand I was smelling, as I was using it to cover my nose. Who can be sure? Tour!
Either way, the movie was pretty good. A little more talky-talky-no-action-magic than I was expecting, but I dug it, and Valerie didn’t fall asleep, so I’d call it a success.
