Long time no blog...
My life used to revolve around seeing bands, if i wasn't playing a show i would be on the train to Sydney checking out a show. Then as time went on and the band got more active going to see a loud rock band was the last thing i wanted to do, but recently i have been getting back into the swing of things, have seen some great shows over the last little while.
Neil Young blew my mind in Sydney, I dont really go for the 'shredder' guitar hero guy, but Neil...i could listen to him play for days. I dig alot of his acoustic stuff but for me he's electric playing is just off the hook!
I was mesmerised! I would be in the zone just watching and listening and before i knew it, it was 20 minutes later. It was like meditation...but alot louder. He said all of two words the whole show, which was cool...he didnt have to say anything, it was all their in his playing.
Whilst we we were mixing the record in Melbourne I checked out Biffy Clyro. Saw these guys in a bar in Texas years ago and hey blew my mind! was such a cool experience, so expectations were high! the were killer once again...despite them coming half way round the world to paly to a room full of Scots they put on a killer show, tight and energetic.
Back when we first started getting shows in Sydney i think it's safe to say collectively Hot Water Music were a big influence on our band, particularly the album 'a flight and a crash'. I remember when we were recording our first E.P and playing to the engineer as an indication of what i wanted us to sound like...subsequently i think we fell rather short of that mark...anyways Chuck Ragan used to sing/still does sing in HWM and he was recently out here with Tom Gabel from against me doing Solo Acoustic shows. I think i had it in my mind that Tom was going to steal the night...how i was WRONG...CHUCK...fuck man...
I was so tired i didn't even really want to go to the show but i had tickets so off we trek longneck in hand. The prospect of a couple of dudes singing over acoustic guitars wasn't really getting my blood pumping but as soon as i got a posse Chuck HAD me! This was the real deal, He's voice was so powerful and intense. So much heart so much soul. Never would i have thought a dude and a guitar could be so captivating! Anyways Tom came on and he was good but man it must be hard going on after what came before.
Most recently i saw Bertie Blackman. I had Downloaded her single 'Heart' of itunes as it was free. Thing is i didn't even listen to it for about a month and then i heard it on the radio and im like 'I know this song...what is it...man its so good!' then it clciked! that's the song i downloaded a while back. Now 'Heart' is on CONSTANT roatation! When i heard about the show i got some tickets (lucky! as it sold out in advance) and went along I got there a little late due to some unforseen circumstances and i think Bertie may have been on the first or second song? My first though was 'nice sleeves' as in napoleon dynamite...she had a killer set on!
But the show was great, i really Dug the jams off her new album, lots of cool percussive and electronic elements, lots off cool grooves and energy.
And the venue is Rad too...cant wait to play it in July!
I guess the point off all this is one of the best ways to experience music is to just get out there and go to a show. Take a chance on something new. It invigorates and inspires! Music is LIFE.
as you were.
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