Thursday Happenings

For as good as Wednesday was, we got tripped up a little bit on Thursday. I think we got cocky. Wednesday was very easy to jump from party to party and we got to see everyone we set out to see. Yesterday was all about standing in lines. I hate lines.

The day started off great, with free BBQ and drinks at a Memphis Music Party, but as we went to make our next move, things started degenerating. We got to the Paste party about an hour an a half before who we wanted to see went on (rookie move) and ended up waiting that long just to get in (the place was at capacity, so badge or not you had to wait for people to leave before they let more in).

So we get in and Cursive was already about halfway through their set, which translates to us hearing about three songs from them. It's kind of a mix of good and bad. The bad was obviously that we didn't see the whole set, but of what we did see a) was great and b) decided it for me that I have to see them again before this week is over.

We also caught what I think is the last time the Avett Brothers are playing here and they brought it just the same as the previous night at Stubbs. Even through technical difficulties (couldn't seem to get rid of feedback from the standup bass) they still were great, debuting a song off their upcoming album that I will definitely be picking up.

Saw a couple things later on, but nothing too noteworthy. However, in the spirit of full disclosure, I did see an artist who used pre-recorded backing tracks that I wasn't morally offended by (see: Ladyhawke review in previous post). I think the big difference was that this was one guy (Colin Munroe) who wrote, produced, performed, mastered, etc., etc, his own album. On the album he did everything, but physically couldn't do it all on stage. He had a friend play guitar, he played drums/keys and sang, and used a laptop for the extra flourishing touches. That may have been part of it as well, the fact that the recorded stuff he did play was intended to fill out the compositions, rather than other groups having their main melodies, or even main vocals (!), pre-recorded.

A last note on waiting in line, though it was a drag, Marybeth is now sporting a pretty gnarly t-shirt tan. Hilarious.

Below: Pictures of Colin Munroe before security came over and asked for my photo credentials