An Indian and a Potter Mixed with Some Talib

George Washington University, 4/8/06

Holy shit I'm running on fumes. We got into Aberdeen,MD sometime after 4AM. Unforunately it is my duty to get them all up at 10AM. So now they all hate me. We jump into the car around 11AM. We're already going to be late for load in which was scheduled at noon. What's not helping is the traffic we hit outside Baltimore. So now there's seven really tired people in a van sitting in traffic anxious about making it for a sound check. Did I mention that it's absolutely pouring out? This was supposed to be an outdor concert, so when it was booked I was picturing this beautiful spring day in Washington, DC. Couldn't be any more opposite. Instead we're going to be in their gym. Sweet.

So we finally make it to GW. I'm greeted by my buddy Josh who has been so integral in making this tour a success. Josh runs a college booking agency up in Boston and is down to help with the overall production of the show which is no small responsibility. We are teamed up with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals as well as Talib Kweli. Now that is an ecclectic lineup. We load in and I get taken downstairs to our dressing room which we are sharing with Grace Potter. Grace is a cousin of my friend so I introduce myself, and the band is the nicest group of people. Matt,the drummer, is great. Can't say enough nice things about them. The dressing room is split down the middle with a curtain that separates us which stinks because I know both bands would get along so well. While WIG is setting up for sound check I confirm two interviews with the college newspapers. I feel like I'm hallucinating at this point from sleep deprivation. As I'm walking out of the dressing room, I run into Grace Potter who is just beginning a large belch which ends up right in my face. I then say perhaps the cheeziest line of my life, "Well that wasn't very graceful." She amuses me by actually laughing but I want to die from saying something so retarded. I'm blaming it on lack of sleep.

I go back upstairs to check out the setup of the gym and it's actually pretty cool. They've got the sumo wrestling, the jousting, a big moonwalk. It's good to feel like I'm back in college. WIG is only going to get a 45 minute set so I write up an allstar setlist with the crowd favorites. They go on and blaze thru their set. I give them a lot of credit for sounding so amazing considering everyone was sitting on the gym floor just looking up at them on this giant stage. Must feel so strange. I have to go up on stage to tell them to cut Northern Sky or else they'll go over their time. I kind of hate going up there and bothering them unless its to give them beer. Feel like I'm intruding on their spiritual music journey. So they wrap up with WAYAO which looking at the kids in the audience blew some of them away. Too bad all of them are so broke they can't afford merch. We get everything off the stage and head back to the dressing room to eat some mediocre mexican food...

Liz also made it down to this show which was great beacuase after this i wont see her for another month which will be very weird. We hang out and check out Grace Potter for a bit who just has the most insane stage presence. The positive vibes spewing out of her are incredible. We also have a little band meeting just to get everyone on the same page and then everyone is free to do their thing for the afternoon. I spent much of it with Liz and Josh scheming about the future of WIG. After Grace finished, Fran and Rob hung out with her for a bit which was great because they instantly hit it off. We can't wait to see her at High Sierra.

The van finally gets loaded and packed and I send the band on their way back up to Aberdeen. I'm sticking around DC and grabbing a hotel room with Liz and going out in the city with her and Josh. It's great to get a break and reflect on what has happened to my life in the past ten days. It may be more complicated but I'm loving every minute of it. We check into our hotel room and it ends up being this gigantic suite. I had no idea because I ordered it off of Hotwire for like 90 bucks and they dont tell you shit about what you're booking. Looks good to me! We meet up with Josh and head into Georgetown to meet up with a couple of his friends and spend the night taking shots. Good times, good times indeed...Next stop the Steel City...

A shot from the soundboard


Matt the Nocturnal