Warm Sounds

An Indian and a Potter Mixed with Some Talib

2006-05-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

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

Stoned Hill

2006-05-10T10:42:00.000-07:00

Stonehill College, 4/7/2006

So I woke up this morning after maybe four hours of sleep and went to get the van that was parked over at the piers. I was crossing my fingers that it would still be there since I had to pay off the night guy to even let me keep it there. Grabbed Dunkin Donuts for the band over on West 4th and then was able to get the van no problem. Went and woke up Q and Fran who had slept at my girlfriend Liz’s place in Sheridan Square. Let me tell you it is no easy task getting these 2 going especially after a 6am night at a club in Manhattan. I finally managed to get them in the car and headed over to my apartment in Gramercy Park. Rob, Nathan, Mark and Kevin were all waiting for me on the corner of 23rd and Park. Apparently, Nathan, Mark and Kevin had quite the night as well down on the lower east side. I think it was safe to say that the seven of us had seen better days. We were all dragging and it took us a while to make the drive back up to Mass. That 95 drive from NYC to Boston can be a bitch. This tour was really poorly routed but that’s what it took to get this tour off the ground. If we didn’t make the drive to Stonehill to get that nice college money, this tour might not have been possible. And we didn’t find out that the band had this gig until about march 20th or so. So considering the tour began on April 1st, we really only had 11 days to get all this stuff finalized. That’s about the same time I quit my job and realized that this tour was meant to be.

So anyway we make the trip up. Saving grace being Nathan’s purchase of 2 incredible sunglasses for a total of 15 dollars. We’ll see these later in Baltimore. We roll into Easton,MA and it’s raining. Of course. They did have some loaders which helped and a great dressing room. The one thing about colleges is that they treat you very well. You can’t drink there but at least the sobriety is done in comfort. We gotta be in DC the next day so I switch set times with the opener. He’s thrilled that we’re opening for him but I know how long it will take them to set up and sound check so he’s gonna be waiting for a while. While I’m setting up merch for the night my mother and Thom walk in. It’s great to see them and they’re very excited to see the band that I quit my job for. My brother then strolls in with 6 of his friends. I’m glad they could all make it because West Indian Girl’s music is perfect for their demographic. We chatted it up, my brother is a senior in high school and he’s in that “get me the hell out of my mother’s house” phase. He’s been getting into a bit of trouble as a senior but who didn’t right. I’m excited for him to get out of Mass and experience something new.

Anyway, West Indian Girl goes on after I had to search everywhere for Mark Lewis, the drummer. They open with Hollywood which sounds great considering the terrible sound system that they were dealing with. I can tell right away that my brother and his friends like the music, just as I thought they would. Rob is having fun with the crowd. There’s about 10 kids in the front row of chairs that are loving the music and it provided the energy needed for the band to feel a bit more comfortable in this awkward room. I sit with my mother and Thom for much of the show. My mom has been listening to the record incessantly. How cool is that. I think she’d like it even if it weren’t for the band I was on tour with. The band closes up the set with Trip. Trip is a spectacular song but I think WAYAO deserves to be last. It truly is a tough act to follow. My mom gets a litho and gets all of their autographs. So funny. I hope my brother and his friends had fun and now have a new favorite band. It’s gonna spread like wildfire at some point and they’ll be able to say they heard it first. We hang out a bit afterward. Some of us eat, some shoot pool, others go on some “nature hikes”. We head out around 9 and head down to Washington DC. It is decided in the car that we’ll stay at a Motel 6 in Aberdeen,MD which is about 8 hours away. Now this is livin…Be back after a few hours of sleep so we can make our noon load in time at George Washington University…

New York, New York

2006-04-22T13:19:00.000-07:00

Coda, April 6th
So after the Northampton show we shot down to New Haven to spend the night. After getting a few hours of sleep we jumped back in the van and headed to Manhattan. I was looking forward to this show since the beginning since I'd get to see my friends, Liz, and the record labels would be at the show. We arrived at Coda and loaded in thru all of the traffic and then I spent the next hour looking for a parking spot. Not fun. Stress levels were very high among everyone especially myself since there were about 100 people from the industry that needed to be on the guest list for the night. After getting all that sorted out, I sat up in the dressing room by myself for a few minutes to reflect on everything that had been going on. I had been waiting for this moment for a long time and I definitely tried to soak it all in. Looking down at the stage I finally felt like I was getting to where I wanted to be. The opening band was amazing, jeff harris band? i think it may have been...The 2nd band sucked and then it was time for WIG. A lot of my friends had shown up for support and I cant thank you guys enough. I stood with Liz for most of the show and cringed through the sound problems the band had on stage. Like true professionals though, they pushed through the problems and put on a pretty good show. I could tell there were a lot of nerves onstage but after a couple songs they hit a groove and the crowd seemed to respond very well. Not sure what all the labels thought but I guess we will soon find out. Also a big thanks to Cherry Lane for coming out in full force. After the show I drove around the city for another hour with Liz looking for a garage that would take the van and trailer. We finally found one over near the piers and if u can picture austin powers trying to make a uturn in his golf cart, that was me in the parking garage. Total nightmare but we got it done and Liz and I were finally able to spend some time together. Back up to MA in just a few hours...

Venue-A-, I love this place
Crowd-A- Couldn't ask for much more with the turnout.
Band Performance-B, took a while to get rid of the nerves but an impressive set nonetheless

Back on the Road

2006-04-10T22:55:00.000-07:00

4/5-Iron Horse, Northampton,MA
Wednesday morning we bid good bye to the McCabes (we can't thank you enough) and headed up to Northampton,MA which is about a five hour drive. I was personally pretty excited for the show since I'm from Mass and just think Northampton has a great vibe. It was Mariqueen's birthday so Fran, Rob, Q and I headed to a local Japanese restaurant and pigged out on sushi. Thanks to Kristen Beam for the great reccommendation. Afterwards we just headed back to the Iron Horse which is just one of the coolest venues I've been to. A two level club, all wood with that rustic vibe going...My best friend's brother dropped by so we hung out in the dressing room for a bit and had a couple beers and waited for WIG to take the stage. The band played the same set from Asbury just to try and get into the groove for the big show in NYC the next night. The set was pretty damn good highlighted by Q taking a tequila shot on stage. Afterwards, we met a guy named Peter who told us just an inspiring story about how he came to hear of WIG. He actually videotaped the entire show so there's a bootleg floating around somewhere. After loading the van we headed across the street to this bar called the Basement which was had a mini dance party goin on...We all got nice and drunk and most of the band danced around and let out all the rest of our unused energy...Around 2am we took off for New Haven with Peter fimling our departure. If you're out there Peter, send us that video tape please...I think the set at Asbury was better but the whole vibe of the entire night was the best of the tour....NYC next...
Venue:A-
Band Performance:B
Fans:B-(Thank god for Peter!)

Tuesday: A Day of Rest

2006-04-10T22:45:00.000-07:00

4/4-Day Off
So on Tuesday we had a day off to catch a breath and reflect on the past few days. Some people slept until 5PM, others took their minds to new levels. Me? I went to the mall to buy a phone charger and go health food shopping with Rob. For those of you who don't know Rob is on a ridiculous diet that is basically cleaning out his entire body. He pretty much can't eat anything that the band is eating which is probably a good thing. Anyway, we spent half the day, Rob, Kevin,Mark and I driving around Trenton running errands. Sounds pretty boring but it was nice to not have to be anywhere at any specific time. That night we celebrated Mariqueen's birthday (a day early) with the McCabes. Since it was our last night at the McCabes we decided to have a big ping pong tournament. Might sound strange but ping pong is the sport of chpice for the band. I thought I was pretty good going into the tourney but Fran and Rob along with King Tom McCabe kicked my ass. It ended up being Rob v Fran in the finals. I personally think that this should be webcasted next time. If you agree, please inundate Fran with emails about this. Fran ended up winning the first set and then losing the next so we still don't have a true champion and maybe that's the way it should be. After the tourney, we had an outdoor fire and had some bonding time. I tell you, all these guys are just the greatest in their own unique way. The five of them couldn't be more different but somehow it works and that I think is the beauty of the band. Wish I had some pictures to share from the day but the words will have to suffice. Iron Horse, here we come...Thanks McCabes!

The Triple S-Saint Scott Stamper

2006-04-10T22:22:00.000-07:00

4/3-Asbury Park,NJ

So Monday we actually got to sleep in a bit and catch up on the sleep that was lost on the long trip down. I awoke in the basement of the McCabe house around 1PM. Don't think I've slept that late since sophomore year in college after a night of Bankers Club. Hung out for a bit, caught up on sports and world news and had some quality time with the McCabe girls who are just the sweetest. We took off for Asbury around 5PM just in time for it to start raining. Took us about an hour to get there and about another hour to figure out how to load everything into this tiny club. We were all a little wary at first but the Saint of the Saint, Scott Stamper made all of us feel so at home. There was not a whole lot of time to promote the show so they were not expecting a huge crowd. Nonetheless, Scott showered us with pizza and beer and anything else we wanted. Scott, if you're reading, we'll be back and we'll sell that shit out for you. WIG took the stage around 9:30 and changed up their set a bit. I had mentioned that they should maybe stick Hollywood up front to make the beginning a little more energetic. So they started off with Hollywood and led into All My Friends. Sounded great to me. The crowd was pretty small but everyone was really into it and it made the band so relaxed which allowed them to play their best set of the first 3 dates. Fran had fun with the audience and introduced the band which has never been done. Dream was also done as an encore which is extremely rare. Afterwards, we all hung out as a team along with our biggest supporters, the Walshes. The liquor was flowing and we all had such a great time. Thanks Triple S, we'll be back....Next up, Northampton...

Venue:B+ (small but huge personality)
Band Performance: B+ (Best to date)
Fans:B (small crowd but at least the Walshes were there)

Brotherly Love Indeed

2006-04-10T00:42:00.000-07:00

Sunday, April 2nd-World Cafe, Philadelphia,PA

So after the BU show, we drive all the way to Princeton,NJ to Fran's sister's house. Dont know if you've ever driven through the night but let me tell you, it sucks...Kind of surreal pulling up to The McCabe house as the sun is rising and going to bed with the birds chirping...Anyway, we were able to grab a few hours of sleep before we had to wake up to get down to the World Cafe...After some trouble finding the venue, we loaded in a bit after 3PM. World Cafe is one of the nicest venues I have ever seen...Beautiful stage, unbelievable dressing room and everyone is so hospitable. The dressing room was filled with champagne, heineken, cheese, and lots of other goodies...It was tough not staying in there the whole time, but my stepbrother was actually right upstairs playing in his band, Gongzilla...A rather stange coincidence. My buddy Nooka also decided to drop by so we all had a nice dinner upstairs at WC. After dinner, Matt White took the stage. Was looking forward to seeing him since he was just written up in Rolling Stone as one of the top 10 acts to look out for in 2006. Matt was ok but thats a lot of hype to live up to...WIG took the stage and played an inspired set. The band just looks so much better on a big stage with visual accompaniment. Personally thought Monterey was awesome...The best part of the show may have been afterwards when I was able to meet all of the WIGHEADS at the merch table. Derek and Jim, we truly appreciate all the help and enthusiasm you guys bring to the concerts. You have no idea how much the band appreciates it. Derek actually sent me the live show from Philly so if anyone wants a copy let me know...After the show we drove back to the McCabes abd raided their liquor cabinet. I dont think Pennington, NJ will be the same...Anyway, its 4am and im sitting in a Travel Lodge in Maryland, so im gonna get some sleep...Ill try and get to Asbury Park in the morning.

Venue Grade: A
Band Performance:B
Fans:A+

New Beginnings

2006-04-03T11:24:00.000-07:00

For the next month, I'm going to try and keep an update to the happenings while on tour with West Indian Girl. As always, check http://westindiangirl.com/blog for all of the great pics and updates from the band members themselves.

So on March 31st after a nice sendoff from my co-workers, I left my job of almost three years to venture out as the tour manager for the LA band West Indian Girl. The train ride up to Boston allowed me some time to reflect on the past few years. I had come to NYC to work in music, and at that time I had no idea how hard it would be even getting in the door. I started in advertising, found my way to BMG, and have been going to NYU and studying in their Music Business program for the past couple years. A lot of doors have been slammed, I've had a tough time finding where I belong in the industry, but in the past few months after getting to know West Indian Girl, they offered me the job as their tour manager for a month long coast to coast tour. I finally felt like this was my chance, as the band is full of potential and the experience will be priceless. So theres a brief background, now on to the tour...

Saturday April 1st-Boston University:

5AM-Wake up and drive to Logan to pick up Rob(guitar/vocals),Mark(drums),Nathan(keyboards) and Kevin(sound engineer)
7AM-Arrive home to Mom's house. She and Thom welcome them all with open arms. How cool is that?
10-2PM-Band sleeps throughout the house as I wait for Fran (bass) and Mariqueen(vocals) to arrive.
2:30PM-Fran and Q arrive. Great finally to meet Fran as we had been on the phone for the past 2 months every single day but had never met in person. The entire band is just great, very nice, laid back, and as excited for this tour as I am.
3:30PM-Arrive at Boston University. Josh Hiscock is the production guy. Yeah Hiscock.
4:00PM-My first load in complete, the band sets up for sound check as I get everything set business wise with the BU people. Everyone is very accommodating, the dressing room is filled with food and drinks. No beer though since the college is not allowed to supply alcohol, Bummer.
5:00PM-Sound Check complete, we sit down and watch the Final Four games. Go Florida!
5:30PM-Augustana arrives and begins soundcheck. They had been on Kimmel and Leno the prior week so in my first big decision on the first day, I decide to switch set times with them so as to maximize the crowd potential and exposure for WIG.
6:00-7:30-Just hanging out in dressing room, eat dinner, try and talk to Augustana guys but, well, guess being on Kimmel somehow already got to their heads.
8:00-9:00PM-Dave, Hoff, and Cobra show so I'm able to hang out a bit with them. Thanks a lot for coming guys...Josh Bhatti also shows up and I dont think this tour would be happening without him...I think i owe him a huge favor...
9:15PM-Band goes on. Sound is decent considering the room is in a basement of a building at Boston University. Crowd was pretty dead and lifeless. Dont think it was the band, rather the fact there was no alcohol allowed inside. Band hit there groove more in the 2nd half of the show. Pretty tight considering they hadnt played in over a week together.
10:15-12:30-Sell Merch, pack the trailer, get out.
12:30-7AM-Drive throughout the night to Pennington,NJ where we are staying with Fran's sister. The family is amazing and so hospitable. At this point, I'm delirious and fall asleep on a 4 foot couch in a basement. I havent slept in 26 hours. Ahhh....Update on Philly show later...Lets just say it blew away Boston University....

A Concert in a Kayak

2005-08-11T12:37:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things in life is tailgating. I'll get up at 7 AM to travel to drink at a concert or sports event, but don't even think about asking me to get up before 9 AM to do much else. Needless to say, I've done my fair share of tailagting but I had never done it in a kayak before this past weekend. Following a night with Coldplay, I headed up to Newport with the lady friend for the Newport Folk Festival. We woke up early Saturday morning, biked to the docks, hopped into a couple kayaks and rowed over to Fort Adams. I had no idea what to expect. Well apparently, I wasn't the only one with this idea. The bay was packed with people on yachts, motorboats, rafts, sailboats, canoes, kayaks, wood, tires, whatever floated. It was great because we all shared a common bond: we were the smart (or should I say smaht) ones at the Newport Folk Fest. Why spend fifty dollars on a ticket to get into the concert when you could sit on the water, drink beer, and hear the concert just as well as the suckers on land. Noon rolled by and Mr. Ray LaMontagne hit the stage. This was my third time seeing Ray and at this point you pretty much know what to expect. He played the hits off his album "Trouble" which included a phenomenal version of "Hold You in My Arms". Overall, the setlist was pretty standard and he seemed to sleepwalk through the lyrics. The crowd seemed relatively unimpressed especially those sitting in the water who hadn't hit a good buzz yet. I'm still a believer in Ray, but I have to wonder about his staying power especially with the remarks he's made about other musicians, most notably Robert Randolph who he blatantly told a reporter that he did not like his music. For a guy that's pretty quiet, he makes some pretty bold statements. The highlight of the afternoon other than the fact I was drunk in a kayak was Bela Fleck and his trio which for one song included Del McCoury. I've yet to hear a banjo player that even comes close to Bela. In fact I've yet to hear a banjo player that anyone really listens to other than Bela. Regardless, he played an enthused set and had the tailgaters in the Bay groovin' for about an hour. So, when August rolls around next year be sure to get up to Fort Adams in Newport. Just make sure you're drinkin' in the bay because even if the music sucks, you'll still be in the middle of quite a party.

If you look closely,there we are in the red kayaks,courtesy of the Newport Daily News

Coldplay Jams the Meadows

2005-08-11T12:05:00.000-07:00

It's been about six years since I last pulled into The Meadows Amphitheatre in Hartford, CT. Much has changed since the heyday of the Meadows. For one, it is now called the New England Dodge Music Center formerly Meadows Music. Say that ten times fast. Gone are the days of the Jai Lai parking lot scene. Beirut in the streets, 15 year olds sucking down balloons, port-o johns being knocked down and lit on fire, cars being overturned, drunk Twister, not to mention the riot police. Ahhh those were the good ol' days. These days the ingenious people of Dodge make everyone over the age of 21 stand in astronomically long lines just to receive a bracelet to be able to drink, then you get to sit in another long line to once again show your ID and fancy new bracelet to finally receive that coveted Budweiser. However, this day was different for many reasons other than how I was going to get drunk, one of the main being I was taking my father to see one of his favorite discoveries, Coldplay. My father visited London in the spring of 2000 and became obsessed with this new band that was all the rave over across the pond. Luckily, he introduced my friends and I to Coldplay before it was released in the U.S. and even though they might be one of the biggest bands in the world right now, it still felt like out little secret. That is until we sat down in our seats 20 rows back from the stage, and turned around to see the Meadows lawn packed to the brim. Apparently word had got out. Mr. Chris Martin and his fellow bandmates put on an electric show. This band has definitely come along way from the shy, nervous band that played a packed house in 2001 at the Paradise in Boston. They dipped into all three of their albums playing a great mix of up tempo songs along with their brooding slower songs that has become a staple of their sound. Everything about the show screamed professional from the lights to the sound to the choreography, there is no question Coldplay is ready for the big time. I hear a lot of "Oh, you're going to see them?" comments from my fellow music snobs. Most of us who love music, dislike the big bands because it's not our little secret anymore but those feelings need to be brushed aside. Coldplay is one of the best bands to grace our planet in the past ten years and it should be embraced and appreciated as such. Check 'em out if you're lucky enough to nab some tickets, it'll be more than worth the price of admission.

Setlist:
Square One
Politik
Yellow
God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
Speed Of Sound
Low
The Hardest Part
Everything's Not Lost
White Shadows
The Scientist
'Til Kingdom Come
Don't Panic
Clocks
Talk

---

Swallowed In The Sea
In My Place
Fix You

West Indian Girl Meet New York(ers)

2005-07-15T13:43:00.000-07:00

New Yorkers just don't get it sometimes. This past Thursday West Indian Girl graced the Bowery Ballroom stage opening up for British pop duo Turin Brakes. Arriving at 9 PM, I was a little saddened to see the minimal turn out. I hadn't seen Bowery this dead in a long time especially for an Astralwerks show. My first thought was the gig had definitely not been blogged about by the indie hipsters. Had this band slipped through the cracks or was West Indian Girl not brooding and depressing enough to create the blog buzz? Or maybe it was the overly negative 2 star review given by the infamous allmusic.com. Whatever the reason, many missed out on a brief but high energy set that defined exactly what is missing from the world of today's mainstream music. Lead singer, Robert James along with bassist Franis Ten founded the band only a few years ago but their initial vision of creating a conscious altering live show is quickly building to fruition. Every member of the five piece band has his/her own unique look that parallels the many different genres of music that make up the band's songs. James, tall and lanky, looking like he can't decide whether he's from Nashville or LA, has a very distinct voice similar to early Perry Farrell. Ten, a Dave Navarro look alike, along with drummer Mark Lewis jam out heavy psychedilic and rhythmic grooves. Adding to the band's psychedlia is keyboardist Chris Carter who gives the band an ambient, textured sound that will no doubt be a hit with the Bonnaroo kids. The biggest surprise of the night was beautiful backup vocalist Mariqueen Maandig who continuously filled the Bowery with her spine tingling vocals that perfectly complemented the sonic sounds of the band. The group clearly hit their stride a couple songs in with "Trip", "Miles From Monterey", and single "Hollywood". Glancing around the room I'm not quite sure what my fellow New Yorkers made of this L.A. music trip, since it is clearly against all New York music code to appear to be having fun at a show. However, judging from the applause at the end it was clear that West Indian Girl would have an audience to come back to. One can only hope that the industry begins to push more artists like them for it is truly a crime that beautifully crafted songs such as "Miles From Monterrey" are not reaching the masses. On a side note, notch another point for Astralwerks who continue to market unique artists with integrity. In one of the worst downtimes for the industry, Astralwerks truly "gets it" and gives hope that there is plenty of good music to be heard.

Give West Indian Girl a try if you like: Jane's Addiction, Zero 7, Pink Floyd, 311
Buy West Indian Girl at YourMusic