I must say that I never really enjoyed bluegrass too much until I met Tuck Hanson, my fellow housemate who can tear apart a mandolin and violin, and saw Hot Day at the Zoo live.
Even if you do not enjoy bluegrass, Hot Day speaks for themselves and I bet they will win you over.
One thing that I have valued more about St. Lawrence is the Java Barn. I can honestly say that if this venue did not exist on campus, I would have transferred to Ithaca College or some other small private school. After a long week of meetings, class, papers, and critiques, the best thing to look forward to is a Java show. But the even better thing to look forward to is a small Java show. If you are a Java regular and you have never taken advantage of "rage space," you are have never truly experienced Java.
Universe Shark graced the stage on Thursday, November 3rd as a four piece band with Adam Bronstein on guitar, Scott Martin on the black velvet, I mean keys, Mike DiSalvo on the bass, and Dave Prinzbach leading the pack on drums. The size of the show means nothing for the quality of the tunes this week and quite frankly from the view of a Java staff member, it is always nice to have a show that people are not sweating on you, spilling drinks on you or attempting to run across the stage whenever they can. This was the type of show where you could socialize, have a dance-off, stay cozy with the garage door closed and simply hang out with the band without concern that the crowd would be creating mayhem.
The first time I saw Universe Shark was in Buffalo the day before I was returning to school. They opened the Phish Tribute show at Nietzches. Mike Gantzer from Aqueous had been raving about them for ages. I could understand because honestly UShark is a jazzier Phish. Adam's guitar tone is continually reminiscent of a Trey Solo and Mike's bass pounds away like Mike Gordon a lot of the time. The keys and drums give UShark their unique sound. Dave creates the controlled yet smooth transitions and Scott embellishes the solos provided by Adam.
All I can recommend is that you should go see Universe Shark very soon and then have a few drinks with them after the show. They are just as entertaining in person as they are on stage. Also, demand a Phish cover. As much as that must at times seem as an annoyance, it is beautiful to watch a band enjoy a song they love so much. Java Barn got a Moma Dance, and that was unbelievably worth it. The moment ends...
So as I procrastinate the blogging I am supposed to be completing for The Weave, I thought I would spread a unique band called Raquy and the Cavemen that played in The Underground at St. Lawrence University. As I wandered out of the Costume Shop, I began to hear the drums and I felt as I was walking in on an intense belly dancing class. I began thinking in my head.. "I don't know how to belly dance.. should I go?" I did not want to be a part of one of those forced dance sessions where I am awkwardly trying to belly dance in front of a group of people.
This kind of show is the exact thing I needed on a Wednesday to rid myself of the pent up stress and the anxiety of a double-header Java Barn weekend. Now blast these guys and your room and pretend no one is watching you attempt to belly dance cause you are not in a crowd of people!
Well, my uncle has banned my "crackhead" music aka dubstep and dirty beats. So I have been scrolling through a lot more indie music to appease him. I stumbled upon this song and thought it was appropriate considering we talk Georgia a lot when I am here. It has taken me a long time to get into the Fleet Foxes but I really do enjoy them and that movement of music (Mumford and Sons, Iron & Wine, etc.) The song "Blue Ridge Mountains" is about a range in Northern Georgia and it truly is beautiful on this sunny, stifling 98 degree Tuesday afternoon.
Lie down with me my dear
Lie down
Under stormy night, tell nobody
My brother, where do you intend to go tonight?
I heard that you missed your connecting flight
To the Blue Ridge Mountains, over near Tennessee
You're ever welcome with me any time you like
Let's drive to the countryside, leave behind some green-eyed look-a-likes
So no one gets worried, no
So no one gets worried, no
But Sean, don't get careless
I'm sure it'll be fine
I love you, I love you
Oh brother of mine
In the quivering forest
Where the shivering dog rests
Our good grandfather
Built a wooden nest
And the river got frozen
And the home got snowed in
And the yellow moon glowed bright
Till the morning light
Terrible am I child?
Even if you don't mind
In the quivering forest
Where the shivering dog rests
Our good grandfather
Built a wooden nest
And the river got frozen
And the home got snowed in
And the yellow moon glowed bright
Till the morning light
When I was in high school I swore off electronic music because I was convinced that you could never put on a great show with electronic music. I was pretty stubborn (even more than I am now) back then. I was wondering through Terrapin Station back in 2006 and they had sample CDs at the door of Sound Tribe Sector Nine or STS9. I picked up one of the samples and put it in my CD player when I returned home and probably played it ten times that day. I was mostly obsessed with the song, "Possibilities ft. Mr. Lif." I was lucky to see them a few months later at the Town Ballroom. Although I saw them five years ago, it still stands in my mind as one of the best shows I have seen. Jam band + beats. That was the beginning of my infatuation with that type of music and all my stubborn beliefs that electronic music could not be entertaining or "real" live perished. I even remember going to school the next morning after sleeping four hours still high (emotionally, not literally) off that show.
I have not listened to this band in a while. Hannah was telling me the highlights of Bonnaroo today and she said STS9 was one of the best performances of the festival. Playing till the sunrise. Those shows always stick in my mind. I then realized that I will finally see this band again. I missed their show at Nateva because of the Work Exchange last year but will finally see them next month at All Good.
Ironically enough, when I opened my computer tonight STS9 - Somesing was playing on my itunes. That was the highlight of my first STS9 in 2006. I thought I would share this song today because this song reminds me of great times and great people.
This video is taken from a live show in their hometown, Atlanta. Also, STS9 is known for doing a lot of work with non-profits and environmentally friendly companies which is good to see in an often wasteful, high energy use industry.
I love when goods songs randomly play that you never realized you owned before.
Surely there's no substitute for company
My mom's ripping off her hands one flake at a time
All her children left the house and left her all alone
But just like she'd tell me
Things get better
Just wait and you'll see
Take one day at a time
Anything else you can leave behind
Only one thing at a time
Anything more really hurts your mind
I don't want for us to take pills anymore
Not that it's bad
I don't want for us to take pills because we're stronger and we don't need them
So I got obsessed with Bassnectar's Boombox while mopping the Java venue with James haha. I just discovered this other version on my computer.. my new favorite. Check it our bassheads.
