In this, a very odd in-between year of my life, I have lived in a place where I know I’m not staying. It’s meant that I haven’t put down roots the way I usually do. I’ve been overworked and more focused on my work than at any other time in my life. It’s a weird existence. Although I love nothing more than a good gig, I’ve been to almost none this year. I haven’t put in the time to get to know all the (clearly excellent) local and regional bands that Rachel and E.J. and the rest of the Scenestars are always talking about.
BUT… when it comes to bands I already have extreme fondness for… I just have to go. And today, while walking in to Otherlands, I spotted a poster for Andrew Bird. He’s playing here next Thursday, and I pretty much have to go. He played a stellar show about a year and a half ago with Kristin Hersh in Bloomington, Indiana (my home of the previous 7 years).
I realize that I basically have no idea of the local situation here. It’s at the High Tone. Should I pop down there today to get tickets? Will they already be long gone? Has anyone here ever heard of him? Will it be empty? I have no idea, but I will be there. He’s a really quirky character. Chatty, oozing with talent. He doesn’t seem to think like other people. Weird stuff comes out of his mouth: stories, charming whistles, and lyrics like you’ve never heard. Almost words as paint… And he’s a whiz with a fiddle. Hope I see some of you there.
These are my favorite lyrics from his first album:
I’m all for moderation, but sometimes it seems moderation itself can be kind of extreme. So I join the congregation, join the softball team, I went in for my conformation where incense looks like steam. I start conjugating proverbs where there once were nouns. This whole damn rhyme scheme’s starting to get me down…
Oh, I’m in a lull. I’m in a lull.
I’m rambling on rather self consciously while I’m stirring these condements into my tea, and I’m so lame. I bet I think this song is about me. Don’t I? Don’t I? Don’t I?
So no one knows about the multiple head-guy in Midtown? Really? I rely on your hipsters for this kind of thing! Don’t let me down!
