Two shows on back-to-back nights. Starting with a freebie (mad props to my gay consigliere for the ticket hook-up) at the Gargoyle. Wolf Parade was lovely under the red and blue lights illuminating the basement of Wash U's former student center. Good college rock vibe. The Canadians called us "dudes" without a sense of irony and were generally pleased with the crowd. This being their second StL show, the last at the now defunct Rocket Bar, where they played after a Green Day cover band for about 4 people. Needless to say they were ecstatic for the turnout of StL hipsters en force. Call it a ritual, call it whatever you will...
Show 2 was at one of my fave venues, Blueberry Hill's Duck Room. Calexico packed them into the sold out U City basement and I was lucky enough to have scored an unclaimed ticket off a friend of a friend. The music was stellar, as always, and Joey Burns was looking especially dapper in a vest-tie-jeans combo. Accordion, trumpet, guitar, lap steel, whistling... it was lovely.
And while I enjoyed both of these shows in shoulder-to-shoulder crowds with friends, in the end both were more for the music itself than for the company. Ms. Nola always comments on my overly social nature and worries that I don't take enough time for myself. I can't help it, I crave people. But for some reason going to a show is not about that for me. This is the one time that I would almost rather be alone. With the music, with my thoughts. Calexico closed the set with their cover of Love's "Alone Again Or" to much raucousness from the crowd.
"You know that I could be in love with almost everyone and I think people are the greatest fun."Sometimes, you have to cut your losses and realize a little solitude, no matter where you find it, goes a long way.
And I will be alone again tonight, my dear...
No comments:
Post a Comment