You've been warned. But stick around. It's worth it.
There's not a whole lot going on in my little bubble of music. Evidently there's new Wiz Khalifa, Ke$ha and Florida Georgia Line music out today... don't ask me why I know this... but I don't care.
What I DO know is that this week sucks. My immune system is compromised and my allergies are starting to kick my ass. I have to go to a funeral in Dallas this weekend and next week is finals week/Hallie starts her new job while keeping her old one for a few weeks. Yes, I'm being dramatic. Moving on.
Life is good. I saw Six Market Blvd. AND the Damn Quails this past weekend and they both rocked. Two of my favorite bands in any form - live, recorded, acoustic - always a great time. I'm not going to review them because I feel like I've done that several times already. All I will say is I can.not.wait for a new album from the Damn Quails. Saturday night was the second or third time I've heard some of their new songs and their next project is going to be awesome.
Anyway... the only new music I could find today (not that I actually looked real hard) is from No Justice. I've never been a superfan of theirs, but I've never not liked a song of theirs either. If that makes sense. I've listened to it a few times on Spotify this morning and I like it all so far. There's a new, different version of "Red Dress" that's a little more laid back and simple than the original. They also re-did "Don't Walk Away" and I think I like the new version better. There's a girl singing on this one and I don't know who it is, but it's a really pretty song.
Check it out.
Also, I just found this on the tweeter. Some free music from Joe Pug. It's probably not for everybody, but, hey! it's free music. I don't think it's included in this EP, but go get his song "Speak Plainly, Diana" both the rock and the slow versions. You're welcome.
Annnnd finally. Let's talk about Christmas music. 'Tis the season, y'all.
I don't really care for Christmas music. I mean, I like it if I'm in the right mood, which happens for approximately 15 minutes on Christmas day and you better believe I have a playlist standing ready for when those 15 minutes attack. But I'm not the girl that listens to it from Thanksgiving day till New Years.
My sister, on the other hand... I'm pretty sure she would listen to it year round, but I know she starts regularly adding to her playlist about the week of Halloween. Not even kidding. She tried to force my family to listen to it while we decorated my mom's tree, but my dad and I won that battle with Six Market and Adventus.
But I must say, she comes up with some good music. I haven't been able to find this song anywhere that it can be purchased or downloaded, but how can you beat LeeAnn Womack, Cody Canada and Asleep at the Wheel??? Go here to listen to their version of "Mele Kalikimaka." If anyone has, or knows how to get this song - hook a sister up!
I'll keep trying to post the good Christmas music as I find it... if I can stand it.
Obviously the whole world (or at least everybody in my bubble) is going on and on about Adventus. I have been waiting forever for this album. In fact I've been counting down the days ever since I last saw the Departed at Lubbock Music Fest. Their first album, Indian Land was good, but I think everybody was ready to hear some original material.
This one is amazing. I ordered the vinyl on Lonestar last week so I'm waiting for it to come in to really dig into it, but I also stayed up and downloaded the digital version Monday night and have been listening to it on repeat ever since. It's everything I hoped for. Since the band had slowly been releasing songs on Facebook and Twitter the past month or so, I was afraid there wasn't going much I hadn't heard on the album, but I was wrong. It's way too early to pick a favorite but I don't think it's too early to say this one will be on my regular rotation for a very long time. Every time I listen a different song becomes my favorite for the moment.
I've read a ton of review for Adventus the past few days, and most of them were incredibly positive. I am not about to sit here and review this album because I would feel like a complete idiot, but I must say this one is probably the closest to how mine would sound (in other words, I didn't need a thesaurus to understand it). This one goes more in depth on every song though.
It's just plain good stuff. I may have cried when Ragweed broke up and thought the world was ending, but everything happens for a reason and if they hadn't called it quits, the rock revival that is Adventus would have never happened. If you like rock, blues or just good music, get this now.
The first time I ever heard this song was well over a year ago, right after the band got together. I stood by myself with a crowd of only about 15 other people who knew who the hell The Departed was. I had no idea what to expect, but when Seth James sang this song, I fell in love and knew it was going to be a long ride. It's still one of my favorites.
This past weekend was a pretty huge deal for Lubbock. I know that Lubbock has a rich music scene and has for decades, growing legends like Buddy Holly, The Flatlanders, and many more, but I feel like state-wide, Lubbock isn't necessarily recognized as the music mecca it really is. I guess you can't compete with Austin, but the kind of music coming from West Texas is it's own breed.
So what was the big deal with last weekend? They have done it before, but it's been a few years. So I guess it was the.... reviving?.... I can't say first annual because that is wrong, there is no such thing as a "first annual" anything (my news writing professor would be so proud). Anywho - 2012 Lubbock Music Fest was last weekend. It was Thursday-Saturday and featured bands from many different genres of music, not just Texas Country/Red Dirt. I went to the Damn Quails at the Blue Light Thursday night and then The Departed played Friday night.
I have been looking forward to seeing The Departed at Lubbock Music Fest since I heard about it a few months ago. When I saw them back in June at the Blue Light, they put on an incredible show. It was the first time I heard any of their new music, but since then a little bit of it has been released with the recording of their new album, Adventus, that comes out in November, so I knew this show would be chock-full of new goodies.
Another reason I was so excited about this concert and the whole festival in general, is because Lubbock doesn't get stuff like this! Sure there's tons of music festivals all across Texas, but not within a 100-mile radius of us. I've heard rumors that "they" (I don't know who "they" is) are trying to turn this into Lubbock's version of SXSW. That's a huge task, but I'm just glad Lubbock is getting some attention.
Also, the last (or maybe second to last) time Lubbock had this festival was several years ago and Cross Canadian Ragweed played. I've written about it before, but it was my first non-arena concert and the best concert I've ever attended to date. It could/would/should have scarred me for life considering I was practically a kid in a swarm of drunk and/or stoned college students, but instead it opened my eyes to what live music is supposed to be and I haven't been the same since. I have always said that that was the concert that changed my life, so to speak, and made me realize my passion for live music at such a young age. So yeah, I was pretty damn stoked, not only when I heard that Lubbock Music Fest was coming back, but that The Departed was headlining.
But it doesn't stop there, my good friend/partner in crime, Skylar just so happened to win meet and greet passes and tickets to the show from 105.3 and I'll be damned if I didn't guilt trip her into letting me be her +1! So we went early and got to meet the band and take a few pictures. It wasn't anything phenomenal and only lasted about 10 minutes, but that's OK because the entire time I was trying not to be crazy Aunt Sue excited. I got the picture and that's what we came for anyway.
So the weather wasn't entirely desirable for an outdoor concert, but that wasn't stopping me. The crowd did kind of suck but that's because everyone thought it was cancelled. I just wore waterproof mascara and faced it. A little rain doesn't scare a few West Texas girls. It was totally worth it too because we had the full front row to ourselves and a handful of friends and devoted fans. Not that I would stand anywhere else if there had been 500 people, but it was a lot more comfortable. We watched Red and the Vityls play first (great band, check them out) then The Departed came on a little earlier than expected.
I'm so impressed that they will play in the rain to 50 people and put on as good a show as you'd expect for a packed crowd in perfect conditions. They started off with Rosalie, then they played a new one that I'm not sure what it's called, but it's amazing. Neely Yates from 105.3 told me about it at the meet and greet because they had played it in studio earlier. It's basically an in-your-face, shut-the-hell-up and quit requesting "Carney Man" and freakin move on song. I love it! They can do all the interviews in the world, but the best way to get their message out to their fans, ex-fans, and diehard-Ragweed fans is through a song and I think this one does it perfectly.
Then Seth played their new song, "Hobo," which I heard last week and already love. I tried to find it but those tricky people already took it off Soundcould. I guess they are pretty literal when they says "thisweek's preview." I think they played a few more new songs but I don't remember what they were. One of them I do remember Cody singing and he used that mic that makes his voice all cool... it said something like "she had flowers in her hair, she had darkness everywhere...." Yup, love it. They did a mix of old and new songs, with Cody, Seth and Jeremy taking turns. Everything new I heard I loved, and I wanted to hear more. It was all pretty rock and roll and a good change from the last album.
They even played a few Ragweed songs, the usual "Dimebag" and "Anywhere But Here," my favorite running/angry-driving song. And they wrapped up with "Skyline Radio" and "Time to Move On." I kind of think they did another encore song but if they did, I didn't write it down. I was too busy trying to help my friend Keely get a set list since her cleaning lady threw hers away.
The show was awesome. Even though it drizzled on us the entire time, it was never so bad we couldn't enjoy it. I would have stuck it out either way. If the band is willing to tolerate in the conditions and entertain you, why not let them? I've got nothing to lose. I was looking like a wet dog when it was over but I had a blast and I would do it again. I still went to Blue Light after for Rodney Parker and 50 Peso Reward, but half the people there were soaking wet too. To me the rain just added to the experience! Now I just need November 13th to get here so I can hear the rest.
I'm warning you now - hold on tight, this is gunna be a long one, but I feel like it deserves it.
Let me start at the beginning. I've said it before, but my first NON-mainstream, huge arena, sit down and be still and don't get rowdy concert was a Cross Canadian Ragweed concert outside in the Depot District of Lubbock when I was maybe 13 or 14 years old. I went with my parents, sister, and cool older cousin. She (my cousin) had been to many concerts like this including several Ragweed shows. I'm not sure what my parents were thinking taking a little girl to a street concert packed with drunk college kids and stoners and most kids my age would have been terrified but no, I was mesmerized. My cousin grabbed my hand and taught me how to use my elbows and height (5'1 now) to my advantage to make my way up to the front row - a skill I have used at every concert since. At one point she even got fed up with some drunk young girls in front of us that kept getting in our way so she started lighting cigarettes and burning her purse.
I learned a lot that night, but I especially learned that Cross Canadian Ragweed was and always will be my favorite band. From that point on, I was sold on all things Texas Country/Red Dirt and begged my parents to take me to every concert held somewhere I could get in. I became the biggest Ragweed fan my age I am sure. Unfortunately they didn't come to Lubbock often, but I got to see them one more time at an indoor thing. It wasn't the same (I still claim my first concert was the best I've ever been to), but it was another experience I'll never forget. That was the last time I saw them together. They cancelled the concert they were supposed to have in Lubbock the Fall before they called it quits.
Thankfully Cody Canada and the Departed came around to cheer me up. I love this band more and more every time I listen. I was obviously heartbroken when Ragweed broke up but when I first heard about the Departed, I was ecstatic. I was already a Seth James fan so I couldn't wait to see what they had up their sleeves. I got to see them last August at a festival in South Texas. It was more of a dance floor/festival situation and I don't think the people down there really knew or appreciated who this "new" band was, never mind the fact that all members are extremely talented and experienced. I had a good time and danced a lot, but pretty much stood at the front of the stage by myself, again, mesmerized. I was disappointed in the crowd though. You had your little handful of fans that were respectful, but I wanted it to be like my first Ragweed concert - packed, with tons of people crowding the stage, singing along and crowd surfing and whatever else. But I guess it made sense considering the timing.
When I heard that Cody and the boys were coming to Lubbock, I was excited, but nervous. I had read and watched interviews in which Cody said how tough Lubbock can be. In fact, his first show in Lubbock was a disaster. They received what he called the "Lubbock-stare" and it took a lot of convincing before we came around. I was worried that Lubbock fans weren't going to be understanding of the changes and wouldn't be as supportive of The Departed as they were Cross Canadian Ragweed.
When my sister and I got to the Blue Light Thursday night (after waiting out a hailstorm and haboob in her garage) we saw the bar was packed and it was still about an hour before they were supposed to play. It was such a different crowd than we are used to. We only knew a few other people there and usually when it's that packed, we know many more than that. As soon as the band started I grabbed my sister and we made our way to the front of the stage of course. The crowd was different, but there was something familiar about it. I eventually realized this is the same crowd that was at my first Ragweed concert just down the street years ago. Compared to the usual Blue Light crowd, they were more territorial of the stage area, more rowdy, more interested in the music. True, die-hard music fans that I was afraid didn't exist. These were the people who were the age I am now during Ragweed's heyday. And it was awesome. My sister even turned to me at one point and said she was having deja vu and may be fixin to start burning purses.
As far as the concert went.... well it was incredible. I don't know how I have a face anymore, because I was certain it had been melted all the way off. The atmosphere of the crowd could not have been better. They started off with Seth singing something new if I remember correctly. I love that he started the show. They played a mix of songs off This Is Indian Land, like Years In The Making, Staring Down The Sun, of course all the radio singles. Cody used a nifty little microphone that made Face on Mars and Water Your Own Yard sound really good. Bass-player and original Ragweed member Jeremy Plato sang Long Way to Nowhere. They also did several new songs from the album they are working on now. Having two lead guitars, plus the piano/keyboard is something you don't see every day yet they seemed so comfortable all packed in up on that little stage. They would just play and play a song until it just came a big jam session, but it never got old.The crowd would scream and they'd just keep going. The new songs were all SO rocking and downright badass. I looked down at the set list to figure out what one that I absolutely loved was called and it just said "WTF." Right on. I was impressed with how much of the crowd actually new the Indian Land songs and were singing every word, and not just on Skyline Radio. They also mixed in some good old Ragweed songs. I figured we might hear Dimebag and maybe one other, but they surprised me by playing that as well as Alabama, Time to Move On, and Anywhere But Here; I seriously wanted to cry during those, I never thought I'd hear them live again.
It was good to hear those old songs, but I am just so damn excited for their new album after hearing them rock out. They really seem happy and it just felt right. They finished up with Home Sweet Oklahoma, but came back for an encore which included a Buddy Holly cover, of course, All My Love, which you know us Lubbock kids just went crazy for. Cody said "in true Lubbock fashion, I have to fuck up at least one song." I hope they got a good taste of Lubbock and will be back soon. They definitly have a fan base here and Cody even mention that when they come back, it will be to Blue Light, not that other bullshit he played last time with the old band.
Afterwards, I decided I needed a souvenir but I already I have tshirt and coozie, so in true Hallie fashion, just grabbed the set list off the stage. I nearly got in a fight with another dude who had the same idea, but if ya snooze ya lose, sorry buddy. My sister and I were just gunna go straight to the bathroom and maybe come back for a picture if the line wasn't too long, but on my way I had the perfect opportunity so I just jumped in there. I have always wanted to meet Cody Canada. And I think I could keep my composure for most people, but not this one. I was speechless, which never happens. Even if I have nothing to say, I generally say anything. Instead I just said, "uhhh, I stole your set list. Can you sign it?" He just laughed and said "whatever it takes," took a picture with me and off I went.
Funny thing is, the next morning at work I saw on Twitter an interview he'd done in Lubbock before the show and the way he described the time he passed up meeting Waylon Jennings because he was afraid he'd go all "Chris Farley" on him, which was the exact reason I just took a picture and walked off and nearly didn't even do that. Funny how that works. I guess we're all human.
I can easily say that was the best concert I've seen at Blue Light, and maybe even ever, with the exception of my first "real" concert back in the day which will always be number one in my heart. I'm so glad these boys are still rocking and have everything worked out. I hope they keep it up for a long, long time and stay happy and come back to Lubbock soon. We'll be waiting!
[Please ignore my sweaty, flat hair and 13 year old expression.]
It's no secret that I am obsessed with Ragweed and I frequently go on these kicks where I spend all day watching old videos of them. I found this one today and had never watched it before. It has Stoney in it too!! Two of my favorite people. I love songs that have cute-young-couple-getting-away stories. This one and State Line by Cooder Graw are the best.
"Throw caution to the wind, don't ever turn your head, 'cause in the end we'll all the dead. Make 'em open up their ears and listen to your songs, 'cause it don't matter who's right or wrong."
That's going to be the next quote I paint on a canvas. Did I ever tell you that I have about 40 million canvases in my house with song quotes on them? Maybe I'll post pictures someday.
