I've always liked meeting musicians that I've listened to over the years. Whether or not the actual meetings are memorable, there's usually some sort of story to remember, or a period my life that I can reference around the meeting. So for this podcast, and future ones, I've chosen some songs by a group of musicians (and their subgroups or closely affiliated) that I met after attending one of their concerts.
The Sea and Cake (TSAC) - Ah, The Sea and Cake. This Chicago group was one of the first non-rap bands that I listened to during high school, probably on a recommendation by my older brother. I frequently listened to their first two CDs (Self-titled, Nassau) while doing homework. The Internet was still new (remember Prodigy and 14.4K modems!?), and I was a typical 16 or 17-year old obsessed music fan at the time. So obsessed that I created a web site for the group entitled "The Unofficial Sea and Cake Web Site," or something like that. Well, chance have it, during my sophomore or junior year in high school, TSAC was coming to play in Louisville!!! Cool cool cool. I was pumped and then dismayed to find out that they were playing an 18-and-over show at none other than the Toy Tiger Topless Adult Night Club. "Screw it. I'm getting tickets and getting in the show," was my only train of thought at the time, so with my brother, an older buddy that shared my resemblance, some driver's license passing while going through the line, and a dumb bouncer, I was IN!!! This was the same buddy that got drunk in high school with my brother and had me drive them around town while I was 15 without a license, only to get pulled over by the PO-LICE. Ask me about it sometime...
Inside the club the show was loud and sub-par, and it seemed that everyone listening, including the band, was on some sort of drug that I had not had the pleasure of being introduced to. The singer, Sam Prekop, was not happy once during the show. In between sets, I snuck over to the other side of the club and had my first and only (yeah, right...) night club viewing: "Not bad not bad, oh the music's starting, well it doesn't sound that good in there anyway. I'll catch the next song..." Well, the music ended and I introduced myself to a not-so-happy-but-not-offputtish band and told them about the website, and if I could have the "official" title. I don't think they knew what a website or the internet was so they said "Sure, yeah that sounds great," or whatever. I was happy, and had them sign their recent (at the time) CD, The Biz. Exhausted from trying to keep my blood pressure down (from the excitement of the music, mind you), we headed home, and I had many fond memories of Candy, er, I mean, the concert... Oh, BTW, Happy Valentine's Day!
***Note: The Sea and Cake will be playing Feb. 12th at the Southgate House in Newport, KY, just on the other side of the Ohio River from Cincinnati.***
The Sea and Cake - Showboat Angel (album: The Sea and Cake)
Dave sez: I like quotes, maxims, and small phrases that can stand alone. This song's "Live on the east side..." lyric is one such bit that I used to have run through my head in high school. May be one of the reasons I'm usually even-keeled...
The Sea and Cake - Parasol (album: Nassau)
Dave sez: I don't know what the hell Sam is singing about (the group has admitted to assembling lyrics from various napkin writings) but this is a beautiful song. Period.
The Sea and Cake - Station in the Valley (album: The Biz)
Dave sez: Listening to this song again after many years just brought a smile to my face - "If it's on a Monday..."
Tortoise - Djed (album: Millions Now Living Will Never Die)
Dave sez: Drummer John McEntire plays with TSAC as well as this group. This album and particularly this song made it into late nite rotation while I attended UK. This is a long song with interesting textures, weighing in at a hefty 20+ min.
Slint - Breadcrumb Trail (album: Spiderland)
Dave sez: This album came to my ears shortly after TSAC did, and although I did not delve as deeply into this album, it would be foolish not to include it in this indie round-up. David Pajo, who later joined Tortoise, played guitar on this album, which has a more just and interesting write-up HERE! Be ready for some ups-and-downs. Oh, almost forgot, they formed in my hometown, Louisville, KY.
DigmCast 5 -- Tour Diary
How does a touring band pass the time on the road? Talking and listening to music, sure. On a recent tour, however, Dave came equipped with an iPod full of comedy albums. Music is great, but we quickly found that nothing keeps you alert and makes the time fly by on those late-night drives better than some good laughs, so for the past few trips we've been mixing up comedy and tunes on the road. Our latest podcast highlights some of the comedians and music that have been supplying the soundtrack for our recent journies. When it comes to comedy, Patton Oswalt is a band favorite.
Patton Oswalt - America Has Spoken Oz Noy - Which Way Is Up?! Nick Swardson - Smoking Pot The Flaming Lips - Are You A Hypnotist? Dave Attell - Travel Esbjorn Svensson Trio - Goldwrap Patton Oswalt - The Miracle of Childbirth The Sea and Cake - Too Strong Nick Swardson - Party Soul Coughing - Uh, Zoom Zip
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