|
AM with
Brian Vander Ark |
| Been to the Showbox many
times, but never really "The Green Room" which I only thought
of as the adjoining bar to the Showbox. Not an actual place where
performances were also held. My brother and I arrived rather early so we
wandered around and ate before returning. The performance area was
actually downstairs into this little area which is like the Bat Cave. I
saw AM (whom had my ears for the night www.amsounds.com)
down there and so we made way down the steps. Inside there were already
people seated at the tables near the front, but we found a nice little
spot midway. Sound check was underway as plenty of "check
one"s and "check two"s came around. It was a
collaborative effort to get the sound right. At one point there was a
big screech of feedback that was rather deafening. If it was higher
pitched the glassware would break. Anyways, the sound board was actually
in the back in this little closet. There was a delay in starting, but I
was a happy clam when things got underway. There was a nice blend of songs from AM's debut cd, Troubled Times, as well as forthcoming ones from Soul Variations that is slated for a summer release (and a nice tour to go with that). The night stared off with "Gone Away Keyboards." Actually it's just called "Gone Away" but the sound for the keyboards wasn't there so let's re-title it. Last year I heard a beautiful song I didn't know the name of called "Endings Are Beginnings" which has some of the nicest instrumentation and effects. Was really excited to hear that one and couldn't help my tapping toe. "Playing The Game" followed and then the song about New Orleans called "Wayside." Should I mention up to this point there was a chatty audience member? I thought it was rather rude and I'm sure there wasn't a person in that place who couldn't hear the conversation. I was grateful when the woman in front of me got up to let her know of the behavior. From then on out it was pretty quiet with the exception of people walking through carrying drinks or going out to the back hallway. AM then played another new song called "Old Song." Confusing? It was very well received and it set the standards for the rest of the night. Another new song followed "Live A Lie" then it was the up lifter "Mainstay" with the wonderful (warbled? Don't know the technical term for the thingie that distorts the sounds in a good way). AM mentioned that he had one sampler cd left of stuff from his upcoming cd available at the merch table. So of course I did a 180 looking around (as my brother would say to me "crazy"). Two more new songs were presented including "What You Hide" and "Stepping Stone" which has been featured on his MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/amsounds) so it was very familiar. The night closed out with "Losing You." No photos sadly. It was quite dark and small in there and well, a giant flash could be disorienting. After the set I visited the merch table, but they had no idea about the sampler cd and I figured someone else might have gotten to it first as they kept showing me the cds I already owned. Although I'm sure the more the merrier. The same goes for the amount of cash in my wallet. So I went back to the little table I was sitting at too shy to approach AM . He was busy anyhow packing up, but with my brother threatening to leave (since I kinda promised him we would only stay for AM's set) I went back to see him. Why I was worried I have no idea since he's just one of the nicest guys. Same with his band mates. One of them actually talked about my purse...which is a bit unusual for me but it's cool. Anthony was very kind to track down the cd sampler for me and I was so happy to see "Stepping Stone" and "Endings Are Beginnings" on there. "Pulling Triggers" is also on there. I think I've found some new things for my iPod to munch on happily over and over again . AM chatted with my brother and I for a bit and I really hope he made it to Eugene without any problems seeing all the crazy weather we had around the area. We departed before Brian Vander Ark's set. I had no clue who he was until I heard he was from The Verve Pipe. Not The Verve. With Pipe. Well, not tonight. I'm sure for all of his fans there they were treated to a great show. I swear I have selective memory. Or maybe one drink is really something that my body can't handle! I could not remember if we paid for parking (even though I offered to pay). I couldn't remember what was this twisted little red thing on the table (which was a cherry stem I was asking my brother if he could tie into a knot with his tongue and kind of insisted on it). With that considered I wasn't going to be the one driving home! So anyways...check him out. Hope you'll love him. http://www.myspace.com/amsounds |