A very, very fine house show
David Bazan is touring living rooms across this great nation, and on Tuesday night, he happened to be at the house of Undertow Music's Bob Andrews in Champaign. Bazan's house show tour has sold out every date so far except Des Moines, and the local stop was no exception, with 30 or so folks spread around, sitting on the few available chairs, leaning against the walls, or cross-legged in the middle of the floor. My only regret of the evening was that I didn't bring a pillow to sit on.
The house show was a great setting in which to appreciate Bazan's heartfelt songs, which have a strong confessional bent. The pattern he maintained was to play two songs, and then ask if anyone in the audience had any questions or concerns. Over the course of the hour-long set, probably a third of those in attendance asked a question. It wasn't as awkward as I would have expected; the highlight of the evening was when Andrews' young son asked Bazan why he changed his name from Pedro the Lion.
Bazan responded that Andrews had asked him that question a lot, too. Then he launched into the title track from his most recent album, Fewer Moving Parts, which frankly details his reasons for going the solo route. Soon afterward, it was time for Andrews' son to head for bed, and Bazan was able to play his song about "chasing a vagina or two" with a clear conscience.
Bazan played several songs from his forthcoming record, Curse Your Branches, due out on Barsuk Records later this year, as well. The lyrical content of the new songs was consistent with his previous work, with a lot of internal monologues about the inconsistencies inherent in Christian beliefs, and self-flagellation, usually as a result of too much to drink.
It was a fantastic setting and a fantastic set, and with the music industry in a state of flux, perhaps we'll see more house party tours in the years to come.
David Bazan - "Options" from Joel Gillespie on Vimeo.
If you're not familiar with Bazan or his music, check out this interview from December which served as a preview of his show at the Courtyard Cafe.
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represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
That article almost looks like something out of The Onion
Thanks! I’m looking forward to writing even more….
Yay! Love this! Welcome to the family!
that last photo’s a doozie, Chris. good work.
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Did the Crave Truck get a permit to park in city metered spots and city right of way? Or did they just get a permit? The city clerk’s office seems to be a suspect here, but it’s not clear they did anything wrong. Did the Crave Truck…
High-profile whining. AKA Lobbying.
it’s quite choice. looking forward to seeing how it and its patronage grow and develop over the course of the year. could be a neat little ecosystem.
“It was at this point, before he started his business, that working with city employees should’ve raised red flags…” But they didn’t because: 1) The City Clerk’s office originally mis-interpreted the rules, or are indeed re-interpreting them. 2) Champaign’s brick-n-mortar merchants hadn’t yet started whining about The Crave Truck.
Super cool! Excellent track, Excellent band.
Looking forward to trying this place!
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
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Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/