::The much anticipated blog about the Turkey Day Rage!
Indeed we raged that night, and into the following morning,
welcoming Turkey Day in the best possible fashion.
I however must give my apologies to Nick Sexton, because I missed his acoustic set… I was pandering to the fellows at The Comedy Moshpit and supporting the rather rowdy and inappropriate Thanksgiving eve Heckler Night. Given my penchant for having a big mouth, I seized the opportunity to use it and hurled some insults in the general direction of the stage from the upper floor. I can’t be identified you know.
I picked up one of Nick’s CDs and just like the other bands on this show he is one very talented guy. He also happens to be a very nice guy as well. I had a nice time chatting with him… he gads a bout the Bloomington area generally playing his music. I found it interesting that his dad is a drummer and owns a restaurant.
When, Not If. First I love the name of this band… being that I am a writer I always wonder if it needs punctuation, or not. The band name gives me a cheery hopeful outlook, and their music mirrors this sentiment.
They played a very long set, and while I was splitting my time between objectively listening, toe-tapping, drinking (Pepsi) drinking in the atmosphere of Center Stage’s new look… and dancing I took a couple of notes just for reference.
From my hasty head-count I gather there were over 40 people in attendance… all equally as excited and into the show as I. While this isn’t a packed house by any means, it was more than I had anticipated for a night before the holiday show.
One of the things that stands out to me is that with the exception of the drummer, all of the guys in the band sing, and they sing original songs as well as some covers too.
One of their original songs is called Standing up for your Rights… I think this song is very for lack of better term cutting edge, or as they say on Law and Order, ripped from the headlines. Songs that make a statement about the political times and urge folks to action are what musical history is made of. Great job with this song. Music was the first social media and with the advent of twitter, and facebook and all that lot… people can forget that.
Oh I really enjoy when bands talk a little about their creative process. Grady the bassist apparently loves Arbys, which inspired a song named Delicious.
There was one song, which I didn’t write down, but I wrote in my notebook, “ They kicked up some bluegrass feeling shit, awesome!”
I have to admit I got super excited when I heard the familiar drum beat intro to Billy Jean… I have never seen somebody cover this, except for some horrible karaoke covers… but this was probably the best cover of this song I have ever heard.
You should go check these guys out, seriously if you haven’t already… why are you still reading… take a break and go pull up their facebook… oh facebook is already open isn’t it? Yeah I thought so…. http://www.facebook.com/WhenNotIf
Taking the stage after midnight for the most rocking experience I have ever had on turkey way was Tonal Caravan. Now it’s nothing new that this is one of my favorite bands that isn’t country. I think my favorite part about this group of guys is that they are all super nice! I’m the kind of person who’s experience at the show is somewhat tied to the people performing. I don’t spend the money to go see some “mainstream record label performer” from the cheap seats that are still 60 bucks because I don’t know them. I can’t see them after the show and give em a hug and say great show.
I also can’t get made fun of either. Jon McKinney (Bassist and vocalist from TC) was quick to point out that I must be legit, I have a notebook. I do indeed try to be as legit as possible when constructing these blogs. My notebook keeps me in check to really remember the moment and then transfer this to words…
There is much difficulty to being a music writer and being a non-biased journalist. There will always be a bias in music. Bias = taste. I do challenge myself to listen to music that I don’t think I’ll like, or a band I’ve never heard of… but usually I know people in those bands and I want to give them some exposure, and a kind ear, however I’m usually critiquing the sound, always. I digest everything around me constantly, which is why my blogs about shows are ridiculously long.
Bryce, Ian, Jon and Stuart they all sing, but their music doesn’t always have words, but it is still lovely. I love the sound of the keyboard… to my ears it lends a Calypso type sound. One of my favorites of TC are any of the songs where Bryce and Jon sing together… you can tell that they put effort and practice into all the sets they perform and execute like a boss.
McKinney works the audience and actually grooves to the music, you can’t help but get excited and into the set when the musicians are so soulful and working it. I’ve seen guys play that don’t get as excited… He reminds me of a kid on Christmas morning just completely tingling all over and so excited and amped up that he can’t contain himself. It is kinda how I feel after I’ve had like 3 Starbucks frappachinos…. But in a good way, not in the, I think my heart will explode way. I mean how can you blame him… I spent more time dancing than writing notes with their set… so I’m flying by the seat of my pants writing. ☺What amuses me is that when I play bass in Rockband I have to feel it in the same way that Jon plays.
Ian, the keyboardist, wrote a fantastic instrumental song which I thing was called Level 12, this song was all instrumental, but it wasn’t a train wreck like some of the things I’ve heard. The key to this is a clear strong melody that they have in all of their songs. These guys are a master of leading the listener in a journey of mellow instrumental grooves, and carefully lace in some soulful meaningful lyrics at times, there is something for everyone in their shows.
I’d say for anybody who doesn’t know if they’ll like TC… if you love sweet lead guitar action you Have to, you must, NO… you will go and see Bryce Robertson play. I link him keenly to the strong expert styling of Santana… he’s so smooth…(yes I said it) but he has the bluesy soul of BB king as well in his sound. (Plus I love his hair it’s adorable)
I was actually at Docs the other day and ran into him after one of their other shows, and mentioned that he sounded a lot like that one guy… and he was like who? Apparently my blonde scatterbrain is actually more in tune than I thought… as those guys are two direct influences on Bryce’s playing. MJ gets the gold star.
I think probably the most overlooked of this group is their drummer Stu. Not only is he a super nice guy, but the drums lend that funky booty shaking rhythm to all their songs… without him, the whole group’s overall groovy appeal would be lost. It would still be an interesting sound… but he’s the piece de resistance IMO.
They kept promising it was the last 2 songs, but that ended up being 6, which was awesome.
All in all GO SEE THEIR SHOW the next show is Friday, December 16, at Doc’s Music Hall. They’re playing with Boogie Matrix. I can’t vouch for Boogie Matrix, but their name implies a dancing good time so come out!
In fact if you go to their website you can listen to this show… did I put my money where my mouth is? Am I just some person who has no clue what I’m talking about? Well I challenge you to put your ear to their tunes and find out for yourself. http://www.tonalcaravan.com/fr_home.cfm
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