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[onemonthatthejefferson]

This video is so hot, I can't even stand it. I can't wait to see Kongos tonight at 930 Club. [Openers Sir Sly and Colony House]

[onemonthatthejefferson]

I'm only gettin' started...I won't blackout.

- "Blackout", by Breathe Carolina. They open for Kap Slap at 930 Club on January 9th. It's a Friday night, so I can't promise that this lyric will hold true.

[onemonthatthejefferson]

Austin chamber-rock orchestral phenomenon, Mother Falcon, is playing Rock and Roll Hotel on January 8th. If their NPR Tiny Desk concert is this good, I can only imagine what it’s like to see them live.

[onemonthatthejefferson]

Back on the concert chronicling wagon

It's been too long since I've posted and I have so many concert and festival experiences that I'm aching to share. In an effort to start the new year without the pressure of "should haves," I'll likely be starting fresh with mentions of the past adventures when it suits. In the last year, I've been to more live shows than I can count, I've seen and met great artists at SXSW, I experienced my first Lollapalooza.

Since we started this blog, I've moved to DC and now get most of my concert fixes at U Street Music Hall, Rock and Roll Hotel, 930 Club, The Hamilton, and DC9. I miss the days of buying tickets at the door of the Jefferson or the Southern. Planning months ahead (and paying steep online service charges) puts a bit of a damper on the last minute excitement of discovering a new band but it's never threatened my enthusiasm and love for all music live.

Stay tuned for great things to come. 

[onemonthatthejefferson]

Was lucky enough to see Kopecky Family Band in a really intimate venue in DC (DC9).

They are outrageously talented and extremely down-to-earth. They're starting to get picked up for some great festivals so check them out at SXSW, Firefly, and on tour this spring with Milo Greene.

Kopecky Family Band at Rethink Music in Boston, MA by instagrammer @iamnickrice

[onemonthatthejefferson]

Lessons from a Music Festival

We just returned from Nelson County, Virginia where I enjoyed the complete Festy experience of bands, food, camping, crunchiness, and more. Went an entire weekend without popping one collar--it was epic.

I haven't camped out for a music festival since I was in college and spent a few days at The Gorge in Washington state for DMB.

*this is not me. I don't know if those are shorts, a skirt, or coolats (which is a misnomer because there is nothing cool about them). 

Here are the top lessons that I learned from my festival experience:

Molly is not some girl. (No, I do not know her).

Opium actually still exists. (No, I do not "know" it).

Jean shorts (which I refer to as jorts) are a girl concert staple.

It is "appropriate" to just wear your bra if it's hot enough out.

Watching people dance during the day is awkward.

Dancing during the day is awkward.

Hula hooping is hard. (I've been told my attempts make me look like a bobble-head having weird sex).

Listening to some of the bands ahead of time on Spotify definitely enhances the experience.

Wear deodorant. Maybe bring extras and share with your neighbors.

Being in a different tent is not like a different room...we can definitely hear you having sex.

- Alexandra

P.S. The Festy crew did an amazing job and should be commended for the awesome experience that took hundreds of hours to put together. They also did a really good job of creating a family friendly event so my drug mentions here were really limited to the camping areas and were not around kids at all. Thanks to Kellie for bringing that distinction to my attention.

[onemonthatthejefferson]

I bet I'm not the first boy to try not to think of you.

- Charlie Mars, Pacific Oceans, live at Jefferson Theater 9.16.12

[onemonthatthejefferson]

I want love to forget that you offended me, or how you had defended me when everybody tore me down.

- Jack White, Love Interruption, live at Charlottesville nTelos Pavilion on 9.27.12

[onemonthatthejefferson]

A shot from Aquanett, 80s hair/heavy metal tribute band. Seriously, this might have been the highlight. That, and the fact that the lead singer could have been Meatloaf...if he would do anything for love.

[onemonthatthejefferson]

Hackensaw Boys Are The Real Deal- 8.24.12

A few Fridays ago (8/24 to be exact), hometown faves The Hackensaw Boys did not disappoint and they had heavy competition for partying that night. A popular Friday's After Five act, the Best of CVille Party, Friday night with the bunko club...just to name a few.  No wonder the show (meaning the opening act) didn't start until 9.  

(yes, moonshine cherries happened)

Speaking of the opening act, Jim Waive and The Young Divorcees opened the show and it was the first time I (probably should be "we") had seen them play.  A top notch, well dressed and talented foursome that has quite a fan base on their own.  I mean how often do you see a steel guitar like that on stage? (at least I think that's what that contraption was... see picture below and correct me if I'm wrong).  Well done, young divorcees (and you too, Jim).

Jim Waive and the Young Divorcees. Turns out one of these guys was filling in for his wife. Wait a minute...

What I liked and remembered most about The Hackensaw Boys was the joy they bring to the audience.  Generally already a laid back joyful type of crowd, but if you weren't, when they started playing it didn't take long to feel inspired.  

Boys...Hackensaw Boys

With my limited bluegrass musical experience (but nonetheless enjoyment of it) it was hard for me to tell one song from the other, but it made for a consistent show that flowed easily from one song to the next and kept the dancing going.

My litmus test: I would pay to see them again.  I would purchase/download their music.

Paula and Alexandra...plus some guy named Sykora

My Stage crush: Takes some explaining... First, Alexandra's idea we pick a stage crush for each show, but I don't think that has made it to the blog yet.  Second, my stage crush for this show was apparently a former Hackensaw Boy. After a few songs played by 6 band members, (3 bearded versus 3 non-bearded divided that way on stage...by design???) 3 more joined, totaling 9 guys on one stage.  

I heard from another audience member the additional 3 were previous Hackensaw Boys?  Not sure if that is true, but I'll roll with it.  It was in the extra 3 that I found my stage crush.  Non-bearded banjo man with sunglasses on his head.  Don't know your name, but I'll just call you "stage crush banjo man".

- Paula

Alexandra's postscript: Paula and I won't have to fight over the same guy because I am all about the rhythm guys in this band. Not sure what you guys were playing (washboards? tin cans?) but I like it.

[onemonthatthejefferson]

Ever wonder where they put the subpar musicians that perform at The Jefferson? Or, ever wonder what's behind that door that has the code from the downstairs bar?

Paula and I got a behind the scenes tour with Danny, the Jeff's booking & promotion manager, of the underground tunnel that runs under the stage to the green room.

At 5'-8", I still had to kind of bend down to make it through without hitting my head. May we suggest a helmet?

Believe me, it's glamorous.

[onemonthatthejefferson]

Can't wait to see these guys tonight at the Jefferson. Tickets are only $5 too, so you have little to no excuse for not attending a great show. 

Get there!!

P.S. I've been in Boston all week for work so we're backed up on posts but there's a lot of greatness in the backlog...stay tuned for some awesome photos.

[onemonthatthejefferson]

I've never been to Burning Man, but I can imagine that BoomBox would rule that crowd.

[onemonthatthejefferson]

Here’s a little something I’ve been working on for the past two weeks. Josh Ritter’s new website features tons of my tour photos on almost every single page. Check it out, watch some videos, listen to all of his albums, download some free music, fall in love.

www.joshritter.com

[onemonthatthejefferson]

The bigger the hair, the closer to God.

Inventor of Aquanet hairspray (maybe)

[onemonthatthejefferson]

Wanna know what a BoomBox concert is like?

This video gives you a good idea of the music, vibe, and crowd. Now that you know- go see them at the Jefferson on Sunday 8.26 with Paula and me.

[onemonthatthejefferson]

Jim Waive and the Young Divorcees, opening for the Hackensaw Boys at the Jefferson on Friday, may just be giving J.T. (Justin Timberlake) a run for his money as a double threat. They star in the upcoming film, My Fool Heart, with cameo by Merle Haggard.

Next stop, writing and performing a song with Andy Samberg on SNL about mothers...or prison...or trains...or gettin drunk.