In between days

I've been busying myself the last couple days, which has helped ward off the anxiety of waiting for a phone call from Twin Cities Academy. I was in Rosemount the last couple of days, hanging out with Alison.

Last night we saw the Eels at the Minnesota Zoo. This is the second concert I've seen at the Zoo, and it's an awesome venue, aside from the cramped and uncomfortable wooden/concrete bleachers. The setting is very intimate and there's not a bad seat in the house. Alison took some sweet pics and video, which I'll try to get up here soon. So the Eels are known for never playing the same tour twice, and you never know what will happen when you go to an Eels show. The last tour they did was a very intimate, mellow tour complete with a string quartet. Going to last night's show, I was expecting pretty much the exact opposite, and got exactly that. Eels stormed onto stage in Guerilla militia garb, after receiving the "all-clear" from their security guard/aux. percussionist/guitarist/keyboardist/purveyor of random lines and schtick "Crazy Al," and they never looked back.

There were some quieter moments, like when they played "Last Stop This Town." Those who are faithful readers of my blog will know the significance of this song (and the album its from), and the events of this past year...let's just say the song triggers some pretty specific memories for me. Music really has the ability to do that.

Also notable was the opening act, Smoosh. The group was a keyboard/drumset duo, otherwise unremarkable except for the fact that the keyboardist is 14, and the drummer is 12. What was also remarkable is that they sounded really good, and I was astonished at what they've accomplished at such a young age. Obviously there were flaws, but it was still fun. How cool would it be to be the sweethearts of indie rock, and tour with the Eels when you're still in middle school? Unlike other pre-teen performers you might see on Star Search, Idol, etc., these girls did not try to act like Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, etc. They exhuded adolescent energy and inexperience, and it was great. They also got to come on stage with the Eels during the encore.

Now, I'm in Duluth hanging with the folks, and waiting for the phone to ring...and getting two cavities filled. Yippee!