Notes from a Genius

I had a rather quiet week this time around, given that I was coming off a very exciting previous week. I did attend one concert, on Thursday. I saw the remarkable instrumental, rock band from Austin, TX- Explosions in the Sky at the State Theatre. Now, I had discovered them by chance years ago. I remember it rather well. My two-year, first serious relationship had just ended and I was looking to escape Maine for a brief weekend, so I visited my sister. We ended up going to a party at one of her friend's house for a sushi party. But, at the party, her friend's were playing this great instrumental music that I was entranced by. I found out that it was Explosions in the Sky, and then I discovered that they had also done the soundtrack to a great movie, "Friday Night Lights" (as well as the television show's music). I've loved them ever since and the closest they've ever come is Boston a couple of times, but I've missed all their shows. So, when I found ou...

I was severely under-whelmed (okay that's not necessarily a word, so disappointed is more fitting) by the live set that the Head and the Heart played outside, for free, at L.L. Bean on Saturday night, but it was a great time, regardless because of the group of friends I was with. I finally had a chance to catch up with a "long lost" on the road friend, Chase, whom I've known since college days. We met up at Topside Tavern and had some drinks, talked about our lives and got reacquainted with each other after about a year of him being on the road, with Sesame Street Live (that's right, you read that right). We had a few drinks. I had my first tequila shot. We met another one of my new friends, Andrea. Then we headed outside, excited for the FREE show. We all couldn't believe that such a "big" indie band was playing for FREE. Outside, we happened to find my cousin, Josh, as well. Perhaps because it was the wrong kind of crowd, but the band just did not ...

I am still coming down from another incredible week this summer. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I went to concerts here in town. Tuesday night, I caught Jason Isbell (formerly of Drive-By Truckers). He and his band (the 400 Unit, which includes his wife, Amanda Shires on fiddle- who coincidentally opened the show with her own brand of sad, acoustic songs) played at Port City Music Hall. A friend of mine had posted a month or so ago that he was catching him in Pittsburgh and I saw that Isbell was playing in Portland, so I asked if it would be worth checking out (I've always valued his musical opinion). He had "of course" and another friend of mine, who lives in Portland, as well (and whose musical opinion I appreciate as well) caught wind of my question and told me I'd have to be stupid to miss the show. And, holy shit, were they both right. The show was only $12 and it was beyond worth it. He put on one of the best shows I've been to. He's like a modern day,...