rkaine

What do you think of when you think “Stillwater Oklahoma?” Eskimo Joes, where they let you keep the cup, oh boy! OSU Cowboys, always a disappointment (you should know I’m a Sooner fan by now) and, as with any college town, lots of alcohol, bars, and music. At least these are some of the things I was thinking about during my last visit to Stillwater. Specifically, I was thinking of a bar called Willies Saloon and a band named rkaine. A short reviewer might list these boys as, eh, a “cover band.” A short reviewer would not be telling the full story.

Arriving only moments before the band started playing, we found ourselves in standing-room-only as we waited to see exactly what we had come all the way to Stillwater to hear. It didn’t take long to figure out we had come to do more than just hear some music; we were a part of the show itself.

The show started with a shot of raw energy as the lead singer bounced not only around the stage but into the audience as well, as he made his way through the crowd and invited people at random to sing along into the mic. If it came your turn to sing, I only hope you, unlike me, remembered the words before he made it back to the stage again.

There were even a few times throughout the night where the next song was left to audience participation, in a ‘what do you want to hear,’ loudest vote gets it, and “boos count as noise”’ type of, uh, democracy. The drinks flowed and, as the music followed, the hours passed like minutes. Although possibly alcohol induced, the crowd was nevertheless up off their feet through the end of the night, actively taking part and having a remarkable time. I talked to one guy who mentioned that he and his friends changed their plans when they heard rkaine was playing that night.

The show ended as it began, with the same shot of raw energy. As we took last call in the early morning hours; still standing room only, it was easy to see our new friends were probably not the only ones who changed their plans to be there.

I invite you all to have a quick change of your own plans this Saturday night March 13th. It will be worth the drive, but please don’t take my word for it--experience it for yourself.

The Marquee

My Solstice

It is no secret that I am a fan of My Solstice. This fact brought me to The Marquee last Friday night. There is so much more I could say for these boys and their exceptional ability to own the stage and never disappoint however my friends tell me if I don’t expand my writing focus I am well on my way to becoming some kind of groupie. That being said, what do you think of when I say the word violin? Likely up-and-coming local rock band was not the first thing to come to your mind.

Driveby Sonata

I was first introduced to Driveby Sonata thanks to their spot on the 2009 Edge Homegrown CD. Due to a ridiculously idiotic mindset I surprised myself in liking what I was hearing. I must regretfully confess to you my habitual tendency to write off female artist without giving them their proper due. In fact Paramore is the first female fronted rock/alternative group I not only allowed myself to listen to but was also willing to admit I like. The foolishness of this point of view is increasingly evident to me after Driveby Sonata’s Friday night performance and Jocelyn Rowland Hughes’ ability to capture my senses with her smoothly melodic vocals.

It is my understanding the only way to experience Driveby Sonata for yourself is via a live performance or your own copy of the 2009 Edge Homegrown CD but that is soon to change. When their CD is released I assure you, you will hear about it so stay tuned.

My Final Thought

My only disappointment came in the realization that Arkansas has spectacular music too. It is my intention to keep this blog local to the Okies but as a music lover I do not believe I can post without giving at least a mention of A Good Fight. Make it to a show, buy their CD or do a Google search it doesn’t matter to me but not giving them a listen would be very unwise on your part. As mentioned I am keeping this blog local but I bought their CD and the only complaint I have is that it doesn’t come with a lyric sheet.

Imzadi

For me one of the most alluring things about local music is the ambiguity in not knowing exactly what you’re going to hear when you get there. There have been times when this has proved to be a less than pleasant surprise, other times when the band is just so great you secretly wonder if there is a recording playing somewhere and then there are those times you just can’t make up your mind.

Last Friday night I could be found at C.J. Maloney’s where Imzadi performed. Having not been too familiar with them myself, a lady across the bar assured me that the band was so good when she has the opportunity to go out she looks to see when and where they will be playing. Having heard just enough of their music to get us there her delight was reassuring.

As the music started, my eyes turned quickly to the stage and my ears focused on the music my (now perplexed) brain began to sort through the likes and dislikes of what it was hearing. Over the last week I have thought a lot about what exactly I would say about my final conclusion, and what I have come to is this:

Imzadi seemingly puts generous effort into making sure they play a variety to please the masses. Honesty requires me to admit “I can’t believe a white guy is singing that song” is likely to cross your mind at least once but after that initial shock is over, just allow yourself to join the others on the dance floor or sit back and drink your beer because if you can do that it is worth the cover charge.

A hastily thrown together blog on success

Artists and musicians rarely become wealthy and although both, at least originally, set out with a zealous spirit about the path they’ve chosen doctors and lawyers don’t necessarily spend their days with a truly genuine smile. I must ask who is more successful? And how do you know?

I have thought a lot about this over the last several days and each time I conclude I for sure have the answer another thought comes along and sets me back to square one. I think about those I have known and known of. I think about all the things a person “should” have and be. Mostly though, I think, what is the purpose, why do we do what we do?

My final determination is that nothing mentioned above identifies a person as successful and that success cannot be measured by things seen. In reality, and hopefully after we’re long gone, the album that made him feel on top of the world will be moved to the bargain bin and become equally as worthless as the degree that earned her so much recognition but is now wrapped in bubble wrap, waiting for storage. For me success is defined by memories, most importantly the memories we acquire relaxing at home with family or out with friends. For me the truly successful person is the person who people tell and retell “remember when” stories about for years after they’ve passed and end each story with a smile bigger than the last.

The Nightlife

Another CD I picked up was by The Nightlife. At the time I had never heard of them, but I figured what’s $5.00 if it’s for a good cause? (And supporting local musicians is a good cause, right!) Honestly, I didn’t listen to the CD immediately; I saw them at Dfest before I got the chance--or at least I tried to see them at Dfest, but my sister made me leave so she could…um…find a trash can. But, in any case, the few songs we were able to hear enticed me to listen to the CD.

Their CD isn’t long, only five songs, but I believe they do have musical ability. I hope they continue to sharpen their song writing skills to match the musical talent I believe they possess. I fully intend to make it to a full show sometime. Like I said, they do have musical ability, and they do have some catchy lyrics. The lyric “. . . take my hand . . .” has been swimming around in my head all afternoon. So please have a listen for yourself, whether it’s at a live show or spending the $5.00 you found in the jeans you just washed to buy their CD; it’s all for a good cause.

I saw My Solstice at Dfest

How do you measure greatness? To some it is defined by the label an artist signs with, the number of households that know their name, or maybe even dollars in the bank. To me, these are merely lucky bonuses for those who are already great. A more appropriate gauge would be your adrenaline level when you leave the show, how badly you want yet another encore, and how quickly you put in that CD--as if it had been forever since you heard those songs. These are among the reasons I know My Solstice is great.

I have limited interests: I like photography, music, and talking about music. I sit now writing this, thinking how thankful I would be if just one person, outside my circle, read this and thought as little as “it wasn’t so bad.” It is thoughts such as this that make me appreciate My Solstice even more. I genuinely feel they have the same gratitude toward each person who takes the time to come see them. I was able to catch them at DFEST last weekend, and I reached this conclusion based not only on a simple thank you for being here, but also their acknowledgement of the fact there were still headliners playing, and yet that is where we chose to be. Not once did I feel they were playing for an inconsequential audience. No, each song was played for me, for her, and for him; each of us individuals with one common interest, and each of us as happy to be there as they were to have us.

They played some of everything, including yet-to-be-released material. Then, when we were about to leave, they were easily swayed in to an encore. As we walked to the car, with more energy than when we went in, I immediately checked online for future appearances; but with the next ones not until August, I was forced to settle for the recorded version waiting in my car.

http://www.mysolsticeband.com/

Something to talk about - Persistence of Vision

“I just need something to talk about until DFEST, and I’m a little sick of the local CD’s I have. Where should I go? Starship?” Nah, I’d go to Under the Mooch. . . “

This was the coffee pot talk as the week began. I had a few CD’s in mind--some I wanted to get, and others that had been suggested to me. At first I thought I see if I could find Western Heritage, but life won’t allow me the opportunity to attend DFEST Friday; so someone playing Saturday seemed the better choice.

My Solstice has really caught my interest lately but, since I haven’t been able to catch a live show and have had to settle with the chance air play on Edge Homegrown, their album Persistence of Vision seemed the obvious choice. All too often you buy new music, and you’re excited to get it, but as you play the CD the lyrics are so mundane that you go about what you’re doing and are not really sure what the songs about (other than that someone-loves-someone-else or, depending on your personal music style, maybe someone-hates-the world-and-the-world-hates-them-back.) I am relieved to tell you that’s not the case with these guys. Although they do stick with one basic theme throughout the CD, it actually had me sitting in my living room, reading the sleeve, and anxiously awaiting the next song. I certainly hope they win the ABoT award, and I will make sure I catch Saturday’s performance (which is technically Sunday) 1:10 am, at Route 66 Mother Roadhouse.