The Strutt in Kalamazoo, Michigan was one of our favorite venues from last summer's tour, so we decided to squeeze it into this year's schedule despite the fact that it isn't exactly out West. Rather than performing in the smaller, more whimsically-decorated side room like we did last year, we played under the dim lights of the main stage. It was a fairly tranquil crowd, which is something we've come to appreciate.
Jessi Phillips took the stage first with a voice reminiscent of Jenny Lewis' and Neko Case's would-be lovechild. A Michigan native, Jessi moved to Oakland, CA to take on a high school teaching position (kind of like me, except for the whole Oakland thing); she returned to the Kalamazoo area just for the summer to work on writing a book and recording an album. If you can't tell, she's pretty ambitious. Here's her cover of Whiskeytown's "Matrimony."
Next up was Tricia, and then it was my turn. Since we usually just put up videos of other people performing, here's one of me playing "Milt the Stilt."
Deep Waters was the headlining act, and rightfully so, since they were releasing an LP (in several different vinyl color choices) that night. Before the rain started pouring with an apocalyptic fervor -- something we'd become disturbingly used to during the month of July -- the trio played a brief set of lulling, synth-laden soft rock in front of blinking, multi-colored lights. To me, they sounded like Gayngs without the irony.
After the show, we stayed at my brother-in-law's parents' house in nearby Portage, where I foolishly preheated the oven without removing the baking dishes that were stored inside. Although I was reassured multiple times by both Sandy and Patti, I still feel bad about it...
Just remember: while real rock stars are out there trashing hotel rooms, we're melting Tupperware in extended family members' homes.
Driving Music:
Weezer - (Blue Album)
Various Artists - Seven Swans Reimagined
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