leaving our mark

~ Adam Johnston ~ Leave a comment

We got booked for two gigs on the same weekend. What’s more is that this was the first time we did 3-hour sets. It’s a lot of work to play 180 minutes of music, so the fact that we did this for the first time and then did it two nights in a row is a kind of milestone for us. Also, we had a great time, and we had music to spare.

But more than this is what can’t be measured and what others can’t possibly know. We keep adding new stuff that’s rehearsed, and we also keep adding new twists that even the band doesn’t get to hear until we’re there in front of a live and lively audience. Like when Caryn turns to us before I Want You Back and says, “oh, just so you know, I am going to change the timing and I didn’t want you to worry that I was messing it up,” and it was brilliant and probably the best rendition of the song that we’ve done, especially with Tim’s bass line. Tim keeps riffing on a solo for Message in a Bottle that I love to take in, especially on his new amp. Ian has completely re-created Sucker with percussive licks that I truly do not understand — so I just let them happen and try not to get in the way. And then just for kicks I added a little baroque interlude on one line of Come Together that cracked Caryn up so that she stopped singing. It was only unfortunate because she had nailed all of the words to that song up until that point, which is no small feat.

Also, people were singing along to our covers of both Katy Perry and Sesame Street at a bar on 25th Street. Given all that, I feel like we’ve left a mark, at least for us as a band. And, even though I’m not sure Caryn noticed, there was a graphic mark left on the stage of one of our gigs, right in front of her, and right in front of every other band that shows up in the future.

Our logo permanently affixed at an undisclosed location.

We play music that we like and invent it as we go along. People — old friends and new — sometimes dance, or sing along, or simply nod their heads, but more than anything they get to see us having fun and trying out new things. For this, we’ll happily stay out late two night in a row.

group work

~ Adam Johnston ~ Leave a comment

As we’ve been trying out brand new music and dusting off old stuff for 3-hour sets coming up, I’ve realized something: It’s way more fun to play with the band than to play by myself. And it sounds way better with everyone else, too. Sure, you should all clamor for my stylings of solo piano; but, frankly, something kind of magical happens when we get together. This is kind of funny to me now, because there was so much “group work” that many of us have done in school that was definitely not so magical. It’s remarkable when a collaboration actually turns out so well, and so far in my life I’d be hard pressed to find as good an example as playing in this band.

I wish I knew how to describe this. Bill Evans, who could play piano, solo or ensemble, like nobody else, suggested in his work with Miles Davis that playing with a group adds an additional dynamic:

Aside from the weighty technical problem of collective coherent thinking, there is the very human, even social need for sympathy from all members to bend for the common result.

Bill Evans on Kind of Blue

That “sympathy” isn’t just the caring about what comes out or even each other — though this is definitely part of it — but the listening to each other and seeing how all of those gears mesh together. I play better because three other people give me better ideas about how the song should go than what I have, even in the midst of playing something for the first or fortieth time. And, I’m responsible to hold up my end. We each support each other but also pull each other along, and we something more than the sum of the parts.

This is all to say that we get to do this more, in public, with a couple of long sets on back-to-back weekend nights. We’ve all been back-to-school and also fitting in rehearsals in the tangle of these last couple of weeks. Frankly, playing all weekend long sounds perfect.

This Friday, there’s a gig at the Lighthouse ($5, 21+) from 9-Midnight. We like the sound and the stage and the vibe there, and we’re happy to go back. (We’ll be back there in December, too.) And then, Saturday, we are playing the easy-going outdoor porch of UTOG Brewing from 7:30 – 10:30p. Hope to see you at either, or both.

gigs, upcoming and past

~ Adam Johnston ~ Leave a comment

So, we’ve played at some stuff and we have more stuff up and coming. Coming up next: A gig at Lighthouse Lounge on Sept. 6. And, you should know that you have to bring your i.d. and $5. (We hope the fans don’t desert us when they realize they have to start paying a cover to see us.) And another couple of things outside are planned while the weather is still good; and we get to share the stage with our 2nd favorite Ogden band later in the fall. Details to come, so stay tuned.

For now, here’s a few samples of what we’ve been feeding into the YouTubes on our channel here.

Love is Here to Stay @ Lighthouse Longe
Lovecats @ Brigham City Farmers Market

Brigham City Farmer’s Market

~ Adam Johnston ~ Leave a comment

Our summer tour heads north to Brigham City and their farmer’s market. They have a good sound system, comfortable vibe, fresh produce, and local crafts. We played it last year and really enjoyed our spot under the trees.

Saturday, July 27th, 6-8PM. (Note that it’s in the evening this year, a change in their schedule from last year.) We have brand new stuff to try out, as well as tried and true standards (and substandards).

van sessions released!

~ Adam Johnston ~ Leave a comment

It’s fun to get the message that the recording you did in the cold and dark on a Friday night in February is now out, and you go back to that and listen to that fun time in and out of a van, next to a fire pit, just playing music and getting interviewed at the up and coming Monarch. It makes us feel like a real Ogden band.

Check it out here, and subscribe to Banyan Collective, especially their #VanSessions for more local music. Thanks to Brandon and Todd for the fun night and the recording!