An Evening on 12th...

Last Thursday night, my friend, Angie, and I made our way down to 12th Ave. for a fun-filled evening of music. I had received an email about "Supper & a Song" at Imogene + Willie's, a unique little clothing store located at 2601 12th Ave. South, Nashville ( http://www.imogeneandwillie.com/ ). Of course, when I saw that my favorite band EVER, Deer Tick, was playing, there was no doubt in my mind that I would be in attendance. So, I called up my fellow Indie-loving Princess, Angie, and we hit the town.

The event was to begin at 4pm, so we got there right on time. To our surprise, there really wasn't anyone there yet, so we decided to head up to my favorite little record store, Grimey's on 8th Ave (www.grimeys.com/) and then made our way back down to 12th, where we experienced the sights and smells of the little vintage stores and then headed to the pizzeria for a slice!

We were lucky enough to hit happy hour at the restaurant (and I apologize for not remembering it's name, but it was next to The Taproom), so I got 2 for 1 Yuenglings and they brought them to me in mason jars. I loved it! Then you could build your own slice of pizza for $2.25! It was divine. The slice of pizza was so huge, I couldn't finish it. But beware, their jalapenos are the HOTTEST I have ever tasted. I love spicy peppers, but I had to pick those bad boys off!

After dinner, we headed back to Imogene + Willie to see if the festivities has begun. When we got there, the parking lot was full and people were everywhere! It was apparent that we had arrived just in time. We headed past the Mas Taco truck parked outside, our bellies still full of pizza. We headed through the store into the back area, where the crowd has amassed and the opening act was in full swing.

The fist act was a talented musician named Justin Townes Earle. I was somewhat aware of his music, but was no means an expert. He is a young singer/songwriter from Nashville, and the son of the legendary, Steve Earle. I was really blown away by his stage presence. I can definitely say that I am now a fan of his music! My favorite song of his right now is Harlem River Blues.  Check out this interview with him from 2009: http://www.blogger.com/I%20was%20really%20blown%20awahttp://popdose.com/the-popdose-interview-justin-townes-earle/.  It gave me a lot of the background info I was looking for on Earle. And check out his newest CD, Harlem River Blues...you won't be disappointed!






While waiting for the second act, Angie and I braved the horrifically long line for the bar in hopes of possibly getting a beer before the second act was done. The line moved ever so slowly, and as we inched forward, little by little, we realized that this long line was a blessing that allowed us to notice and embrace the characters around us! From the tobacco pipes, to the bow ties and the vintage garb, we were not at all left without topics to discuss. It is fascinating to me the people I come across and these little indie events, but I have to say, I love it. It's weirdness at it's absolute greatest, and I commend all the weirdos and freaks, like me, for just being themselves.  But the best part of the whole wait in line: when we finally made it up to the front and ordered our beers, the little guy behind the bar handed them to us and then asked the next person what they wanted. I gave him a puzzled look and asked him where I needed to pay. He chucked and pointed to a big pot in the center of the table. "No pay," he said, "Just tips."  FREE BEER. That's right folks. FREE. I mean, of course, you need to tip the guys, but FREE BEER! And free mixed drinks too. I have to say, at that point, Ang and I felt like the evening couldn't get any better.

The second act, The Apache Relay, played while we were waiting in the free beer line. I had heard about them around town, and knew they were a local Nashville band, but I had never actually heard any of their music before. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. They have such a fun sound: rock with some folk thrown in.  My favorite songs by them are Lost Kid, American Nomad, and Home is Not Places. Their second album, American Nomad, recently came out and I have already downloaded it off iTunes! You should too!

Deer Tick playing at Imogene + Willie, 6/9/2011

And the final act...DEER TICK! Of course, I have described seeing a Deer Tick show as being the equivalent of a young child's Christmas morning for me. I am just plain obsessed with them. Period. Love them. So when they began to play I was so excited. Also, I had turned Angie on to them, so I was excited for her to get to experience a live Deer Tick show for the first time as well. They started off with a few new songs off the album they are in the process of recording. I really liked everything I heard. This takes my anticipation for the next record to a new level! Next they moved on to stuff from their last album. During the song Choirs of Angels, a guy comes up and whispers into Chris Ryan, the bass player's, ear. I see him kind of chuckle, and the guy keeps talking and then Ryan looks a bit more serious. When the song is finished, Ryan leans into John McCauley's ear and says something. McCauley then states that there is apparently a funeral taking place at the Muslim church next door, so they were just going to sing one more song. I was outraged! Which my reply was, "Who wouldn't want Deer Tick to play their funeral?!" Seriously...I would. Anyhoo, they did play 3 more songs instead of the one, but to my dismay, they were cut about an hour short, and only 6 songs in.

Angie getting her tattoo.

I was upset, but more so for Angie than myself. After all, I have seen them several times and she never has, so she still hasn't had the Deer Tick live show experience.




Me in the chair.



The evening was still young, so we didn't really know what to do with ourselves. Then one of us, and I honestly can't remember which one, decided it would be a great idea to hit up Blackbird, the little tattoo parlor, down the street. So we did. Now, I had 3 tattoos, and Angie had none, so I somewhat felt like I was a bad influence, but she assured me that this was something she had been wanting to do for quite some time. I hadn't planned on getting another tattoo that night, so I was a bit stumped on what to get. I did promise her that if she got one, I would get one too. She had decided that she wanted to pay homage to one of her favorite bands, The Avett Brothers, and get the words " I and Love and You" on her wrist. But in a cool twist, she took out the spaces and made it all lower case: iandloveandyou. It is SOOOO cute! So, taking inspiration from Angie's tattoo, and feeling a bit like I owed it to Deer Tick for setting me on this path of great independent music...I did it. I got a tiny little deer tick on my foot. I became a Tickhead for life.



Angie's "iandloveandyou" tattoo.



Now, I don't expect most people to understand it. And if my Aunt is reading this right now, I haven't told her about the new tattoo and I know she is having a cow as we speak, but when it comes down to it, it's ME. I am who I am and I am dedicated to the band that opened my eyes to a new world of music.



I call him Fred.