OlyMusic Experiences

Yeah, I didn't plan on shows tonight except entertaining a notion of going to hear the Pasties at Yes Yes, however, I went to the Eastside Club to shoot a little pool and discovered that Trolls Cottage would be playing soon. I played some of their tracks on the jukebox and decided the $5 cover would be worth it. I've heard their name around for years, but this is the first time I've actually checked 'em out. They're like mellow reggae, definitely danceable and catchy. When I stepped out to smoke a cigarette, a trumpeter walked by and said they were going to play at Yes Yes (The Pasties). For some reason, maybe it was the beers I drank, my head muddled, and I went to Le Voyeur instead of Yes Yes, and asked someone if The Pasties played yet. Ironically they said that, yes, they had already played. A band that I think is called Kathryn Hepburn's Voice played. They were good. They had a looper or boomerang pedal or something that let them get a riff going and make it loop so they could jump on another instrument. They had nice harmonies a few times, and overall I really dug their vibe. I think they're out of Seattle. When they got done I ordered some fries and went to see how things were going Eastside, since the fries would take 20 minutes, and that's how long the next band, Heyoka would take to set up at Le Voyeur. I went over and had a good mellow foot tapping time at The Eastside for 20 minutes, and got back to Le Voyeur in time to hear Heyoka play their first tune, I believe it was March of the Sugarplum Fairies. One of them told me that their style of music is Symphonic, with both classical and rock music being fair game. They set up lights of their own and the house lights were out. Atmosphere. Smoke machine. That first tune they played is one classical piece that is so catchy that I find it in my head fairly regularly, although I doubt that I've heard it since watching looney tunes as a kid, until this evening. Since I paid a cover at the Trolls Cottage show, and I am slightly partial to reggae if forced to choose between genres, I ducked back to the Eastside. Hung out for a bit and then headed back for more Heyoka. This time they were into something that made me feel in a rave state of mind, combined with the red lighting they had. It was interesting. Then I bounced back to the Eastside for a while, then back to Le Voyeur to hear FeedBackarach My first thought as they began to play was that they remind me of Ben Folds Five sans keyboard, as far as how the music is arranged and the tonality of the vocals. Definitely enjoyable. After a while I went back to the Trolls Cottage show. About 1:30 I felt that the beers from earlier had worn off thanks to water and fries consumed, and that it might be a good time to go home, blog while it's fresh, and to bed with me. The music they were playing as I left was very enjoyable, making it tempting to stay longer, but it's always nice to leave on a good note, so that I will remember it that way.
Thanks to all the musicians I heard tonight for showing us that you have a lot of heart, soul, talent, and pizazz.