The Return Of Burlap To Cashmere
When Kristin and I had just started dating we went to one of those amusement park Christian days in California. We skipped most of the bands, but I remember there was one band that we absolutely had to see no matter what we did the rest of the day. Here we are 11 years later and last night we said the same thing and made the same decision to go see Burlap To Cashmere no matter what we did the rest of the day.
Now I know that there’s going to be all this new buzz about them because they just sort of hopped onto the scene, but as a fan from way back, I can say, there was not much cooler than watching them absolutely kill it last night at 3rd & Lindsley. These guys are absolutely some of the best musicians I’ve seen and I couldn’t be happier that they are officially back to business.
And if that wasn’t cool enough, being able to check out the Jars Of Clay guys in their natural habitat was nothing short of special itself. It was easily one of the best times I have heard them. The song selection was perfect. The vocals were flawless. They killed it too.
These are the days I love living in Nashville.
Misunderstood?
Last night I had the chance to see Jars Of Clay play a hand full of songs for some TV / Film Showcase thing that was going on in Nashville. Now, I’ve seen these guys probably four or five times live, and every time they bring it. Last night was no different but with their new stuff it was even better. Yes, I know. I’ve said it before. Somehow these guys manage to outdo themselves with every record and there aren’t many bands out there that can actually do that. I don’t know how they do it, but I’m glad they do.
Now here’s the thing. With every record taking a musical step up, brilliant lyrics on literally every record and the ability to adapt to ‘cultural’ musical relevance there’s no reason these guys shouldn’t be massive. Am I right? And not to knock the Jars guys at all, because they are easily one of my favorite bands out there, but sometimes I fell like they are a little misunderstood. People don’t “get” them for some reason. And it’s not just me. Every artist that I know, and every artist that I have toured with loves them and completely respect them as musicians. So what is it? Is it that they are to ‘arty’? Too smart? Too introspective? Too honest? What do you think? What’s stopping them from dominating the music world?
Either way, I’m continually blown away by these guys and one day I hope to have them on the SkörInc roster. So if any of you out there know how to make that happen let’s hear it. And if you haven’t, go get their new record today. Then listen to it over and over and over. You’ll thank me.
If you don’t have an answer for all of that, let’s hear your favorite Jars record so far. I think I’d have to go with “Who We Are Instead”, no question. That record blows me away every time I put it in.
Ready? Go.
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A Nashville Rock Show
Well, Randy, Aiden and I ended up going to the Third Day, Switchfoot, Robert Randolph, Jars Of Clay, Red show. Yes, they all played, and it was a long night. Aiden’s said his favorite was Switchfoot, and told me he wanted to do that when he got bigger. He sat completely still their entire set, told me what number song they were playing from the CD, and told me that sometimes Cooper “wakes up kicking and screaming”.
Nashville shows are weird though. There’s always a million people walking around, and most of them you have seen before, or know from somewhere and everyone is hanging out with everyone. Lots of hand shaking and short conversations. It’s a little stressful, but it’s cool to be a part of at the same time.
All in all it was a great night. We had a good time, saw a great show, and was able to see some friends. I was able to talk to Mark a little about the World Wide Web, and how losing your iPhone affects your Twittering. Then he brought the rock. Great guys those Third Day fellas, that’s for sure.
Concert Night A GMA
Yesterday I think I saw more performances than any one person should be allow in one day. The day started meeting up with Phil and hanging out with him and his brother. After a while Phil needed to sound check so I left and wandered around until I found myself at the venue where Jars, Third Day and Switchfoot were going to play later in the night. I said hi, sat there a while watching my phone battery die and then left.
INO Records was hosting (I don’t know if that is what it’s called but it sounds good) a showcase with a handful of their artists, including Phil so I went that way to catch that. I think these little showcase things are fun simply because the artists played two or three songs each and then there was another one. Addison Road, Phil, Sara Groves, Caedmon’s Call, Derek Webb, and The Afters. It was awesome to see some of those folks play and hang out a bit.
After that ended Wes and I walked a few blocks over just in time to catch the beginning of Swithfoot’s set. Now I have see a lot of shows in my day, and I have even seen Switchfoot a few times, but last night they put on, what could quite possibly be, the best live rock show I have ever seen. They blew me away. They have come a long way from Chem 6A that’s for sure. Unbelievable entertainers and if you haven’t seen them, now is the time. They are about to head out on tour with Jars, and Third Day and the show is pretty amazing.
It had also been a while since I had seen Third Day so it was cool to see them play some new stuff. And by the way, Mr. Mark Lee, brought his “A-Game” last night. A genuine rock and roller that guy is. There were even some new things he was doing on old songs that blew me away. They put on a great show as always.
About half-way through Third Days set I walked back out to the back of the room and saw a group of the cool-kid bloggers. Randy and his wife were there, along with Anne and her husband, Chris and Heather but no Carlos. They had all come over from the Compassion Dinner and stopped in to see the show. I felt like the geek in high school that was waved over to the nice popular kids table. Come on, we all know the feeling. It was cool to hang out with them for a bit and talk loudly about blogs. All very, very cool folks. When that ended it was about time to head home, but I ended up talking to Anne and Chris in street about blogs, and “the industry”, and books and critics. We talked way past our bed times and then I headed home, but it was cool to get to know them a little better.
All in all, a good day. Today I’m not sure what the plan is yet, but I’ve got some diapers to change, I do know that.
