The Dinner, The Show, The Trip

I'm feeling loved. Last night I had yet another birthday celebration (I didn't mention that the co-workers mardi gras'd my office out last week and have taken me out on multiple birthday lunches)...dinner at Sunset Grille with my long lost ex-roommie and newlywed, Kandice. After chowing down on the delicious soup and salad, she insisted that we get the three dessert sampler. Yes, three. Two hours later, we barely rolled out of there.

From there, we headed over to The Basement to check out the show. The old Newton Dominey had transformed into Newton and the Domineys. Rather than just a boy and his guitar, there were some loops added that spiced things up quite a bit. One step closer to having a band. If you closed your eyes, you would've thought there was a band. And once there is a band...I'm thinking the next...Wallflowers???

I had never seen Pennsylvanian Dawn Kinnard play before. Very singer/songwriter; a girl and her guitar. With her sexy, raspy voice, she reminded me of a rougher-edged Mazzy Star, with a less ethereal sound. Throw in some Lucinda Williams and you've got a cool combo. With her indie-folk flair, the ripped up fishnets, and her tattered and torn combat boots, her lyrics of love and lust were clearly stated. Rumour has it that she even sold her Harley to fund the recording of her upcoming record. How rock is that?

Strays Don't Sleep headlined the evening's show to promote the UK release of their debut record, Strays Don't Sleep, which streeted this summer on Bjork's label. Matthew Ryan - accompanied by Garrison Star's guitarist, Brian Bequette, and Ryan Adams' bassist, Billy Mercer - busted out the Americana-esque tunes as he sucked down one (was it whiskey?) after another. The quote of the night award goes to Brian. He screwed up the tracks he was running because apparently he had a bit too much to drink. His response: I'm only running a f*cking space shuttle over here...five f*cking instruments at once...and I'm drunk!! Classic.

I left a few songs early as it had gotten quite late and I was tired from working so hard for the man all week.

*****

Business trip to San Diego for the weekend. Beaches, bars, and military bases. On the man's dime. If only I had a freakin' digicam. Stay tuned...