That Monday again.....

I keep fucking up these posts....its probably how I save them. Well allow me to continue writing down this fond fond memory. So I go through the usual ritual of putting on rose oil, rose lotion, rose powder, before heading out to see The Dials, Walking Bicycles, and Aleks and the Drummer. It may sound excessive making sure one does not smell bad, but weigh that against how many people go to these concerts smelling like ass and armpits. How the hell are you going to talk to people that way? It's an old Aztec compulsion to always be clean and presentable, no matter what....this usually makes me late. And I 've missed out on some good performances because of this clean thing I got, Puerto Muerto, Lovelikefire, Alla'.....but not this Monday night. But I cannot help but think that something is going to delay me....something is going to thwart this effort at being on time...car trouble, traffic, the mother-ship returning after leaving me while taking a piss. This is what I was thinking as I drove to the Empty Bottle....let's just skip to being there.
Aleks and the Drummer play first and they are amazing. After anticipating this, I am finally in the midst of it. So I capture with my camera these fleeting moments, with this girl and a drummer. And it's just that, a girl, her keyboard and a drummer. The keyboard reminded me of a church organ....Bach, only at this dark urgent pace, the drums sounded to me like that of a live Joy Division concert. Bach can make even cheery shit sound like Judgement Day, dark and scary. A & the Drummer capture that feeling while making you dance. In fact this would be perfect for a goth night. I cannot think of who to compare Aleks voice to but I loved what I heard. The songs aren't too short. I like every song on the ep they have available. With some bands their songs end just as you think they are picking up, but not here. Some of the songs are longer than three minutes but your attention is never allowed to waver, even when the song is slow. Case it point; the first song was slow but intense, like a really creepy nursery rhyme, and Aleks is telling it to a bunch of stunned kindergardeners. Keep in mind that I'm not analysing the lyrics, none of that. I'm only going by my impressions of the sound. This band is why I took this Monday night off. While seeing them I had the pleasant surprise of seeing a friend from my favorite vegan fast food joint (Veggie Bite).
The Empty Bottle is a great venue because no matter where you are, it's never far from the stage. You can sit at the bar and be at a close distance while still holding a conversation. Where ever you are at you are close to the stage. You are never removed from the intimacy of the place. This is getting long, I shall continue exhausting this topic...and I haven't even started on Walking Bicycles and The Dials.
Kaspar-Zig