… and they’re braided to my scalp, y’all. I got home and it was hanging forlornly from its rubber band at the end of a chunk of hair.
Seriously, last night’s show was a blast, despite — and because of — everything. And oh, was there everything.
First, the lineup got changed on us all last-minutey. We don’t mind going on first — we’re happy to play any slot we’re given, and in our minds, no particular shame or glory attaches to any timeslot — but it was a bit strange for Esper Machine, going on 2nd, when they’re the touring band.
(Although I do hear that L.A. clubs are doing that more often: the “headliner” goes on in the penultimate slot, and the lesser-known band closes the night. Presumably this allows the headliner to hang out later and schmooze, or to go over their alloted set time without bumping up against closing time, so I can see the appeal.)
There were some ruffled feathers over the lineup change, but I think everyone ended up happy. Also, everyone got a soundcheck! The sound guy, a fellow who normally does sound for the Marquis, got us dialed in so fast we barely needed to run through a song. It was gratifying and astounding. Clearly the Mardi Gras folks are still feeling the effects of the July 4 show, poor them.
Of course, we’re using our ear monitors, so that’s half the soundguy’s job simplified, but once again, technology proved fallible: my right earpiece went out halfway through the second song & made me blow the opening on the third song, whose count-in is on the earpieces only, argh. Got that swapped for the other earpiece in time for a song whose drums in the bridge are only in our earpieces, which would have been disastrous if I’d not had the backup. Yay for preparedness!
The main disappointment of the night was the turnout, and I feel dreadfully about that. I spent a good part of the night beating myself up for not doing more promotion. There were probably no more than 30 or so people there the entire evening, which super-sucked for Esper Machine, on a tour of less-than-stellar shows. (Among other things, they lost their merch in Omaha, and are hoping desperately that it’s on the Crüxshadows’ van.)
They still put on a fantastic show, though, the Esper Machine boys. I hope to have video for you in the fullness of time. And the people who had showed up seemed quite appreciative, so that’s good. I think all in all they were pleased.
We were all pretty tired, but we stayed through Politik89’s energetic set, then broke down, loaded out & drove home. I wish I could’ve stayed up babbling with James & 13 and making friends with their cat, but I had to be at work for a 9am meeting. It’s no life, rocking at night and conference calling in the morning.
Anyway. Our set at the Faerie Festival will be slightly prettier, slightly less with the rocking, and you should totally come out and hear songs about fate and nightmares and mummy-love. It’s going to be fabulous.
MyBaPlaMo update: played my bass for about 50 minutes last night, heh. Aside from losing my mind on the first verse of Love Songs (note to self: it’s a G, not an F, there), and nearly falling over during Shadows Cast (from the rocking), I played reasonably well. So that’s good.
