Last night I went to see Bobtown so I have something to write about. I suspect only My Most Loyal Gentle Readers enjoy when I philosophize. I’d love to hear that I was wrong about that. I do know it’s easier to write about things I did. It didn’t used to be that way; it took me a long time to learn to write about music.
I’m getting ahead of myself; yesterday was Friday so I had therapy. I also had my first appointment with my new psychiatrist, Katharine Detres. There was a lot of uncertainty as to what to call her. She is a nurse practitioner and they often use their first names. Then there was question of what version of her first name she uses, Katharine, Kate, or Katie. I had heard her referred to by each of them. When I met her she used, “Dr. Detres” so that’s what I’ll use. Many of her patients call her Dr. Kate because they can’t pronounce Detres. I should be pretentious and use the French pronunciation but I’ll resist. I’ll especially resist using the way I remember her name, Dr. Detritus. I did tell her about all the Katherine variants in my life even though it’s not as prevalent as when I saw my first therapist and every week I would talk about Katherine, Catherine, and Kathryn and often brought up Kat, Kath, Kathy, and sometimes Caitlin, other Caitlin, other Kathy, Kathleen, and Cathy.
I like Dr. Detres, that’s fortunate as it’s important to have a connection with your mental health professionals. I realized that I’m a tough case as I don’t present as someone with depression and anxiety; my demeanor is upbeat and self-confident. I am upbeat and self-confident, while also being depressed and anxious. People are very much not Manichean; our mental reality is a superposition of quantum states. When someone like Robin Williams commits suicide that is driven home.
So much for not getting philosophical, but don’t worry, there’s music to come; just hang on. There’s also food and friends.
After therapy I had to get from Harrison in Westchester to Garden City on Long Island by public transit. That’s a bus to a MetroNorth train to the Times Square Shuttle to the 1 train to the Long Island Railroad. There were waits for both commuter railroads. I got food or drink during both. Dunkin’ Donuts has a promotion going on for some time, a medium latte or cappuccino or latte is only $2. I get one every week waiting for the train in Harrison. At Penn Station I went to Nathans and got my usual, two hot dogs and fries, the best hot dogs and the best fries there are. I ate them on the train, the wait wasn’t that long.
I managed to get to the Garden Stage before doors. Fred got there early too, I didn’t have to save him a seat. I had a job to do. Bobtown has a new album coming out. I am not supposed to tell you its name. There are a lot of things I’m supposed to do that I can’t. I know the title ends with Sun and that it would make sense if it were Son. That’s the best I can do because I’m an idiot. I can tell you that the songs I heard from it were great. My job was to put mailing labels on envelopes for people that preorder the album. I sold quite a few, people know what’s good.
It’s been a ridiculously long time since I’ve seen Bobtown. They have been busy recording the aforementioned Sun album. It’s not on Sun records. I’m used to seeing them at least once every couple of months. I saw them do short acoustic sets and NERFA three months ago and can’t remember the time before that. I was getting antsy. They are very much one of my bands and I developed an addiction. Good thing I only get addicted to great music. Imagine I was addicted to Dawes? I shudder at the prospect. Bobtown addiction is akin to being addicted to chocolate; I don’t want to give it up.
Who came out in the cold? the wind chill was in the single digits, Fred, Marty, Dan & Phyllis, Gary, John & Sheila, Bob, Daria, Jeff, and the ubiquitous, people I’m forgetting. Many saw Bobtown for the first time which is a tribute to the Daria and the Garden Stage. Many of those came over and bought albums, signed the mailing list, and asked me about the band; that’s a tribute to Bobtown. I’m too modest to say they just wanted to come over and talk to the cute merch guy.
A good portion of the show was new songs, some of the best work they’ve done. Each album is a large departure from the previous ones. Bobtown does not fit into a small box. They don’t go out and try to put out hits, their goal is to make great music. The constants are some of the best harmonies you’ll ever hear, and having fun, even when singing about death or depression. There is always someone that comes over to me and talks about Alans’s guitar and banjo playing.
I got an appropriate shout-out. Katherine, not to be confused with Katharine, told and idiot story and credited me with the term, idiot story. She did something worthy of me. I hope I’m not rubbing off on her. Now I feel guilty.
Jen, Karen, and I, all took the LIRR home. The timing was close. I left a little after them as I had some final merch duties. The train is only 3 minutes away so I wasn’t worried, … I forgot that I’m an idiot. I’ve done this dozens of times but I somehow walked the wrong direction from the venue. I must have been thinking of something else. I looked around and everything looked wrong. I had to make my way back to the venue then head off in the other direction. I walked quickly. As I approached the station it was very dark. I didn’t see anyone on the platform and got worried. Then I saw Karen’s guitar! The train hadn’t come yet. I made it by an entire minute. We still almost missed the train because the doors near us didn’t open. We were waiting for them then Karen or Jen noticed the doors up front were open. This was ridiculous, as we were at the center of the platform. Why did it pull so far up? We ran up and shouted for them to stop. We made it. Whew. If I see a band on Long Island you know that I love them. It’s an odyssey.
Wise Madness 