Last night I did something important enough that I was willing to miss Anaïs Mitchell win Tony Awards, Bobtown at Rockwood Music Hall. It was the release show for their new album, Chasing the Sun. I can’t believe that it’s been five years since they put out their last one. Somebody has been playing with time. Tracy Grammer said it’s been 18 years since Drum Hat Buddha was released which is impossible. It’s a timey wimey thing.
As it’s Bobtown, I was of course doing the merch. That meant getting their early and taking the brand-new CDs out of the box. They just arrived from the factory two days ago. They still had new CD smell. After seeing everything up and making sure things looked pretty I went to Stage 2 to get my seat. I had so many friends there. I ended up sitting with Ellen, David, Sharon, and Jen’s mom who came all the way from Memphis. She did not travel the furthest. I also met Cheryl and Natalie, Katherine’s sister and niece who came all the way from Anaheim. This was a family affair. Alan’s son Griffith, or is that Griffin, came too. He had to come all the way from Queens.
The room was packed and I knew about half the people so I can’t name everyone. In addition to Sharon, Carolann, Elisa & Jon, and Aviv represented the Chickiverse. Gidge, David (different David), Fred & Linda were there from the people I see often universe. Sam, who I last saw at Seth’s Wedding was the videographer. My apologies for the quarter of the audience that I know that I’m not naming.
Chasing the Sun is Bobtown’s fourth album; they could have been made by four different bands. Very much like the Byrds, they keep evolving. I have no idea how to categorize Chasing the Sun by genre. I should be listening to it as I write this but that would mean giving it only divided attention. It would also mean getting up. So I’m basing everything on hearing the songs live. One big difference from the past was a cello on many of the songs. It was played by Serena on the album and live. Serena has a last name. I’m a dedicated enough blogger that I’m going to get up and look at the album for it. Serena Jost! Jost kidding, I knew it all along. Fine, I did, but I’m proud of myself for remembering her first name.
I haven’t finished listening to the album but if I don’t write while I’m listening I won’t have time to write until tonight and this is an entry that wants the world to be out in the world.
There are bands that are my bands, but within that group there are bands that are especially my bands. Bobtown is one of those. This is as home game as you can get outside the Budgiedome. I have eagerly awaited the new songs; they are worth the wait. It’s Bobtown so you get such cheerful titles as Daughters of the Dust, Kryptonite, Devil’s Down, and No Man’s Land. In My Bones was introduced as, “a song about death.” I of course cheered and muttered, “Not today,” under my breath. It’s Bobtown so you get incredible harmonies, not just beautiful sounding but intricate. The bridge of In My Bones is a canon. Pachelbel ain’t got nothing on Bobtown. Neither does Taco Bell, Bobtown is hot and spicy. Instead of a Gordita they have a Gordon selling merch aka the cute merch guy aka me.
They were pressed for time, it was only an hour timeslot including setup and breakdown, there was a technical glitch, this was their first time performing most of these songs in public and some had new arrangements from how they were recorded. Before the show it felt like the opening of the Muppet Show with everyone running every which way. Yet somehow it all came together. Everyone there had a great time. I had a doubly great time as I enjoy the other people having a great time. One of the perks of doing merch is hearing people raving about the band. I’m a champion kveller.
I ended up staying well after the show was over. First I was selling merch and then socializing. Katherine had a load of things, including her drum set, to get back to Brooklyn so they called a car and I waited around to help them load it. This is exciting. I’m healthy enough to be able to do that. My abdominal muscles didn’t complain at all. I’m at 98% strength. It was very nice hearing my friends tell me how happy they were about that. I was even told that I looked good and looked younger without my glasses. I don’t often get complimented on my appearance, that’s why I fill the void by calling myself the cute merch guy. My relationship with conceit and self-effacement is complicated.
The only downside to the entire evening was that I didn’t get to watch the Tony Awards. I care because Hadestown won 8 awards with two going to Anaïs Mitchell. I have never seen one of my friends win on a televised award show. I’m kvelling over Anaïs too. I saw she was special from the start. With all my joy I’m also mad she didn’t win the award for best book of a musical and Amber Gray didn’t win for best featured actress. Maybe it’s for the same reason there is an imperfection in every Persian Rug, to show that only Allah is perfect.
From the first time I heard Anaïs talk about it I have felt that Hadestown was written specifically for me. It’s the way I feel about Jurgen and the Discworld series. If anyone else loves them that’s a collateral benefit, they were meant for me. For it to be such a critical and popular hit makes me feel better about humanity. I’m not as alien as I often feel. I really am from the same planet as others; at least there are others from my planet living here. My Facebook feed is dominated by posts about Hadestown. I am spending half my day liking, loving, and commenting on other people’s posts. It’s a great shared experience for our community.
My plan was to leave about now for the Village to get half-priced bagels at Bagel Bobs but it’s raining. I need milk and eggs so I have to go out anyway but I can just walk down the block for those things. I’m not going to get my steps in today unless the weather changes. You’ll find out what I decide tomorrow. I’ll find out in about half an hour when I’ll be ready to leave.
Wise Madness 