Today you get rewarded with tales of not just music and friends but an idiot story; it must be sweeps week.
Last night I headed out to the wilds of Teaneck NJ to see Ryanhood and Sophie Buskin at Ethical Brew. It’s not that difficult to get to, two subways and a bus that drops me a few blocks away; 1 hour and 17 minutes, but only if I time it perfectly. The bus runs only once an hour. I make the trip to the George Washington Bridge bus terminal often enough that I am compelled to complain about how the 145th street subway station was designed to frustrate me. First, it’s just getting to the GWB Terminal. I live by the D train at 205th street. But to get to 178th street I have to take the D too 145th Street and then transfer to an uptown A train. I can live with that, it’s just unfortunate. The part that upsets me is that they designed the 145th street station for my inconvenience. The D is on the lower level and I have to walk up two levels to the mezzanine to make the transfer. That’s a long way and there’s no escalator. When I switch to the A, I go down only one level. What’s the frustrating part? There is an escalator from the uptown D to the mezzanine. Why didn’t they put one on the downtown side? The one so many people need to make the transfer? It was done to target me. When they built the station, they knew that in 80 years I’d move to the Bronx one day and need to frequently use the station.
I’ve been to Ethical Brew many times, but it finally dawned on me that there might be a supermarket nearby that sold New Jersey’s pride, Taylor ham. I discovered it was just six minutes from the venue. I just had to get off the bus one stop early. I also needed eggs, so I got those too. I saved myself a shopping trip. When I arrived, I put them in the refrigerator and asked everyone to remind me when I leave to take them. The point of asking people to do that is not so they remind you, but that it makes your mind focus so you remember yourself.
With my usual impeccable timing I arrived at Ethical Brew just as dinner was being served. Despite the trek there, Ethical Brew is a home game as it’s run by friends, Perry and Beth. Beth made her famous Moroccan chicken. It’s what she makes whenever carnivores are playing. Jagoda, Sophie’s drummer, who I’ve know for 15 years longer than anyone else there, said that when vegetarians play, she makes Moroccan tofu. We agreed that it should have exactly the same ingredients but is just called tofu. Jagoda and I are evil.
I’m taking forever to talk about the show. I see that as a feature, not a bug. This is much better reflection on the way I think about things.
What made it even more a home game was the artists. I haven’t known them that long, but I love the performers as people, Ryan Green and Cameron Hood, aka Ryanhood, get it? And Sophie and Jagoda. They are all easy people. I’ve known Jagoda longer than Sophie, but I met her father David, since just about when he was born.
I’m happy to say that the show was a sellout, that’s so rare at most folk coffeehouses. I didn’t know if I’d know anyone, as Teaneck isn’t my usual bailiwick, but I did, Gail, Barbara, and Judy. Barbara’s husband was there too, and I forgot his name. That’s embarrassing as his name is the same as mine, Gordon. But now I have a mnemonic; together they are Batgirl, Barbara Gordon. I know so many musical world Barbaras that it might prove problematic, but I know this Barbara through Scott Wolfson, who in addition to being a musician, writes about comics.
The surprise member of the audience was Sophie’s first grade teacher. She brought an album of pictures of that class. How wonderful is it that she’s kept in touch with her first-grade teacher? I love her, I wish I remembered her name. There’s one head shot of Sophie as she was the star of a play they put on. It should be her next album cover. How woke was this school? The play was based on a book by an early labor activist who wrote about child labor. Sophie played a girl with white lung disease caused by the dust in the garment factory. We live in a world where children can be exploited but that also have marvelous people that work to end it and other marvelous people that write plays about it for first graders to perform, and a marvelous teacher willing to present it. It’s a strange and beautiful world.
Sophie and Ryanhood not just friends but musical favorites. I earned street cred for being an early adopter of Ryanhood. I was lucky enough to meet them at NERFA. They appeal to a broad spectrum of people, you have instrumental chops, great harmonies, deep songs, and charming stage patter. They even dress well. They even have the best merch; Cameron is a graphic artist and made a coloring book for Ryan’s son. They now sell them at shows. They are from Tucson so make sure to catch them when the come east to tour.
Jagoda lives in the Bronx so I was hoping for a ride home. Unfortunately, he was driving Sophie to Brooklyn, but he gave me a ride back to the GW Bridge bus terminal. That meant bonus Sophie and Jagoda time. We had some very strange conversations. That is why I love them.
When I arrived at the terminal, I realized that I left my Taylor ham and eggs in the refrigerator. I’m an idiot. My strategy didn’t work. Not only that I now know they are all false friends as nobody reminded me. I called Perry as soon as I was at the subway station. He was still at the venue, so he took the bag with my groceries in it home with him. There’s a good chance I’ll see him today at the Bobtown show at Rockwood Music Hall. He’ll bring it with him if he and Beth aren’t too worn out from preparing last night’s show.
You don’t have that excuse, so I expect you to come to see Bobtown tonight. The show is at 7 PM on stage 2. Buy your ticket online right now, if you get a ticket in advance you get your choice of Bobtown CD for free! That’s worth the price of admission. I expect to see all of you. If you aren’t there I’m going to ask why.
Wise Madness 