Another day, another adventure in Brooklyn. Last night I went to the City of Churches to see Debutante Hour at Barbès. I had never seen nor even heard of the band this week. So why did I take the trek south? Susan Hwang posted a link to it on her Facebook page. I’ve seen as a billed performer only once, almost ten years ago, December 20, 2013. So how does that lead to me making the trip? This is what I wrote about her then.
So why do I have to talk about her? She did a song about George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead and followed it with one about Richard Feynman! She’s my people! This is nerdtastic music. She should be at W00tstock. You hear that Paul & Storm? This was not just music, it was performance art. The Relastics acted things out. They even dressed to a theme, favorite children’s program or first kiss. I realized that it didn’t sound like neuromusic, but it follows my definition of neuromusic; music that creates its own aesthetic. So now I’m going to have to reconsider things and include subgenres. Mucca Pazza is not just a circus punk marching band but one that carries the neuromusic banner. Carey as you either coined the genre or did it jointly with me who else would fit the broader definition? As soon as I saw the accordion and heard the songs about Romero and Feynman, I knew what I had to do, and I did it when I talked to her during the second set. OK let’s see how well you know me. What did I have to do? The way I put it to her was that I was contractually obligated to do it. Come on you know. Carey if you don’t know you should hang your head in shame. Here’s a hint, Carla Ulbrich should know. Yes, I proposed to her. Seth says I propose to lots of people. That’s not true. I don’t think I’ve proposed to anyone since Susan Werner at Falcon Ridge. Well maybe one person.
When I talked to her last night, she didn’t remember me. How many people propose to her the first time they talk? I had meant to put her into my musical rotation but somehow that never worked out. I did not see her again until she joined Charming Disaster at their CD release show. It’s easy to see the connection between Susan and Charming Disaster. They have songs about Madame Curie. I need more neuromusic in my life. I used to talk about curating a neurofestival.
I was planning on going in any event but had the added bonus of being joined by Katherine. Our timing was a bit off. We stopped for pizza first which we ate at the tables outside of Barbès. By the time we got in all the seats were taken. That’s routine there. It’s a tiny venue that attracts great acts. We found a nice place to stand house right of the seats. Susan Hwang is only one third of the band. Maria Sonevytsky plays baritone uke, and accordion and drums. Look at the pictures. Mia Pixley plays cello while standing. Susan plays the hobo drum kit, mini bass drum and firecracker snare, and accordion. Their musical genre? Pure neuromusic. They had a laugh out loud song about parking in New York City. They have a song about the miraculous births of Jesus and Athena. I was in neuroheaven.
There was an unfortunate disruption during the Jesus/Athena song, someone standing in the audience passed out! The EMS was called, and she did make it out of the room on her own power, with some steadying help from her friends. If it were up to me, I’d have had her not get up until help came. I don’t believe in taking chances with health. The band took it in stride and picked up the song in with the start of the second versus about the birth of Athena. Do you know the story? She was in Zeus’s head. He felt a horrible shooting pain and asked Hephaestus to split his skull with a sword. When he did, Athena sprang forth fully grown and in her armor. If you get migraines, I don’t recommend that as a treatment but if it does work, you’d be the parent of my favorite Greek goddess.
The band is going to be playing at Joe’s Pub over the summer. I’ll be there. This is a reunion; they have not played together in years. They are planning a new album and this gig was part of getting back into playing shape. I dropped the ball on Susan Hwang before, I will not do that again. Even having to stand most of the show I had a ball. Do you know what’s better than my descriptions? Hearing the music for yourself. This is not the entire song. They picked up again after the banter. I thought the song had a resolution coming. I am mad at myself for stopping the recording.
After the show we hung around at the tables outside Barbès. I butted into the conversation of strangers as I had a cartoon on my Facebook page that was totally on point for something they said. I wasn’t eaves dropping but sometimes you can’t help but hear something. Our subsequent discussion was pure New York. We talked about New York versus Florida. Katherine has lived there so had a lot to contribute. Katherine and I parted ways at the subway as we headed in opposite directions. I got home right around midnight. I have made the most of my spring break. Tomorrow, I’m back to teaching. I decided to give myself a transition and get breakfast at Dunkin’ which gives me an extra half an hour of sleep.
Wise Madness 