Sacramento! Sun! California!
We made it into town a full three hours before the performance, and I took the opportunity to don running shoes and explore the neighborhood. Oh my God! To my sun-deprived skin, this place is a dream! I saw orange-laden trees in many a yard, a geranium four feet tall, a full hedge of bird of paradise, and even some cherry tomatoes. We are solidly in the world of spring down here.
The Sacramento show is the first on the tour with Or, the Whale. They played a great set even though they were jetlagged and tired from three weeks’ tour in Scotland, Wales, and England (their first European!), which they returned from 2 days ago. Lead female vocalist Lindsay related that every time she closes her eyes, even for a second, she starts to drift off. Despite the sleep deprivation the tour gave them a lot of energy and excitement, which could be felt in the fullness of their songs. They have a Fleetwood Mac type feeling, with two female vocalists, and a lead guitar/vocals guy named Alex. Half the band has been playing together for over 6 years, when Lindsay and Alex found each other via craigslist, and half the band is a new admixture after three original members left last year.
After the show, we got to catch up with the Olin boys a bit more in a stupid bar called the Streets of London. Funny bass man Kyle entertained me for a good while with stories about the road, and pictures of his girlfriend and cats Olive and Oscar back in LA. He started playing with Olin about 4 and half years ago (about half a year after they started the band), when he met them drinking beer on a friend’s porch and lied about being able to play bass. Being the only one of the band members who did not grow up together in Sun Valley, ID, he got an audition spot, picked up a bass from his tattoo parlor (the first he ever held) and skateboarded over to the practice space. With some knowledge of guitar, and a lot of hours practicing the notes of songs on his own, he claimed his space with the boys.
Olin and the Moon have been getting some air play in TV shows, and recently shot a scene of them playing Not In Love for One Tree Hill. They all flew out to North Carolina for the shoot, and Kyle related how upon arrival he was ushered to his own trailor. “My…own… TRAILER! You gotta be fucking kidding me!” They kindly inquired what he would like to eat, and assured they could procure anything, he settled on a BLT and a coffee…
Travis came over soon after and sat down with us, sporting his new denim vest, on the back of which he plans to sew The Destitutes’ Milo. He’s the electric guitar man, supporting vocals, and big brother to front man Dave. He sport a Harley Davidson T-shirt and mullet-y Mohawk, and only needs a Harley motorcycle to complete the picture. Despite his intimidating figure, Travis is a sweet guy who manages a pizza shop in LA. Having grown up in the bar scene, he’s a hustler at pool and darts, and thinks nothing of drinking a pitcher to himself. When they go back to ID, his dad and all the neighbors show up to support the band’s efforts. They once packed a tiny bar (where high school friend’s mom waitresses) with 400 people, some crowded up on stage to hear them play.
Brother band Brown Shoe hosted us last night. They have their 19-year-old brother sleeping in what once was the dining room. He lives there free of rent with four other brothers, and cleans up to earn his keep. What a beautiful set of siblings they are! The 19 year old sweetie escorted us over to a coffee shop this morning and reminisced being 12 year old when Ryan and then-band It’s a Whale stopped off on tour to drink beer. Seven years later and I’m sure he’s got his own stories now of drinking beer and crashing on couches with the dream of making it big.
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