Shutter Noise

Pics: Friday & Saturday at Mohawk

Balmorhea was lovely as usual, though the move inside to avoid the weather was regrettable… it was packed, hot as hell indoors at the Mohawk, and the noise from people at the bar interrupted some of the more hushed moments of musical tension.

Ola Podrida was spot-on with every song, professional, and sounded like they’d been touring together for years, despite the fact that two of the band members were really new. Would watch again.

I really dig Brazos’ new album, and Martin Crane’s solo stuff is almost as intriguing. One song, though, he joked about giving to a girl group… he really should. A credit to his songwriting skills, it was catchy and fun, but very odd coming from a guy whose usual offerings include poem adaptations and brooding thoughts on late nights downtown. Anyway, <3 for anything this guy does.

The Duchess and the Duke were drunk, obnoxious, and a complete disappointment. I was looking forward to this show, but my only thoughts after were disgust at them wasting my time. Watching them was like watching an unknown band, and thinking that there was maybe something there, if only they could sober up and take the music they were attempting to play seriously.

Also, the lead singer slurred at me from the stage: “stop doing your job and just have fun!”. I’m sorry, but my job is photographing you. I’m not using flash, I’m not being obtrusive or in your face, so can you please just butt out and try taking your job a bit more seriously?

Amazing guitar-playing skills… I was completely entranced by him, which is a little impressive for just one guy with a guitar who didn’t even sing for most of his set. He brought out a few members from the Duchess and the Duke for a song together at the end, which I enjoyed more than the rest of their following set.

Remembering a name as odd as Fergus & Geronimo may be difficult, but you should try… they were fun, energetic, and really happy to be playing for us. I dug it.