2003-09-08 - 9:41 p.m.

I have had a lot of things going on lately, and music has been a large part of that time. Time well spent, of course. It all started friday when Casey & I picked up our friend and sister EK who was visiting from SF. We immediately went from the airport to our band practice, which was a lot of fun. We rocked out a bit, mostly for the benefit of EK, who had yet to see us in full flurry. Then we worked on our semi-acoustic set for our show this friday.

After practice the Tuftees and EK all walked up to the Tonic Lounge for MusicFestNW in which our friends Minmae performed. They were pretty great as usual and EK absolutely loved them. We all started to get a bit drunk, ate a bunch of chicken wings and talked music. I am really happy EK got to experience Minmae live.

Friday we found out way to the Belmont Street Fair and saw Ross & the Hellpets perform. It was a quirky ourdoor show, not their best, but still had that fun feel. EK seemed to be quite giddy afterwards. Later that night after Casey & EK went to bed (at 10:30 - gasp!) I took the band pass which Mr Brooxxes hooked me up with and went out for more music.

I saw Nordic at Nocturnal, who were pretty good, but not my first style style in music. Very moody, dreamscapes and lush keyboards. Oh and lots of pedals. I am thinking people use too many pedals. They did happen to be the most beautiful band I have seen. I mean this in earnest. They were, each one of them, a pleasure on the eyes.

Then Ross & The Hellpets played. Yes a double dose of the Hellpets. This time it was the BEST SHOW that I have experienced by them. They totally rocked the place down, even through the drunken cackles of the idjuts in back. The supe of local music, Angelo showed up and we danced a bit, kicking our legs in unison as Ross et al went to the goal. A super performance. I can't wait to share the stage with them in Seattle. Also, I met up with Alex from the basement circuit there, and he gave me a tape he has been working on. It's like an audio diary in music. He is a gifted man and a voice we'll all be hearing more in the future.

So Minmae is now on tour and it behooves you to go to minmae.com and find out when they will be in your town.

More news soon, perhaps not so good. But change in the wind is an opportunity for growth, an excercise in discipline and faith.

Jack

Tuftees - fucking love you