Birthday draws to a close
Well sunday is winding down and it was a great weekend. Friday we decided to see The World . This was on ok movie, a bit like a Chinese soap opera set in an amusment park. Very long and slow with not enough important character development. It was at the music box and on the big screen with oragn playing before hand so the evening was not a complete waste (and any time kirstie and i see a movie, its great because its fun discussing it afterward regaurdless of what we thought of it)
Saturday was a bit hectic, we had to pick up the cake and we had breakfast at svea (which was yummy). Afterwards, came back to drop off the cake, check to see if kirsties work check came (which is didnt …dam slow postal service) and then go to the bank, guitar center (i needed a mic stand) , cabrini (kirstie wanted to take pictures) and then to wicker park. Once there (after a time killing pit stop to stanley’s market…because michelle wasnt home yet) we met up with michelle and had some flourless chocolate cake that she made for me. It was excellent and was perfect fuel for an afternoon/evening at the wicker park street festival. There really only 3 bands we wanted to see; Head of Femur, Okkervil River, and The Oliva Tremor Control. Caught the last half the Head of Femurs set, and then walked around during Turning Machine who really really dreadful. Had some crappy fried food and chips and then made our way back to the north stage. Okkervil River were great, I think we had seen them once before opening for someone at Schubas but this performance was much better. After a long change over (where more crappy fried foods were consumed by us) the Tall Dwarfs played a few songs (they are touring with Oliva Tremor Control, who allowed them to play a mini set before them). They were good, short pop songs on 2 guitars, with new zeland accents. Oliva Tremor Control finally came on and they were ok, they played songs off Black Foilage (most of our favorites), but they just didnt translate well live. Not sure if it was do to being outside or just becuase the albums have lot of production to them that is hard to pull of live. We left a bit early (they were still playing, but I am sure their set was going to finish soon) so we could get over to schubas and see palliard with the thin man. Palliard was great, even better then on the album. The lead singer looked really confident and sang with conviction, while the other guitarist (who also played a bit of lap-steel) was great. A stand up bass along with a solid drummer rounded out the rhythm section. Thin Man was excellent, his songs were these great country tinged folk/story songs. He played accordian and guitar, along with another stand up bass a second guitarist and drummer. He looked like Lou Reed and has a bit of a british accent. Both of these bands are residing in chicago, which means I will look forward to seeing them again real soon.
Sunday was a much more low key day. Kirstie gave me my birthday card which had gift cert for rapid transit (this bike store we went to in wicker park) for enough for a new bike. Way to nice, I am really excited. Kirstie and I took a leisurely bike ride over to angels for some mexican brunch. Once we got back I did some (what ended up being 4 hours without me knowing it) recording and she took a nap. We had cake for dinner and are now going to have some pineapple for desert. This turned out to be a great day.