Nashville
I’m in Nashville, TN and went to a singer-songwriter “in the round” thing at The Bluebird Cafe. It was quite interesting and I realized while watching these folks that I’m open to any music when there is artistry behind it, so I did enjoy myself.
Funny thing about country thematics, the songs seemed mostly about the following:
1) Wives/children/life (blue-collar type commentary)
2) The war
3) Blue-collar/country humor
About subject number 1: if you changed the key’s, maybe some pronouns and moved the music to Omaha, you’d have Brighteyes. I actually quite liked these songs. I also think Country music is almost a structuralist exercise in its adherence to classical rock song structure (intro verse/chorus/verse/chorus/middle-8/bridge/verse/chorus/chorus/outro).
I was down in Athens, GA earlier this week, and all told its been a great week musically. I have photos showing up soon from the studio with R.E.M. and I must say it’s always good to see my friends in the band, and their support staff. And it was actually really enjoyable to spend time with work friends outside of work, but in the context of work (if that makes sense).