Truemors
Friday night, it was my pleasure to attend a free concert at Exit/In, presented by ObamaTN.org, VotingIsPriceless.org, Lovenoise, and Nashville Loves Barack Obama. Now, we all know that many things gratis can lack for quality. Fortunately, such was not the case at Barack the Vote, as the concert was entitled.
Before I continue, I should come clean and admit that I was not present for the entire event. Earlier that night, I swilled and swayed at the Vanderbilt School of Nursing Holiday Party at the behest of my good friend, Alex (and the party’s open bar). By the time I arrived at Exit/In, I had already missed three of the six scheduled acts. Hélas! Of Biscuits and Gravy, Shelly Fairchild, and Kyle Andrews I can say nothing.
Luckily, I made it just in time to catch Brandi Sellerz and her assemblage smooth-groovin onstage. Sellerz’s set gave me a sense of great satisfaction. In light of all the remakes and quotes of songs from earlier decades that pervade Western popular music today, it’s good to hear a band that doesn’t simply perform covers or use song phrases as virtual passacaglia. Brandi Sellerz’s performance plainly translated songs by Earth, Wind, and Fire, Minnie Riperton, and Rufus into introductions, cadences, and interludes. Maybe it’s not an exceptionally inventive device, but I can sure attest its effectiveness in live performance. I was surprised to see so many hipster European-American mouths, occupied in conversation, halt their course and recommence to miss nary a word of “Tell Me Something Good” as it was threaded between two Sellerz originals. The band performed some refreshingly mature-themed, feel-good music. Whether you’ve got a lover-on-arm, a crush-in-sight, trouble-in-mind, or a drink-in-hand, count on Brandi Sellerz to speak encouragement, enlightenment, or retribution to your soul.
The following act, a quartet named Cougar Fight, performed with a great deal of Sturm und Drang. Unfortunately, I could make out few of the words that may have been necessary to the understanding of their songs. If you a lyrics fanatic, then Cougar Fight may not be the live performance for you. However, if you do enjoy listening to worthy jam bands, then I would recommend their music with aplomb. As a matter of fact, I eagerly await the silent film to which Cougar Fight provides the soundtrack.
Easily adding the cherry on top of my stellar evening escapade, Space Capone reminded me why I love to love so much. I don’t think I’ve witnessed a band of younglings that can consistently pull a pack of wallflowers off the sidelines and onto the dance floor.
This message has been brought to you by supporters of the Barack Obama 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.
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