We'd been hearing that the show was close to being sold out. Turns out, as the night progressed, they had to turn people away as, yes, it was sold out!
Cass, Tim and I showed up around 5pm or so for sound check, got dialed in, then went to dinner. Show started promptly at 8pm, with Kim Virant and her band (all Seattle music scenesters) putting in a sweet and soulful set.
Following Kim's band was Danny Newcomb & the Sugarmakers. A power-pop/rock trio, featuring more scenesters and Seattle legends on stage. They were highly entertaining and pro on stage.
This was my second show with the Embers. Usually when I play a show, I get on stage after the previous band, set up, strap in, we count off and we play. This band does things a little differently, as we get on stage, set up, then leave the stage. We headed off stage and then did a little pep talk in the green room. After that, it was go time.
We got up there, Tim started us off with Wagon, and off we went. For this show and the first show at the Sunset, I forget just how much energy Tim starts with. Any other band I've been in, it's always just us starting and we sort of ease in. With Tim, once he hits that big C chord, I better be ready. And I might have to start wearing my hair down at practice! When I play with it down, I can't see anything and some of those Cs and Fs at the beginning of Wagon are a bit off.
Wagon is the song that drew me in in the first place. I've always loved playing that tune and Thursday was no exception. The highlight is hitting that big 3rd harmony in the second chorus. Love that part. Check it out!
We continued with Pull, which we always butt up against Wagon as Tim plays both with a capo. This is a song I thought would need a backing vocal in the second half of the chorus. I tried a few times, but it's pretty unnecessary, as it turns out. The song is a slow burn and really highlights Tim's solo chops, as well as his delicate side during the verses.
The past few weeks at rehearsal, we were able to dial in two new songs! They are still evolving, but the basics are in place. Things like backing vocals and possibly minor arrangements still need to be done, but they're finished enough to play out. One of the songs, Things That Go Boom, is a barnburner, with a shuffle feel. It's always a crap shoot for me, as I gotta move my fingers fast, but under all the noise, precision isn't always necessary. Tim really tore this song up, but he did suffer some technical difficulties, with his guitar strap coming loose right before his solo. Luckily, our pal Brian (guitar tech for a lot of these Seattle scenesters!) was on the spot and able to swap Tim out with little delay. Take a look.
The other song we premiered is tentatively called Tom the Longboarder. Tim came in with a Tom Petty type riff and we built around that. A little alt-country, but with a little SE tag at the end of the song. Really love how this tune builds and we've really fallen in love with it.
We played a bunch of other songs, with one more newer one called Heavy, as well as standards like It, Wrong Way, Chimp, Sideline and Break This Down. We ended the night with a couple covers, Cheap Trick's Downed and Bring It On Home by Zeppelin. Check out Downed here.
Since the show, things have been blowing up on the Facebook page, and our newly created Instagram page. I've been curating the videos above as well as pictures taken by friends and fans. It's been a lot of fun "meeting" these friends via social networking. I was able to meet several in person at the show as well.
In all the years I've been playing around town, this is the first time I've been in a band with some juice. Sure, I've played in great bands before, but for the most part, we'd play to the other bands and a handful of people at the shows. With SE, (granted 2 show sample set) I've played to 2 sold out A-list clubs in town. People are loving what we're doing and everyone has welcomed me with open arms.
The love has been overwhelming and appreciated, both from the bandmates, their families, and the fans. I have had so much fun the past several months, even getting excited to sit in traffic to go to practice.
Moving on, I hope the momentum continues and we just keep trending upward. Can't wait until practice on Thursday and then our next show in September.
