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Happened to have my camera over at the Dow’s house so I snapped a few pics of the much-beloved music room.

Ethereal. I use the word rarely but it seems apt to describe the sound of The Clientele. Dreamy British guitar rock with haunting, airy vocals from Alasdair McLean. The group came through Chicago in support of their most recent release Bonfires on the Heath. A great Thursday night concert; sound was true to form. Pat Sansone from Wilco even joined in for a few numbers early in the show.

Field Music opened

Alasdair MacLean of The Clientele with Pat Sansone

The Clientele on stage at Lincoln Hall

Vetiver visited the Empty Bottle on Wednesday. It had been a surprisingly long time since my last visit; I was relieved to note that nothing had changed.

I happened to catch a large portion of the second opener, Robbie Hamilton, who showed potential but sounded muddled in an unforgiving venue such as the Empty Bottle. If I had to draw comparisons David Vandervelde would the first to come to mind which ain’t a bad thing but also not the hardest act to follow.

Andy Cabic singing

Back in May I was floored seeing Vetiver for the first time at the Chopin Theatre. Vetiver’s music has a subtle quality that a lot of bands would be hard pressed to pull off live. Vocals, riffs, harmonies—all sound just as good (if not better) live then they do on the albums. I was doubtful they could pull it off at a place like the Empty Bottle which is hardly known for its acoustics but I was pleasantly surprised.

They pulled out a least one new number but most of the material was familiar. Some memorable ones included “Everyday”, “More of This”, and “Another Reason to Go” from their most recent release along with “Maureen”, “Wishing Well”, “Blue Driver” and a well-suited encore of the traditional tune “Don’t Ease Me In” made famous by—and played in a similar style to—The Grateful Dead.

Vetiver on stage at the Empty Bottle

Love the grunge of the Empty Bottle

Lucky turned twelve in mid-March and so we celebrated with some pizza and a trip to the much beloved Dave & Buster’s.

Lucky waits on pizza.

Tionne and D'Entonio racing at Dave & Buster's.

Nascar Racing: Lucky, Isaiah and Tionne