Paid Dues in Eugene this past weekend was amazing. Everything was great: The weather, the food, the crowd and especially the music.
Slug was there. Murs. The Grouch and Eligh. All of the other legends. Sage Francis. Brother Ali. Blueprint.
We took pictures. We got sunburns. We didn’t drink enough. It was perfect.
When Slug did Trying to find a balance, everyone knew the words.
Blue Scholars‘ new album Bayani just came out. It has been on heavy rotation in my CD player for the past several days. I am pretty excited about it. Conscious and thoughtful, it is probably one of the best Rap CDs I have found lately.
Oh yeah: They’ll be playing at the Capitol Hill Block Party on July 27.
Last time I felt like complaining about the summer heat, it did not take long after forming the thought that winter would be upon us with ice storms and snow. Wind chill. That was Minnesota.
Seattle is different, but my AC does not seem like it is doing much and it is hot, too hot. Rain seems like a welcome prospect to cool things down.
In the meantime, no sleep.
Here is Insomnia by Faithless:
Imagine driving. Observing the lights of the city in the rear view window. At night.
Wednesday July 25 / Chicago, IL / Congress Theater
Friday July 27 / Philadelphia, PA / TBA
Saturday July 28 / New York, NY / Rock The Bells
Sunday July 29 - New York, NY/ Rock The Bells
Tuesday July 31 - Minneapolis, MN / First Ave
Wednesday Aug 1 - Minneapolis, MN / First Ave
Saturday Aug 4 - Eugene, OR / Secret House Vineyard
Sunday Aug 5 - San Francisco, CA / Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Tuesday Aug 7 - Denver, CO / Red Rock Pavilion
Thursday Aug 9 - Santa Fe, NM / Paolo Soleri Amphitheater
Friday Aug 10 - Phoenix, AZ / Mesa Amphitheater
Saturday Aug 11 - Los Angeles, CA / Rock The Bells
Sunday Aug 12 - San Diego, CA / Chula Vista Amphitheater Parking Lot
Eugene is a cool town, too. A couple previous trips to concerts definitely gave me the impression that people there appreciate underground hip hop.
Can’t wait - should be an awesome event. Felt alone make it worth the trip.