7/2/09 - Astronautilis, Matthew Gray Delves into the Humanity Pools with the Six Foot Saucer Pot People, Hello Lover

...at Rubber Gloves.

Hello Lover opened. man, i really dug this band. sorta retro, sorta glossy 80's rock, which isn't really my thing, but these guys made me a believer. the lead singer looked like a cross between Dee Snider and Right Said Fred (that's not supposed to be an insult - he was very entertaining to watch, i thot). really impressive guitar work, too - well above average. anyways, a very enjoyable set - i look forward to catching them again soon.
Matthew Gray, Delves into the Humanity Pools with the Six Foot Saucer Pot People (no, i am not making that up), was up next. kind of a lower-key version of Matthew and the Arrogant Sea, with keys and upright bass instead of electric guitars. what can i say - i pretty much love everything Matthew Gray is involved with, including this band. that is one talented dude. very nice set.

Astronautilis headlined. what an incredibly talented performer. just like at his performance a few weeks ago at the granada, i was amazed by his passion, quick wit, intelligence, singing ability, and energy. i'd have to say this performance was even better, due to the intimate setting and familiarity with the crowd. awesome.

3/28/09 - Matthew Gray, Nick Foreman, Nana & Popo

went to my very first house show in denton (if you don't count the Secret Headquarters shows), a fund-raiser for The Bee's Fifth Collective. i think it was at matthew gray's house (he of Matthew and the Arrogant Sea fame, one of my favorite local bands). 'twas a very interesting experience - pretty much what i expected from a house show - keg set up in the corner, bunch of college kids sittin around, amps and mics set up in a spare room, minimal lighting (thus the crappy pics). pretty cool. took a fellow music-lover to the show - we were easily twice everyone's age, but i felt totally comfortable there. i sooo love denton.

nana & popo was up first. one dude, one guitar, lotsa effects. some really cool, dreamy, fuzzed-out stuff. really liked it. Nick Foreman, of Dust Congress (who i've seen twice), was up next. this is one talented dude. he played accordian, guitars, drums. great voice. nice collection of soulful, bluesy songs. Next up was Matthew Gray (yea, that's him in the pic - he apparently is afraid of the light). Seen him many times with MATAS, and once solo. Another very talented guy. Had the whole crowd singin along with him. Love his song-writing, his voice. So since my companion kept FALLING ASLEEP between sets, we decided to hit the road after Matthew.

9/20/08 - Sarah Jaffe, Chameleon Chamber Group, Matthew Gray

headed out to denton on saturday night, cuz i heard Dan's was the place to be. turns out, i heard right.



first up was Matthew Gray, from one of my favorite local groups, Matthew and the Arrogant Sea. I love MATAS so much, i figured i'd like matthew as well, and i was right. pretty sure everything he played was non-band stuff (except maybe "o, jonathan"), but you can definitely tell where the majority of MATAS' sound comes from. he played a beautiful set full of haunting, sometimes spooky, sometimes quirky acoustic folk/pop. his performance was definitely enhanced by his accompanist, noodling on his electric guitar and providing fantastic backing vocals. really nice stuff. matthew was cool enough to spot me a copy of his demo cd, and there's some really cool stuff on there, too. check it out if you have a chance. cannot WAIT for the MATAS cd release party on october 25th.

next up was Chameleon Chamber Group. 4-piece "band": electric piano/synth (the great paul slavens), cello, violin, and EWI (electronic wind instrument, you noob). played mostly classical pieces, but slightly jazzed up, what wif the electronics and all. interesting, and very well done, but after a while i lost interest and headed out to the patio (in the end, it's still just classical music - not what i usually head out for).

sarah jaffe was up last, accompanied by robert gomez on geetar and kris youmans on cello. love sarah's voice, love the cello. as expected, my favorite was "two intangibles can't be had", which always gives me chills. enjoyed the set.

man, i tell you - dan's is a really hapnin place, with a veritable who's who of denton musicians parading thru there. really cool place. and you wouldn't believe what goes on in the parking lot.