JULY 25, 21:30

Room 237, Indianapolis

Today marks a first. I’m skipping the entirety of the festival’s second day. I’m in too much pain. And I was forced to hire the assistant I’ve been avoiding since it was recommended to me during physical therapy. I’m calling him Stivins.

I’m going tomorrow, no matter what. I will not miss We Lost the Sea! No way!

So, today was a bust outside of the rather decent breakfast spot James and I found before he hit the road. I’ve stayed in the room watching comic book movies and hoping I could find a way to make it to see at least a couple of bands. It never worked out.

On top of that, I paid way too much money for a very average (read, flavorless) steak for dinner. It kinda figures. It’s been that kind of day.

Here’s hoping for a better tomorrow.

JULY 26, 14:33

El Arado Mexican Grill, Indianapolis

I’m still hurting, but I’m up and around. I’ve made it to the venue for Day Three. It feels weird to have the festival end on a Saturday. I guess I’m just used to the Progstock way of doing things.

Lunch before heading in. The venue is just a couple of doors away.

You can expect distinct decor in a Mexican restaurant. But I wasn’t quite ready for Speedy Gonzalez.

I’ve noticed his cartoons have vanished from a few places. I assumed he was found insulting by the Mexican community. But they seem to embrace him here, as the top of their menu indicates.

No matter. The chicken fajitas were on point.

This is wonderful after that very disappointing steak last night. Yeah, I’m still hung up on it. We live and learn. At least I know which place to avoid next year. And it’s not this one.

15:30

Hi-Fi Annex

Tradition dictates that I find a record store whenever I visit a new city. The thought occurred to me as I left the restaurant that I hadn’t really given that any thought. Where to look?

How about right behind me?

Turns out this little shop is right across the street from the venue, right where I decided to cross the street.

It’s an interesting place, but I didn’t spend a lot of time there. I knew I was missing the music across the street. And while I love that this place specializes in vinyl, I also knew that I had nowhere to store anything I might have bought, and it’s hot and humid out. I didn’t want anything to warp. Perhaps next year.

17:45

Hi-Fi Annex

Music is being played on two stages. Normally, I’d be going back and forth, but I’ve decided that it’s better to stick with whomever comes to the larger (outdoor) stage. That way, I can rest my back a bit during sessions. I know I’m missing out, but it can’t be helped. This sucks.

But I’ve seen two terrific bands so far in hubris and NRTHRN. They’ve both made my “Explore Deeper” list.

Gotta admit: I like being back amongst the photographers, sound guy, and musicians. It feels like where I belong, as does the photo pit. My musical explorations are no longer necessarily coming from the standpoint of pure fandom. I’m not sure what to call it now. High-interest journalism? I’ll have to figure that one out.

The bands I’ve seen are quite remarkable. Rangers — a group from Bozeman, Montana — was terrific. They brought a heavy atmospheric sound to the proceedings. Even as I say that, I know the same description can be given to a lot of bands here. Post-rock is what it is. The format is similar, but the skill levels set each band apart. And skill levels are high.

It’s good to know post-rock reaches pretty much everywhere. Even the places my snobby ass doesn’t think of, like Montana. There’s no reason to think that way. I accept my degree of shame.

Not long after my arrival, I found myself sitting amongst We Lost the Sea, who came out to listen to the other bands.

Mark Owen is a true bro. A real mate! I posted about my back problems on Facebook yesterday. As I made my way into the photo pit, I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. It was Mark, checking on me, then reminding me to go easy and take care of myself. Such a cool dude.

I wound up sitting next to him under the tent. He found me a chair to sit on. We chatted here and there, and he found a second to be a goof with me.

I’m so glad to have met these guys.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but I had seated myself next to WLTS’s guitar rack. Before long I had Kieran’s bass in front of me. The very one I’m learning from.

I just stared at it, absorbing the challenge before me. Maybe I was trying to absorb some of its energy.

No, I never ask to handle anyone’s instrument. That, to me, is a bridge too far. The gear’s energy and magic belong to the musician about to hit the stage. As far as I’m concerned, it should stay there.

When friends come to my home and ask about my gear, I gladly share what I have with them. But at a gig, no way!

Mark displayed a sense of humor by attaching a new sticker to the back of his guitar.

It’s nice to know that I do the same thing as my favorite players.

I didn’t ask him what it was about. It didn’t occur to me to do so. That’s his thing.

23:40

Room 237

Here’s a shocker: We Lost the Sea was AWESOME!

Mark’s guitar crapped out on him during “Towers,” which is the tune he’s been teaching me. But I picked up quite a bit from Matt, which was helpful. Watching these guys was like going to school.

They did what I hoped. They focused on the new album. Hearing that beautiful music from just ten feet away remains indescribable. Let’s just say it might take me a while to come down from this high.

I’ll chat this experience up in a separate piece. For now, I’ll just say it was worth the trip. When it comes to concert experiences, I may have peaked.

I can live with that.

11:43

Indianapolis Transit Station

Son of a bitch!

My worst nightmare is about to come true.

My trip home will be on a Greyhound bus instead of the Flixbus I thought I was getting. That’s my reward for not paying strict attention to my damn ticket.

The temptation to exists to buy a ticket for a real Flixbus. I’m weighing my options.

Fuck it. I’ll roll the dice.

I had a terrible experience taking a Greyhound from Washington, D.C. to St. Louis. Twenty-two hours of skeeziness on multiple levels. I swore then and there that I wouldn’t never put myself in that position again.

Yet here we are.

I suppose it’s possible that there have been improvements over the nearly forty years since my last ride. But I’m not holding my breath.

13:18

Flixbus Bus Stop

Greyhound strikes again.

As I sat patiently waiting for my bus (and enjoying the drum talents of Allison Miller), I’m informed by text that my ride is running SIX HOURS behind schedule!

No. Fucking. Way.

Mercifully, I found a real Flixbus ready to leave an hour after my original ride. I had to change bus stations to a stop a few miles away. My first Uber driver couldn’t find me. Luckily, the second one did. He got me to the bus with 15 minutes to spare.

He’s getting a good tip.

15:49

Interstate 90 (I think)

Tell me you’re from Chicago without telling me you’re from Chicago.

Well …

I can only assume we’re close to home, as this tends to happen when you get close to Chicago.

I guess I’m used to it now. I looked out the windshield and shrugged. No sense in getting worked up.

Oh! That Greyhound bus that was running six hours late? Canceled. I would definitely have gotten worked up had I hung around all afternoon for that!

Listening to my first hubris album and digging it. Post-rock has a formula and we all know it. “Quiet. Gradually louder. Louder. Loudest. Suddenly quiet again.” Or variations of the same. The question is, do you have what it takes to make the formula work? ‘

It would appear that hubris does.

16:08

So much pain from my tailbone. There’s a real number being done on those nerves. Discomfort doesn’t begin to describe it!

But I’m practically home. The skyline is always a welcome sight!

Now, to conquer is traffic.

My bus went right past my CTA Red Line stop. I wanted to ask the driver to let me off so I could take the CTA from that station. I’d be in my home by now. And seriously medicating myself.

16:32

The Bus Station, Chicago

Back in town at last. Waiting for my ride. Injury issues aside, I’m calling this a good trip.

17:15

The Sonic Sanctuary

Home.

#cirdecsongs

If you would like to have your music reviewed anytime or have your band photographed while in Chicago (USA), please contact me at cirdecsongs@gmail.com