The Cosmopolitan Hotel

Amanda’s Top Ten Musical Experiences (The Finale!)

Posted on by Amanda

It’s long overdue but at last I’m bringing this thing to a close. Without further ado, my top 2.

 

2. The Silent Comedy/Saint Motel/Tranfer

I realize this is like cheating by having 3 bands listed without a discernable event that brings the three together. Well, the fact of the matter is, The Silent Comedy is at the center of this love triangle and if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t include the others. This past summer The Silent Comedy embarked on their Summer Sweat Tour with Saint Motel which had numerous highlights from a show at the Casbah to playing LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) which culminated in a residency at The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Vegas. Vegas with the boys was a highlight for me because it was like a mini sin filled vacation surrounded by (almost) everyone you know and love. It was lovely. On the flip side, Transfer and The Silent Comedy are like two peas who have outgrown their pod. I first knew of Transfer because of The Silent Comedy and I know people who are vice versa. Transfer and The Silent Comedy have put on some epic shows this year but perhaps the mist epic of all was New Years Eve at the Lafayette Hotel here in San Diego. It was almost like Vegas but had way more bands and more friendly faces. It was definitely the best New Years Eve experience I’ve ever had! As a side note, I’ve had some wonderful video experiences with The Silent Comedy this year from shooting video of them to being in a video with them. Many cherished memories.

 

1. William Beckett

I’m not really sure to begin my story of my love for William Beckett. It’s a love I’m not entirely proud of, mostly because his fans are either teenagers/early twenty somethings or those crazy moms that like bands who go to rock shows and embarrass their kids. Nevertheless, my love for this particular artist came from a random chance discovery of his (now broken up) band The Academy Is… I’m not sure if it was a music or the lyrics that caught me first but the thing I have loved and always admired about William was his writing. I was hoping to go see The Academy Is… a few times on their tour this year when news broke that they had parted ways. I was devastated. My first band love had broken up and though I had been to many of their shows, I felt I could have done more. After all, Kristen and I galavanted around the east coast last year to see them, surely there was more I could have done. But then, magic happened. William announced he was coming to LA to open for the sold out Dear Jack benefit on 11/11/11. I immediately got on Craigslist and found a ticket. What a magical show it was! Between Mr. Beckett playing acoustic (which I had never seen) he played rare TAI songs, covers, and even a few of his new solo tunes. I was in heaven! What made the night even better was getting my favorite lyrics from The Phrase that Pays written down by his hand on a piece of paper. My life was complete!! Only, not quite. William announced he was playing a holiday show in Chicago and I knew I couldn’t miss it. I flew out to Chicago and was there for 3 days and 2 nights to catch this acoustic holiday show which featured, Jennifer Hall, Bonaventure, Into It. Over It., and William Beckett. It was a wonderful adventure where I got to meet other fans, chat with William about a mutual love for Nashville, and just enjoy life. It was whimsical and it’s why he is my number 1 for 2011.

 

Vegas, Baby!

Posted on by Amanda

It was at this time just a week ago that I was still driving back from Las Vegas. No, I wasn’t there for Evo2k11, the giant gaming tournament. Nor was I there to gamble. But, I was there to see a show. If you haven’t guessed already, I was there for the 4 day residency of The Silent Comedy and Saint Motel at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.

The great thing about Vegas is that it is a mere 5-6 hours away from cozy little San Diego. I was itching for a vacation and what better way to have one than to spend it seeing a band you love? My friend Beau and I made the drive out there to the Monte Carlo where we were staying on Wednesday while my other friends would be joining me late the next day. While I’m not going to detail out every day and every show (really, who wants to read all that?) I will tell you what an amazing time it was.

First off, nothing compares to seeing a band you love playing an unfamiliar stage and watching new admirers form. However, that level of rad is magnified when you are surrounded by friends that you never see enough of. It was magical. It was as if we all made a pilgrimage to Vegas so we would convene at one hotel, for one purpose. Some familiar faces were missing from the fold so we took it upon ourselves to be rowdier in their absence. But by Friday, anyone who was coming out was in attendance and it made everything so special.

The bar itself was an interesting place to be. The Book and Stage Bar was more bar than stage. Don’t get me wrong, there was ample stage space for the bands to utilize but not much any fan could stand in front of. Granted, this was more of a lounge anyway but more than half the stage is covered by the bar. There was a nice little nook off to the side but I think most of us preferred standing in the way of the bar staff because it had the best view. I know this because they sectioned off an area for people to stand the following day. But don’t take my word for it, this is a picture of the bar with San Diego’s own Nervous Wreckords.

 

But I digress…

Music wise, each night was special and unique. Saint Motel and The Silent Comedy would rotate set times. One night, Saint Motel would close out the show and the next, it would be The Silent Comedy. Saint Motel had their usual video production going with their set and I could feel their energy increase with each show they played. Not one to be predictable, The Silent Comedy switched up their set every night! The first night, I made it in time to catch part of Daisy which they rarely play these days. Every night was an eclectic mix of new and old tunes from “Lyin'” and “Victory” to “Gasoline” and “Moonshine.” And not being one to waste space, Josh Z. would walk onto the space behind the bar and be silhouetted amongst the many bottles it held. It definitely made each night special and unique. I suppose the best night show wise was the final one on Saturday. Saint Motel had a rowdy crowd there cheering for them and it was no different for The Silent Comedy who busted out “Beware” amongst the rowdy uplifting tunes. The kicker was during “Road Song” where Joe got on stage, grabbed a tambourine and danced off the stage, leading a pack through the bar and out to the casino area where we proceeded to get crazy. Needless to say, we had some sideways glances from onlookers who didn’t know what to make of it, but no one cared. We were dancing our hearts out as if possessed ourselves. I should also note, were as sweaty as the band after all that dancing. I distinctly remember seeing nothing but smiles from everyone after that.

Each night after the show, there was adventuring of sorts. One night we ended up in the Downtown area of Vegas to find all the fun bars closed. So, we ended up at a place called Insert Coins which is essentially a gaming bar that plays 80’s music. Another night involved a strip club. Don’t ask me the details on that because I won’t tell you. Ha! Another night ended in a quiet peace with everyone going separate ways after a walk over to Caesar’s Palace in an attempt to get into Pure. The last and final night, a dance party ensued at another bar in the hotel. It didn’t really matter what we ended up doing though because there was always excellent company involved. It wasn’t really what we were doing, it was who we were doing it with. From poolside hangouts to yummy pizza from a hidden place on the third floor at 3:30 am, everything seemed just so perfect.

I guess that’s the beauty of Vegas. Everything seems so shiny and perfect but like all good things, it eventually came to an end. I know both bands gained new fans from the experience as I overheard people asking “who is that playing on stage?” Friends and fans alike enjoyed a musical vacation of sorts and bonds were deepened and new friendships forged. It’s an experience I will not be forgetting anytime soon.

While I don’t have anything to post from Vegas apart from my words, I think I’ll leave you with a new song and a classic…