Friday, March 27, 2009
Nashville
I'll tell you about Nashville soon... I'm tired of typing now, and my laptop battery is almost dead :)
Memphis
After a long drive we arrived in Memphis. (We didn't stop in Arkansas, we didn't see anything that looked like it would be interesting along the way).
There are a lot of neon lights on Beale. It's like a little mini-Vegas without the gambling. The close off the streets from vehicles and let people drink in the street.
We saw lots of tacky gift shops and stopped into a few bars to watch some bands play on Beale.
The Rock & Soul Museum was interesting. It's a self-guided audio tour.
I also liked the Gibson factory tour. I may be biased because I am partial towards Gibson guitars.
The Sun Studio tour was great. The tour guides really seem to enjoy giving the tour and sharing the history, which made the tour fun.
Graceland was a little odd, and seemed to be much more expensive than the other tours we went on.
The Stax Museum of American Soul was also interesting.
I have photos that I'll post soon too probably.
There are a lot of neon lights on Beale. It's like a little mini-Vegas without the gambling. The close off the streets from vehicles and let people drink in the street.
We saw lots of tacky gift shops and stopped into a few bars to watch some bands play on Beale.
The Rock & Soul Museum was interesting. It's a self-guided audio tour.
I also liked the Gibson factory tour. I may be biased because I am partial towards Gibson guitars.
The Sun Studio tour was great. The tour guides really seem to enjoy giving the tour and sharing the history, which made the tour fun.
Graceland was a little odd, and seemed to be much more expensive than the other tours we went on.
The Stax Museum of American Soul was also interesting.
I have photos that I'll post soon too probably.
Belle Plain
After leaving Austin we took a small detour (about 4 hours) out of our way to a ghost town in Texas called Belle Plain or (Belle Plaine). We heard this was a good photo opportunity. We did get a few good shots, but we couldn't get too close to the buildings due to a barb wire fence and locked gate (and a strong desire to not end up in a Texan prison). Photos to be posted soon.
It also gave us the chance to stop at a gas station called something like The Fillin' Station. Unfortunately all of their pumps except diesel were out of order (fortunately we still had about a half tank so it wasn't really an issue). We got to talking to the clerk in the store while there, and she asked where we were from and what kind of crazy road trip we were on. So we explained that we were from Canada and where we were going (and had been). She was absolutely amazed by us. She had never met Canadians before. I believe here exact phrase was something like "Wow, y'all don't look strange at all. Y'all look just like the rest of us." Apparently she expected Canadians to look distinctly different from other people, since we live so far north... It was an adventure....
It also gave us the chance to stop at a gas station called something like The Fillin' Station. Unfortunately all of their pumps except diesel were out of order (fortunately we still had about a half tank so it wasn't really an issue). We got to talking to the clerk in the store while there, and she asked where we were from and what kind of crazy road trip we were on. So we explained that we were from Canada and where we were going (and had been). She was absolutely amazed by us. She had never met Canadians before. I believe here exact phrase was something like "Wow, y'all don't look strange at all. Y'all look just like the rest of us." Apparently she expected Canadians to look distinctly different from other people, since we live so far north... It was an adventure....
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Day 4
The Spinto Band - Quieter, Dancy, Jazzy. We'd heard, but not seen, them before, they were good.
Disappears - Rock music. All I remember about them was that they were loud.
Casiokids - Great. High energy poppy dance rock band from Norway. They made us tired just watching them dance around stage.
Echo and The Bunnymen - They were good. They played a lot of their old stuff (which Justin knew but I'm not sure that I've ever heard them before.) They played on the stage that was being brodcast on DirectTV, so it was a flashier show than most.
Delicious - (We aren't 100% sure this was the band that we saw, there was a different schedule posted at the venue when we got there, compared to the one in our guides.) They were an avant/experimental string/piano band.
Hot Panda - Canadian rock band. We've seen them before at the Grist Mill in Waterloo. They were good. Slightly heavier sounding than the first time we saw them.
The Tender Box - Rock band, they were good. We caught the end of their set before Wintersleep started.
Wintersleep - They were another great Canadian band. I only knew one of their songs, but I enjoyed them all. (They sing Weighty Ghost, which has been popular on the radio in the past).
The Morning After Girls - Also good. I don't remember anything distinctive to mention, but I enjoyed them. We mostly saw them because we wanted to see Perry Farrell and they were the act before; we were worried about not being able to get in so we went early.
Perry Farrell - (Lead singer of Jane's Addiction) This was different than we expected... Jane's Addiction had been in the city, as they played a party the other night (we weren't lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time to get wrist bands to get into the party, but we've heard that it was awesome.) This wasn't Jane's Addiction. He's gone all dance/techno as a solo act. It was quite strange to see. He looked a little out of place. And the dance remixes of the JA songs were a little odd, but it was interesting to see none-the-less.
Disappears - Rock music. All I remember about them was that they were loud.
Casiokids - Great. High energy poppy dance rock band from Norway. They made us tired just watching them dance around stage.
Echo and The Bunnymen - They were good. They played a lot of their old stuff (which Justin knew but I'm not sure that I've ever heard them before.) They played on the stage that was being brodcast on DirectTV, so it was a flashier show than most.
Delicious - (We aren't 100% sure this was the band that we saw, there was a different schedule posted at the venue when we got there, compared to the one in our guides.) They were an avant/experimental string/piano band.
Hot Panda - Canadian rock band. We've seen them before at the Grist Mill in Waterloo. They were good. Slightly heavier sounding than the first time we saw them.
The Tender Box - Rock band, they were good. We caught the end of their set before Wintersleep started.
Wintersleep - They were another great Canadian band. I only knew one of their songs, but I enjoyed them all. (They sing Weighty Ghost, which has been popular on the radio in the past).
The Morning After Girls - Also good. I don't remember anything distinctive to mention, but I enjoyed them. We mostly saw them because we wanted to see Perry Farrell and they were the act before; we were worried about not being able to get in so we went early.
Perry Farrell - (Lead singer of Jane's Addiction) This was different than we expected... Jane's Addiction had been in the city, as they played a party the other night (we weren't lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time to get wrist bands to get into the party, but we've heard that it was awesome.) This wasn't Jane's Addiction. He's gone all dance/techno as a solo act. It was quite strange to see. He looked a little out of place. And the dance remixes of the JA songs were a little odd, but it was interesting to see none-the-less.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Day 3
Juliette & The New Romantiques - They were good. The show had more lighting and stuff than most because it was being broadcast on DirectTV.
Josh Pyke - Saw him at the Aussie BBQ. We only caught a couple of his songs, but I enjoyed him and I think I'll check out his stuff.
Barcelona - We caught the end of their set after we ate dinner, as they were playing at the same venue as Alberta Cross. They were pretty good.
Alberta Cross - I thought they were more "rock" than other bands weve been seeing, who fit into other areas of rock (like punk rock). I liked them too, and will probably check out more of their stuff when I get home. Their from New York (not Alberta).
Funeral Party - High energy, and good at what they do. We both enjoyed this band too.
Mirah - She was enjoyable. She probably would have done better in a smaller venue where people were more focused on the band. There was a lot of chatter in the crowd that distracted from the show.
New York Dolls - Amazing. They are awesome. They've been around for a long time but they still look and sound like they belong on stage.
Josh Pyke - Saw him at the Aussie BBQ. We only caught a couple of his songs, but I enjoyed him and I think I'll check out his stuff.
Barcelona - We caught the end of their set after we ate dinner, as they were playing at the same venue as Alberta Cross. They were pretty good.
Alberta Cross - I thought they were more "rock" than other bands weve been seeing, who fit into other areas of rock (like punk rock). I liked them too, and will probably check out more of their stuff when I get home. Their from New York (not Alberta).
Funeral Party - High energy, and good at what they do. We both enjoyed this band too.
Mirah - She was enjoyable. She probably would have done better in a smaller venue where people were more focused on the band. There was a lot of chatter in the crowd that distracted from the show.
New York Dolls - Amazing. They are awesome. They've been around for a long time but they still look and sound like they belong on stage.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Day 2
Bands We Saw Today:
Jenn Grant - She was good, but I don't remember anything distinctive about her.
Haley Bonar - She was good, but I don't remember anything distinctive about her either.
Elliot Brood - Another Canadian. I really enjoyed their stuff.
Justin Townes Earle - Fairly traditional country. I thought he was good.
Peter Murphy - Totally super awesome :) The finale of a cover of Joy Division's Transmission was so good that I can't really think of words to describe it at this point in the evening (or morning as it technically is).
The Blue Aeroplanes - Older punk band. Not bad.
Meat Puppets - I think Justin used the word "Wow" to describe the show, he can correct me if I'm wrong.
Wild Light - Pop Rock type stuff, a little electronic. Pretty good.
Cut Off Your Hands - Punk. Quite good. They had good showmanship and put on a lively show.
Passion Pit - Elecronic pop rock. Enjoyed them.
Peter Bjorn and John - We managed to make it to their show tonight. Excellent. It was much less packed at this venue, and they put on an excellent show.
We also sat in on a panel discussion with Devo in the afternoon, which was entertaining. I think we are going to try to catch their show tomorrow night.
Jenn Grant - She was good, but I don't remember anything distinctive about her.
Haley Bonar - She was good, but I don't remember anything distinctive about her either.
Elliot Brood - Another Canadian. I really enjoyed their stuff.
Justin Townes Earle - Fairly traditional country. I thought he was good.
Peter Murphy - Totally super awesome :) The finale of a cover of Joy Division's Transmission was so good that I can't really think of words to describe it at this point in the evening (or morning as it technically is).
The Blue Aeroplanes - Older punk band. Not bad.
Meat Puppets - I think Justin used the word "Wow" to describe the show, he can correct me if I'm wrong.
Wild Light - Pop Rock type stuff, a little electronic. Pretty good.
Cut Off Your Hands - Punk. Quite good. They had good showmanship and put on a lively show.
Passion Pit - Elecronic pop rock. Enjoyed them.
Peter Bjorn and John - We managed to make it to their show tonight. Excellent. It was much less packed at this venue, and they put on an excellent show.
We also sat in on a panel discussion with Devo in the afternoon, which was entertaining. I think we are going to try to catch their show tomorrow night.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Day 1
Bands we saw today:
Hyperpotamus - interesting band from Spain. He did everything with his voice and a loop box (and maybe a drum machine for parts).
The Golden Filter - I don't remember much about this group, but they were good.
Arkells - Same here, we only caught the end of their set, but they were good too.
Mother Mother - I liked this band. We saw them at the Canada Blast BBQ (it was broadcast live on CBC Radio 3 as well).
Nico Vega - Good too. California band.
Other Lives - More mellow than the other bands we saw today. They had a cello and were from Oklahoma.
Shoot Out Out Out Out - Liked this band. They were at the Canadian BBQ as well. If you get a chance to see them you should (they come to Waterloo sometimes).
Jucifer - I didn't really like them, but Justin seemed to. Death metal I think.
Starfucker - We both really liked this band. The best word we could come up with to describe them was "adorable". They came out dressed in headbands and glasses, which were mostly shed by the end of the set. They had a poppy, dancy, kind of rock sound.
Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer - This band was playing in the "Girls Rock" area. We thought they were excellent as well.
We tried to see Peter Bjorn and John after this, but I started to feel quite ill (I think mild heat stroke) and we ended up calling it a night at this point.
Hyperpotamus - interesting band from Spain. He did everything with his voice and a loop box (and maybe a drum machine for parts).
The Golden Filter - I don't remember much about this group, but they were good.
Arkells - Same here, we only caught the end of their set, but they were good too.
Mother Mother - I liked this band. We saw them at the Canada Blast BBQ (it was broadcast live on CBC Radio 3 as well).
Nico Vega - Good too. California band.
Other Lives - More mellow than the other bands we saw today. They had a cello and were from Oklahoma.
Shoot Out Out Out Out - Liked this band. They were at the Canadian BBQ as well. If you get a chance to see them you should (they come to Waterloo sometimes).
Jucifer - I didn't really like them, but Justin seemed to. Death metal I think.
Starfucker - We both really liked this band. The best word we could come up with to describe them was "adorable". They came out dressed in headbands and glasses, which were mostly shed by the end of the set. They had a poppy, dancy, kind of rock sound.
Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer - This band was playing in the "Girls Rock" area. We thought they were excellent as well.
We tried to see Peter Bjorn and John after this, but I started to feel quite ill (I think mild heat stroke) and we ended up calling it a night at this point.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Oh so tired.
Yesterday morning we went to the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. We had lunch at a local brewery in Mobile, Alabama (I think it was called The Hurricane). The hamburger I had was really good (and I don't generally like hamburgers), so if you happen to be visiting Mobile, I'd recommend stopping in there (Justin said the beer was good too). We spent last night in New Orleans (there may be photos to follow, but they are on Justin's camera currently, so I'll post them later). We drank in the streets, saw a few live bands, and generally had a good time.
We reached Austin today, which is our main destination (for the SXSW music festival). Louisiana has a lot of bridges (really long ones, the road is pretty much just a long bridge for much of the trip through the state). Tonight we ate at a fondue restaurant (The Melting Pot). It was quite tasty. I particularly enjoyed the cheese and the chocolate courses. Well, I think I've rambled enough for today, and I'm feeling rather exhausted from all the traveling and touristing, so this is all I have to say for now :) This week should be fun, lots of bands to see and hear.
We reached Austin today, which is our main destination (for the SXSW music festival). Louisiana has a lot of bridges (really long ones, the road is pretty much just a long bridge for much of the trip through the state). Tonight we ate at a fondue restaurant (The Melting Pot). It was quite tasty. I particularly enjoyed the cheese and the chocolate courses. Well, I think I've rambled enough for today, and I'm feeling rather exhausted from all the traveling and touristing, so this is all I have to say for now :) This week should be fun, lots of bands to see and hear.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Mammoth Cave
Today we stopped in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. We did one of the less strenuous cave tours, and managed to get a few decent photos. It's fairly difficult to get a good photo due to the lack of light, and the necessity of a flash in most areas. See flickr for more photos from the trip. I'd recommend anyone who has the opportunity and likes this sort of thing to go and check out the caves, they are pretty neat. Apparently it's the longest known cave in the world.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
More Updates to come...
I left my camera in the car, forgetting that I wanted to upload photos from our adventures so far... so I'll tell you about them when I get a chance to copy the photos off the camera...
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Discover Ohio
We've made it as far as Ohio...
The photo was actually taken in Ontario... I liked the grittiness of the iPhone picture at night.
The photo was actually taken in Ontario... I liked the grittiness of the iPhone picture at night.
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