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One week ago I got to cross a biggie on my mental checklist: MEET MARK KANO AND HEAR HIM PERFORM IN PERSON.
Ok, technically those could be two different things, but really, I've been able to meet everyone I've seen perform, so we'll count it as one.
The Venue: The Corner is this community space on the NC State campus. It's a pretty cool setup, but not the most accessible. There is an incline to get into the place, and it's all grass and such, so footing can be sketchy. A couple of the shipping containers have seating in them for dining, and That Station had probably 50ish folding chairs set up, while others brought camp chairs.
Mark and Mike at soundcheck, via Facebook
I've seen Mike a couple times before, and while I didn't tell him I was coming, as soon as he saw me across the grounds, he recognized me and brought Mark over to meet me. if that isn't an ego boost, I don't know what is! I'm sure it helped that I had on my bright green Dunleath Porchfest tee. We said hello, and Mike introduced me to Mark, and gave him the quick-and-dirty on my road-tripping and when/where we met. Mark was suitably impressed, and then immediately apologized for his voice - he'd been sick that week, and was struggling with some of the notes. They were, in fact, adjusting their set list to accommodate Mark's limitations, and he hoped I wouldn't be too disappointed.
The program was called Artist Notes, and they get the artists to play music and talk about their careers. They opened with Flat Tire, one of Atheneaum's hits, and played a nice mix of band and solo stuff while they talked about how they met (Mike was at the show where Mark and Nic Brown crashed John Gillespie's set), the differences between having a major record label and releasing stuff independently, what advice they'd give their kids, and what the future has in store.
It was about an hour total, and when they were done, Mark turned to Mike and said "I think we've got a couple more in us, what would you like to hear?" and the request-fest began. They played Comfort, Haircut, and the Collapsis song Wonderland, which I didn't recognize because I haven't really listened to that particular album.
After the show, I meandered my way up to the stage, and first talked to the DJ. I suspect he'd have talked to me more, but he was also chasing his 3yr old. Got to spend some time talking to Mike, and when I mentioned gifting someone the Collected Stories of Amy Hempel, his face lit up. He's got a copy of Tumble Home on his desk at work. so we talked a bunch about her and books in general, and it was so cool to make that sort of connection. I eventually got to say goodbye to Mark, who gave me a quick hug and thanked me for making the trek. As we started heading to our cars, I mentioned that John Gillespie speaks highly of him, and Mark, in turn, started raving about what a fantastic songwriter and human that John is, and NC Musicians' Lovefest added another chapter.
I didn't get pictures with either of the guys, and that's OK. It's really not my vibe, to get selfies and autographs and such. I'd much prefer chatting and nerding out over whatever it is we have in common, and make that personal connection. I got a couple pics of them from afar, took video of some of the songs. that, and the memories, are all I really need.
Ok, technically those could be two different things, but really, I've been able to meet everyone I've seen perform, so we'll count it as one.
The Venue: The Corner is this community space on the NC State campus. It's a pretty cool setup, but not the most accessible. There is an incline to get into the place, and it's all grass and such, so footing can be sketchy. A couple of the shipping containers have seating in them for dining, and That Station had probably 50ish folding chairs set up, while others brought camp chairs.
Mark and Mike at soundcheck, via Facebook
I've seen Mike a couple times before, and while I didn't tell him I was coming, as soon as he saw me across the grounds, he recognized me and brought Mark over to meet me. if that isn't an ego boost, I don't know what is! I'm sure it helped that I had on my bright green Dunleath Porchfest tee. We said hello, and Mike introduced me to Mark, and gave him the quick-and-dirty on my road-tripping and when/where we met. Mark was suitably impressed, and then immediately apologized for his voice - he'd been sick that week, and was struggling with some of the notes. They were, in fact, adjusting their set list to accommodate Mark's limitations, and he hoped I wouldn't be too disappointed.
The program was called Artist Notes, and they get the artists to play music and talk about their careers. They opened with Flat Tire, one of Atheneaum's hits, and played a nice mix of band and solo stuff while they talked about how they met (Mike was at the show where Mark and Nic Brown crashed John Gillespie's set), the differences between having a major record label and releasing stuff independently, what advice they'd give their kids, and what the future has in store.
It was about an hour total, and when they were done, Mark turned to Mike and said "I think we've got a couple more in us, what would you like to hear?" and the request-fest began. They played Comfort, Haircut, and the Collapsis song Wonderland, which I didn't recognize because I haven't really listened to that particular album.
After the show, I meandered my way up to the stage, and first talked to the DJ. I suspect he'd have talked to me more, but he was also chasing his 3yr old. Got to spend some time talking to Mike, and when I mentioned gifting someone the Collected Stories of Amy Hempel, his face lit up. He's got a copy of Tumble Home on his desk at work. so we talked a bunch about her and books in general, and it was so cool to make that sort of connection. I eventually got to say goodbye to Mark, who gave me a quick hug and thanked me for making the trek. As we started heading to our cars, I mentioned that John Gillespie speaks highly of him, and Mark, in turn, started raving about what a fantastic songwriter and human that John is, and NC Musicians' Lovefest added another chapter.
I didn't get pictures with either of the guys, and that's OK. It's really not my vibe, to get selfies and autographs and such. I'd much prefer chatting and nerding out over whatever it is we have in common, and make that personal connection. I got a couple pics of them from afar, took video of some of the songs. that, and the memories, are all I really need.
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