The Relevance of Tea Leaf Green

The Relevance of Tea Leaf Green




In a slap of ironic realization, it struck me that seeing Tea Leaf Green on Saturday will mark 5 years since our introduction at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo, New York. (My 5th year college reunion is this weekend as well.)



In many ways meeting Tea Leaf Green that night changed my life. They are and will always be the band that opened the door into live rock and roll for me. I was 21 and about a month away from graduating from college. I remember it was about a month, because it was the band’s tour closer and they were flying back to San Francisco and left me with enough weed and keef to coast me through until the final walk. I was very in demand that last month of school, ill never forget…because the shit TLG left me with was better than anything we had ever smoked on campus, and everyone wanted a taste.



People have asked me over the years to tell them this story, and I’ve never really gotten too into it, but for the sake of nostalgia here you go, this is how my rock ‘ roll adventure started.



I remember waking up at the hotel right as the sun was starting to rise to find the band running around like crazy, throwing stuff all over the room to make sure they weren’t leaving anything behind. There were a bunch of people crashed out that night, but it seemed that my friend Kate and I were the only two that actually managed to rage through the night and not find our own hotel room. I remember leaving the hotel and squinting up at the sun and thinking “what the fuck just happened last night?” Looking back now, I know what happened; it was almost an initiation of sorts into a lifestyle that once you are in, you never turn back.



Many firsts would happen over the next two years. The first time I fell in love, traveling to new places, developing a rather nasty drug dependency, terrible heartbreak, the loss of what had come to be a family, and my naiveté and any ounce of innocence I may have had left in me. All of these things, I blame no one for but myself.



When I jumped on the bus Tea Leaf Green was killing it, they were headlining and late-nighting at major music festivals throughout the country and selling out 3 night stays in New York City at Irving Plaza and Blender Gramercy. At this point the band had been together for about 10 years and everything seemed to be going as planned for them. They were playing their asses off and enjoying it. It was really a beautiful thing to be part of, watching this crew of 6 guys bask in their greatest desires. Then bassist Ben C. left the group, taking a pretty solid and beloved chunk on the Tea Leaf Green catalogue with him.



Things after that just weren’t the same for a while, it seemed as though the band struggled to recapture that fire they had within them. No matter how hard they tried, something was seriously missing. It was evident that Ben C. leaving the group affected much more than just the music.



In general emotions were high, and any level of comfort that was once felt was shot to shit. It was around this time that my relationship fizzled, and the many attempts at friendship were just too toxic. The animosity was too intense; I had fallen in love for the first time with many things, and was left on the curb alone, literally; on 23rd and 3rd.

I was devastated. I had spent 2 years with these guys and just like that it was over. Nasty things were said on my part because I was young and stupid. Instead of seeing all of the wonderful opportunities Tea Leaf Green gave me, I was stuck in the negative; where I would stay for another year medicating myself in my shithole apartment in east butt-fuck Queens.



Luckily for me, right before I hit rock bottom, I made a new friend who inspired me to turn it around.



So, the point of this story is growth. I had no clue that when I walked into The Town Ballroom that night that my life was about to go in a totally new direction. The band has gone through similar ups and downs; such is life. But the most inspiring part of this story is the ability to overcome.



Despite my self-separation from TLG, I have always kept up with their music. When the last album, Raise Up The Tent, was released I still had that feeling of “what is going on with these guys?” It left a lot to be desired in my opinion, especially after seeing the guys play over 100 times within such a short period of time. I just knew they were better than that.



Their latest album, Radio Tragedy!, reminds me of that fire that I used to watch so many years ago. Reed Mathis has since joined “Guitar Institute of Technology” grad Josh Clark, Trevor Garrod and Scotty Rager on stage. Another sweet edition is a second drummer by the name of Cochrane McMillian, which seems to have added some serious depth to their unique sound. Seriously, the song Easy To Be Your Lover has found its way into my daily rotation of jams, which is a first since Jezebel was my regular favorite in 2009.



Welcome back Tea Leaf Green, it’s been awhile…but I am really looking forward to this show in Baltimore at the 8x10 on Saturday.

check out some of the album, Radio Tragedy!, here: http://tealeafgreen.com/album/radio-tragedy
also on sale now.

TURBINE BPC NYC 8/15/08

GATHERING OF THE VIBES 2008 w/ TURBINE

GOTV REVIEWS and STORIES> 4 days 1 review Current mood: high Category: Music Directions for this blog: I will be providing music for you to listen to or videos to peak at while you read my stories...so you can really get a feel for what I did and what I heard...if you so please. So click first then read below. listen and read archive: TURBINE http://www.archive.org/details/turbine2008-08-01.zoomh4flac16 Ok. so we will begin at beginning, how uncanny. THURSDAY: After pulling into Stratford, Ct late Thursday night to a fabulous chicken parmesan meal waiting, Turbine stuffed face and cruised down to Gathering of the Vibes at beautiful Seaside Park in Bridgeport, Ct. There are not many festival venues that offer you land and sea, and I must say that I have enjoyed this venue both years I have attended. We walked into the festival after checking in at the Artists' Tent and proceeded to the main stageS. This year GOTV had TWO grand stages connected to each other. In my opinion, this thrust Gathering from one level to another. The size of the stages made the festival seem so grandious but kept the solid Vibes they strive for. One cannot blame production for this decision with such great festivals all over the country this summer, they had to hang...and hang they did. We drank some beers and mingled around while Dark Star Orchestra played to thousands of fans around us. We decided to make it a relatively early night considering the band had the noon spot on Friday. FRIDAY: Turbine rose early to the sweet smells of French Toast being made, as our host said "can't play music, dance, and drink whiskey on an empty stomach." I just thought to myself "man, he doesn't know me very well..." Never the less, the sweet French Toast started off the perfect day as we all got together and faced the future. The band drove in their van, I followed with a friend in my car (which will be important later in the story) and we entered through the Artist Gate to the Solar Stage, a smaller side stage where most young bands play. The stage was amazing for a side stage (one of the largest I've ever seen), when we saw it, it was clear that GOTV was taking this year's festival up in ranks. Turbine loaded in for the first set of the weekend on the Solar Stage. Sound check dwindled, the crowd filed in and beers began to fill my belly, as I was nervous and excited and figured "welp, when theres a free flowing keg..." Finally, it was noon and the set began without a hitch into a banging version of Eddy the Sea which seemed to really interest the passers-by. Hendrix cover Power of Soul followed, New Age of Sun (Carefully Careless' pick of the show), then crowd pleasure Desert Rose into Seven Years of Bad Luck (which I remember being incredibly intense) into super-sexy Doin' To Me followed by total upper Columbus Day. Right around Doin' To Me I began handing out recoreded shows from Turbine's residency at the Donegal Saloon in Kearny, NJ. I had 200 bootlegs, they were all gone, the crowd was feigning for the discs and I clearly did not have enough to go around. The show ended and there was nothing better to do than celebrate, our official Gathering of the Vibes commitments were over. Turbine was high and it was decided that they must play another show, if not two, before the weekend was over. listen and read archive: American Babies http://www.archive.org/details/ababies2008-08-01.c462b.flac Ok, so then I left and rushed over to American Babies on the second main stage. I had run into the Babies earlier that morning at Artist Check in and naturally asked for Swimming At Night, because I am a maniac for that song and I really dig the Babies. They are good people, nice guys, handsome and talented. They waited until the second to last song (smart boys) to play SAN (I am the WOOHOO during the archive) and they did it with flare. Hammy and Joe seemed to have a blast playing it, and I know I had a blast listening. They also played a killer Blue Skies. I enjoy hearing Joe Russo's harmony combined with Tom Hamilton. It's good shit. Really good. So, in normal fashion, I split after Swimming At Night, to chase back to the crew I was gathering with. We drank some more brewskis and chatted it up with fans and industry types that had taken a notice to Turbine's young talent and then cruised over to our campsite that our friends had prepared. We ate dogs, drank beers and did a little walking around, general bohemian festival living... listen and read archive: The Bridge http://www.archive.org/details/bridge2008-08-01.akg-sbd_matrix All of the sudden I realized my time had lapsed and I had places to be. Old pals from Baltimore were playing the Solar Stage at the break of the evening. So I hopped in a golf cart and made my way to the other side of Seaside Park to catch 3/4ths of their show. Naturally, I was running late...but as I pulled closer to the venue I could hear that the Bridge was killing it. I haven't seen these guys since I lived in Baltimore so it was a real treat, although getting Rosalita would have been nice. Seriously guys... Watch and read archive: Zappa :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IskMMRTNQ_U&feature=related So, I think from here, well it gets a little foggy. I am pretty positive I saw Zappa plays Zappa, lets just say I enjoyed it and ended up putting my feet up in the VIP tent for the majority of the second half of the show, as I was a little...say...out of it. Oh yea, now the night gets fun. By this time I could get in touch with no one. I had lost my cell phone and had really no clue where it was. Then I went out to find my friend in the Zappa crowd after a little sobriety and left my bag in the VIP tent (I left that fucker all over backstage areas all day Friday) but luckily reclaimed it. Watch and read archive: DBB http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYmColAO_4Q I believe I ran into some friends in the tent and stayed for Deep Banana Blackout and in the mean time lost the band. Watch and read archive: Black Crowes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBq0VuGlmkU&feature=related During the Black Crowes I was wandering and found the Turbine crowd partying down. I got so excited I dropped my bag in jubilation and well with the changing of the tides, lost it in the crowd...not to be seen or heard of again until the following Monday. Chris Robinson made me do it. The contents of the bag were as such (so you can understand the inconvenience): Car Keys, Band Merch, Bootlegs, peace pipes, chap stick, Ray Bans, bottle opener, wallet (haha) etc. The crowd lights raged and it was time for us to get over to the Blue Bus that faced the water. Turbine's friends from Donegal Saloon had set up a stage with sound and lights for our use and use it we did. The Gathering of the Vibes Ocean Set took to the Bus stage after the main stage curfew. Turbine started out with loud and out of the gates Roll On into Don't Take Money from Strangers into Set Me Free followed by Blackout (cough) Song. A ripping Seven Years came next which I remember thinking "man, this blows earlier out of the water." Special of the Day split Seven Years amazing the crowd with a gut jam. First timers of Turbine got a jolt when they raged out classic Zeppelin with The Ocean a cult-classic favorite that accompanies salty-sea air perfectly. This sequel into Noise followed by New Age of Sun, Doin' To Me and Bad Mouth Blues. Our Band Transcriber, The Carefully Careless, gets a little hazy here, which doesn't help me considering his setlists are a great asset to my reviews (those who know me best know what I am talking about). Highlights include not falling over the edge onto the rocks lining the ocean. Once the bottle of Jim Beam disappeared and all wits were lost Turbine returned back to shelter in Stratford, where we caught some much needed Zzzzs in preparation of the big day of festival life we had ahead. SATURDAY: Man, it fucking rained all morning Saturday. Which secretly, I wasn't too upset about. I had a hankering hangover that was making a serious mark and waking up at 2:30p.m. was a lovely surprise. There was no music during the morning on Saturday, but eventually the clouds cleared the sun came out and the Billy Kreutzmann Trio started off the afternoon. I relaxed and listened while eating some really killer free food and talking to the Ryan Montebleau crew. Watch and read archive: Mike Gordon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qusg97CLClo Mike Gordon then took the stage breaking down the funky bass beats for an enormous crowd. I had met up earlier with some old friends that I had met at GOTV 2007. We petty much recreated our Saturday from the year before. Sitting in the same place, drinking Kettle One and groovin' with new people. Taj Mahal followed and then Phil Lesh. Watch and read archive: Phil Lesh http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBA2gQQfHcU Scarlet Begonias was definitely a memorable song for me, I remember really enjoying it. Another great surprise was a text from a friend saying I was on iClips...seriously if anyone finds this clip email it to me please. Phil raged for a good solid three plus hours, nothing like the old days, but a decent dose I must say. Initially, Turbine had plans of playing a private loft party in Bridgeport for late night, but we bagged that for another on-site event. We returned to the Blue Bus post Phil and Turbine retaliated. In front of more than 200 guests, Turbine kept the crowd on their feet and bustling. I remember thinking whether its the vibe of Jerry looking down on a new band or the excitement Phil had brought back to fans, people were all about rocking 'til dawn to a band they had never heard before. People came, people left, people passed out and slept, it was all good. Turbine opened with a righteous Invited, Slain and Maritime Rag which segued into funky upbeat Country Pie (Carefully Careless' favorite of the evening) followed by Stand Down, and a solid Reward into a Wonderful Isn't She Lovely with harmonican genius Ryan Rightmire in innerspace. Continuing the show was Behind These Walls, a first timer for the fest and a crowd so large (I remember it being received extremely well). Quicksand by request (CC and I both were beggin' for it) into instrumental O'Dawg Stomp. Turbine slowed it down, thankfully, with Cranberry Creek but brought it right back up with Derrick and the Dominos catchy ditty Got To Get Better In A Little While. There is an annotation that Eddy the Sea was played, no one knows when it was and well, neither do I. After the set was over people were very eager to meet the band, we handed out a lot of information, took a lot of pictures and drank alot of liquor...I imagine...I don't really know. SUNDAY: Ok, so Sunday I went back to GOTV and all reality set in. I had to find my bag, so I could get my keys so I could drive home. Honestly, I didn't think about this chaos all weekend, I was not about to let it bring me down...and it was worth it and I'll tell you why. Right Now. Upon walking into the festival I thought it only proper to go check out Umphrey's McGee since I haven't seen those guys in awhile. It was hot, I was hungover; but still, it was fun. Sunday sets are always hard to relish into... I then came to grips with my responsibilities and decided to ignore them. I borrowed 30 bucks from the band and took the train back to NYC. Leaving my car at Seaside Park until Wednesday when my spare key would arrive. On Wednesday not only did a receive my key in the mail, as planned, but also received an email from a lovely lady who found my bag and UPSed it back to me. I received my bag yesterday and it is clear that someone had a good time running around looking like Mary Poppins. I cannot blame them, I have a good time running around like Mary Poppins too. The bag was intact but my wallet, sunnies and peace pipes are missing...in their place I have a camera and bug spray (two things I never carry)...to the person who borrowed my bag and is still borrowing some of my belongings, thank you for re-losing the bag as it carries monumental memories...but know this, I WILL FIND YOU...mwahahaha All and all pretty frightfully-amazing weekend. SPECIAL THANKS GO TO: Gathering of the Vibes, Ken Hayes and Production, Turbine, Solar Stage, Joe Mango, cool security, Festicab, Kate, the city of Bridgeport for not towing my car, Efrat Cohen, Tina, John Sullo, Rocko, Betsy, The Carefully Careless (twice), NGM, friends, old fans, new fans and GREAT times! Love, Jess

GATHERING OF THE VIBES 2008 w/ TURBINE

GOTV REVIEWS and STORIES> 4 days 1 review Current mood: high Category: Music Directions for this blog: I will be providing music for you to listen to or videos to peak at while you read my stories...so you can really get a feel for what I did and what I heard...if you so please. So click first then read below. listen and read archive: TURBINE http://www.archive.org/details/turbine2008-08-01.zoomh4flac16 Ok. so we will begin at beginning, how uncanny. THURSDAY: After pulling into Stratford, Ct late Thursday night to a fabulous chicken parmesan meal waiting, Turbine stuffed face and cruised down to Gathering of the Vibes at beautiful Seaside Park in Bridgeport, Ct. There are not many festival venues that offer you land and sea, and I must say that I have enjoyed this venue both years I have attended. We walked into the festival after checking in at the Artists' Tent and proceeded to the main stageS. This year GOTV had TWO grand stages connected to each other. In my opinion, this thrust Gathering from one level to another. The size of the stages made the festival seem so grandious but kept the solid Vibes they strive for. One cannot blame production for this decision with such great festivals all over the country this summer, they had to hang...and hang they did. We drank some beers and mingled around while Dark Star Orchestra played to thousands of fans around us. We decided to make it a relatively early night considering the band had the noon spot on Friday. FRIDAY: Turbine rose early to the sweet smells of French Toast being made, as our host said "can't play music, dance, and drink whiskey on an empty stomach." I just thought to myself "man, he doesn't know me very well..." Never the less, the sweet French Toast started off the perfect day as we all got together and faced the future. The band drove in their van, I followed with a friend in my car (which will be important later in the story) and we entered through the Artist Gate to the Solar Stage, a smaller side stage where most young bands play. The stage was amazing for a side stage (one of the largest I've ever seen), when we saw it, it was clear that GOTV was taking this year's festival up in ranks. Turbine loaded in for the first set of the weekend on the Solar Stage. Sound check dwindled, the crowd filed in and beers began to fill my belly, as I was nervous and excited and figured "welp, when theres a free flowing keg..." Finally, it was noon and the set began without a hitch into a banging version of Eddy the Sea which seemed to really interest the passers-by. Hendrix cover Power of Soul followed, New Age of Sun (Carefully Careless' pick of the show), then crowd pleasure Desert Rose into Seven Years of Bad Luck (which I remember being incredibly intense) into super-sexy Doin' To Me followed by total upper Columbus Day. Right around Doin' To Me I began handing out recoreded shows from Turbine's residency at the Donegal Saloon in Kearny, NJ. I had 200 bootlegs, they were all gone, the crowd was feigning for the discs and I clearly did not have enough to go around. The show ended and there was nothing better to do than celebrate, our official Gathering of the Vibes commitments were over. Turbine was high and it was decided that they must play another show, if not two, before the weekend was over. listen and read archive: American Babies http://www.archive.org/details/ababies2008-08-01.c462b.flac Ok, so then I left and rushed over to American Babies on the second main stage. I had run into the Babies earlier that morning at Artist Check in and naturally asked for Swimming At Night, because I am a maniac for that song and I really dig the Babies. They are good people, nice guys, handsome and talented. They waited until the second to last song (smart boys) to play SAN (I am the WOOHOO during the archive) and they did it with flare. Hammy and Joe seemed to have a blast playing it, and I know I had a blast listening. They also played a killer Blue Skies. I enjoy hearing Joe Russo's harmony combined with Tom Hamilton. It's good shit. Really good. So, in normal fashion, I split after Swimming At Night, to chase back to the crew I was gathering with. We drank some more brewskis and chatted it up with fans and industry types that had taken a notice to Turbine's young talent and then cruised over to our campsite that our friends had prepared. We ate dogs, drank beers and did a little walking around, general bohemian festival living... listen and read archive: The Bridge http://www.archive.org/details/bridge2008-08-01.akg-sbd_matrix All of the sudden I realized my time had lapsed and I had places to be. Old pals from Baltimore were playing the Solar Stage at the break of the evening. So I hopped in a golf cart and made my way to the other side of Seaside Park to catch 3/4ths of their show. Naturally, I was running late...but as I pulled closer to the venue I could hear that the Bridge was killing it. I haven't seen these guys since I lived in Baltimore so it was a real treat, although getting Rosalita would have been nice. Seriously guys... Watch and read archive: Zappa :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IskMMRTNQ_U&feature=related So, I think from here, well it gets a little foggy. I am pretty positive I saw Zappa plays Zappa, lets just say I enjoyed it and ended up putting my feet up in the VIP tent for the majority of the second half of the show, as I was a little...say...out of it. Oh yea, now the night gets fun. By this time I could get in touch with no one. I had lost my cell phone and had really no clue where it was. Then I went out to find my friend in the Zappa crowd after a little sobriety and left my bag in the VIP tent (I left that fucker all over backstage areas all day Friday) but luckily reclaimed it. Watch and read archive: DBB http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYmColAO_4Q I believe I ran into some friends in the tent and stayed for Deep Banana Blackout and in the mean time lost the band. Watch and read archive: Black Crowes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBq0VuGlmkU&feature=related During the Black Crowes I was wandering and found the Turbine crowd partying down. I got so excited I dropped my bag in jubilation and well with the changing of the tides, lost it in the crowd...not to be seen or heard of again until the following Monday. Chris Robinson made me do it. The contents of the bag were as such (so you can understand the inconvenience): Car Keys, Band Merch, Bootlegs, peace pipes, chap stick, Ray Bans, bottle opener, wallet (haha) etc. The crowd lights raged and it was time for us to get over to the Blue Bus that faced the water. Turbine's friends from Donegal Saloon had set up a stage with sound and lights for our use and use it we did. The Gathering of the Vibes Ocean Set took to the Bus stage after the main stage curfew. Turbine started out with loud and out of the gates Roll On into Don't Take Money from Strangers into Set Me Free followed by Blackout (cough) Song. A ripping Seven Years came next which I remember thinking "man, this blows earlier out of the water." Special of the Day split Seven Years amazing the crowd with a gut jam. First timers of Turbine got a jolt when they raged out classic Zeppelin with The Ocean a cult-classic favorite that accompanies salty-sea air perfectly. This sequel into Noise followed by New Age of Sun, Doin' To Me and Bad Mouth Blues. Our Band Transcriber, The Carefully Careless, gets a little hazy here, which doesn't help me considering his setlists are a great asset to my reviews (those who know me best know what I am talking about). Highlights include not falling over the edge onto the rocks lining the ocean. Once the bottle of Jim Beam disappeared and all wits were lost Turbine returned back to shelter in Stratford, where we caught some much needed Zzzzs in preparation of the big day of festival life we had ahead. SATURDAY: Man, it fucking rained all morning Saturday. Which secretly, I wasn't too upset about. I had a hankering hangover that was making a serious mark and waking up at 2:30p.m. was a lovely surprise. There was no music during the morning on Saturday, but eventually the clouds cleared the sun came out and the Billy Kreutzmann Trio started off the afternoon. I relaxed and listened while eating some really killer free food and talking to the Ryan Montebleau crew. Watch and read archive: Mike Gordon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qusg97CLClo Mike Gordon then took the stage breaking down the funky bass beats for an enormous crowd. I had met up earlier with some old friends that I had met at GOTV 2007. We petty much recreated our Saturday from the year before. Sitting in the same place, drinking Kettle One and groovin' with new people. Taj Mahal followed and then Phil Lesh. Watch and read archive: Phil Lesh http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBA2gQQfHcU Scarlet Begonias was definitely a memorable song for me, I remember really enjoying it. Another great surprise was a text from a friend saying I was on iClips...seriously if anyone finds this clip email it to me please. Phil raged for a good solid three plus hours, nothing like the old days, but a decent dose I must say. Initially, Turbine had plans of playing a private loft party in Bridgeport for late night, but we bagged that for another on-site event. We returned to the Blue Bus post Phil and Turbine retaliated. In front of more than 200 guests, Turbine kept the crowd on their feet and bustling. I remember thinking whether its the vibe of Jerry looking down on a new band or the excitement Phil had brought back to fans, people were all about rocking 'til dawn to a band they had never heard before. People came, people left, people passed out and slept, it was all good. Turbine opened with a righteous Invited, Slain and Maritime Rag which segued into funky upbeat Country Pie (Carefully Careless' favorite of the evening) followed by Stand Down, and a solid Reward into a Wonderful Isn't She Lovely with harmonican genius Ryan Rightmire in innerspace. Continuing the show was Behind These Walls, a first timer for the fest and a crowd so large (I remember it being received extremely well). Quicksand by request (CC and I both were beggin' for it) into instrumental O'Dawg Stomp. Turbine slowed it down, thankfully, with Cranberry Creek but brought it right back up with Derrick and the Dominos catchy ditty Got To Get Better In A Little While. There is an annotation that Eddy the Sea was played, no one knows when it was and well, neither do I. After the set was over people were very eager to meet the band, we handed out a lot of information, took a lot of pictures and drank alot of liquor...I imagine...I don't really know. SUNDAY: Ok, so Sunday I went back to GOTV and all reality set in. I had to find my bag, so I could get my keys so I could drive home. Honestly, I didn't think about this chaos all weekend, I was not about to let it bring me down...and it was worth it and I'll tell you why. Right Now. Upon walking into the festival I thought it only proper to go check out Umphrey's McGee since I haven't seen those guys in awhile. It was hot, I was hungover; but still, it was fun. Sunday sets are always hard to relish into... I then came to grips with my responsibilities and decided to ignore them. I borrowed 30 bucks from the band and took the train back to NYC. Leaving my car at Seaside Park until Wednesday when my spare key would arrive. On Wednesday not only did a receive my key in the mail, as planned, but also received an email from a lovely lady who found my bag and UPSed it back to me. I received my bag yesterday and it is clear that someone had a good time running around looking like Mary Poppins. I cannot blame them, I have a good time running around like Mary Poppins too. The bag was intact but my wallet, sunnies and peace pipes are missing...in their place I have a camera and bug spray (two things I never carry)...to the person who borrowed my bag and is still borrowing some of my belongings, thank you for re-losing the bag as it carries monumental memories...but know this, I WILL FIND YOU...mwahahaha All and all pretty frightfully-amazing weekend. SPECIAL THANKS GO TO: Gathering of the Vibes, Ken Hayes and Production, Turbine, Solar Stage, Joe Mango, cool security, Festicab, Kate, the city of Bridgeport for not towing my car, Efrat Cohen, Tina, John Sullo, Rocko, Betsy, The Carefully Careless (twice), NGM, friends, old fans, new fans and GREAT times! Love, Jess

WEEN @ McCarren Pool Brooklyn, NY

I cannot really tell you how insanely, intense and awesome this band is. One of the finest old school style rock acts out there today, everything from their vintage stage antics to the lights and sound! LOUD, BRIGHT and TOTALLY POLISHED. 3,000 of my closest friends and some hipsters rolled into the empty McCarren Park Pool this past Friday to see WEEN, I made sure to get there early claim my space... My two pals and I maintained 10th row the whole entire show...it was well worth it. http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2008/07/ween_mccarren_p.html scroll to the middle...

Turbine loves velvet just as much as George Costanza

Turbine Velvet Lounge Review Turbine - Velvet Lounge, Setauket, NY - 7/19/08 Upon entry into this venue I was greeted with the smiling faces of good friends, the delicious drip of whiskey and the opportunity to turn tragedy into triumph. Many new people turned out for this show, making the event even more special. The majority of the crowd were first-timers and had no idea that by evening's end they would be subjected to a new obsession that will become a favorite pass-time. This night could not have started with a better song for many people in the crowd. Turbine started the late set with Got To Get Better in a Little While by Derek and the Dominos. This song was performed incredibly well with lots of heart and soul, making it, for me, a song that will forever help me remember a friend who passed the night before. After a clean ending Turbine sang Invited into a screaming Seven Years of Bad Luck into Set Me Free. First set then ended with a little ditty called Roll On which segued into Don't Take Money From Strangers. I remember thinking at the end of the set that I was really pumped for more. The band was on fire. After a visit to the delightful smoking patio for a round of drinks and some laughs Turbine returned to the stage with a slow beginner in Country Pie. Special of the Day followed and morphed into Quitters Never Win continued by Doin' To Me, one of my personal favorites. Classic Eddy of the Sea carried the second set on preparing fans for a dynamite ending. Behind these Walls was the stand out song of the second set, for me, as it was my first time hearing it and the third time it has ever been played. Walls is still a growing tune that has been on the books for years but is finally making it's way into rotation. Stand Down closed the night musically for all those unlucky enough to know these guys. On a side note, this night was very important to me and I would like to publicly thank Turbine for making everything inside feel better. Special Thanks To: Turbine, The Velvet Lounge, the Turbine Van, the Comfort Inn, Jameson, the pier but not the mosquitoes at the pier, GREAT friends, the fans and as always the music and great times! Love, Jess

Turbine at Stain (Brooklyn, NY)

7/12/08 Initially, the idea of this show was thought to be a classic Turbine show, reminiscent of the time when Turbine was a duo shared between Jeremy Hillard and Ryan Rightmire. This changed as Eric Johnson fulfilled his percussion duties and Justin Kimmel cruised in with his bass. The show was set to start at 10:30 p.m. in Brooklyn, N.Y., just one block from the Grand Street stop off of the hipster clad "L" train but truth be told no hipsters attended, even though I looked like one. Stain, a friendly wine-o bar which is known for their love of art, Sangria carafes and sizeable smoking patio, reminds you of a place where back in the day one would have seen Neil Young grace the small stage for a low key acoustic set. While such performances happen often, Saturday night was an exception; and an exceptional one at that. As I rushed from Union Square to make the show, I was hoping that the duo hadn't begun on time because I would have missed more than an hour of grooving. I was lucky in that they hadn't and I had only missed two-ish songs. While I was totally there for the music, I was starving and couldn't resist devouring the kick-ass BBQ out on the smoking patio. The Weber Kettle was perfectly roasting an array of meats that came on everything from bones to skewers. All were delicious, you can even ask Willoughby, she knows. Ok, so we get it, the food was scrumptious. Now onto the music. The night was more of a free base jam session with the crowd and band requesting songs alike. Audience participation was highly encouraged as there were an array of sit-ins from the Turbine family. The show began after a Bessie Smith (the Band) sound check. Set one started with Wintertime, even though we are in the midst of summer, followed by Running Late, which is ironically when I arrived. Sweet Blue Eyed Darlin' (Bill Monroe) came next with Jack A Roe (Traditional), Devils and Angels and Masterpiece (Bob Dylan) all three with "Nice Guy Mike" on Bass. Masterpiece sampled Jeremy (lead guitar, vocals) on piano and segued into Willoughby the Lazy Dog jam which honored the friendly pooch and her infamous need for belly rubs. Set break followed with Banjo and Mike entertaining the crowd. Set two welcomed Justin Kimmel back to his Bass duties and kicked off the late night set with Set Me Free into Fla Naba jam, a bonnafied crowd pleaser and by far the highlight of my night. This song was specifically written "for the neighbors" early one morning not too far from the venue. Initially, this song was the gut of a late-night, roof-top jam that took place after an evening at the Donegal last March. Four months later it's heyday arrived and it formed into the epitome of outerspaceness. It was the first time the song had been played in it's entirety with the full band. The hook of the song, a crazy repetitious "this is for fla naba", continually looped; popping in and out of jams and well, the rest of the show for that matter. Fla Naba then returned to Set Me Free. The lucky few who stayed until nearly 4 a.m. were delighted to hear for the first time The Start of Something New and Ready, Willing to close. This show was performed in classic acoustic fashion, with a little twist of Turbine spunk. As far as this band is concerned, acoustic is neither slow nor boring. Special Thanks to: Turbine, Stain, Weber Kettle and Nice Guy Mike, that last drop in the bottle in the bag on the table, MuleMan, Eric and Justin for coming too, not my foot for kicking over 219,308,290 drinks, the tolerant bartender, Willoughby's dirt stash, the FANS, music and great times! Willoughby would like to thank: Teresa's lap. Love, Jess