It's been too long...

For blogs and for shows, the last show I went to was last year in London (Of Montreal), and before that it was Clap Your Hands Say Yeah in DC a million years ago. I forgot the high you can get from a good show. Dancing and being sucked into the moment, shedding the outside world like sun burnt skin. When I heard Mates of State was going to be in Salt Lake, I knew I had to be there! Mates of States are one of my all-time favorite bands. I was introduced to them via my best friend Kelsie and I’ll always love her for that among other things. No matter what kind of foul mood I’m in, no matter how sad or downtrodden I get, all I have to do is put on Mates of State and within a few minutes I can’t help but be happy!

So, excitement in had I set out to get a ticket- three attempts later I got one! But then, three days before the show I drove the 4 hours to Provo, using all the money I had left for gas, and lo and behold- I forgot my ticket! Friends offered various solutions- overnight it (but that would cost as much as the ticket, and as I previously mentioned, I was broke beyond belief), send it with an airport shuttle driver (but that seemed pretty complicated), drive back and get it, buy a new one, etc. Finally, when all anxiety had enveloped me, my mother who is currently in Europe, offered the solution: Brother Brown is driving up to Ogden! So, after all the stress my ticket was delivered 5 minutes from my house in Ogden for free! Thank you mom!

The day of the show was pretty great- I got my favorite lemon and play-dough ice cream from Farr’s and I got to hang out with my buddy Marie. The drive to my cousins in South Jordan was okay, despite the two “detours” I took…and then it was on to Salt Lake to get my cousins ticket. Ticket in hands we headed to The Venue.

The first act was a magician, err well, a juggler…not my favorite thing…I don’t like magicians, jugglers, comedians…any of those things live…they give me anxiety! (Unless I know they’re going to be great like Brian Reagan or something) Did they mean to do that? No one laughed and I feel bad! What if he drops the knife? Uggh, I can’t handle it- also I always feel bad for not laughing or reacting in the way the performer desires…I shouldn’t feel pressure whilst being “entertained.” Anyway, I survived the 1st act and it was on to the opening act, Free Energy! Free Energy were great performers and they seemed to really appreciate me and my cousins sweet dancing and enthusiasm. At one point the lead singer pointed at Eimile and was like, yeah! And one of the guitarists was way into us, lots of looking from him… Their music and performing were great and so was their stage presence. Our favorite member, one of the guitarists and back-up vocals had a feather in his guitar and great shoes. He just looked like he was having so much fun! Every time I looked he was doing something interesting or smiling.

Then on to Mates of State! Woo, they were great. In the begging of the show I felt like crying because all of the emotions I felt listening to them over the years swelled in me at once! It was awesome and I danced the whole time, “scrapping it up and loving every minute of it.” I loved how names kept looking at each other, winking, mouthing things to each other, just looking at each other the whole time! And I love the way the look, like birds! And I mean that in the best way possible, like fashion crows! And a couple times when they got on and off stage I got some full body brushes from Jason and Kori! I totally put my hand out casually so I got some thigh action from Jason…bwahaha! Here's a sample of Mates of State doing a cover from their new album/tour: http://www.youtube.com/matesofstate#p/a/u/0/PkihJre9tOo

After the show Eimile and I got out gear and signatures from Free Energy. The lead singer signed Eimile’s poster and his name is Paul, but Eimile thought he wrote BOOB, so that was awesome. Then we went outside to find Mates of State and they were gone. Eimile said let’s just go, but I wanted a dang picture!!! So we waited for a few minutes and a stage guy walked by- I asked him if the band was coming out and he said he’d get them! So they came out and I was a total dork and felt like an idiot, but I got a picture Eimile told them how she got in a car wreck listening to them, haha. Also Kori said my glasses were cool.

I was a little bummed about this stupid girl and not getting Mates autographs, but the picture was good so I’m cool. So yeah, it was awesome and Eimile plan to go to many shows in the future! WOO! If you’re in, let me know :) Band of Horses- this September!!!

Here's a video i took, it's real short