Clapham Grand / Windmill / Rock Garden

Hello hello...

We haven't been updating the blog much in the last couple of days, and both Ben and I do apologize! So, I'm going to give you a quick description of what's been happening over here (in my semi-logical way) and Ben will probably jump on here at some point and edit this post with more wit and humor (I don't think I'm as funny as he)

Friday afternoon we met up with our good pals The Light Years, who are responsible for helping set up this entire tour. We booked a last minute show opening for them at their hometown venue the Clapham Grand, a beautiful 1,000 person theater with a massive stage and great sound system. We showed up at the venue in the early evening, did a quick sound check, and were on stage by about 7:30 playing to a small (but fierce!) crowd.







Then we hung around and watched an amazing set by the Light Years, full of insanely catchy tunes and pyrotechnics (yes, there were flames and fireworks) The Light Years played a ton of great songs... including the old favorite "Emily" (where everyone went mad) as well as some new tunes they are working on with Hugh Padgham (has produced tracks by The Police, Genesis, etc)



We've been staying at George / Chris from the Light Year's house in Clapham, and they have been great hosts... they even invited us in on one of their most beloved traditions; a saturday afternoon lunch titled "Sausage Saturday" (where George purchased about 30 sausages and cooked them all for the people who woke up on their floor post-Clapham Grand gig)

Once Sausage Saturday was concluded, I briefly suffered from a food coma and slept for about 2 hours. Soon enough, I was rested and we got our gear together for London show numero 3; a festival called "Acid Country 7" at The Windmill in Brixton. We showed up at the venue and met a bunch of english blokes who were prepping to play their own mix of country/bluegrass/folk. And of course, we were the only actual americans there playing "americana" music. But, all of the bands were great! To really add to the the atmosphere, the venue gave everyone who came through the door a cowboy hat...






Sunday afternoon, we ventured to Covent Garden, where we busked outside in the rain, playing for passerbyers and tourists. Ben brought along Chris's (from the Light Years) fold out piano bought in career which confused all of the innocent bystanders.



After busking, we went into the Rock Garden for a really fun set... After our set was a great band called The End Game who we think you should go listen to right away. (Click the picture below to head to their site)



All in all, a great few days! Only 4 more London shows to go...

-seth