smells like flowers

I was lamenting my own similar fears that the festival would be bigger and not as charming this year, when my friend (who is studying to be a licensed mental health counselor) told me to "stop trying to control the Solid Sound Festival. Just go and enjoy it." Shut me right up!

I liked it, too. After being a fan for so long, I sometimes forget that Wilco is objectively SO GOOD. I mean, they're always stellar in my book, but it's not just me! Also, the blogger went to the show without expectations and was subsequently blown away. My favorite Wilco shows have been the ones where I toned down my expectations and left with ears ringing, heart racing, mind blown.

Thanks for the details, Paul! I would love to hear California Stars with a trumpet...hope those encore songs show up on youtube. Nice setlist, too. Muzzle of Bees and Company in My Back!

My summer season started out with a bang. I fulfilled a modest dream last weekend by hiking some of the Appalachian Trail! Went on my first backpacking trip -- drank out of a mountain stream and everything! (after filtering the water, that is.) I'd been planning and preparing for the last several months and the hike went great! Solid Sound's next on the list for summer fun... and since the AT goes right through North Adams, maybe I'll get another mile or two under my belt.

John Steinbeck Miranda July Janeane Garofolo Jeff Tweedy and...Lotti!

Very cool video -- thanks for posting! Sounded like a 12" dance mix of Art of Almost....

Loose Fur!

Who played the violin, keyboards, etc.?

I'm so excited about hearing Wilco do a bunch of covers... the possibilities for fun seem pretty limitless. Wonder if they'll have taken the time to put a personal spin on any of 'em, or if they'll play basically straight. I also love the element of surprise involved. As much as I adore Wilco's music, when you see a show, you usually have an idea that you'll hear at least a few (if not all) of the heavy rotation regulars. Can't wait!

At lunchtime today, I found myself without a utensil to eat my lunch. I work outside and was totally starving. After ransacking my glove compartment for a possible spoon or fork substitute, I settled on my Wilco Solid Sound key fob (red flat plastic thingy like motels used to have). It worked great! Anyone else have a story about using a Wilco-related item in an unusual way?

Great call! That song was my introduction to Wilco.

Foiled! I got one request for Waterloo in, but when I scooted over to the next computer, it wouldn't let me make it again. I got busted! I guess the public computers are networked together on the same router or something. Oh well. Fingers crossed for Lotti's song on Friday night!

Yeah, that part about the wild party in St. Augustine really pours salt in the wounds. Oh well, I'll always have Charlottesville! The bearded long-haired John reminds me a little of this guy!

I am the poor man's music critic!

I fell asleep while watching a movie last night and woke up to "Mountain Bed." Not sure if it was just a coincidence, or if hearing the song woke me up. The film was 180 South, a documentary about some high adventure-types rock-climbing and surfing in Patagonia. The moment was sweetly serendipitous.

I work at a public library. I can go around and cast a Waterloo vote from all the public computers! Will devote myself to this task on Monday... ** Must admit I agree with Moss that Dancing Queen is the choicest song to cover, but I'm working on being a team player. Waterloo for Lotti it is!

Wow, solidarity. What a positive spin on it! I felt rain-soaked, had ruined shoes, and couldn't hear the music for the rain. But it made Saturday night all the more fantastic... except for when my friend almost did a face-plant in the mud and I missed hearing Hummingbird while consoling her! Fingers crossed for blue skies!

I had the feeling this would stir up some ire, but I'm being totally sincere. From the first time I heard the Avetts, my brain went to the Old 97's and I thought, "I already have the 97's; I don't need this uber-sincere take on country/bluegrass/folk whatever it is they're playing." Granted, because I felt that, I haven't spent much time since (okay, none) listening to the Avetts. If that's absurd, so be it!

Wow, I love all the outdoorsy stuff they have going this year! I was just thinking this morning about the falconry thing from last time, which I missed. This year's Solid Sound goal: drink less beer and do more cool stuff!

Avett Bros. are the poor man's Old 97's.

I want to change my screen name to Octopus Dampling!

Stumbled on this and think some of you fine folks here will enjoy...

For me, I think it was REM Murmur. There were albums I loved before that one (okay, Duran Duran RIO comes to mind), but Murmur felt real in a different way. It wasn't on MTV -- I didn't like it because the guys in the band were cute (hell, I didn't know what they even looked like), but everything changed after that. 1983 (ninth grade). Hmmmm...

Last time I ate at La Teresita was after the Wilco show in Tampa last May! Who knew Wilco and Cuban food would be connected...?!