Blockhead of Hartwood

After yesterday’s visit to the greater Cincinnati area, we got back in the car and made our way to Pittsburgh for a free, outdoor show in Hartwood Acres Park, four years ago today.  The person who booked the show had to convince the higher ups that we were suitable for their summertime series, so everyone was extra pleased by the great turnout and response.  We played our set, followed by a three-song encore that included the Farfisa stylings of Gil Divine on “Emulsified” and said good night.  People started making their way to the parking lot.  As we got backstage, we were introduced to the event’s big mucketymuck, who surprised us with his dry sense of humor, informing us that we played two minutes less than our contracted time.  I supposed it’s possible that he is capable of being the life of any party he attends, but as it transpired, in this case he was serious: He wanted us to go back on and live up to the letter of our agreement.  Looking at the rapidly emptying park, this made no sense, to put it mildly.  I did what I usually do in situations like this (although there had never been one exactly like it)–I headed over to where Joe was selling merch, and told him we had a tour management red alert backstage.  Joe rescued James and Georgia, and–it’s possible I hallucinated this last part–ultimately went on stage to do two minutes of crowd work to the empty park, thus fulfilling our obligations.

Let’s go to the mailbag: My name is Isaac Arms and I front a shoegaze/spacerock band called Withershins from Champaign, Illinois.

Two years ago when my friend Jake Fleischli (frontman of Tractor Kings) moved up to Chicago on 1st August, 2012, he gave me his copy of And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out.  I have treasured this vinyl record, and its inscription he wrote to me.  I suppose you’d want me to include that, but it’s personal.

Understood, Isaac–we wouldn’t dream of asking you to divulge any secrets.  Honestly, we’re a bit distracted by the fact that Jake felt he wasn’t going to need our record in Chicago!

 

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