Esperanza, Boston Eclectic, Resonance, Delhill [The Paradise Rock Club, Boston, Mass.] 4 March 2007

As it usually goes in Boston, a friend heard about a record release party while she was working the merch booth at another band's gig, and I got dragged along for my eyes and ears to partake. So last night, Miss Starkey and I (sans Miss Sooz, which was sadness!) T'd it out to Pleasant Street and drank tequila-based products at the Sunset Cantina and then hopped over the Paradise.

We were pleasantly surprised to find that a salsa band was opening up the night, and quite enjoyed their show. Unfortunately, there were no strategically placed males to con into dancing, so we just chair boogied. The keyboardist must have been the lovechild of two of our friends, and it was completely uncanny the resemblance -- and then we discussed the various horn players embouchers and the adorableness of the bongo player. All very nice people, as I got to talking with a few of them while I was tarring my lungs. There first show in Boston, too! They were very good, and I hope to see them again, and perhaps get some dancing action in, as well.

Didn't see too much of the whole Boston Eclectic scene, as we were running around and drinkin' beers, but everyone was really nice. It's bizarre for me to go to a show and not know a soul there -- I'm really happy that as I get my life back and have a new professional life that nicely dovetails into my personal pursuits that I'm meeting new people and seeing different sides of the greater Boston area.

Stuck around to see Delhill perform a few songs, and discussed how Boston rock has a very particular sound. It's not quite plaintive, not quite earnest, but fairly unique. Examples would be early Guster, KIMONE, Taxpayer, Aberdeen City and the like. Boys (and sometimes girls!) with guitars and sweet vocals. It's so strange to have that sound juxtaposed with one of the other really strong scenes in the city -- the hardcore scene. I mean, to know that Massachusetts is one of the beating hearts of hardcore in the nation is always awesome. I hope to see more of the Boston indie-pop-rock scene in the upcoming months, outside of the core bands I've already named.

Also, the thought that The Boy and I have tossed around the idea of starting a really ridiculous cover band resurfaced again last night. We just need players who have a healthy sense of irreverance, and totally no shame. Hmmm.