Model Stranger meets Beethoven?

Doesn't seem like something you'd have thought would happen, eh? I'd have to say the same for myself but it's funny how things work. We were contacted about playing a movement from Beethoven's 3rd Symphony during the International Beethoven Project in Chicago and thought, "Why not?" It turns out that 12 artists were asked to pick a movement from the same symphony and we were all going to be playing them in succession but the catch was each artist was to do their own interpretation. This made it sound quite interesting.

We began working on the piece and kept going back and forth about how exactly we wanted it to come across. When all was said and done we had a 3:30 instrumental piece that moved along very well. The performance was held at the National Pastime Theater in Chicago. Upon arriving we could see that all the artists were on the same page as us and didn't know exactly what to expect. We all talked, laughed, had a few drinks and looked forward for what was to come.

The performance began just after 2am on a Friday night/Saturday morning with a solo artist playing a piano piece that was done beautifully. The symphony progressed with djs, blues, solo acoustic acts, noise rock and we had the privilege of closing it out. We went on shortly after 3am and there was surprisingly a crowd of people still heavily engaged. This was a unique experience for us. We got to do something out of the Model Stranger norm, be a part of an awesome project, meet some great musicians and enjoy something a little different on a Friday night. Keep your eye out for what the International Beethoven Project brings to Chicago next year!

Kev

Model Stranger, Local H and Trigger Fish at Durty Nellie's

This past Friday, September 7th we were once again billed with Chicago natives Local H. We first shared the stage with Local H almost two years prior, at a since defunct venue. This time around was quite different.

We rolled into Palatine around 2pm for load-in at Durty Nellie's; unfortunately, the load-in time was changed to 6pm without us being informed. So (very unlike Model Stranger) we decided to get some much needed zzz's, as our recording schedule has been running us through the ringer. Our dressing room consisted of a table, a fridge and some office chairs; not very conducive for sleep. After wrestling around with some chairs to stay still while I slept, we decided it best to sleep in Local H's dressing room. It wasn't until about 6 o'clock that I woke dazed & confused with Scott Lucas and his entourage above me wondering why we were all in his dressing room...

Conveniently, when we were en-route back to our dressing room we ran into a friend that manages Smith Street Station (a lounge attached to Durty Nellie's).  He didn't have to twist any arms to get us into his establishment for a fine cocktail... and let me tell you, they do it right. You have to be 25 years of age (or older) to enter leaving all the douche-bag-bros and skanky fresh-bloomers to the sidelines. The decor is rustic and modern with phenomenal art covering the walls. My favorite though, the cocktails and small plates. I had a Manhattan with smoked Bourbon (they smoke the glasses in front of your eyes with a hand-held-smoker, pretty cool) and some whiskey-glazed nuts, MmmmMmm. So anyway, after getting our lounge-on and feeling pretty spicy we headed back to Durty Nellie's for some rock.

The opening band for the show was Trigger Fish, a bunch of super-rad dudes. I was expecting them to have a heavy-harsh sound and was pleasantly surprised when they took the stage. A Sublime meets At The Drive In musical tones with a soulful (almost Dan Auerbach-esque) voice; you should check them out. Solid musicians, solid humans, good band.

We took the stage next and played one of our heavier-octane sets. Playing to a room packed with some of your fans a majority of another bands fans is interesting. It's one of those moments you need to let go of care; you can't worry what the majority is thinking and just do your own thing. Whenever I would look into the crowd there were clumps of people getting down and the rest of the mass stared with open eyes and blank faces; one of those stares you can't read. As if they are either amazed by what you are doing or bored as shit hoping you will get the hell off of the stage so they can see the band they came for. I would assume it was a bit off all the aforementioned as we had a great response after the songs and at our merchandise table ;-)

Either way, I enjoyed this bill for many reasons. One, it is always great to share the stage with a band that you like (or at the very least respect). Two, it is awesome befriending another band and actually liking their music and stage show. Three, Smith Street Station :-)

Libatiously Yours,
Vincent