jaysummer4: Waterloo, Part Two

Audience participation is a risky proposition anytime, but especially at an in-store performance when you are from out of town. The Rosebuds tried it, and pulled it off, by coming off the stage, down to the floor, and getting the crowd to move in close to them. The quartet from North Carolina has an indie sound that I didn't expect when I saw the acoustic guitar and violin. The violin was played with choppy strokes, like in a horror film score, and the slow, moody keyboards set the pace for most of the songs. It was the first time this summer that I had seen a band that I knew nothing about before the show, and I like the "no preconceived notions" approach that this provides. The Rosebuds skew younger than me, like they grew up on Death Cab for Cutie, but put their own non-jaded stamp on the sound. They played later that night at The Parish, and I hope they drew a good crowd.

Ruthie Foster brings a gospel soul flavor to her live shows. She's got a voice that would sound good if all she did was sing names out of the phone book. Turnout was good for this show, even though they did not have beer. This is a video from Waterloo performance from a couple of years ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8YSyxox2Iw&feature=related

The Greencards used to live in Austin, and during their show they promised to move back, "someday."
They've got two new members, on guitar and fiddle. They used to be more of a bluegrass band, but they have evolved more into a pop-sounding group that happens to play bluegrass instruments. I thought some of the songs had a "Tusk" era Fleetwood Mac sound, but the new album is self-released so they branched out even more from a traditional sound. One song was a Latin-inspired, two-man instrumental with only the mandolin player, and the very talented new guitar player. The Greencards tour a lot, and if they ever make it to your town, it's a good time.
If you were alive in 1979, you shouuld watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5LHxvDyRHo