Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Pockets of Contenment - Green Room with Amos Lee


Amos Lee played tonight. I couldn't stand to be in the room to watch the otherwise amazing show.....

I'm generally not content. It takes the perfect mix of life, thought, my mood, people around me, and sometimes whiskey, to create that perfect storm which brings on the feeling of contentment for me. The Rocke world is no different; I've been now first hand in charge of hundreds of shows - having booked them, or filmed them, or at them - and with every show there is something that prevents my feeble mind from being content. But tonight was different at Amos Lee...tonight, it wasn't the show that made me content. It was the periphery; and I'd love to share why...

First of all, it't not everyday that you get to see Amos Lee play in a venue our size, on a stage that you built with your own hands, sound coming through speakers that you lifted up yourself on a jack. That man is truly gifted, and the carry of his voice is tremendous. What sucked is the lame girl in the back that had too many cosmos, and kept whooping and yelling, her shameful boyfriend that didn't get his lady in line. C'mon dude. Figure it out - you looked retarded, and everyone would agree with me. So right there, although Im supremely sensitive, that blew my contentment out of the water. The Manager was right next to me, and we both didn't need to even communicate - it was that apparent.

But after the show, as I was gathering my stuff upstairs, I went to say goodbye to Amos and thank him, and we had a brief conversation about the live stream we did, and the ramifications thereof in the music world. And don't get me wrong, I am humble, but I very rarely hear philosophical thoughts that floor me. But, if you could have listened to the way he explained the life of a musician, and his job as a musician, how he viewed the digital world as it relates to artistry ("to keep moving forward, to never stay in the same place...") well, for a moment, my mind lost its place and I just listened. Peaceful, content, learning. Thank you Amos, you don't even know that you cracked a knowledge egg on my head, but that was a really special insight to hear as a sometimes jaded venue owner.

And as if that wasn't enough. I walked downstairs and saw a couple that I had met earlier that night, and they thanked me for the show, and thanked me for "keeping the dream alive." Wow. Not a whole lot of cooler shit in the area of job satisfaction/appreciation than that. And just like that, as quickly as I was browbeaten on the girl being loud during his performance, and actually not being able to even be in the room during the show because of it (yes, I'm extremely obssesive and impatient:), I was turned 180 degrees by two moments, which I aptly call "pockets of contentment." Because life can't be happy all the time, can't work perfectly all the time...but as long as we all still feel these pockets, we know that it's there, and one day, maybe one day, I'll stay in the pocket.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was at the Amos Lee show tonight. I know that you guys did your best, but why did you let all of the people stand in front of us who had reserved tables? I have an artificial knee and cannot stand for long periods. I was assured that if I reserved a table, I could sit and watch the show. This ended up not being the case. When I sat down, I couldn't even see him on the stage. Management did nothing to help the situation either. So, while I agree that the drunk girl who kept screaming was annoying, it was the lack of crowd control that really disappointed me. Amos was great - and sometimes it's only the music that matters. But if a show is really going to be standing room only, you shouldn't give disabled folks the impression that they can sit at a table and still enjoy the show. I appreciate your bringing Amos to our area. But a bit more consideration for those who got tables, paid for dinner and hung out for several hours would be appreciated. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

All i can say to you is thank you so much for giving the gift of this show. I first saw him live in Mpls at a small venue similar to yours and then again at an outside (much larger) show. Needless to say both were excellent shows but he is mesmerizing in a smaller venue. The sound of the stream was so true. Thank you again.

Anonymous said...

That show was beautiful and I cannot thank you enough for the experience.



It's a constant struggle at shows when there is some jerk (male or female) who thinks that they need to whoop it up so much that they wreck it for others. There are also the people screaming in their off-key voices and those chattering right in the middle of a song. Why? I came to see and hear the musician on the stage. It's sad that our selfish society cannot see how their actions affect others.



My heart stopped a little when he expressed his discomfort with the web-cast. If I wasn't there, I would have been so grateful to be able to see it, but it never occurred to me that it would add anxiety. I couldn't stop thinking about it after I left.



I really feel for the musical artists who do this. They bear their souls and I truly appreciate it. I couldn't do it. Amos gave us a gift last night. I wish there were a better way to thank him. Thank you, Amos, and thank you to Saint Rocke for hosting him and sharing your insight.

Unknown said...

We were on stage left for the Amos Lee concert and had an amazing view and it really made for an intimate experience. The simplicity of just a guitar and Amos' phenomenal voice was fantastic. The vision of Saint Rocke and sharing artists in this way really highlights the power of music and brings us back the the basics and what makes us happy (friends, food, wine and music :)

The waitress in the area were terrific and accomodating as well...they helped make the experience!

Thank you!

Jencams@sbcglobal.net said...

ok, really! we couldn't have been more sincere in out comments to you last night and to know that they made such an impact on your night...means the world. In discovering Sainte Rocke and this blog, I was blown away that there was any place left like this in So Cal. In fact that's what we talked about on the way home. That's the dream, to see your favorite artist in a place that size(minus the rude people who are not there for the right reasons!) Don't be discouraged and keep living for those "moments" :) It was a pleasure meeting you and your wonderful staff...you'll see lots of us in the future!!!

Ann said...

was also at the Amos Lee show front row! Loved the venue, SR staff was great and the poor under-staffed waitress really hustled with a smile. It’s disappointing to read such a negative comment was posted by the actual owner/management for all to focus on, which only sparked a trail of more negative comments. So much focus was put on some “drunk girl” whoop’n it up in the back. Maybe I’m not that sensitive, but I heard several people cheer in excitement. It was really about the music and the experience and no one should be judged how they celebrate that, especially by someone who is in the business of bars/restaurants. How is the owner/management or anyone shocked that there was a drunk girl, at a bar, in Hermosa, at a show/concert? I didn’t let that ruin my experience.

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