lo-fi tapes: Farmer Dave + Vetiver + Devendra Banhart = Spaceland Heaven

June is dwindling down and July is fast approaching like a speeding asteroid to the face. Before the clock strikes 12 at midnight and my 1990 Toyota Camry turns into a pumpkin, I wanted to relive the best show this concert-going season has seen yet. That would be Spaceland show that Vetiver headlined nearly three weeks ago.

I have to digress a bit and explain some circumstances that led this to be an unbelievable night. For starters, this was my first time ever in this historical venue. For years I cried in pain as I was unable to buy tickets to see some of my favorite bands play in a small intimate setting, free of annoying teenagers with DSLR cameras obstructing my view. Newsflash: The lighting in concerts is usually too dim to capture a decent picture at that shutter speed (see second picture below). Yes, I had charted across 21+ only territory and reached the promise land. As I entered Spaceland, various Vetiver posters and banners adorned a few walls. I did a double take and then quietly removed the tape of a poster and carefully placed it in my oversize hobo bag before anyone could see me and escort me out. That poster of one of my most favorite bands proudly hangs framed in my room. "No shame" was the name of the game that night and I was an avid player. Speaking of no shame, I shamelessly bought my first beer that night for $5!!! Isn't that nearly the cost of a six pack? Whatever I guess. When in Silverlake, do as the hipsters do and conform to price gauging.

I sauntered over to the stage where no one was obnoxiously elbowing and pushing forward. Everyone was lounging in their own space, unobtrusive to people next to them and genuinely enjoying Farmer Dave's set. This man is seriously the most charismatically awkward lead singer/guitarist I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. With a barely understandable psychedelic western twang, he bantered a bit to the audience as he sampled songs from his various different projects. Although he has collaborated with artists such as Jenny Lewis, Vetiver, Devendra Banhart, Interpol, and Jonathan Wilson, I was most excited to see him play selections from the beloved Beachwood Sparks. I believe that it was with the Sparks that Farmer D shined the brightest and I was completely awestruck when he played "The Sun Surrounds Me" with his temporary traveling band.

As if anything could distract me from listening to a member of such an influential Americana band, I fell in love that night. With who you may ask? Well, with the one-and-only Devendra Banhart. YES! I had gotten word that Devendra Banhart was at the show supporting his close music buddies as a regular Joe Schmoe. I started feeling like a giddy school girl and tried to keep my cool and act indifferent, when inside I felt like talking to him about music and hoped he would ask me to marry him. My friend Maria knew of this unabashed ultimate musician crush and dragged me to Devendra's general area and told him I was his biggest fan (not a far stretch from the truth). I was dumbfounded, embarrassed, scared, and developing a bad case of the sweats when he said, "Hi, my name is Devendra. Nice to meet you." I cannot really remember what I said afterward but soon enough we were talking about his upcoming shows in Jerusalem, my radio show, and we even engaged in a Spanish conversation before Vetiver started playing. He was not an ostentatious person at all and kindly spoke to all of his fans and I am kind of glad the "no shame" game led to me to make such a genuinely nice acquaintance.

[Devendra with my sister and I approving our compatibility.]

Rubbing elbows with one of favorite musicians did not distract me from the obvious main attraction of the San Francisco folk band I set out to see. From the first song Andy Cabic and crew played as if they were jamming out in an old friend's basement adding a nostalgic element to their set. The band covered songs from their early days as struggling musicians to brand new songs yet to be released. Cabic played the sweetheart card when he dedicated "Maureen" to his girl when he is off touring all over the world. After playing a surprisingly long set, the band walked off stage without playing "More of This" and "Sister", a song my sister and I serenade to each other often. Just as I was about to pout in disapproval, Cabic and the rest of the bandmates come out and my sister and I get our dance on near the stage as Cabic looked at us in confused approval. That was the final note in this almost incomprehensible amazing night that took me nearly a month to fully digest and retell.