My journey into the jam band/music festival scene is a slightly boring one, but I think it’s important to hear it in order to fully appreciate my love for this band, so bear with me. Most of my life I have been a slave to pop music. I have a secret love for perfectly written earworms especially one hit wonders that litter 80’s music compilations. My whole life, I followed slightly below the radar trends like new wave, grunge, 90’s female empowerment, pop-punk, and college rock. The bands and musicians I loved always found their way to the mainstream, and then I would pout because my once secret band was now exposed to the masses. I was the girl that showed up at the local record store every Tuesday for new release day. Sure, I grew up with plenty of knowledge of the scene and more popular bands like the Grateful Dead. My older sister and her husband invited me to shows often but I never went. I hate to admit that I foolish declined to see the boys for free on more than one occasion. Sadly, Jerry passed while I was in college so I never got the chance to see them live.
My college boyfriend was also a fan of The Dead and he was the first to introduce me to other bands like Widespread Panic and Phish. I enjoyed the music but I was only listening to studio work. Just like with the Dead, I also received numerous invitations to see Phish live, but I always declined. My response was always the same; it just wasn’t “my thing”. Anyone that knows me now can only imagine the regret that I feel. I could have seen Phish in the mid 90’s. But I just didn’t get it yet. I didn’t get “the jam” thing. I was too immersed in my world of four minute college rock instant gratification and angry chic tunes to take the time to just really listen to the music that sound tracked my life.
While I was in college, I started working in commercial radio
for one of the nation’s highest rated alternative rock stations. What started
as an internship soon became a full time career. My focus became playing and
promoting what the labels were pushing. It took me years in the industry before I
finally saw what commercial radio is really about and how sometimes major record
labels strip most musicians of their power, skill and creativity. Once I felt like the money was more important
than the music, I exited the business. My passion for music and finding new
bands had fizzled as a result.
A few years later, I met my fiancé David. He like so many people in my life listened to
the Dead. He was an advocate of the festival
scene. He asked me to go to a festival
when we first started dating and again I found comfort in my tried and tired
response: “Not my thing.” He was constantly going to shows and in an attempt to
get to know him better, I started tagging along to local venues for shows of bands that were staples on the festival circuits. I begrudgingly agreed to see both Trampled by
Turtles and Umphrey’s McGee, but it wasn’t until a STS9 show at the Town
Ballroom in Buffalo that something clicked.
I finally noticed that there was a level of musicianship that I had
never noticed or appreciated as a fan. I suddenly stopped looking at the value
of music for more than just what it could do for me as a consumer and started
noticing what was being gifted to me by these talented and skilled musicians.
I found that of all the more well-known bands in the scene,
I enjoyed Phish the most. I had always appreciated
their music so it was a good place to start.
And this is where my Twiddle journey began. One night David and I sat in
our apartment listening to the Phish station on Last FM. We were mid conversation, when something
caught our collective attention. We stopped
talking, looked at each other and marveled. The song was “Apples”. The band was Twiddle.
Within a few weeks I had downloaded every studio recording I
could buy. I instantly fell in love with
tracks like “When it Rains it Pours” and “Daydream Farmer”. I was playing
Twiddle almost every day but I still wasn’t really listening to them yet. Why? Because I hadn’t discovered them
live. It would be nine months from the
time I heard “Apples” until I saw them in the flesh. I was instantly hooked. There is no comparison. The live Twiddle experience far outweighs
anything that they have produced in the studio. I soon discovered that online, if I just
simply looked for it, I could find live recordings of shows. Now, I am listening to a whole catalog of
music that I can’t just buy on ITunes.
Twiddle is the first band in a long time
where I have felt that same sense of discovery I left back in my college dorm room. But this time it's different. Even though I feel like Twiddle is my little
secret, I don’t want to keep it that way. Why discover music and not share it
with other people? When I speak to others
at shows that want to wax poetic about the love of their favorite-must see band,
I always ask one simple question, “Have you heard Twiddle yet?” My advice if
you haven’t; it’s okay to check out their studio recordings or even hear some
of their live shows but to truly
appreciate what they do,you must see this band live.
I am sure that my friends on Facebook couldn’t wait for
Friday nights show at Nietzsche’s to be behind me. For
months, I have relentlessly promoted this show and I am sure that my video posts,
event invites and general girlie like gushing over this band has caused me to be
hidden by at least one person. Not to
worry though, Jimkata plays in just two weeks at the same venue, so my feed
will remain alive and well.
The crowd was buzzing even before the band’s first set.
After a killer opening set at last year’s Camp Bisco and their November show at
Nietzsche's word is spreading around Buffalo to see Twiddle. And as the band continues to tour and land on major festivals throughout the circuit, word is spreading to catch this band in a small venue while you
still can. This night started out right as the band opened with Indigo
Trigger, a beautifully crafted carefree jam with a catchy hook. Somewhere in the mist of
the Atlantic Mocean/BBQ jam I ran to the bar to grab another drink and my
friend Stephanie caught me as I passed her.
BACK STORY ALERT!!!! Stephanie had previously dismissed Twiddle
in various conversations. When I first
mentioned going to the show that they played last November, she griped that
Mihali sounded too much like Dave Matthews.
I will admit that there might be a slight vocal similarity once in a
blue moon, but sound like Dave… I told her she had to see them live. Finally,
she conceded and agreed to go with some friends to last night’s show. “They’re incredible!” she exclaimed. I
smiled as she continued and hugged her. “I get it! You’re right. They’re incredible”.
First timers marveled at how such a rich, intense sound
could come from only four musicians. Last
night’s show was a celebration! This
long winter has drained almost everyone in Western New York. But last night, at the end of another rainy, dreary,
cold day, their music served as a source of warmth, light and love. I needed that release. And from the sound of the crowd, I wasn't alone. It’s evident that these guys
are utilizing every performance to hone their sound. When I saw them in the
same venue last November, I was instantly convinced of their talent and skill. However, last night I felt like I was
watching four master musicians work together to create an incredible night of
music.
When I talk about the band, I often find that I have to stop
myself from the Phish comparison. Their obvious connection: a four piece with
keys. Like Mihali’s guitar, Ryan brings
a whole different level of technical ability to their sound. His notes and runs are clean, sharp pinpoints
of musical revelry. It’s celebration from
structure. In Phish, Trey and Paige create these beautifully timed symphonies
of controlled chaos. But in Twiddle, Mihali
and Ryan showcase impeccably timed opuses of meticulous dexterity. In less
poetic terms; they have their shit together.
With so much precision at the front of the band, it’s only
fitting that the drums are handled by Brook in a similar manner. There are so many layers of complexity to the
beats that drive Twiddle’s music that you have to step back and realize that it
may just be Brook deciding the flow of the band. He and bassist Gubb create a seamless rhythm
section for this already precision based four piece. The thing I think that
makes Gubb such a great bassist is that you sometimes forget he’s there. His bass is such an integral part of any
Twiddle song that you overlook the fact that he’s the pulse of the music. Everyone once in a while, the other three
fall silent just enough to allow Gubb to remind us of his presence as you are treated to moments
of funky, gritty soul.
The structure and precision of Twiddle’s music is softened
by the lyrical content. Songs of celebration
and amusing tales are intertwined amongst messages of environmental and social awareness. Soft harmonies complement Mihali’s unique
vocal tone. His passion and intensity are highlighted best in the moments where
his voice is allowed to ring clear. Lyrics are thoughtful, well-written and
heartfelt. They are also very catchy. Their covers are always varied. Last night, we were slammed in the face by an
amazing Glycerine/No Woman No Cry/Farmhouse/Wagon Wheel medley that I hope
someone was recording. Their rendition of Hallelujah was stunning. Even
though it was the second time I had heard their version of it in the same
venue, I wasn’t disappointed.
Amongst our crew in attendance of last nights show was my
co-worker, Mitch. At 27, he had never attended a concert until last night. A few days ago, we convinced him to come with
us. From the first song, he was hooked. I
could only smile every time I caught a glimpse of his face. It was that look of
pure shock and awe that comes with having your face melted for the first
time. He text me this morning already
wanting to catch more shows and declaring himself a lifelong Twiddle fan.
I joke with my friends all the time and tell them that I
often feel like I’m preaching the gospel according to Twiddle. Promoting their music and message is a
redemptive journey for me. I feel like
it somehow makes up for the years of pushing radio friendly songs with little integrity
and no social conscience. I don’t
discredit my time in the industry, because I know that the songs I played and
the bands I promoted created amazing memories for a lot of people. But to watch a room full of people get spun
into a revival like frenzy by these four men from Vermont is a refreshing
experience. If you are at a festival this summer and Twiddle is on the line-up,
I highly recommend that you see their set.
Otherwise, you will have to hear everyone else gloat about it. See them when you can and where you can.
Last night’s two set list at Nietzsche’s - Buffalo NY
March 28th, 2014
I: Indigo Trigger
Atlantic Mocean-> BBQ -> AM
Tom's Song
Cabbage Face
Daydream Farmer
Wildfire
Jamflowman
II: Earth Mama
Glycerine/Farmhouse/No Woman No Cry/Wagon Wheel Medley
Hattibagen McRat
Hallelujah
Gatsby the Great
Zazu's Flight
Mamunes the Faun
