Day 1 was fantastic

I knew it was going to be a good trip when my first interaction with anyone was on the plane trying to use the bathroom. PLEASE lock the door when you go in there. Unless you’re into people walking in on you. I know I’m not into that. Next was the hotel. It’s actually the size of my car… but my car has a clock and doesn’t smell like an ashtray. I got out of there ASAP when I realized there were burn marks all over my bed.

Then we got the Gigantic Studios and everything got better. Day 1 was fantastic. We got started on our 40 hour, 20 band in-studio marathon with the band Rosewood Thieves. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the pop of The Beach Boys… but updated and original. They were great and set the pace for the week.

Next up was our last minute entry Bound Stems. Man, when you’re able to book a band like this last minute life is good. They had this really intense energy to them. A very urgent and powerful performance yet fun at the same time. The girl in the band kept turning around and smiling and yelling at Cheryl. The room was hot and buzzing with electricity when they finished…

Darc Mind played next. Always great to have the hip hop in and the Darc Mind story is a pretty interesting one… it touches on the business and hip hop parts of music. Cheryl did a great job in the interview. Darc Mind brought it. A very laid back delivery that was totally modern. LOVED It…

Last up, the Virgins. A band that has been together for 3 months. When Cheryl heard the demo, she handed it to me back in Seattle and said “CMJ?” I said “Book it”. I love those bands, taking a chance and having them deliver. They all made us feel old though as these guys had a ton of energy and we’d been at it all day. Really nice fellas, really great sound. By the end of day though, the room smelled like my locker in junior high.

A great day, the people at Gigantic are so sweet and totally supportive of KEXP’s efforts. Can’t wait to see what else the week holds. Check out the pictures from Day 1.