Auburn Diary: One Night, Four Bands

(16 November 2012) AUBURN, AL — You can either go where the scene is, or stay where you are and make your own scene.

That came up again and again during my “Jazz Or Bust” Tour this summer. I traveled from town to town finding people who’d decided to stay and create a vibrant scene right where they were. I was reminded of that again tonight as I traveled around Auburn from arts center to restaurant to bar to hear many of Auburn’s finest.

I work at The Gnu’s Room, a nonprofit bookstore and arts center. Tonight we hosted two bands — Low June and Less Than Heroes.

Low June is Scott and Ashley Waters. They’re from Savannah, but we’re lucky to have them here in Auburn, where Ashley is finishing her degree and Scott is helping to run the college radio station, WEGL. Tonight they played a set of originals and covers, including a beautiful banjo-driven version of Leonard Cohen’s “Dance Me To The End Of Love.” I already liked Scott and Ashley, but they certainly didn’t do themselves any harm with me by busting out some Leonard Cohen. There was something about hearing Cohen played on a banjo in Alabama that just felt right. It’s fitting, too, because Cohen was a huge fan of one of Alabama’s favorite sons, Hank Williams.

The headliners tonight, Less Than Heroes, are a really fun nerd-rock band. And they have a big following here in Auburn. The place was packed, with people standing all the way back to the coffee bar in the rear of the store. The show was billed as a “storytellers” concert, so lead singer Quinton Charles Smith gave some background to each song. There were stories of near-death experiences on the highway, a break-up song or two, and a warning about drinking and driving. But my favorite thing Quinton said was this gem: “Everyone wants you to be something — good or bad, beautiful or ugly.”

OK, let me pause for a minute to admit something. It’s hard for me to say this, but it’s the truth and you need to know. Ready? Here it is:

I’m addicted to Katie Martin.

I mean, every time she plays here, I go. I went to a martini bar to hear her play. I wrote a poem about her. I’m one ride on the tour bus away from full groupie status. And tonight I heard her at Maestro, a fancy joint where by all rights I probably shouldn’t be allowed in. Katie was joined by vocalist/keyboardist Marie Robertson and guitarist Zack Milster.

I saw most of a set, during which Katie and Marie divided the spotlight and the songwriting credits. Zach also took some nice country-blues solos on several tunes. Maestro probably isn’t the ideal venue for Katie’s music, though, which is too raw and powerful to fit well in a bar/lounge environment. But I’d go hear her play anywhere. Oh, and I introduced myself to Grammy-winning producer and guitarist Larry Mitchell tonight when he sat next to me at the bar. He couldn’t have been nicer.

The only reason I left is that I was intent on seeing all the bands who were playing in town tonight who’d also played at the Gnu Fall Festival. The last one of the evening: Teacup and the Monster.

Teacup and the Monster is a powerhouse, four-on-the-floor, let’s-all-sing-along kind of band. The kind you want to hear playing when you walk into a packed bar late at night. The Hound was full of people, some of whom were even dancing, which was great to see. I like lead singer Jake Carnley’s voice and songwriting a lot, and I was happy to finally get to hear lead guitarist Tommy Kratzert strut his stuff with a full band behind him. There were a few issues with the mix (which is never easy in a brick box anyway), but I really enjoyed the show and can’t wait to hear them again.

I also want to compliment WEGL 91.1, the Auburn University radio station. I had WEGL on in the car as I was driving from place to place and the music was outstanding. Particularly the Phantasmagoria show, which featured 50s rock and rockabilly all night and just killed it with every track. You know a radio station is doing well when they make you belt out Bobby Vinton’s “Blue Velvet” at the top of your lungs.

You go where the scene is or you stay and make a scene where you are. We’re lucky there are so many talented people in Auburn who’ve decided to make a scene right here.

(NOTE: If you’d like to see all the photos I took tonight, you’ll find them here.)

(ANOTHER NOTE: I wrote this post while listening to The Complete Hank Williams boxed set. I feel an obsession coming on.)