Went to watch a performance:
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Posted on Apr 09, 2012 07:00 pm
J-bot
Byte-Mixer
Member Since: Dec 04, 2007
So, looking around, I discovered a nice place here in Iowa City called the Iowa City Mill. It's a bar/restaurant with a small stage in the back bar room.
www.icmill.com
Me and Heather went to watch a couple local bands Saturday night: Homegrown, and Zeta June. Both bands sounded great, though it sounded like the live sound guy was having some minor hum problems. Plus IMO, the SPL was a bit overpowering for the size of the room. I think the tech's ears were going because as the band moved through their numbers, he kept nudging the levels up. It started out loud, but tolerable, and by the end, I was feeling it in my bones. If I go back there, I'm taking earplugs next time. Maybe I'll get the fancy ones that have the sound filter in them or whatever haha.
Anyway, both bands were nice, they got a good funky jammin' sound going for them, and they sounded great. From what I could understand, it was Homegrown's 3rd public performance, and they debuted some new material. So yeah, I think they are quite new. Some of the patrons appeared to be their parents as well. Anyway, I found them on facebook (as Home-Grown, there are a few other of the same name in other places), threw them a like, and sent em a message about possibly recording them. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that one.
I would have contacted Zeta June as well, but it sounds like they're already having an EP coming out/already have a recording thing going, so they probably don't need my "mobile" service.
But yeah, it was a fun night, and the place has some good grub too. Looks like they pretty much do live shows every night, looking at the calendar. Have to go back there again.
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Apr 09, 2012 07:12 pm That's cool, always nice to find some cool venues to watch live music at eh? You know that place you were in for our breakfast you came to? If you are up here again, we'll have to meet at the bar right next door, that is where Noize2u is involved in the engineering of the room, it sounds amazing...even at really high levels it doesn't kill ya cuz it's tuned well...
Good luck in getting the recording gigs, that'd be awesome.
Apr 09, 2012 07:18 pm Deleted By Rob Stemple
Apr 09, 2012 07:25 pm I deleted my first post because when this thread first come up, it was blank! On both you J-bot, and dB's. Strange?!?
Anyhow........ J-bot. Was the engineer drinking? I have been in places before to where the engineer (And I use that term loosely!) was just getting blasted! And by the end of the night, the sound levels were so high, that I thought all of the windows in the place where going to blow out!
I'll have to check out the two bands that you mentioned. Do you happen to have links to them?
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Apr 09, 2012 07:54 pm Yeah, incoming linkage. And yeah, didn't really look how much, but the sound guy was drinking.... and had major plumber's crack on the stage >_<
Home-Grown
www.facebook.com/HomeGrownIC
Zeta June:
www.facebook.com/zetajune
Mostly live/camcorder type stuff, so the sound quality's not all that, but should give an idea.
Apr 09, 2012 08:07 pm Thanks! I'll give a listen.
Apr 09, 2012 09:17 pm Yeah, sorry about that Rob, that was my fault, for a few minutes today all forum posts were blank as I was messing around with, and testing some hardening of the bb code and the soundcloud integration...
Oh, Rob, not sure which of my douchey friends did it, but I got an Obama/Biden bumper sticker in the mail today...just poppin buttons with pride over here...bah... :-)
Apr 09, 2012 09:22 pm Cool. Thanks dB. I just chalked it up to a network error.
And sorry. I can't take credit for this round of political mailings either. However, I can't say that I don't find it amusing! :)
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Apr 09, 2012 09:57 pm Oh, Rob, just remembered:
I don't know what's going on in your neck of the woods around mid-May, but we'll be flying out to Philly on the 16th, and returning on the 20th (my b-day) My wife's cousin is having her college graduation on the 17th so her parents are heading out there (as opposed to visiting us this year) so we're going out there to meet up with them and such.
Apr 10, 2012 12:32 am That would be GREAT!
What college is she graduating from? And do you know the hotel that you will be staying at?
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Apr 10, 2012 12:50 am Um, think its the University of the Arts, but we'll be staying at the Resident's Inn near the airport. Me and Heather will be flying into PHL late afternoon/early evening, and taking the free shuttle to the hotel late on the 16th, 17th is grad/celebration, 18th, sightseeing, 19th my b-day celebration (since we're heading back on the 20th), and heading back home on the morning of the 20th, which is actually my birthday.
Also, dB, we might be thinking about making a "just for the helluvit" trip up to Twin Cities in June. Might just have to visit the bar venue that Noize works. Hopefully have some better hanging out time this time. =)
Apr 10, 2012 01:48 am Awesome! The airport is very close to me. And I know the hotel that you are staying in. Just a word of warning............ The airport circle, (Where you are staying) has a trash to steam plant and a sewage treatment plant right next to it! Needless to say, it STINKS there!
If you wish, I can find you a much better place to stay at. In a way better section of town. And I can play chauffeur for the day. Over here by me, there are two very nice B&B's. Plus, we have become the new destination for Mom and Pop restaurants. All of which are only a few blocks from each of the B&B's.
Should your plans are already set in stone. No biggie. I'll give you my cell number. And when you guys are settled, and hungry, my wife and I can pick the two of you up, and take you to a few great places around here. Just if you want a change in your plans, I can help you out.
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Apr 10, 2012 02:31 am Nice. Should be able to make this work then. :)
I'll send the info to my wife, and we can figure out times and such once the event gets closer. I think we're staying at that hotel because her parents are. Plus, her parents will probably have the mini-van. Still, no reason why we can't find some time to get you guys to take us around at some point, or all meet up somewhere. :)
Apr 10, 2012 05:42 am Quote:
Anyhow........ J-bot. Was the engineer drinking? I have been in places before to where the engineer (And I use that term loosely!) was just getting blasted! And by the end of the night, the sound levels were so high, that I thought all of the windows in the place where going to blow out!
Sounds like me on Friday! Sorry Rob :-)
Apr 10, 2012 12:09 pm Sounds good. There are a few Asian restaurants right next to me that I think all of you would love. The best one is the Vietnam Cafe'. I think you and yours, plus the parents and her cousin would really enjoy.
And if you wish to do any of the touristy things while you are here, we can help hook you up. The new Sigma (Gamble and Huff recording studio) is close the the Academy of the Arts. I might be able to swing a walk through. Maybe. But, it all depends on how much time all of you have during your visit. I don't know how many rehearsals your wife's cousin is going to be doing. You maybe tied up with some of the festivities.
One thing that I suggest that you do, is have your wife's cousin show you around the Academy. As it an amazing place. And has one of the best performance spaces in Philadelphia. Plus, it is an amazing place just to see all that is on the campus.
Keep me apprised. And we'll see what we can work out.
And Colonel Sanders............... Oh boy!!!! I think if I come to see any of your shows....... I'll bring a good pair of earplugs! :)
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Apr 10, 2012 05:22 pm Okay, so, the parents responded, and were wondering if the Faifield Inn, or the Courtyard would be any better. They said the reason they were going with those is because one of their bunch can get them a family discount.
Otherwise, they -might- be open to a B&B, so I'll throw those options in as well on my response.
Apr 10, 2012 07:40 pm Well, all of the listed hotels are in the same area of the airport circle. So it's 6 one way and half a dozen the other.
If you want links to the B&B's, I can get them for you.
This one is very close to where I live. And is not far from the Academy.
www.bedandbreakfast.com/p...the-gables.html
Then there is this one. This one is next to all of the restaurants on Baltimore Ave. And once again close to everything.
www.castlebnb.com/
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Apr 10, 2012 08:19 pm Cool, sent them the info. I think that Sheraton is a bit too pricey. Reason they're looking at like Resident's Inn, or the Fairfield, etc. is they're probably wanting to keep close or less than $100/night. The B&B rates look pretty reasonable though, so they might consider doing that.
I'm not exactly sure how many of us there will be. Us and the parents for sure, but possibly my wife's other cousin and her spouse, and possibly the Walshes (since the graduating one is their little girl hah) So their will be quite a few of us potentially. (I'm thinking 8 or 10? Probably 8 of us, but I don't know who all is coming.) Hence why the one guy was looking into the family discounts.
Anyway, I'm letting them make the choice hehe. But yeah, I sent them the info. If all else fails, we may just deal with the smell, haha.
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Apr 24, 2012 07:08 pm Bump:
Quick update, but it sounds like the parents decided on the Resident's Inn after all. Sure it will be smelly, but as the cousin who lives there mentioned, "It's Philly! The whole damn city is smelly!"
Eh, it'll be fine. And cheap with the family discount. The husband of another cousin works for them, hence the family discount. I think it will be just me, Heather, and her parents at the hotel. Sounds like the Walshes will be staying at their daughter's apartment (the one who is gradding) and I don't think anyone else is coming.
So yeah, I'm sure we'll be able to fit in a lunch/dinner and some sightseeing at some point. :) If dinner, probably also have my signature rum'n'coke w/ splash of vanilla. :D
Apr 24, 2012 07:21 pm Cool! I'll have to email you my phone number. That way, when you are all ready to get out of the hotel, I can swing by and take you to a great place to eat.
May 03, 2012 03:44 pm Hey J-Bot..every once in a while we get this band from Iowa in town (Louisville, KY) and I wondered if you've heard of them..."BF-Burt and the Instigaters" A really great band and really nice guys too. We usually open for them when they come.
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
May 03, 2012 07:44 pm Not heard of them, but I'll check 'em out. Honestly I don't know who all the local bands around here are. (I'm in Iowa City/Coralville) I don't get out to watch shows much, I confess. I'm planning to try and get around to doing that a little more often now that I know at least one good venue (The IC Mill) that has some good food. :) The Mill seems to have nightly performances, but we don't really go downtown much (gotta pay to park at the garage, and everything is pretty much on foot from there.)
But yeah, I'll check 'em out.
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
May 15, 2012 08:43 pm Rob, just a quick heads up. Looks like Heather's cousin+parents have tickets for a game on Friday night, so my wife's parents and us will be free to do whatever. Might be a good time to meet up. Also, we'll probably be up for doing dinner at the cafe' tomorrow night after we get in.
I got the e-mail with your number, so I'll give you a holler once we're settled.
May 15, 2012 09:35 pm Sounds good! Now I do have to work tomorrow. Meaning that I get home about 7 to 7:30 pm. Hopefully that is not too late for you. If it is, I'll see what I can do. Friday is good for me. I do have a job that starts on Saturday at 5:30 am. Which is a free concert over at the World Cafe' with David Dye, and starts at noon and runs to about 3.
Give me a call on my cell when you get in, and then I'll be able to coordinate my schedule at that point.
