Considering this whole blog thing is about music, I figure to write about a musical happening that occurred last night. The story begins with the date August 31, 2009:

The day was sunny and full of excitement as young, beautiful faces moved into Middlebury College. Student 1 was moving in and getting to know student 2 who lived three doors down. Student 1 noticed a light green poster on the wall with an outline of the great state of Idaho. He then asked student 2, “are you from Idaho?” Student 2 without hesitation responded, “hell no, I’m from Swilliton, CT. But you haven’t heard of Josh Ritter?!” as if I had just stepped out of the Ice Age. Well, Student 1 then decided to investigate said artist and listened to a couple songs but never really got into Mr. Ritter. Flash forward a year and a half to spring break 2011, cruising into Savannah, GA. Who has the reigns of the stereo in the car but none other than E. Thomas Roberts. And what does he play? He puts on The Temptation of Adam and Student 1’s life is forever changed.

Flash forward another half year and I found myself last night in a refashioned barn from 1898 on the side of a mountain in Boulder, CO listening to Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band with an opening from Blind Pilot. First off, Blind Pilot whom I had never heard played a perfect opening set-not too much rock but not too soft. They are a great 6 person ensemble that put together some very neat live songs-check them out if you are into the whole Portland Flannel Funny Business that is the soft folk rock scene. Now onto Mr. Ritter, who is one of the best performers I’ve seen in my short life. He filled his set with solo acoustic classics such as Idaho, Pale Blue Eyes, and Galahad in addition to making his rock classics such as Right Moves, To the Dogs or Whoever, Harrisburg, and Snow is Gone even better with amazing interludes. He had the stage presence to rant about a squirrel named Chuck that eventually turned into a diatribe about Glen Beck and the end of the world. He also had the audience slow dance during Kathleen which turned into a PC version of a Middlebury dance party. In all, he and his band (of which the bassist has the most waxed up 1800’s mustache I’ve ever seen) played an amazing two hour set that won’t be forgotten. The beauty of it all is Student 1 owes all of this to that green poster in Student 2’s room Freshman year, I’m pretty sure that one will make an appearance in the mod next year.

And to piggy back off of Jeff, I myself have found myself in lecture halls and labs this month of July and here is a little sample of whats been on my back to school playlist (eventually we can figure out how to host these songs on here):

No Rest for the Weary, Tommy Chong, Loyalty, Anna Karina, George Jackson-Blue Scholars
Moneygrabber-Fitz and the Tantrums
Barton Hollow, Poison and Wine-The Civil Wars
Flaws-Bastille
Speeding Bullets, Soul Like Khan-Soul Khan
Count Your Blessings, My Generation-Nas and Damian Marley (That album will never get old)
Receipt, Mr. Carter, Tie My Hands-Weezy don’t forget the F Baby
Up on Melancholy Hill (Feed Me Remix)-Gorillaz. You have to listen to it now-http://hypem.com/item/1bsbp/Gorillaz+-+On+Melancholy+Hill+%28Feed+Me+Remix%29
Wait and See (Kris Menace Remix)-Holy Ghost!
I’ll Try Anything Once-Julian Casablancas

Stephen don’t forget the H and the T slammers