These United States

Yesterday, during one of Crossroads’ morning services, at a point where I’m sure my full attention was needed on stage, I was checking Twitter. Man, it feels good to get that off my chest.

While checking Twitter I discovered that one of my favorite bands, These United States, was going to be playing a surprise show, later that night, at a local bar called The Green Lantern.

Score!

I texted my friend Dan (yes, during the service - hey, nothing went off the rails, get off my back) and made plans to meet him there after our the final service of the night.

Best decision I made all day.

Apparently the band was driving to Lexington to do some recording this week over at Shangri La Studios and realized they had no place to rehearse - so they called up The Green Lantern and asked if they could use their space in exchange for doing an impromptu show. The result was forty or so people sitting around watching the band practice some new songs, play with some covers, and blast out some old favorites.

It was awesome.

Here’s a poorly lit iPhone picture:

It’s been a great spring/summer for live music so far - The Mountain Goats in Nashville, a table at the foot of the stage for Vandaveer, and now an intimate night with These United States! And it’s not over yet! This week and next there are shows by local favorites Coralee and The Townies and Sunday Valley. Then later in the summer Okkervil River and maybe Mates of State! (I haven’t told Sara about that last one yet… Sssssshhhhh!)