Went to the Sound Academy to Visit Some Friends

A lot of us music lovers complain how the music conglomerates of today (i.e. Live Nation/Ticketmaster) are robbing our bank accounts with concert ticket fees, and so unless it’s our all time favourite band playing, we’ll sadly refrain from spending that kind of “moolah” on shows.
But, its shows like the one I saw this past weekend that make me realize how sometimes the genuine experience you get at a concert makes it worth every penny.  
I mean, its one thing when the main act you’re paying to see totally rocks their performance (which, in this case, Mumford and Sons did). But, it’s a huge bonus when the opening band, Cadillac Sky, gives a stunning performance as well, making you instantly addicted to them. That’s like a lucky “two-for-one” type deal right there. I was fortunate enough to be immersed in great live music for over three hours…which to me, is the perfect way to spend a Saturday night.

You know, it’s unfortunate… the way we have created a certain custom for ‘concerting’ which is: only get to the show in time for the main act. It’s as if we think the opening bands are not worthy of our ears or our time. But as I realized this weekend, it’s truly our loss seeing as how we are missing out on new music in its rawest most natural form.   
Hearing and seeing a band live for the first time (like I did with Cadillac Sky), you get this exclusive opportunity to not hear the electronically modified sounds, rhythms and voices that you would on an album; but rather you get to hear the heart and soul of each band member as they throw all that their voice can give into every song. You get to see the personality of the band as they chat with the crowd during song breaks. And, you get to see their true talent as they spontaneously break out in musical ‘jams.’ We get the chance to skip that first awkward encounter of when we know nothing about the band and just press play on their CD, hoping to quickly become acquainted with the music. Instead, we connect with the band and let their live performance take over to the point that after the first song, we feel like long time groupies; we find ourselves catching on to the lyrics and reciting each chorus while uncontrollably bouncing along to the various rhythms and harmonies.
It was Cadillac Sky’s “Trapped Under the Ice” that managed to catch my ear and give me this type of physical response throughout their setlist.

So yah, its an awesome song. Why?

We are introduced to an assortment of instruments (guitar, fiddle, banjo and bass) being strummed in short breaks, giving off this snap of the fingers, blues-ish type sound.
The beat continues this way until that traditional harmony that truly defines “folk” graces our presence 0:34 seconds in. It is at this first chorus that every instrument is now being strummed in full force, and the harmonized “ahhhs” are making our bodies flutter, that we get our first taste of their ever so classic bluegrass sound.

The second verse manages to combine two prominent instruments and have them both sound like they can’t function without the other. It’s the addition of the mandolin producing that good ole country vibe, and the fiddle, which gives the tune just the right amount of complexity. These two together take us back to that original blues beat.

It’s the second chorus that we can really hear the various genres of this song spin naturally into each other, having the blues and bluegrass sound interchange effortlessly. It’s at this moment in the song where we find ourselves tapping our feet on the ground while our bodies sink into relaxation mode, allowing this perfect harmony fill our heads.

At 1:26, the spotlight (metaphorically speaking ofcourse) shines on band member, David Mayfield as he initially takes control of the musical interlude by rocking out on his acoustic guitar. It is then quickly followed by the emerging sound of Matt Menefee’s banjo, which to me is one of the sweetest most pleasing sounds to the ear. And finally, Ross Holmes gives us one final stride on the fiddle, preparing us for what I like to call “audience participation.”

To me, audience participation is one of the key components to making a show a true success. It not only allows the audience to feel like they are a vital part of the performance but I can only assume that it feels great for a band to have their words be sung back to them.
And so, we have Bryan Simpson (now replaced by Levi Lowrey) sing:
        “I am a monkey in a cage..”
*If I found a clip of this performance on stage, you would hear the audience repeat:
“ I am a monkey in a cage.” with enthusiasm and energy.


…you guys get the picture I’m sure. 


Bryan’s voice then starts to rise and with the sudden bang on the drum, it officially commences the orgasm of the song at 2:26. Each band member is now emitting such intensity as they play the crap out of their instruments, and Bryan is battling with the power of it all, yelling the chorus, making it sink in more than either of the previous two.

And, in unison at 2:42 we are hit with the two final strums of each instrument and BOOM. It’s done. 


So why has this song changed my life? I walked into the Sound Academy venue only knowing that a band called Cadillac Sky existed. I walked out an instant fan of theirs. The fact that this song has the gift to make a listener love the song and the band in just 2 minutes and 48 seconds is astounding and in my opinion, life changing.

So bottom line?

1.    This question was posed to them on their website: Can you touch an audience with your music face-to-face on a nightly basis? I will answer for them--- Yes. Yes they can.
2.    The fact that Dave Mayfield looks identical to Zack Galifianakis can only be seen as a plus.
3.    If any of you know which movie my blogpost title originated from… well I’ll like you for that.
4.    These guys are finishing off their tour tonight… so I hope they made their last show a great one.
5.    Oh, listen to this song… it’ll change your life.