What is a Genre?
I have had two discussions on what real Emo music is, and both times have been at Rebel Lounge this year. They have also occurred when I was catching a band or musician in a band that is Emo appropriately. While appropriate to describe Owen, and Mike Kinsella, I will stick to my guns that our two openers are not in that category. However, all of the music tonight was great.
It kicked off with Celebration Guns, who I so far have lived up to my word to see more this year. These guys are fun to watch, and you can see in their faces they love what they are doing up there. I consider them more the alternative and alternative rock leaning despite the night’s conversations. A cool thing that I didn’t see last time in their set was the addition of trumpet and bells for a song. A little mandolin with a small accordion on the last song just capped off another excellent set catching them too.
After them was a band that, to my fault, I didn’t know was on the bill, but Active Bird Community kicked butt. This was the high energy band of the night from New York. They certainly fit into the mold of a fast indie rock or alternative rock band. They alternated lead vocals from song to song between the two guitarists adding for a nice dynamic. Active Bird Community liked moving around that stage too. This was an exciting band to watch play so here is hoping they make more trips to Phoenix.
Last up was the man that a good Sunday crowd of people came out to see, and that was Owen. It is Mike Kensella’s solo project, known for multiple bands including American Football that played Viva PHX the night prior. Given where the majority of my music listening sits, I actually went in unfamiliar but because he comes highly recommended. His solo stuff was great to listen to. Mike was friendly, wanting to talk to the crowd between songs. It was a kind of raw set, that if he messed up, he messed up and just started over. This only happened about twice, but just gave a more down to earth feel to the set in addition to his friendly demeanor. It was an great way to close out my weekend of music hearing him play.
