#missing time at the shack during ep. 1

[thestupidhelmet]

What is your least favorite episode of each season and why? Barring season 8, of course. Those are all terrible.

Hi! 😁

Season 1: I'm going with "That Wrestling Show" (1x15) because it's not as interesting to me overall as the others. (I like all the eps of this season, though. There are storylines I like in certain episodes that also have storylines I don't. So I picked a different criterion. 😅)

Season 2: Gotta go "Garage Sale" (2x01) -- again only because it's slightly less interesting to me than the other eps. Season 2 is my favorite season of the show.

Season 3: "Hyde's Christmas Rager" (3x09). It doesn't give us any follow-up on "Jackie Bags Hyde" (3x08), and Jackie claims she "just wants to French someone" when she admitted in the previous episode her kiss with Hyde was hot despite not feeling anything [romantic] in it. Logically, since Hyde lied about feeling nothing in the kiss, too, she and Hyde could've made out all they wanted without strings attached

Obviously, of course they couldn't since Hyde did develop romantic feelings for her, but Jackie's statement in "Hyde's Christmas Rager" comes across as contradictory to me and dismissive (by the writers) of her S2-S3 story arc with Hyde. Without some kind of epilogue-y follow-up, it makes the arc feel anticlimactic. It also severs the link between J/H's S1-S3 relationship and their romance starting in season 5.

("Ice Shack" [3x10], I believe, was actually supposed to follow "Jackie Bags Hyde" on air, in which Kelso acknowledges Jackie and Hyde's romantic interest in each other. Kelso trying to win Jackie back in this episode and failing makes her statement in "Hyde's Christmas Rager" make more character sense.)

Season 4: "Hyde Gets the Girl" (4x04). An OOC Hyde written to set up a story arc that would have been equally OOC for him. Melissa comes across as not only as teaching "boorish" Hyde manners but as someone who would use emotional withdrawal as a weapon against him. Added to that, the mistreatment Melissa's actress received from the director, producers, and cast members during her time on set -- this is an ep I wouldn't miss.

Season 5: "You Shook Me" (5x22). The writers manipulate Hyde's character, having him act against his nature, to serve plot and the season finale cliffhanger. The writers were clearly aware they were doing this since they have Roy ask Hyde why he isn't doing what he'd actually do and have Hyde give the writers' poor excuse for his OOC choices.

Season 6: "Young Man Blues" (6x09). It's the only filler episode of seasons 1-7. It moves neither the characters or overall plot forward. It doesn't need to be in the show, as it does nothing for the show. No deep insights for the characters nor development.

Season 7: "Winter" (7x11). Hyde is an OOC a-hole to Jackie throughout this episode -- unrecognizable as Hyde. Donna is dismissive of Jackie in this episode, too, regarding Hyde breaking his promise to her. If Donna had sympathized with Jackie instead and a) wondered why Hyde would act so unlike himself and b) call out Hyde (or call him in) about his behavior, then the writers' POV would be a self-aware one. The episode, though, presents a POV where the writers seem to expect or want the audience to sympathize with Hyde instead of the injured party, Jackie.

[sheithfromvoltron]

It’s Good to Have You Back

“I don’t know if I can be who you expect me to be anymore” -@bluuenvy​ [also available on ao3]

The man was clearly exhausted and looked as if he’d made the trip to Hell and back a dozen times over the last year. Keith had reluctantly allowed Hunk to carry Shiro in for him since he was still out cold, but not he’d chased everyone out and had been sitting by Shiro’s side waiting for him to wake up and now that he had, Keith didn’t like the way the conversation seemed to be heading.

“I don’t know if I can be who you expect me to be anymore,” Shiro wouldn’t meet his eyes as he spoke; instead he glared at his replaced arm, flexing the fingers over and over again.

“What?” That caught him off guard. “I don’t expect you to be anyone, just yourself.”

Shiro laughed darkly, looking at Keith now, but not seeming to see him. “That’s just it; I’m not myself. I don’t even know that man anymore, Keith.”

“Don’t talk like that,” he hissed, always quick to defend when Shiro was the topic. “You’re still you. No matter what happened up there, that doesn’t change who you are, alright?” He went to run a hand through his friend’s now white forelock and in return got his wrist grabbed just as his fingers breached the pale strands.

“Don’t,” Shiro’s voice was a growl and his eyes had grown distant. Keith closed his hand to show he wasn’t going to continue. “You’re afraid of me.” A comment, not a question.

“No,” it didn’t sound as convincing as he’d hoped. “No,” Keith tried again, “I’m not afraid of you. But we don’t need to talk about this right now. You need to rest.”

Shiro’s jaw clenched and he glared unseeingly at Keith. “Fine,” his voice went deadpan before rolling away to stare at the wall, ending their conversation Sighing, Keith ran a frustrated hand through his own hair and stood up. This was fine. He doesn’t mean this. He just needs time. Swallowing, he decided just to let his friend have some breathing room.

“Goodnight, Shiro,” he flipped off the light, assuming he wouldn’t get a response, but just as Keith stepped through the doorway the sound of sheets rustling made him pause in time to hear, “You used to call me Takashi.”

{send me line/song prompts}

[bibliophileiz]

Going through my drafts, I found a post of myself liveblogging “Lily Sunder Has Some Regrets” from when I started (but never finished) a Steve Yockey rewatch last summer. So here you go if you want to read it.

Lily Sunder Has Some Regrets

And all the deancas shippers said, “Amen.”

Directed by Thomas J. Wright and featuring the adorable Alicia Witt as the Kill Bill-inspired titular character, “Lily Sunder Has Some Regrets” is just a 42-minute long old married couple fight interspersed with the coolest angels have been since Season 4. Yes, Steve, I will take more of this, thank you.

(Guys, I’m really gonna miss Steve Yockey next season.) (Note from April of this year: I am DEFINITELY missing Steve Yockey this season. Although Meredith Glynn’s still fab.)

We open on an arcade where an attractive woman is playing games and ignoring the employee telling her he’s about to close up shop. Enter another attractive woman, this one with red hair and an eyepatch, who starts trolling our first hottie. The first thing I notice is that the dialogue is less snappy in this scene than at any time during “Celebrating the Life of Asa Fox” so I’m just going to look at these ladies instead.

Tired of Eye-Patch��s trolling, Arcade Gamer starts to leave, only for Eye-Patch to keep blocking her way. The next exchange is delightfully testosterone-fueled.

“Move out of my way.” “Or what?” “Or I will move you.” “Go ahead. Try.” I feel like I’m watching the two jocks from Heathers.

Arcade Gamer tries to do something magical, but it doesn’t work, as Eye-Patch tells “Benjamin” -- who is not a dude, but an angel (as Cas will later tell us.) What follows next is kind of a boring fight, but the music is pretty good.

Eye-Patch (oh, who are we kidding, it’s Lily) pins Benjamin to the wall and tells him to call his angel friends. Benjamin starts speaking in Enochian and it apparently gets the attention of Castiel, Ishim and whoever the other angel this ep is (I forget) because we get some interesting shots of them all looking at the ceiling. Anyway, Lily kills Benjamin and leaves the arcade like a boss.

I really don’t want to narrate this whole episode, so I’m just going to make sarcastic notes like I did for my “Asa Fox” post.

Bunker scene (Part 1)

I do legitimately want to know: How did Kelly drop off the map? I mean, she’s not a spy, she’s a presidential aide. She has reporters who know her personally and follow her around. This would be like if Josh Lyman just disappeared one day in The West Wing. 

(The whole president plot this season drives me nuts. There is literally no reason that Jack’s biological human father needs to be the president or that Kelly needs to work directly with the president, and there are so many other ways to get Dean and Sam locked up in a secret government base. This whole dumb fucking convoluted plot where the Winchesters are arrested for trying to assassinate the president and no one ever finds out about it is one plot in this show that I actually can’t suspend my disbelief for.)

Also, I think someone pointed out when this episode first aired that there is no reason for Cas to be in the kitchen, because he doesn’t eat, meaning he was just in the kitchen to deliberately not talk to Dean in Dean’s presence.

Cas straight up flounces across Dean’s line of sight this scene, you work it, buddy.

They are so passive aggressive and bitchy, I’m just expecting them to turn to Sam and demand he settle their argument over the Monty Hall problem.

Car scene

Dean turns down the opportunity to listen to music in the car because he wants everyone to know how he’s deliberately not speaking to Cas.

“This Benjamin sounds pretty cool, like he wouldn’t make any half-cocked, knee-jerk choices.” “Yeah, you know what I like about him is that he’s sarcastic, but he’s thoughtful and appreciative.” “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Dean’s internal monologue as he veers into the wrong lane: Oh my God, we’re going to see Cas’ ex-boyfriend!!!

The devout nun who Benjamin would never put in unnecessary danger sounds like way more than a friend.

Cas lets out at least two beleaguered sighs in this scene alone.

Arcade scene

So angels can identify/contact each other by their blades now? What does that mean for all the human hunters with blades? 

Restaurant scene

“You, Castiel -- I liked the old you better.” Yeah, because you’re a dirty old man, Ishim.

(Mirabel, that’s the other angel’s name.)

“And you’re gonna storm in, riiiiiiiiiiggghht now.” God, I love Sam.

Dean “Feeling Left Out” Winchester sits down on Cas to let Ishim know he’s taken.

The actor who plays Ishim is Ian Tracey, and he plays a nice old man in The 100.

Ishim is such a racist he makes finger quotations when referring to Sam and Dean as “people.”

“Why do you let him talk to you like that?” says Dean, who says meaner things to Cas on a regular basis.

Dean just really doesn’t want to work with Cas’ other ex-boyfriend.

Ishim failing to smite Lily is super awesome. Girl has some badass angel powers.

Flashback Scene

Introducing Fem!Cas, which the fandom never got over.

I’m all for these angel ladies in turn-of-the-century dresses. 

THAT SAID, these angels seem to think the human mother could be alive after birthing a nephilim, which is ... not how the rest of this season plays out.

Akobel looks pretty shocked when Cas accuses him of banging a human. Also, apparently presumed innocent and trial by a jury of peers aren’t a thing with angels.

And not to get too out of this episode, but where is Naomi, and shouldn’t she be on Ishim’s ass for trying to shack up with a human??

It’s pretty cool that Lily’s a professor (and of such a badass subject!) in 1905, when most women weren’t even going to universities.

Back in the present, Cas is extremely pretty. These shots are just all his good side.

Ishim and Cas in the church

This scene is actually pretty sexy -- Cas gently removing parts of Ishim’s clothes, Ishim moaning and writhing as Cas heals him and then them both panting when it’s over. Good thing Dean was gone or he would have punched them.

Hotel scene

I get that Dean and Sam are trying to reason with Lily, but the whole “He was just following orders” doesn’t work on a grieving mother. It’s also generally a weak moral argument, and the fact that Sam and Dean (who disobey orders from Heaven they think are unjust all the time) are using it at all demonstrates how they’re thinking with their hearts and not their heads to save Cas. 

“Her name was May. And she was beautiful.” I just love the moms this season. (Mary, Lily, Kelly.)

Alicia Witt is honestly great. She’s so strong, but so fragile, so sad. 

Ishim, of course, is classic abuser/stalker (which Dean’s figuring out), and while that kind of villain is slightly more Meredith Glynn’s wheelhouse, this won’t be the last time Yockey will write about this kind of issue.

“I had my daughter long before I ever laid eyes on an angel,” is the kicker of the whole scene. “My daughter was human.”

And then Dean’s like, “oh fuck, gotta call Cas”

Also, did Ishim take Cas’ phone? Why can’t Cas find it?

And then Dean goes back to save Cas, because nobody messes with Dean’s husband but Dean, dammit!

(for some reason I didn’t finish the post, and I’m not turning off Lost Girl to watch a Supernatural episode right now, but just trust me, the end is great.)

[tyleroakley-obsessed]

Happy National Cheeseburger Day! Here are the more than 35 Memphis burgers – hamburgers, cheeseburgers, even a few veggie burgers – that you absolutely have to try. These are in no particular order. I list my personal favorites and controversial opinions at the bottom of this post. Leave your favorite in the comments! – A Mr. Goodburger from Roxie’s Grocery: a greasy, gooey, beloved Memphis burger in Uptown. – The West Coast Burger from Huey’s (Memphis’ classic burger restaurant, with locations across the Mid-South) comes with all the fixings, plus guacamole and Monterey Jack cheese. Huey’s West Coast Burger – The BBQ Burger from Tops, a greasy griddle burger topped with pulled pork, is a local favorite. – Get the Greek Burger from Alex’s Tavern: legendary, juicy, and served with Greek seasoning and cheese. Cash only and available very late. – Order a Soul Burger from Earnestine & Hazel’s, a Memphis burger classic, griddle fried with all the toppings (cheese, onions, and pickles, if you like) melted all together. – The Brass Door Burger, from the Brass Door Irish pub in downtown Memphis, comes with beer-braised onions and bleu cheese. – Go for an Original Jerry’s Burger from Jerry’s Sno Cones. Did you know the infamous Memphis sno cone stand has more than just cold treats? – Try the Good Night/Good Cause from Hopdoddy. Yes, it’s a chain, but $1 of proceeds for this particular burger (with cheddar, caramelized onions, caffeinated BBQ, jalapeños) are donated back to the Stax Academy. Burger from Hopdoddy – A Memphis Burger from EP’s Bar & Grill (inside The Guest House At Graceland) gets on the list because of its fried green tomato, bacon, crispy onion, and special sauce – and because it’s enormous. – The Street Burger from Arepa 901’s Venezulean food truck is piled high with cabbage, smoked ham, cheese, and special sauce. – Mojo Cheeseburger from Memphis Mojo Cafe in Bartlett is a solid choice, or you can go for one of their more adventurous burgers with all kinds of toppings. – Find the Gourmade Burger from Gourmade Food Truck at breweries and fests around town. – The Beetle Burger is from the Green Beetle, downtown’s oldest tavern. On Tuesdays, this Memphis burger is $7.99 with fries. – Do the Double Double from Dyer’s – either on Beale Street or at their Collierville location. Fried in 100-year-old grease, this burger comes with two patties and two slices of cheese. – Eat a Bibimbap Burger from Kwik Chek, which adds bibimbap veggies and a fried egg to a grilled cheeseburger. – The Wimpy from Wimpy’s – which you can get in midtown or Southaven – is a classic grilled cheeseburger with whatever toppings you can handle. Get a side of sweet potato fries with praline sauce. – The Whiskey Burger from the Flying Saucer downtown: it’s a chain, but Memphis is the only location with a menu of gourmet-style burgers. – The Poutine Burger from Kooky Canuck is available at their downtown and Cordova locations, and it’s topped with Canadian-style fries + gravy + cheese curds poutine. – The Big Deuce from the Slider Inn in midtown may not count technically as a burger even though it’s got two patties, cheese, and all the fixings, but it won’t hurt anyone to be on this list, right? (The parameters of what constitutes a Memphis burger sound like a debate we can have another time, preferably while consuming said burgers/alleged burgers.) – The LBOE Burger, from LBOE just west of Overton Square in midtown Memphis, goes all out with Havarti, garlic cream, bacon, green chilies, and yes, corn chips! The Last-Burger-On-Earth folks took home the trophy for “Best Burger” at the World Food Championships last fall, so you know they’re for real. – The John T. Edge Burger from Hog & Hominy is named for the famous food journalist and is included on a couple of “best burgers in the country” lists. – The Pub Burger at Local Gastropub (Overton or Main Street) is good for $6.99 (with fries) during lunch and all day on Mondays. Nice. – Grab a Vault Cheeseburger from The Vault on South Main, which comes with bacon and spicy mayo on a Broiche bun. – Babalu Burger from Babalu is available at their Overton Square and East Memphis locations, and people really love it. – Get a Sidestreet Burger from Sidestreet Burgers in Olive Branch, Mississippi, perhaps paired with a beer from the MS Ale House next door. – Order a Double Cheeseburger from Sear Shack’s several locations in Memphis and North MS, and top it any way you like, including with house-made pickles. Cheeseburger from Sear Shack – Go for a Prime Burger from 117 Prime, which comes with Jarlsberg, sauteéd mushrooms, and Dijonaise. You can only get it at lunch or brunch. – The Bomba-B Burger from Sabor Caribe in the Medical District is more than your average burger; this Memphis Venezuelan restaurant adds all kinds of stuff to their burger including but not limited to an egg, salami, avocado, and slaw. – The Southern Gentleman from Belly Acres in Overton Square comes with greens, bacon, and sweet potato. – Chef José’s Sirloin Burger from River Oaks in East Memphis: it’s a thick, juicy patty on a crusty bun with your choice of cheese. – The No. 1 Farm Burger can be found in the Crosstown Concourse. It’s a chain, but they are all about that grassfed local beef, so here they are. – The Homestyle Seasoned Burger from Young Avenue Deli goes beyond the cheese sticks and fries you love, with a half-pound patty – add cheese (or pimento cheese if you’re feeling frisky). – Get the Stuffed Burger from Mot & Ed’s Southern Eatery – you have the choice of Angus or Turkey patty. – Try the Pimento Cheeseburger from Sweet Grass Next Door, topped with house-made pimento cheese. – Go for an Awesome Sauce Burger from Buon Cibo in Hernando, Miss. This burger comes topped with fried onions, bacon jam, and piquillo pepper aioli. – Eat the Chopped Steak Burger from Off The Hook in Arlington, which Seth from Best Memphis Burger is quite fond of. ** – Try the Chipotle Sweet Potato Burger at Park + Cherry, inside the Dixon Gallery & Gardens, which is a sweet potato patty with tomatoes and mayo. Chipotle Sweet Potato Burger from Park + Cherry Photo via The Chubby Vegetarian. ** –  Enjoy a Veggie Burger at Mama Gaia in Overton Square; they have four different versions of their veggie burger, some of which come with cheese. ** – Try the Cashew Burger from Two Vegan Sistas near Bartlett, made from a seasoned cashew mix with lettuce and tomato. I bet 75 percent of restaurants in Memphis serve hamburgers, so this isn’t a list of every place to get a burger in Memphis. That list would take forever, and I got more stuff to write about today, y’all. I’m already thinking of several spots that have a decent burger that could (and maybe will) be added. But, as promised, the juicy, greasy details…guaranteed to make someone mad. If you follow me on Twitter you’ve heard this all before. I know a lot of people go for Tops, and rave about Babalu and hate on various “best of” winners every year; everyone has their own passionate and perfectly valid opinions. So here are mine: Brass Door’s classic cheeseburger has been perfectly cooked, juicy, and delicious every time. Flying Saucer downtown brought back that thick gastropub burger with the froufrou toppings and I. am. here. for. it. Back during the Foodnado of ’14 when a bunch of burger places opened, I thought LBOE had the best of the bunch- I actually loved the Fritos on it. For a greasy griddle burger, I crave Soul Burgers from E&H, Wimpy’s, and Sear Shack. I would probably marry the Alex’s Greek Burger if I could, but Roxy’s – my other love – would get too jealous.  I also really like Hopdoddy and Huey’s and eat them on a regular basis. This post is about a) some of the well-known Memphis burgers, b) burgers endorsed by one of my trusted sources, and c) ones I have tried and think are worth you trying. Got one you adore that’s not on the list? Leave it in the comments! We’ll have the best comment section in town! Are you a home owner in Memphis, with a broken garage door? Call ASAP garage door today at 901-461-0385 or checkout https://ift.tt/1B5z3Pc

http://ilovememphisblog.com/2018/09/all-the-best-burgers-you-have-to-eat-in-memphis/

[concerthopperblog]

This was my first time returning to the festival since 2015 headliners The Decemberists brought me to the festival for one day. I was excited to return not just to cover the event as press, but because this would be my first time going for all 3 days to Rhythm N’ Blooms! Thus I knew I’d have more time to explore the various stages, and catch not just the main acts, but many of the smaller acts as well as the secret shows.

Friday

The Young Fables

As any attendee will tell you Friday started out rather wet and cold, but I was too enthused to pay attention to that (except where my camera equipment was concerned). I started out by catching The Young Fables set in Jackson Terminal. I had become quite a fan of The Young Fables as I prepped for the festival (thanks Spotify playlist!), and they did not disappoint! Laurel and Wesley are both supremely talented, and you can tell they have not just the musical chops but also the drive to succeed that I think, quite deservedly, will get them national attention! I had the pleasure to talk with them during the festival too, so look for an interview with them later in the month on ConcertHopper.com.

  Booker T Jones

Following their set I rushed over to catch the venerable rocker Booker T. Jones. Even if you only know “Green Onions” you undoubtedly knew this was a show to see. Booker was all smiles coming on stage, but behind that you could tell he and his band came to rock! I planned a tight schedule for myself so perhaps regrettably I didn’t hang around for long, just half the set, but I loved every second. And as Booker introduced each song, and often the history of the tracks, I got an even fuller grasp of his and the Booker T & the MG’s reach into the annals of rock fame. I’ll remember this performance for some time to come.

Daniel Donato

As I left Booker’s set I hopped on over to the Pilot Light – an odd venue I’d fallen in love with upon my first visit to the festival. Perhaps odd isn’t the word, but compared to many venues this was perhaps the dive-iest. In 2015 everytime I walked by I loved all the music I heard coming through the door. Regrettably it’s also the most packed venue I’ve found at Rhythm N’ Blooms, and in 2015 when the heat was out I couldn’t stay in for long without feeling overwhelmingly oppressed by the heat of the crowds. Enter 2018, a day when we dipped to near freezing temps, and as I realized the perfect weather for me to handle the Pilot Light. I was quite thankful as I saw many fantastic acts at this venue, starting with Daniel Donato!

Daniel Donato and his backing band look like what I imagine Led Zeppelin’s kids would look like, with their rock star style and hair. His music style is often referred to as “cosmic country”, also the name of his CD, and I can see what that all fits as it was pretty out of this world! Daniel’s known as a prodigious guitarist, and we certainly saw that on display, but what was perhaps most memorable to me was his cover of John Prine’s “Angel from Montgomery” performed with his girlfriend. Goose bumps galore broke out with their beautiful rendition of this classic song.

Max Gomez

Next I checked out singer songwriter Max Gomez, who perfectly segued Daniel’s show for me, as Daniel played Prine, while Max clearly came from the singer songwriter world Prine inhabits. This was a more stripped down show compared to many I heard during the festival, but even with just two guitarists his sound filled the room as the audience was captivated by his softer, albeit strong sound. I discovered afterward he only has one full record, and an EP, but after that show I’ll be giving both a good listen.

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Following Max’s performance, I headed back to the main stage to hear Deer Tick! Deer Tick’s style of music is right up my alley, as it’s reminiscent at times of the gone too soon Tom Petty, if he were partnered with artists such as “Wilco” and “Modest Mouse”. As they recently released not just one (1) but two (2) albums, after a four year absence, there was a sense of anticipation within the crowd, that I think that was met resoundingly with a very energetic set from the band. I had to call it an early night Friday, so I was quite happy to end my first day listening to a band not only that I enjoy but in so many ways encapsulates that Rhythm N’ Blooms vibe.

Saturday

Rhythm N’ Blooms offered a number of workshops on Saturday, including “Get Your Music Heard (Radio + Streaming 101), Meet the Press: The Nuts & Bolts of Getting Great Media Coverage”, and the one I dropped into “Time’s Up in the Music Industry”. I thought this was an especially prescient panel for me to attend, and I’m certainly glad I did. Among the panelists there were representatives for radio stations, artists, festivals, including Chyna, the host of Rhythm N’ Blooms and Attack Monkey Productions, and they hoped to have an artist on however she had to back out. While the panel gave me hope with such aspirations as the 2020 movement, where festivals have a gender equitable line-up by 2020, so many stories of day to day abuse and harassment just made me recognize how much further we have to come.

Following that inspiring panel I was excited to attend my first Secret Show at Rhythm N’ Blooms! These shows are on the schedule, but the bands aren’t announced till shortly before on social media. I actually did not have a chance to check my Facebook prior, so I was pleasantly surprised to see Penny & Sparrow, a band I wanted to see but didn’t know if I could with my schedule, take the stage. Their set felt like a perfect start musically to the morning, as their sound belies a soft power that’s awe inspiring, but not too racous either for the “just now sipping our first coffee crowd”. I absolutely loved the power of their vocals especially!

On the flip side there’s The War & Treaty, whom I saw immediately following at the Pilot Light! The War & Treaty made my “9 Acts to See” list and for good reason. Their gospel inspired music is powerful on all fronts, and I can see that regardless of the size of the room this husband and wife duo would fill it. Seeing as how this was a dive bar it was packed, but the energy was incredible! I loved the show so much, but probably my greatest regret is that I didn’t see this act when they played again at the festival.

I hopped on over for my first time to the Love Shack (no jukebox money required) following the War & Treaty show to catch Carly Burruss. Little did I know how appropriate this transition would be, as Carly’s songs do fit the country mold, but often bring a little extra gospel to bear too as she does in her track “Devil Can’t Steal My Joy”. While songs like “Good Enough for Me” have a more retro-country sound, and a message about the struggles of love that no doubt resonates with anyone who’s had a bad streak looking for love. I admit I came in with an unfamiliarity of her music, but I came away a fan.

  At this point the afternoon sun was high in the sky, and the main stage was starting to come alive with activity. So I headed down to catch The Accidentals, one of my favorite discoveries in prepping for Rhythm N’ Blooms. Thinking back to the Time’s Up panel from earlier, it was quite refreshing to see a female fronted band take the main stage (something Rhythm N’ Blooms wants to do even more!). But as was discussed that morning in the panel it’s not just their womanhood getting them on stage, oh no, but their incredible talent that earned them this place. I loved the unique harmonies, and folksy rock, bringing together the harmonies and edge of Meg & Dia, while using instrumentation fitting for country and folk acts.

    Before taking a break for the evening to get dinner I checked out one last act I was supremely looking forward to – Brother Sundance! Brother Sundance, the moniker of Rylan Talerico, is an artist whose sound heavily relies on electronics and his own unique production. So I was expecting an electro heavy set, but apparently do to tech issues the show suddenly became acoustic. Now this had Brother Sundance quite nervous for the whole show, which he joked about a few times, but for the audience I think we were presented with a rare treat as the show suddenly became what I imagine to be a rare acoustic performance from the artist. What I gleaned in listening to them acoustically, and to listening to his self-produced records prior to the festival, is that the talent and power of the music shines through either way so he had no reason to worry.

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After a break for dinner I returned to catch the headliner for the evening Dr. Dog, where a large crowd had already gathered. Dr. Dog of course did not disappoint! Though why should they as they’ve honed their live act as a band over nearly 20 year run. Of note for me in particular was getting to hear tracks I’d heard on their 2015 “Live at a Flamingo Hotel” release played in person, so when I heard songs like “That Old Black Hole” it just felt all the more powerful hearing it live actually in person! Of course they played some new tracks as well such as their new single “Go Out Fighting” and my personal favorite track thus far “Listening In”. Both songs will be on their forthcoming album “Critical Equation”.

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You’d have thought that’d be the end cap for the night, but the night was long and I still had LUTHI to see! LUTHI made my “9 Acts Not to Miss” list, so I was super hyped to see them already, but minutes before their show I also had the chance to interview founding member and bassist Taylor Craft. (Interview to be released at the end of the month!)

LUTHI performed in the 2nd biggest venue, the Jackson Terminal, and you’d have thought they had top billing as packed as the crowds were for their show. I even overheard one audience member say they’d been told by a friend “if you see only one band at the festival see LUTH”. Well they earned their crowd with a high energy set featuring all 9 members, that’s right 9, giving their funky best! They’ve really adopted the label of being a “Boogie Circus”, and it’s true that if they’re a circus you definitely got your money’s worth that night.

Regrettably after going nearly non-stop I had to call it a night immediately following the LUTHI show.

Sunday

I woke up with a bit of a festival hangover (condition of seeing so many great acts in such a short time), but continued forth to start the day with one of the Battle of the Band qualifiers. As I’m not based in Knoxville I missed the actual battle, but I wanted to catch the sets of either the winner or one of the qualifiers, and I got my chance with The Sedonas set on Sunday.

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Upon seeing The Sedonas play I thought if this was just the qualifier how good was the winning band, because I was quite impressed by their sound! First of all they had probably the best guitarist at the festival in Ryan Sise, proven for me when they played one of the best Bob Dylan covers I’ve heard since Hendrix performed the song (“All Along the Watchtower” if you didn’t get that) and he nailed it! Fitting track to cover considering their original song “’Til I Say Amen” sounds like an ode to that era of rock, albeit perhaps more Steppenwolf style than Hendrix. James Connor Wike’s energy seems to harken from the 90s grunge era, and he used those strong vocals to add that extra power and oomph to the band’s sound. All while their bassist and drummer did an excellent job too driving the music.

Following their show I came in late to the Secret Show at Pretentious Beer Co., only to learn why you don’t come in late to Secret Shows, as I couldn’t barely make it in with the impressive crowd that showed up. I learned very soon why as the artist was in fact Sunday’s headliner to come Paul Thorn! Paul’s music really reminded me of what it’d be like to hear Randy Newman play John Prine songs, cause he had that songwriting craft they both have but with the bite and wit of Prine’s greats. I was only sad I couldn’t catch more of the show.

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I then stepped in to catch one of the shows that caught my eye on the program: The Brother Brothers. I found out 2 things right off 1) they are indeed brothers and 2) they are more than just a clever band name. In fact their traditionally inspired folk is downright haunting in the best of ways. Despite being in the largest interior venue at the festial, when they sang their harmonies I felt I’d hear a pin drop, as everyone was so still and silent so as to not miss a moment of their beautiful music. I’d say if you like classic soothing folks songs, be sure to check their music out.

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Lastly, as that concert weariness was turning into full blown exhaustion, I had to cut my Sunday short. So I decided to wrap up my festival experience with the band Art Smashes Records. Very quickly I could tell the band’s sound fit the mold of what my listening habits generally include, which is 1990’s/2000’s era pop rock/indie artists. I would not be surprised if we have some of the same favorite bands in common. I was definitely digging their set, and kept thinking this is a band going places. In fact I would not be surprised if their music starts playing on the local alternative rock stations, cause songs like “Old Dreams” and their latest “Disagreements” are tailor made for radio play. I loved getting the chance to see them as I wrapped up the festival, and I’m excited to see where they go next.

Conclusion

Overall Rhythm N’ Blooms was pretty much everything I loved about festivals, except maybe the cold and the rain. This weekend was a chance to see a myriad of fantastic artists really doing what they do best, along with passionate music fans such as myself. Thanks to Rhythm N’ Blooms care with their line-up too even among the artists I did not know, I found several quality acts that will now be in my playlists for years to come. I am now ready for that long nap I’ve yet to take, and I look forward to all the excitement to come for 2019’s festival!

Rhythm N’ Blooms 2018 Recap This was my first time returning to the festival since 2015 headliners The Decemberists brought me to the festival for one day.