Okay, I’m just going to dive right in with this one. Kirk Thurmond was the first musician, and unfortunately, I arrived partly through his set. I am still morose because of my tardiness. His music was an unbelievable combination of soul, pop, and R&B. This man wove magic in the air with his guitar and his words. He played the guitar as if it were an extension of himself. His passion for his music not only shown through in his talent, but his facial expressions were something to be marveled at. This is a man who truly believes in his art. He reminds you of the stars of the past; he sings with a love that’s rarely shown today. His facial expressions were just a small part of his captivating stage presence, and his commentary was simply hilarious. He was so down to earth and humble even when it came to his own talent. He seems to be the type of man you could easily befriend. I even had a friend of mine, who’s a bit more qualified to make musical judgements, tell me that Thurmond was the best soloist he’d ever seen at 502, and I would have to enthusiastically agree.
You can find more information about him and his band, Kirk Thurmond and the Millenials and even listen to their music on their website. He is also on several social media outlets as well as Spotify.
The next band was the Dylan Tanner Band, a folk-indie sound that has a hint of country, mixed with the skill of an electric guitar. This band’s sound has something I have found lacking in almost all music: the ability to be simultaneously perfect to sit and listen to for its clever lyrics and smooth rhythm while also being the perfect kind of music to dance to. Usually it’s one or the other. I think it’s partly the juxtaposition of the steady beat of the drums and bass and the melodic sounds of the electric guitar and the singer’s voice. My favorite song had to be “Lonely Crowded City.” Not only was it catchy, but unlike the top forty it was so much more than a gimmick to make money. Just like the rest of their songs, it was performed with a passion and mastery that shows the dedication and meaning that went into creating it. There is absolutely no lack of passion in these members. The bassist plaid with his entire body, and the electric guitarist had a skill matched only by few. The stage presence of the singer was filled with a love for their music. Together every one of the members complemented each other beautifully.
You can find more information and listen to some of their songs on their website. You can also check them out on social media outlets and Spotify. Facebook Twitter
The last band was so different from the first two, but in such a superb way. It was exactly what I needed in that moment, and an excellent way to end the night. The liquid smooth sound of The Foreign Arm, took soul, R&B, and indie to a whole new level. There sound was this beautiful mix of light and dark tones that wrapped around the very heart. Not only was the music lovely and well-constructed, but the female singer, Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson, was a surprise all on her own. The emotion of the songs was so clearly portrayed in her voice, and the depth of it was reminiscent of The Fugees. Her raps and spoken word within certain songs had my jaw on the floor. Already, there was this amazing band full of life and soul and here was this amazing singer who just added her spark to the whole ensemble. I later learned that she is also a poet and advocates for Fresh Ink Youth Slam, a poetry organization for the youth of San Antonio. I plan to post more about that after I am able to attend one of their slams next week.
You can find out more about The Foreign Arm on their social media pages
or listen to their music on Youtube
Never have I been privy to an experience like this. It almost seemed as if gospel had poured from the speakers all night. By the end I was just about in tears with how much love I felt in the room for music and creativity. There is nothing more wonderful than passion, and it is an experience all on its own. Religion speaks of nights like these where your soul is uplifted, and the mind is able to let go of worries and doubts, and become completely immersed in something more than itself. This, this right here is the very reason we are alive.