 Hello, I’m Not An Airplane
“Hello, I’m Not An Airplane…” the crowd chuckles, and before us sat not an airplane but a barefooted red head with a Ghostbusters Trucker Hat on and a guitar in his lap. I was very excited to see him play some music at the Empyrean and so was he, he mentioned how Spokane was his favorite place to tour then he pauses and says well maybe not Spokane but the Empyrean is my favorite. This singer/songwriter from Sacramento was relaxed and talented with some great lyrics. My favorite song included the lyrics “I’m not afraid to fly, I’m afraid to land, I’m afraid to have my feet on the ground…” I think most people can relate to that at some point in their lives. A few songs later he mentioned that that the next song would be his goodnight song and that Chelsea Wolfe was up next – his touring buddy also from Sacramento. Before he started to play his gorgeous acoustic guitar he mentioned that we were a great crowd that he loved us and if it was Valentine’s Day he would make us all a Valentine. Moments later he mentions that it would probably be made out of macaroni, sparkles, glue, and red construction paper – very cute. Not an Airplane was a humble man – he loved the crowd said that it was so fucking cool to have people listen to your music when you are so far away from home. He seems like an honest good person and you know what Not An Airplane…I would make you a valentine too! What’s your address?
 Chelsea Wolfe is this tall dark brunette girl with a powerful folky singing voice. She complemented Not An Airplane well. Her set was very quick she played a few songs on her guitar while singing with a male guest on stage playing an electric guitar and doing a little back up singing. At one point I tuned in to a lyric and she sang that went “I want Flatlands, I want Simplicity…. I don’t want stones.” Chelsea is a talented artist and the only thing I could think of right after that song was how Lily Allen is on the radio with her hit single “The Fear” (which I also like) and the lyrics are “I want lots of clothes and fuckloads of diamonds… I hear people die just trying to find them... I want to be rich and I want to be famous…” and of course Lilly Allen is just being sarcastic but it’s interesting to hear both girls sing to different sides one unsigned and one on a major label.
 The 40 or so adults, teens, and one little guy were anxious and crammed into the coffeehouse side of the Empyrean for the last band to play that didn’t have a name. On stage one guitar player/singer, two female backup singers, a girl playing the cello and one guy on drums made up the Dominik Bar Band (if you need a name for it). During sound check the drummer’s dad ran up to the stage and helped them with their sound, so I instantly thought they were a new band and this wasn’t the case. Their story is very cool – they met at school and became friends and started to make music for fun, but Dominik resides in Germany so they don’t get to play together every day. They even apologized if they sounded rusty because they only got to practice twice before the show or when he comes in to town. Dominik and one of the back up singers named Anna fell in love – that resulted in a Long Distance Relationship and a song that is hilarious with lyrics including “I save a ton on deodorant… and haven’t shaved in weeks” – it’s like when do you ever hear a lighthearted song about a long distance relationship, never! They had songs about Burma, being yourself, and even a song sung in German. Their story just made the whole set really unique – and their friends and family were there to support them and it was really cool to be a part of that once or twice a year get together, while the train went passing by over us at the Empyrean Coffee House in Spokane on a Friday night.
Check out all the photos from the show HERE!
Andrea@checkitoutmusic.com |
