When I first learned back in August that Why? would be making a stop in Santa Barbara, I wouldn’t shut up about it. Then the time finally came – and low ‘n behold, I woke up on with a cough that elicited both sympathy and horror from all who heard.
why? – a sky for shoeing horses under
After some extreme decision-making and a – some would argue more than – healthy dose of cough syrup, I made it to the Velvet Jones in downtown Santa Barbara in time to catch the last few songs of Au’s set – they were fucking amazing, and it wasn’t just the codeine talking.
Not only did each note seem to be perfect, both guys on stage were obviously having the time of their lives; the keyboardist had the biggest shit-eating grin on his face every time the song started to expand into something new and better.
Their last song was a droning, bell-filled wonder that made me wish I had seen the whole set.
Why? was unfathomably good. Playing a blend of old and new material, they kind of blew my mind. That seemed to be the general consensus in the crowd, and as the final notes of their last song faded out, I saw something black and lacy fly out of the audience and onto the glockenspiel.
I was unsure if it was a bra or underwear, but the girl who it belonged to soon clarified for me: it was indeed a bra. The bra was an interesting choice… Most people go drawers.
Just saw this show in LA last night.. in-fucking-credible