City Mitten

New favorite venue: The Bell House, located in Gowanus, Brooklyn, aka The Middle of Nowhere. Two weeks ago, I could not have pointed out Gowanus on a map to save my life and then somehow I found myself there two days in a row last week. The funny part is it’s actually pretty close to me, it’s just small and industrial and I hadn’t found a reason to go there until now.

My first time there was to go to an issue release party for Pomp & Circumstance, which my girl Laura Leebove had her first cover story – an interview with Andrew W. K. It was at Littlefield, a bar/event space, and boy did I feel lost on my way over. But I made it and found my girl and some other peeps I knew (or didn’t know yet and now do) and we hung out for a bit. We chatted with Andrew and bonded over our Michigan accents. He was pretty cool and Laura had me take a picture of them with her fancy SLR camera that I want soooo bad. I know it will change my life.

Here’s Andrew and Laura, I’m not too sure why he’s making the crazy eyes, but alas:

And here’s the cover of the issue and the first page of the story:

Yep, that’s my girl! We worked together at The State News back in the day, and look at her now!

My second night in Gowanus was at The Bell House, which I mentioned is my new favorite venue. Even more in the middle of nowhere, but even better. It’s like a giant barn and the acoustics are phenomenal. And the bar is pretty cute, too.

Have a looksies:

The bar before the show.

The barn (that’s what I’m calling it) after Laura Veirs (pictured at top).

The reason we went: Blind Pilot! Blind Pilot is the coolest band, they once went on a tour by bicycle. Bicycle. Do you SEE that giant upright bass? That’s impressive. I don’t think they do that anymore since they are touring nationally but they still are sweet. I love all the instruments and the sounds: I don’t even know what half of them are. But I love their folksy sound and their attitude. It’s good stuff.

And tomorrow I’m going to Detroit!