Two Inch Astronaut, accompanied by DC’s Hemlines and Laughing Man, kicked off their new album release with an energetic attack on the senses.
Hemlines, DC’s favorite feminist punks, got things going with The Bear, a powerful shout from the recently released All Your Homes. You’re instantly connected when the lyrics register. Guitarist Katie asked the crowd what came to mind when she said “reflection cottage”. While the general response was of something tranquil, she replaces the assumption of peace with a term for juvenile solitary confinement. “This next one’s about those”, says Katie.
Laughing Man took it down a notch with OM-esque string play and flowing, seamless drum rolls. Pictures were painted right away with a story of meeting a man who introduced the Quran, not as some tool to convert, but as a piece of art to express his love and passion. The guitarist led us down winding paths of daydreams that ended with Islamic prayers reverberating through unfamiliar ears.
TIA’s frontman Sam was eternally grateful for the turnout, with his love for Hemlines and Laughing Man nervously expressed. The guys went straight to it with ‘Good Behavior’, a coming of age story of premature nostalgia and regret. Maybe I’m projecting, but this one hit some deeper notes. This was quickly followed by ‘Sexual Prince of the Universe’, which seemed to be the distant observation of that preppy dude you knew in high school. “This one’s about Limp Bizkit”, shouted bassist Andy as they finished with ‘Woodstock ‘99.’
Personal Life is a nervous reminder of growing up. It was fun, but nerve-wracking. TIA’s unique perspective on the subject, surely heightened by Sam’s views, now as a teacher, will have you scrambling for that book you read ten times in high school. You know the one. -Justin Bieggar