Trails And Ways June 15, 2015 at Valley Bar, Phoenix AZ [Touring for the Pathology album]
Concert Memories: This was my second time seeing Trails and Ways, and my first time at the Valley bar, Crescent Ballroom's even more down town sister venue. I first saw them last year at around the same time... I guess the band and AZ summers go well together.
My friend Shannon and I walked in late and right into local act MRCH's set. I already had an inkling of their sound from VIVA PHX. We really liked their sound... it seemed Emma did too, because she stood next to me for a moment to take in MRCH's set. I almost didn't notice because she had cut all her locks off.
The next band to hit the stage was Waterstrider, who I remembered had opened for Gardens & Villa at the Crescent. They always do a good job of warming up the crowd... they came equipped with new songs and were really on that night.
Finally, it was Trails and Ways turn to hit the stage. I was happy with the turn out to the show... I know there was a girl next to me that knew all the songs and was singing along to them all excitedly. My favorites of the night were "Heavy Sleeper" and "Skeletons"... and of course "Como Te Vas." My friend made the comment that they look like a band that tours and exercises together. Their next post onto their Facebook page proved that they eat quite healthily as well, and from their last tour, we knew Emma had gone running--which was my question to her post show. She had not. After buying some merch from Keith, we also got to chat with Hannah, who has similar features to a friend's cousin. She was enthusiastic and noted at how both Shannon and I grabbed the set lists. I told her how much I love the song she sings lead on, "Heavy Sleeper," and she thanked us for coming out. If anything the band is quite personable. We wished them well for the rest of their tour, The Valley Bar being the starting venue, and called it a night.
Note: Upon further study, the set list back is interesting... looks like a study sheet on judicial procedures... which somehow seems fitting for a band that has political notes to their lyrics. Definitely one of the more interesting setlist backs I've acquired in some time.
