Richard Medek

There is just no way of getting around it — it is very cold here. It is so cold that before I moved I was getting all sorts of pissed off because no one could talk about my upcoming move without pointing out just how cold it was going to be (“Oh, really, wow, so astute of you to notice…”), and now that I have moved here I am all sorts of pissing other people off by complaining about how cold it is (“Oh, really, wow, so astute of you to notice…”). Needless to say it took a little getting used to. All kidding aside, after a few weeks here I’m enjoying the cold and the change of living in a winter climate for once. Actual snow!

The music scene here is very interesting so far and it’s a fairly drastic shift from the industry culture of Nashville. My good friend — and fantastic guitar player — Paul Bergen has been showing me around and helping me get acquainted…as a result I’ve been very lucky to have met some great players and wonderfully nice people in just a few short days. The first night I ventured out of the house I found myself in the back bar of Nye’s Polonaise listening to Molly Maher and her band — Paul Bergen and Erik Koskinen on guitars, Steve Murray on bass, and Matt Novachis on drums (a great drummer, btw) playing the hell out of some country and soul. A nice way to start a new life in a new city.

The next night found me in the 400 Bar playing with Drew Peterson of 40 Watt Bulb…Paul and Erik on guitars once more with Paul Manske on bass (one of the best bass players I’ve had the pleasure of being introduced to—he made it way too easy to find a pocket). Drew is a great writer and lyricist and his songs were making me laugh out loud while depressing the hell out of me. That is a good thing and a compliment, in case there were any doubts.

Last night was spent hanging with the better half and friends; later in the night we went to Memory Lanes to watch the Hillbilly Voodoo Dolls play a stage erected in the middle of a freaking bowling alley. Bowling on lanes 1–16, band playing on lanes 17–20, bowling on lanes 20+. This town is totally alright with me.