Paul and Storm and Jonathan Coulton and Turkeys

The turkey posse had taken over the feeding station at Hyland Park the other day and I have all these photos of turkeys that I'd like to post and I'd like to talk about the concert I went to, so I'm going to combine them. BUT I would like to stress that the turkey is not a metaphor for the bands--the bands were really quite wonderful.

Oh, and Non Birding Bill redid my turkey photo to be in the LOL design. Thanks, NBB. So, I never cease to be amazed at how cool life is and the fun situations I find myself in. At the last Birds and Beers, HellZiggy mentioned that she was going to the Jonathan Coulton concert and asked if I was going. I mentioned that I'm on a budget at the moment and didn't know if I could swing it. She mentioned that if I helped at the merchandise table, I could get in free. Awesome!

It was so cool! I got there late (still sometimes have trouble navigating my way around the Twin Cities with the 35W bridge being out) but as soon as I got in and found HellZiggy I got to meet both Jonathan and the opening act Paul and Storm. It's very strange, I've never met either and had only listened to Coulton's music, but there I was talking with them like I just met them at a party and handling their merchandise--that's the wonder of the Internet for you.

I have to say, I really do enjoy Coulton, and had no idea what to expect from the opening act, but I'm listening to them right--Paul and Storm are just delightful. What's really weird is that they perform on Bob and Tom--a radio show that I grew up with in Indianapolis and the have some of the tracks form the show on their CDs. It was so weird to suddenly hear those familiar voices in my kitchen (Bob and Tom aren't syndicated in Minnesota)--but Paul and Storm are such a delight. They do musical impressions--"If Aaron Neville Were Waiting for a Parking Spot at the Mall, But Someone Else Snagged It" or "Randy Newman's Theme to The Lord of the Rings" and they write songs for a barer shop quartet and I have to say that I'm really digging the "Hip-Shop". You can go to their site to download the music and you can listen to the songs --these guys are well worth the listen if you are into Coulton, They Might Be Giants (they even do an impression of them), or nerdy/geeky guys with a great sense of humor--you'll love their music. And I'm not just saying that because they throw out Pop Tarts and Moon Pies to the audience for bribery.

The Coulton part of the concert was fun too. Someone had asked in the comments earlier if he was nice--he is, incredibly down to Earth. He's as nice in person as he comes off in his music. There was some talk before the show if Mr. Neil was going to come to the concert because he'd referenced Coulton songs in the blog. I offered that if he came I would introduce Coulton him and he said something to the effect of not wanting to impose himself on Mr. Neil. When Mr. Neil did show up and I asked if he wanted to meet Mr. Coulton after the show and Mr. Neil said, "I don't want to impose myself on him." So, I decided to be the imposing conduit.
After the show, I did the introduction. It's times like this that I wish I could have some audio control in the blog to give the full effect. The theater was just playing some general after show music and it was at this exact moment that Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" came over the speakers and the following conversation happened as two somewhat geeky men who are fans of each other met:

Birdchick: Excuse me Mr. Coulton, I have someone I'd like to introduce...

Mr. Coulton: (turns around) Hi! I'm a huge fan!

Mr. Neil: I'm a huge fan!

Mr. Coulton: Really? I saw the mention in the blog.

Mr. Neil: I first heard about you through John Hodgeman and had to listen to more.

Mr. Coulton: Wow, thank you.

Mr. Neil: If you like, I can send you some books and things.

Mr. Coulton: That would be great, I'll give you my guitar.

Mr. Neil: Don't give me your guitar, you need it.

Mr. Coulton: You're giving me books, I have to give you my guitar!

Mr. Neil: Then, I'll give you Sharon!

Mr. Coulton has no need for bees, birds, or disapproving rabbits so the conversation ended there.

So, here is proof of the event thanks to HellZiggy's husband: Paul, Me, Mr. Neil, HellZiggy, Mr. Coulton, and Storm. Anyway, if you haven't heard of Jonathan Coulton, do go check out his mad strummin' tunz.

Thanks, HellZiggy for the great time!