Quiet Slang June 30, 2018 at Trunk Space, Phoenix AZ [Touring for their Everything Matters But No One Is Listening Album]

I didn't know Quiet Slang was Beach Slang's, well, quiet album... Their loud punk sound translated to ethereal heights by swapping out guitar strings to more classical strings and keys and deleting drums altogether was enough to get me to listen to a band who’s usual sound isn’t quite my cup, but when softened it was much more audibly digestible for my taste.

For me, the band and it's music was introduced to me via SXSW 2018 research and ads inbetween streaming shows for free online... Their cover of Big Star’s “Thirteen” got me as did their song Bad Art.

As I walked into the Valley Bar, I noticed instruments covered in black cloth awaiting their set as their opener, solo musician Abi Reimhold played a lovely one woman opening.

After Abi's set, the stage transformed... Clouds and roses abound... A projection of a ballerina that looked like the one that you found spinning round and round when you opened the box.

Upon stepping on the stage, James Alex said he and Charlie put their art degrees to use making all the sets and editing the footage for the show, saying that they had to do something in lieu of not being able to bring the string section on the show. It definitely set the mood for the intimate set.

Charlie a girl, but one that likely feels less comfortable in more feminine clothing, was wearing a warm golden yellow dress... she relayed that at another show, she ended up matching the backdrop curtains and that at this venue, she matched the pillows in the green room. I guess that's a possible casualty when choosing to wear velvet--matching furniture. James egged Charlie to yell “All Aboard!” several times during the show because he loves the way she delivers the line... she shyly did so, and it got the fans to attention every time, but it was Charlie’s sincere thank you to James... really got to me... she found a fit as the tour manager for both Beach and Quiet Slang and for the latter has become is the Cher to James’ s Sonny, stepping out from behind the curtains to share the stage with James. She talked of not fitting in and even being bullied but that being on the road with the band has helped her self esteem and has been a safe place for her.

For their last song, James said it was for all of us. A rebel yell of a tune... Warpaint for all of us.

This is probably thus far the most feels of a setlist that I've snatched. When I grabbed it, it had writing on the back... A letter like feel that made me think It was for someone else and then I realized it was to the person luck enough to grab the setlist.  What was written was this: “You aren't damaged. You aren't broken. You are enough and always have been.

-James Alex

P.S. You matter so much :)”

See... FEELS! And so needed in these days of being lost out there in this world that I'm not sure how to live in. As a single person and introvert, it's rare to hear or read such words so this note was very much appreciated. Thank you, James.