I hit the jackpot with opening bands this month, it seems. I saw Jose (presumably the sad half of Sad and French) open for Micah Schnabel a month ago. They then opened for Two Cow Garage this past weekend.
I had just broken up with my girlfriend when Micah’s show came around. I didn’t know anything about any of the other opening bands, but I figured nothing could suit my mood better than watching a bunch of sad punk boys play barre chords on acoustic guitars and cry about their breakups. By myself. Because I’m a masochist.
I was practically catatonic during that first set, but the songs lent words to my feelings — the perfect blend of sorrow, self-pity, remorse, and anger. “Cheers to You” was my favorite song from the live set and continues to be my favorite on the EP.
I promise I’ll take a more grown-up camera to my next concert.
Sad and French is best consumed during or immediately after a breakup, I think. Seeing them perform exactly one month later, with the spring returned to my step, I was less able to “feel” the music than I had before. However, that didn’t make the band’s performance less electrifying. At separate points in the set, each person who I brought with me to the show turned to me, eyes alight in the way that they tend to do when you’re listening to powerful music, and said “Wait – what’s this band’s name?”
So light your eyes on up. I’ve embedded the most recent EP here, but there’s more on the website. If they’re available for download then I’m not smart enough to find the link. But in theory it’s free music, so have at it.
