Sea and Cake Frowns Upon Your Attempts at Un-Permissioned Audience Participation
By CDW 5.22.7

With the right wine, there are particular artists who pretty much guarantee romantic success with an indie rock girl; cat power, devendra banhart; sufjan stevens, bjork's vespertine album, yo la tengo's and then nothing turned itself inside out album, and, of course, anything from the sea and cake.

Based on the number of couples at last night's the sea and cake show at the belly up cuddling up and guys with beards in plaid shirts with the roving eye, it appears that more than a few guys have figured this out. 

The ladies' enthusiasm for the respectfully aged group became evident early in the set when two women jumped on stage and began interpretive dancing.  Touring bands- you bring that mellow folky stuff to San Diego- hippie girls WILL GET ON STAGE AND START DANCING DURING YOUR SET.

I don't know if women have ever jumped on stage at a sea and cake show but it didn't look like the band had any experience with this sort of thing and didn't know how to handle it.  At one point one of the young ladies tried to sing into the mic with Sam Prekop.  Sam didn't push her away but didn't acknowledge her either.

I think it's a fair statement that the mellow indie rock world does not typically allow for audience participation (which is limited quite drastically in most rock club environments) and that the artists- unless they are asking you to clap or whistle along to whatever- do not want you to participate actively in the performance. Nor for that matter, do they particularly want you to dance on stage. Relax guys, enjoy the young women flinging themselves on stage. 

One of the bros in the crowd yelled, "show us your tits!"  Ah, the Belly Up crowd, thank you for confirming unfortunate stereotypes about beach community fans. Really, at a Sea and Cake show? I mean. really?

The sea and cake played a lot of songs that were unfamiliar to me but many of the fans knew the words and sang along.  Still, the best crowd reaction came from some of the older tunes like "Parasol" and "Jacking the Ball."  Honestly, I was suprised at the large size of the crowd for a $15 show on a Monday night.  Go, Belly Up Tavern.

I saw local music luminaries Kelly from Kite Flying Society and Anna Maria Stephens, but mostly the crowd seemed to be more from the beach community than the usual folks we see at the Casbah or the Beauty Bar.  Kelly said that Kite Flying Society is recording and that they should have a new album out toward the end of the year. 

After the show, there were still people milling about, chatting, but, inexplicably, the house lights came on at 11:38pm.  Maybe the noise issues with the neighbors forced the early time but 11:38pm is a little early for a show.

After the Sea and Cake the catdirt posse head to Landlord Jim's for a nightcap.  Landlord Jim's is going to be demolished and replaced with college facilities soon, so Golden Hill residents take advantage of this conveniently located bar..

Sea and Cake at the Belly Up - an unedited email from Keith
"Ello matey, So I went to the seancake show but I never did see ya. the openers were so fucking terrible. Robbers on high street were the only ones I saw. beatles back wind suckers. Everyone is so fucking earnest in that indie rock scene. Turns out I'm like an alien or something. I'm a giant eyeball just rolling along and looking everywhere but not really feeling at home almost anywhere. I'm most at home while at home or inside my head. I'm at home at your home creating. I'm at home in a cafe with coffee and writing. I'm at home with my family. I'm at home on the coast. I guess as an old bastard those are my homes. THis was okay but certainly a bit weird. I kind of like things a little less staid and a lot more crazy. It was all tight sweaters and 1950's haircuts and vaguely gas station attendent/soda jerk vibes. seancake was GREAT. they were however about as boring of a bunch of blokes as I can imagine! It felt as though there were three dudes up on stage who have perfected that very earnest, uptight, holier than thou vaguely post punk garage mechanic look and were somehow accidently in a band. THe music was beautiful and the bass player was a long haired behemoth heavy metal looking dude. During one song these two CUTE indie rock girls jumped on the stage and were so TOTALLY into it and dancing and the two main seancakers were so obviously freaked out by this. THey were like shocked at the enthusiasm and made them get down after a song. I think the chicago music scene must be wound up tighter than a gnats ass. THey did however play two or three of my fav s&c songs and they were beautiful. Also I loved the archer prewitt guitar. It was like a baritone or something and he played it with a capo and ebow a lot so good. THanks so much for the tickets man. I really do appreciate it. I dig the belly up and it's such an easy trip back home after. I drove the coast highway with all windows down to dig the nigth ocean air. I had good old Terry Riley blasting LOUD and it was an amazing trip that I didn't want to end. I almost decided to just keep rollling and see where I'd end up...but there it was 11ish and I knew that within a few hours I'd be here where I am at work SO, I turned on 78 and went home. Sorry I missed you. PEACE, K