Even with a less-than-capacity turnout at Ann Arbor, MI's revered Blind Pig, Land of Talk and the Rosebuds managed to make a warm Tuesday night (May 29) in a sleepy college town a memorable affair. After a lively set by local faves Mason Proper, Canada's Land of Talk took the stage. Playing nearly all of their debut album, Applause Cheer Boo Hiss, the trio impressed the small but polite crowd with their brand of PJ-Harvey-meets-the-Cardigans rock on songs like "Speak to Me Bones," "Summer Special," and the brand-new "Death By Fire."
It was the Rosebuds, however, who truly took control. The five-piece band, helmed by husband and wife Ivan Howard and Kelly Crisp, rolled through tracks off both Night of the Furies and Birds Make Good Neighbors with vigor and enthusiasm, despite the fact that Ivan's re-injured knee forced him to sit during the majority of the show. After an enthusiastic response to "Get Up Get Out" and "Boxcar," the group took advantage of the Pig's intimate atmosphere, luring the audience with their charming Carolina drawls to the club's doorway for an acoustic performance of "Shake Our Tree" as curious late-night passersby watched on, perplexed yes, but also most decidedly jealous of what was happening inside. MARISA BROWN / PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BAND
We asked: Who's your favorite married musical couple or duo?
Name: Anna Kotov
Age: 19
Hometown: West Bloomfield, MI
Occupation: Lifeguard
"My parents."
Name: Eric Oppitz
Age: 25
Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI
Occupation: Musician
"Batman and Robin."
Name: Adam Theriault
Age: 31
Hometown: Northampton, MA
Occupation: Web developer
"Quasi's Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss."
Name: Brittney Walker
Age: 19
Hometown: Lake Orion, MI
Occupation: BBW sales associate
"Johnny Cash and June Carter."
Name: Emily Wertanen
Age: 28
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Occupation: Art director
"Björk and Matthew Barney."
Name: Max Eddy
Age: 20
Hometown: Ferndale, MI
Occupation: Student
"Robert Johnson."
Name: Brad Walker
Age: 18
Hometown: Lake Orion, MI
Occupation: Cinnaboy
"My Ma and Pa."
Name: Samantha Victoria
Age: 18
Hometown: Troy, MI
Occupation: Student
"Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love."
The Rosebuds' Kelly Crisp and Ivan Howard / Photo by Joshua Band
The Rosebuds... 'when the lights when dim' / Photo by Joshua Band
The Rosebuds bring on the 'Night' / Photo by Joshua Band
Land of Talk, up close and personal / Photo by Joshua Band
Land of Talk / Photo by Joshua Band
Mason Proper's Jonathan Visgr / Photo by Joshua Band
