andrew mcmahon. i love you.

sometime around the age of 14, i started listening to a band called something corporate. their first major album, leaving through the window, is the first album i can remember falling in love with. sometime during the year of 16, i saw something corporate play for the first time in a teeny little punk rock venue called tremont music hall alongside two of my best friends from high school. it was a night i will always remember - i think everyone who loves obscure music will always remember the first time they saw a show in a hole-in-the-wall venue.

in 2004, something corporate took a little break and andrew mcmahon, the lead singer, formed a side project called jack's mannequin. 2 amazing albums later, i saw jack's mannequin open up for the fray in the summer of 2009, the first show to ever be played at the brand new nc music factory. it was an amazing night.

later in 2009, something corporate announced they were going to do a 10 year reunion tour. i was living in atlanta at the time and thankfully the infamous tabernacle was one of their tour stops. rachel, alexis, & i spent a wonderful evening singing along to our teenage favorite songs with a bunch of other people our age who were just as excited to see something corporate one last time.

sometime in late 2012, jack's mannequin posted this letter to fans announcing their break up. in early 2013, andrew announced a solo tour and sweet charlotte made the list. so this past tuesday night, my sis & i headed to the visualite theatre to hear andrew play. i love the visualite, it's the perfect size, maxing out around 700 people. you don't pay $11 for a beer, there are plenty of bathrooms, and every seat place you can stand in the venue has a great view.

getting to see your favorite artist, who is not by any means a big name, play 4 times in 10 years is pretty amazing. tuesday night was a special one, and getting to share the evening with my sister was the cherry on top. andrew & his band played something corporate songs, jack's mannequin songs, and even some new ones i'd never heard before. they encored with konstantine, my #1 all time favorite song that i have now been lucky enough to see live 3 times.

so thank you, andrew mcmahon, for continuing to make & sing music that is so special to me.

{andrew singing konstantine}

 

{set list via my iphone}

 

side note about andrew: in 2005, right before the first jack's album was released, he was diagnosed with leukemia the same day they finished recording the album. he made a documentary of his sickness, treatment, and time in the hospital called dear jack. i HIGHLY recommend anyone watching this great film - it is extremely raw & super real. you can watch it on hulu for free here.