I found out about an open house happening last weekend in University Heights though Nathan Hubbard. He said it would be free food and beer, and that he'd be playing a set with Rafter. I'm a big fan of Animal Feelings, so Heather and I came down to check it out. It was being put on by Public, an urban architecture firm. While standing in line for the tacos, one of the owners regaled me with stories about how certain prominent San Diego musicians used to practice next door. Standing in front of me was Scott Mercado, who remembered me from his Soda Bar show that I shot.

After a couple tacos and beers, Rafter started a short, extremely well lit outdoor set.



The duo plays to what sounds like a backing track of some sort. It's the only way to recreate all the sounds on the record. So, of course I made it a point to hit them up for a bass audition. Heather pointed out that this is probably the first band I've seen that consisted of 100% redheads.



Once again, a shoeless Nathan is bathed in light.

Later that evening, Rafter won a San Diego Music Award for his album, Animal Feelings. He had a couple extra tickets for the Awards and asked us if we wanted to go and help him accept his award in the unlikely event that Stightly Stoopid wouldn't win. It's a good thing he took his family instead.