REVIEW: Behind the Scenes at Annie in the Water’s Homecoming
04/19 @ Empire Live, Albany
Photos by Aidan Faiella
“The venue was near-capacity as AITW waited in the wings. The excitement and energy was palpable. The crowd erupted as they took the stage.”
Every major band has a turning point. An event, or series of events that changes the band forever and propels them to new heights. That is because every band, no matter how big, was once a local band. Occasionally, you may hear the term “overnight success” for a band, but that is almost never the case. For every band that “comes out of nowhere,” there is usually years of hard work that came before any sort of recognition, let alone fame. While Annie in the Water has been active for the better part of two decades, I honestly feel like last night was the beginning of their “overnight success.”
I have been friends (and practically next-door neighbors) with AITW guitarist/vocalist Michael Lashomb for a few years, so while I always root for local bands to “make it,” this band is special in that I have developed a true friendship with Michael, rather than just a passing “professional” one.
Knowing that this show was going to be huge for them, I asked if I could tag along to document the day and get a “fly on the wall” perspective. The band agreed, secured my credentials as a crew member, and we were off and running. The following is my account of the day, from the time we arrived for load-in, up until Annie in the Water stepped off stage.
We arrived at the venue around 3:30. The sound team at Empire Live were already in full swing getting the night ready. They were busy running wires, setting up monitor wedges, mic stands and any other stage equipment needed. We were shown the green room, which was complete with private bathrooms, showers, and even a washer/dryer.
Basically, an oasis for a touring band.
Michael took one look at the washing machine, excitedly announced his intentions to use said machine, and promptly ran out to their touring van to grab his laundry. While it may not seem consequential now, later in this story, there will be dirty laundry (of sorts) that will give me goosebumps.
Over the next 30 minutes or so, band members from both Annie in the Water and headliners Dogs in a Pile began to arrive. There were hugs, handshakes and fistbumps as every new band and crew member entered the building. While the band members all knew each other, I was essentially a stranger to the Dogs in a Pile family, but every single one of them made sure to introduce themselves to me, and they were all incredibly kind.
Once everyone was settled in, and AITW’s photographer, Aidan Faiella (Faiella Studios), had arrived, it was time for a band photo shoot. We all gathered together and began walking around downtown, looking for some cool backdrops for photos. Watching Faiella work was really cool, as he is not only a true professional, but insanely creative and adaptable. He absolutely knows what he wants before he starts shooting, and was very efficient and comfortable in telling the band what he wanted. We walked around for about a half an hour, getting shots in alleys, brownstone stoops, in front of painted murals, and in parking garages. Throughout the shoot, I couldn’t help notice how the band members interacted with each other. The mutual respect, and adoration within the members is truly inspiring. There does not seem to be any trace of ego or hierarchy within the band. They all know they are servants to the song, which may sound pedantic, but is a necessary component for a rock-solid musician.
As we arrived back at the venue, Dogs in a Pile were full-swing into their soundcheck. Also around this time, security and bar staff began to file in. There were laughs and high-fives as their duties were carried out. Their positivity and professionalism is one of the main reasons why the night was so successful. They understand they are not just the staff, but also the party hosts, and they did a fantastic job as such.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention David Rockower and the rest of the sound team. I have never seen such efficiency in a set up, or a smoother operation, period. Getting ready for a show of this magnitude is time sensitive and incredibly stressful, yet Rockower and crew were all smiles throughout, and the sound was immaculate.
That was especially evident while soundchecking AITW. Rockower and crew made sure that everything was perfect. There was even extensive time spent on each individual cymbal and drum on the kit, to make sure every hit was perfect.
Soundcheck wrapped at 7 p.m. sharp, as the doors were opening. The band converged in the green room and began practicing their instruments, warming up their vocals and adding last minute tweaks to the setlist. They planned on bringing Dogs in a Pile’s Jimmy Law onstage for a cover of Don Henley’s 1982 smash “Dirty Laundry,” and while they obviously knew that it would go over well, I’m not sure the band even knew just how well.
As the minutes ticked closer to 8:00, the band huddled up in solidarity, declared their intentions to bring the house down, and headed out to the stage.
The venue was near-capacity as AITW waited in the wings. The excitement and energy was palpable. The crowd erupted as they took the stage and launched into “Honeybee,” one of their recent singles. They were on their feet, dancing and singing along to every song, but it was when Jimmy of Dogs in a Pile joined them that AITW went stratospheric. As they began their rocking cover of “Dirty Laundry,” it felt apparent that the crowd was not sure yet what song it was, but as soon as Matt Richards on keys came in with that very distinct riff, the recognition swept over the crowd like a wave.
The band was locked in. The crowd was locked in. The goosebumps appeared on my arms, and the hair stood up on the back of my neck.
I was certain that in this moment, I wasn’t just watching a band do a rousing cover of a classic; I was watching my friends become an “overnight success” after two decades of hard work, and I honestly couldn’t be prouder.
