News from Deep Blues Festival 2013.  The Festival snuck up on me this year.  I think I realized on Wednesday it was happening this weekend.  I didn't buy an advanced ticket as I had no job back when they went on sale.  I invited my friend Nicola and was able to guarantee her that the show would end at 10pm - as that's what Chris Johnson had scheduled.  We arrived late, so caught just the end of Purgatory Hill and had only three other bands to see; Possessed by Paul James, Hooten Hallers, Left Lane Cruiser.

I caught Bren "Sausage Paw" Beck's attention and we talked for a minute, he was excited about the Hooten Hallers, he said something to the effect of [They're alot like us - Only Better]

Rain forced everyone inside where Possessed by Paul James gave an incredible performance - unfortunately I could only see him on a TV monitor - but fact is, hearing him live and having a nice view of him on TV was way better then trying to watch him through the crowd.

There seemed to be only about 100 people there, almost all looked familiar. I spoke to Mark and Karen, the Canadian's, saw Matt the CityPages blogger, and all the other usual including, of course, Chris Johnson.  I told Chris that Joe ended-up in ICU just a week after last years Festival - but of course, we never mentioned Joe was sick at the time.

Just before the Hooten Hallers took the indoor stage, a cop car pulled-up, lights flashing.  Chris came out and told us to expect 80 mile an hour straight-line winds to hit in about 10 minutes - and if we wanted to leave to "Leave Now!".  I don't think anyone left.  I didn't pay much attention to the Hooten Hallers as I was occupied with searching out the most structurally sound area of the BBQ to weather out a tornado if need be.

The Band played about 10 minutes before all power went out.  Now the evening got eerie, the only light sources being peoples smart phones at first.  The storm had a 10 minute climax and then, since no windows broke, I calmed down and got to enjoy the Hooten Hallers acoustic set.  Yes they were good.  A little strange since the the large bearish guitar player sang all his accompaniment in a high falsetto.  At first I thought one of the few women in the crowd was singing along.  I bought a copy of their CD and will check out their full sound today.

Somehow, some sort of generator or battery was brought in for Left Lane Cruiser to plug into.  They started late, about 9:30.  Their vocals were sparse - but I think that had to do with the poor volume they got out of the generator-powered mics.  Overall, it was a wild, enthusiastic performance and well worth being out in the storm for.  Drunk fan boys crowded around Bren and Chis Johnson emerged from the back to celebrate along for their last number.

10 PM - the crowed pleaded "One More", but Chris was firm - it was time to go.

Something like 28,000 customers are without power here in the Twin Cities this morning.  The weatherpeople are predicting a repeat of yesterdays storm this evening  - but Bren has a new side project playing tonight back in Bayport - so I just might need to head back out there.