A journey through local music scenes in the American heartland as heard from a bicycle.

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Lawrence, Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

Mon, Oct 11, 2010
Lawrence, Kansas
It rained for once. And it was cold. Don't worry, we're okay.

 

 

Everybody in Kansas hypes Lawrence. "You've got to go to Lawrence," they say. They say it with energy, and that makes the difference. It's more like "You've GOT to go to LAWRENCE!" 

Lawrence is to Kansas what Athens is to Ohio, and Bloomington to Indiana. It's a college-town, and because of that, it is a hub for culture and arts in an sea of farmland. Unfortunately, it's not yet college basketball season, so we didn't get to check out the Jayhawks in action (their football team isn't good, so we ignored it).

We did have the pleasure of visit The Appleseed Cast, which is probably the most widely-known band we've featured so far. It's for good reason. Bands don't sustain a worldwide fanbase for over a decade on a modicum of talent. These guys are good. When we visited they were just practicing, but it might as well have been a show. Like the New Vinton County Frogwhompers in Athens, you got the feeling listening to The Appleseed Cast that they could play a song they haven't played in 10 years and get it perfect the first time. I don't think that bands like this practice to get better. They practice because they love playing music and probably wouldn't know what to do with themselves if they weren't jamming.

Chris: The Appleseed Cast

 

And here's a picture of us after a flat tire. We've had several. Kansas is pretty if you look at it the right way.

Maj & Dan on there way to Lawrence, KS

 

- Maj

Pop Culture Reference for Google: Justin Bieber Twitter

Distance Biked: 41 miles

Distance Biked to Date: 1402 miles