Tonight I went with Matt to go check out the Heart Machine (http://http://www.myspace.com/heartmachinemusic) show at Bar Lubitsch (http://www.yelp.com/biz/bar-lubitsch-west-hollywood)in downtown West Hollywood. It was an absolutely great experience. The venue is relaxed, cozy, and svelt. When I walked inside, it made me feel a bit like a russian mobster - everything from the signage on the walls to the 8-page vodka menu, to the "house cocktails" available screamed "MOTHER RUSSI
A!" to me. I was enamored by the overall feel of the bar. It was far from your hipster dive, selling Bud Light and PBR. I was free from all the backwards-cap wearing bros that seem to inhabit every dive in Fullerton. Thank goodness for variety! I enjoyed three vodka tonics over the course of the evening. I usually go with Effen vodka, a vodka from Holland comparable to Grey Goose. Effen is smoother and has less bite (and is less trendy, which we all know is the trendy thing to do. God save me!). However, because they had such an immense sampling of vodkas from around the world, I asked the bartender to force me out of my rut and to let me try some new things. My first vodka was a traditional Russian vodka (I really should have gotten the names of all of them. For now my descriptions will have to suffice). It was a two-grain vodka. It was scentless, as all vodkas should be, and had just a bit of bite. With very little aftertaste, the vodka was what I would expect from a Russian vodka - swift and to the point. From there we tried a potato vodka. This round was much more smooth than the first, but lacked any real consistency whatsoever. If it hadn't been for the buzz, I wouldn't have even noticed that I was drinking alcohol at all. Although some may see the lack of flavor as favorable (and typical of a potato vodka), I want something more from my drinks when I'm paying more per drink than I would at Starbucks. My final vodka tonic for the evening featured a (yet again) russian vodka that had been infused with various herbs and spices. The initial flavor did nothing, but after only a sip, a pleasant surpise graced my tastebuds! Its smooth and surprising cinnamon and clove taste was electric. That was the second of my two regrets for the evening: that I didn't have more time to consume my thrid vodka tonic. I could have stretched that one over the better half of an hour. Vodka is nice and all, but that isn't why we're here; I just wanted to share a bit of that with you before we taled about Heart Machine 2.0.
A!" to me. I was enamored by the overall feel of the bar. It was far from your hipster dive, selling Bud Light and PBR. I was free from all the backwards-cap wearing bros that seem to inhabit every dive in Fullerton. Thank goodness for variety! I enjoyed three vodka tonics over the course of the evening. I usually go with Effen vodka, a vodka from Holland comparable to Grey Goose. Effen is smoother and has less bite (and is less trendy, which we all know is the trendy thing to do. God save me!). However, because they had such an immense sampling of vodkas from around the world, I asked the bartender to force me out of my rut and to let me try some new things. My first vodka was a traditional Russian vodka (I really should have gotten the names of all of them. For now my descriptions will have to suffice). It was a two-grain vodka. It was scentless, as all vodkas should be, and had just a bit of bite. With very little aftertaste, the vodka was what I would expect from a Russian vodka - swift and to the point. From there we tried a potato vodka. This round was much more smooth than the first, but lacked any real consistency whatsoever. If it hadn't been for the buzz, I wouldn't have even noticed that I was drinking alcohol at all. Although some may see the lack of flavor as favorable (and typical of a potato vodka), I want something more from my drinks when I'm paying more per drink than I would at Starbucks. My final vodka tonic for the evening featured a (yet again) russian vodka that had been infused with various herbs and spices. The initial flavor did nothing, but after only a sip, a pleasant surpise graced my tastebuds! Its smooth and surprising cinnamon and clove taste was electric. That was the second of my two regrets for the evening: that I didn't have more time to consume my thrid vodka tonic. I could have stretched that one over the better half of an hour. Vodka is nice and all, but that isn't why we're here; I just wanted to share a bit of that with you before we taled about Heart Machine 2.0.Heart Machine 2.0 is still led by Doug Button with Eric on percussion. As Megan has had to move on to other endeavors - focusing on grad school and her work with Una and Geneveve has stepped aside, Doug has brought in two other female performers to try their best to fill the large void left by Gen and Megs. Lauren is the tall, dark haired, and talented violinist. Although she had only two rehearsals before the performance, she did a wonderful job in her role. Her performance reminded me of times when Megan performed with Heart Machine - quality performance, heart felt, high quality, and crystal clear. I was sad that we have lost Megan's vocals - the duets in certain songs really drive them home. Geneveve's replacement goes by the name of Janessa. She, like Doug 
is a guitarist. She reminds me of a Janis Joplin - mello and laid back nearly all the time. Her long, dark hair and slight stature sneaking in and out of the scene perpetually.
is a guitarist. She reminds me of a Janis Joplin - mello and laid back nearly all the time. Her long, dark hair and slight stature sneaking in and out of the scene perpetually.Even with the new components, Heart Machine's perfomance this evening was absolutely amazing. They did a great job with the minimal set. There was something present that sets Doug apart from his contemporaries. This man is not just a guitarist and a vocalist with an impressive range - this man is an artist. He has taken skills such as singing and playing to a new level, incorporated his heart and soul, and found a outlet to express his passion. Listening to Doug and Heart Machine this evening caused me to realize the poingient difference between an artist and a guitarist. I play guitar. I have the skills and capacity. I can play most things laid out before me with little to no problem. Doug, however, is an artist. To think that he will only get better with time is a daunting concept. His lyrics are tight and expressive - more so than even the very word is capable of being. His chord changes, picking, and flow are varied, lively, and engaging.
I must admit, I'm spoiled. Every week or so, I get to be around for Heart Machine's rehearsals and listen in on their works-in-progress. I get to talk with Doug as he goes through things in his life. I get to be privy to the struggles and the joys. Even without all of this insider information, I could still get riled up and energized by songs such as "Rockin'" and "Gotta Get Outta This Town." The bonus was the free CDs at the end of the show. Although some of the recordings are older, I found them to be more than merely nostalgic. I love listening to Doug wail away. His vocals are a blend between Bob Dylan and Thom Yorke of Radiohead, while his guitar-ing (how would you write that?) was likened to a mix of Tom Petty and Jack Johnson. I'm thankful to be here as Doug continues his art, and moves further and further beyond his peers in the music scene.
Doug - my prayers are with you as you continue out on your Heart Machine venture - God Bless!
-David
(Double Deuce!)
