Monday is the new Friday.

I'm still trying to piece together the events of the last few days. But, I've managed to hold on tight to the reigns of my high horse, thanks to Garment District apartment gems, shoes I gladly can't afford, and a meal made with love-- blessed, of course, by the 'mediocre comedy stylings' of Bernie Mac.

With that said, here's a brief (but not really) overview of the things I could actually repeat in a room full of strangers, which leaves us with a review of these good looking folks below & their first proper NYC show:

By sheer coincidence, a week before the beginning of what would become a drunken four day romp, I had been invited to a show by a band of a familiar name. Five years ago, Audrye Sessions were the stand out musicians in a large group of East Bay locals that entertained me at the time. And I must say, it was a true pleasure to hear the evolution of the Aud squad. They've ventured far past an abandoned airplane hanger filled with kegs of Fat Tire in Nowhere, California, to a serious Mercury Lounge set-- as well as The Music Hall of Williamsburg the night before.

Keeping all their good parts and trading in the rusty ones for some folkier sounds of the now on "New Year's Day", you could feel the Oakland love in the room. Those who stuck around after the show were treated by a delicious after dinner mint. A bit of intimate acoustic moonlighting at The Living Room by front man Ryan Karazija, who accompanied Mr. Scott Allbright of Poor Bailey with some music to kill yourself to... but in that really good 'if Conor Oberst & Patsy Cline had a baby' sort of way. The country twang of the guitar on "I'm Alright With You" was definitely cowboy boot approved-- namely by those on my own feet.

Looking forward to a New York City encore, fo' sho.

For a FREE download of Audrye's "Turn Me Off", touch me.