Smoking at Sounds and Sights in Chelsea with Annie and Rod Capps

Canadian wildfire smoke was no match for the sensational sounds of Annie and Rod Capps at the Crazy Diamond and Fangs and Twang over at the Rumpus Room for Sounds and Sights on Thursday Nights.

A Smoky Sounds and Sights on Thursday Nights

We had hoped to spread the news at our vendor table at Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights about the upcoming GIG – The Art of Michigan Music Visual Experience (Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25). Sadly, the wildfires in Canada were not cooperating with us.

The wildfire smoke had turned the beautiful streets of Chelsea into something out of a sci-fi movie. Subdued by smoke, the sun turned from a hazy yellow to a malignant orange. The air smelled less like a cozy campfire and more like a trash-barrel bonfire. 

With air quality firmly pegged in the hazardous category, the ever-resourceful Sounds & Sights team sprang into action. They worked with local businesses and organizations with space to spare and moved the music indoors. With outside plans thwarted, we decided to pop into a couple of the venues to enjoy the music.

Annie and Rod Capps with Jason Dennie at The Crazy Diamond

The Crazy Diamond (110 N Main St.) turned its funky pub into a music venue, bringing in our friends Annie and Rod Capps with Jason Dennie. Silhouetted in hazy sunshine, these phenomenally talented musicians cast an aura of joyous harmony while the spell of their music took hold of us.

Annie’s lyrical voice and lithe guitar held sway, allowing Rod and Jason to dapple melodic phrases within the tapestry of a song. As the band played songs from their latest release, Never Done, as well as old favorites such as the title track to 2007’s In This Town, the crowds clung to every note while sharing their appreciation with earnest applause.

Fangs and Twang at the Rumpus Room

Holy cow, it has been a hot minute since I’ve had the pleasure of catching Fangs and Twang. I busted a move down to The Rumpus Room to catch a few tunes from this incredibly fun band. If this is the first time you’ve heard of Fangs and Twang, let me fill you in on their dark secrets.

On guitar, you have Andy Benes, on bass is Joe Bertoletti, and on drums is Billy LaLonde. Together, they brew rootsy rock splashed with country twang. The lyrical themes are the eight-ball in the corner pocket, as they take a humorous stab at supernatural beings such as vampires, zombies, aliens, and Bigfoot.

With laser lights flashing, Fangs and Twang took on the undead in “Undead and Unwed” and “Boxed In.” They also played a wonderful cover of “Moonage Daydream” by David Bowie. If you are looking for a fabulous night of music and fun, look no further than Fangs and Twang.

Pictures

We’ve got more photos of Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights with Annie and Rod Capps and Fangs and Twang in our gallery.

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