Although living the Band Wife lifestyle has it’s ups and downs, one of the perks that I enjoy is getting to tag along and visit cool places from time to time (like here and here), and I got to stand by my man this past weekend at a MUTEMATH show in Tulsa, OK.
The funny thing about going to a Tulsa show is that almost exactly two years ago Todd stepped out on stage in Tulsa to do his very first show with the band, only to have a mini tornado rip through the outdoor festival moments before they started their first song. Aside from a few broken guitars (gasp) and a smashed 200k video wall owned by The Flaming Lips (yikes), everyone escaped safe and sound, but needless to say, Todd had to have his first show with the band another night soon after.
This festival in Tulsa was, thankfully, tornado free, and I liked it much better that way. The show was extra fun because I was also joined by fellow band wife Stacy King (of Eisley and Sucre fame and married to Mutemath drummer Darren King) and got to spend some girl time with her and their baby Scarlett (so cute!). The band was also playing with OK Go and Neon Trees and it’s always fun to check out bits of what the other bands are doing during their sets.
It’s really important to me to make sure I get to as many shows as I can. Aside from shows being a generally entertaining time, it’s crucial that I remind myself from time to time just how good Todd is at what he does. Seeing him perform makes me remember that it’s really worth all the sacrifices we make to allow him to do what he was born to do. I’ve seen him play so many different shows, on lots of different instruments, but I always leave impressed. It’s easy to forget he’s a musical genius when most of the time I see him sitting around the house, usually in his underwear, being a total goof. What? That guy? Good at musical stuffs? For realz?? For realz.
(I took a couple of these photos with my iphone and edited them with the A Beautiful Mess App. If you don’t have that app yet, you really need to get it- so fun!)
This was my first show with my “real” camera, and it was both frustrating and fun to try and take as many pictures of the show as I could. I still have a long way to go my skills, but it’s always a learning experience to try and capture moments in a new type of setting.
The last picture is from a hotel room late that night. About a half an hour into our drive home, we hit a giant rainstorm that was so severe we had to crawl to the nearest hotel and spend the night. That car ride was probably the most scared I’ve been in a while and my stomach was in knots until we made it to the hotel. We could still hear the storm for the rest of the night and I felt terrible that we weren’t going to make it home to cuddle with furry baby Charlie, but I was so glad to be safe and curled up with my guy in a warm bed.
And I’m totally stealing that Freddy Mercury shirt Todd’s wearing. Consider it mine.
Sounds like such a fun show 🙂
Fun fact: my boyfriend and I met 7 years ago at a Taking Back Sunday gig, where Eisley were supporting, in Bristol, the UK. My guy friend and current boyfriend (complete stranger at the time) were talking about how gorgeous Eisley were.. By the end of the night, we’d all swapped email addresses and the rest is history! We’ve been together for almost 4 years now 🙂
I love all the photos that you used., and that there was another band wife.
Glad you got to spend time with Todd and also with Stacy and little Scarlett- that must have been fun! Glad you made it safely out of that storm too. Your photos are fantastic-love them! Hope the guys make their way out East soon- miss them and their live shows 🙂
Enjoyed reading this, Laura. Carina and I have had fun meeting up with your in-laws here and there. We’re glad to see Todd making his own musical path there with the MMs. Very nice band shot, by the way. ‘Feels like I’ve been photographing the guys since, like forever. Maybe it has been…..? Hope to see you all sometime soon in the Big Apple.