Lastnight Aimee & I met up with Jane for a small bite to eat and then headed over to the Make-Out Room to see my friend David Hopkins play.

Beam was playing when we showed up, and they’re really good. The lead singer, Helene Renaut, is french and has a very pretty voice. Very Mazzy Star-ish. Later on I chatted with their drummer, Russ, about my desire to become a drummer and asked him if he he ever got tired of just keepin the beat. He said that was all part of it, and that it’s all worth it when you get a few “moments” (to jam).

David Hopkin’s drummer has played with the Counting Crows, apparently, and he was really good. Especially on a song that David proclaimed he didn’t especially like… I loved the drum beat on that one cuz it was really up and everyone was enjoying the jam. David actually had a whole team of talented peeps up there. Aimee and I were quite impressed with every one of them, and were especially impressed with his guitar player, Mike Papenburg, who did this great slide guitar move that sounded like a cello. (I’m sure someone knows what this is really called, so lemme know) David says there’s no special name for it, he calls it the “Mike P Special”. :)

I got a copy of David’s unreleased CD about a month ago, and it’s been in heavy rotation. So hearing him play songs I know (and really dig), was excellent. He’s playing again at Beth Waters CD Release party at Cafe du Nord this Saturday. If you like Nick Drake, Elliot Smith, David Gray or just damn good music (since he’s not really as mellow as those might sound)… you won’t be disappointed.

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Speaking of good music, check out this cool San Francisco music calendar I just found.