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My First Earthquake at Cafe Du Nord: November 13, 2009
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Rebecca Bortman of My First Earthquake / Photo by Amber Gregory
Finally, proof that something good can happen on Friday the 13th: San Francisco indie band My First Earthquake rocked Cafe Du Nord with their signature style of plucky, danceable indie pop--and, after the energetic set had ended, they served their audience free cake in honor of their bandmate's birthday.
For many, this description of carefree fun begs the question: where were you on Friday night? And why weren't you at Cafe Du Nord?
My First Earthquake (MFE) was founded in 2006 by three Pittsburgh transplants and alums of Carnegie Mellon University: Rebecca Bortman (vocals, lyrics & frenetic dancing); Chad Thornton (keyboards, bass & songwriting); and Dave Lean (guitar, bass & keyboards). Drummer Andre Salcido, the band's San Francisco native, was found on Craigslist. At the band's first songwriting session, Rebecca experienced her first earthquake--giving rise to the band's name. Three years and two albums later, MFE is recently returned from their first tour of the Pacific Northwest and are gaining increasing attention from indie music bloggers and listeners alike.
My First Earthquake / Photo by Amber Gregory
But back to Friday the 13th, when those lucky enough to be inside the intimate walls of Cafe Du Nord got to have their cake and eat it too. MFE scampered onstage at precisely 11:30pm, after previous sets by Goh Nakamura, Berkeley rockers The Attachments and New Orleans-based Generationals.
The exuberant crowd erupted in screams the moment the band took the stage, and from the first moment became clear that, more than a typical concert, this event felt much more about friends new and old getting together to rock out at the end of a long work week.
My First Earthquake / Photo by Amber Gregory
Fresh off of a writing session, MFE previewed six new songs penned for a forthcoming album, hoping to gauge the audicence's reaction. The audience responded enthusiastically to each of the new tunes, not seeming to care that they couldn't yet sing along, and yelping appreciatively at Rebecca Bortman's legendary onstage dance skills.
Throughout the 50-minute set was scatttered a robust selection of songs from MFE's previous efforts, 2009's Downstairs and their 2008 debut EP Tremors--including a raucous rendition of "Cool in the Cool Way" with audience members and band alike doing The Robot, and an audience-requested encore of "Stupid Baby."
As mentioned, the night ended with free birthday cake in honor of guitarist Dave Lean's birthday. My First Earthquake is a San Francisco band with a bright future--and they've only just gotten started.
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