March 15 Vertical Violet

Husband&Wife had tried to describe for us what our night at Vertical Violet was going to be like, having played here once before. And we were still floored with everything that was Vertical Violet and the Barnhardt family. The most gracious and hospitable people one could even dream to come across while on tour. Truly. The free spirited Barnhardt family hosts house shows (called Vertical Violet) several times a month (and often several times a week)—puts the bands up in their basement which has been modified to hold 9 people (how lucky for us) and has its own shower—a back yard that finds itself somewhere between a magical mini golf course and a whimsical the labyrinth—and home cooked meals for both dinner and breakfast. Dinner meaning.. everyone who came to the show. Which was easily just under 100 kids. 

You feel like you're one of the Barnhardt's before the night's over. And by the time you leave—you are. There's a pole in the basement signed by all the bands that have played at the Barnhardt's Vertical Violet shows. Reading through what seemed like hundreds was pretty incredible. Bands that have gone on to achieve greatness like Gentleman Auction Band, Dignan and our great friend Timbre—and a whole slew of bands who have somehow found their way to a beautiful home full of beautiful people in Wichita, Kansas.

Oh.. and they have a pet pig named Ethel who cleaned up on all our enchilada leftovers—as well as the paper plates they were served on.