Photos by Sarah Yoo
Surrounded by varying versions of the “emo” look, from scene hair, studded bracelets, to patched up hats and people going gauge for gauge, there was a nostalgic vibe to the Quartyard’s hosting of Everyone Asked About You’s April 24th show. Despite the amount of jealousy I held towards the white people wearing widowdusk, and I hate myself merch, I have never felt so at home.
I have been to the Quartyard many times, but I have never seen it so packed, albeit with stinky emos (not derogatory), squeezing together in anticipation of the opener, First Day Back. Before the show began, as fans made their way into the outdoor venue (thank goodness), stick-on mustaches were handed to them as a fan project to celebrate First Day Back’s member Nathan’s birthday. I was unaware of such an occasion, but other fans came prepared with signage, which I thought was endearing. Nonetheless, when the youthful Santa Cruz emo band made it to the stage, they showed no hesitation to start their set hard and loud. Their set was filled with intricate, twinkly, yet harsh instrumentation that pioneers the fifth-wave emo sound, and it was amazing to see the interweaving of classic rock instruments with the harmonica, violin, etc. Of course, the band ended with “Twelve Mile Tracks,” which packed a much more emotional influence on me after Maggie (the lead singer) explained the background to this track. Performing this song at a time when she is preparing to graduate, she reflects on a time when she would walk six miles in Santa Cruz to a quaint town and six miles back to campus, hence her twelve-mile track. Their whole set was an awesome experience, from the crowdsurfing and the crowd's uniform enthusiasm. However, with it still being bright out, seeing the entire crowd be a mixture of little emos moshing around and others recording the full set nonstop, there was definitely humor in the event.
Taking over the stage soon after First Day Back, Little Rock emo band, Everyone Asked About You started iconically with “Paper Airplanes, Paper Hearts.” If you don’t listen to this band, the best way to describe them would initially be singmo; however, hearing them live, there is a stronger presence of screamo as well, which is to each their own, but I loved it. The acoustics during their set were not always the most comprehensible, but who goes to an emo show for the lyrics? On that same note, as the set went on, it was evident that the singers were straining their voices, and I am no musician/singer, but I don’t know if that’s healthy; however, once again, you don’t go to an emo show for correct vocal strategies. Although this show was the first show I’ve been to in San Diego where a good 75% of the crowd recorded part of the set, the ambiance and demographic of the audience were heartwarming. From the same two people crowdsurfing, those recording on their DS, handycams, etc, it was an awesome environment, and it helped that the venue was outside because the stench was almost non-existent. Back to the band, Everyone Asked About You’s
performance of tracks like “Sometimes Memory Fails Me Sometimes” and “Taxi” brought explosive energies of whimsy and angst, touching the emo hearts of everyone in the crowd.
By the end of the night, I left with awesome merch (like they had techdecks, free pins, catchy bumper stickers, etc) and reignited a love for emos.
