A powerful and seemingly everlasting night of musical splendor happened at the 9:30 Club on Friday, November 8, 2019. Two performers, SunSquabi and Goose, laid a musical siege on the souls of Washington DC - and all who witnessed it will carry the soothing scars on their souls for years to come. It was truly be a night of music that will not soon be forgotten.

For months now, there’s been a significant buzz about this performance and these two incredible artists. Fans were eager to recall memorable shows by each band, especially the 2019 summer music festivals and let you know "this band is on fire" and "they are a must-see band."

We arrived at the 9:30 Club shortly after the doors opened and noticed the long lines outside the venue to get in, and within minutes, fans had already set up encampments next to the rail. What struck us most is how so many SunSquabi and Goose t-shirts were well worn and looked like they had been for years, gaining a distressed vintage look from years of proud wear and tear. It was evident that these bands had a large loyal fanbase who loved them and carried them wherever they went.

Goose appeared on stage to a triumphant baseball "Charge!" fanfare, but instead of shouting "Charge!", the crowd erupted in a triumphant "Goose!" cheer. The enthusiastic reception immediately put a smile on the members of Goose, who were performing at the 9:30 Club for the first time. For the next hour, Goose would show precisely why they have quickly become that "must-see" jam band. Their sound is infectious as their songs rippled throughout the walls of 9:30 Club. Vibrant undulations of music felt like waves crashing ashore, followed by thunderous peaks that washed over the crowd like a tsunami.  

Throughout the performance, Ben Atkind (drums) and Trevor Weeks (bass) laid down a sustained funk groove as Rick Mitarotonda (vocals, guitar), and Peter Anspach (vocals, keyboards, guitar) would noodle intertwining and peaking musical choruses. There was an ever present soothing bass line that felt like a deep tissue massage for your psyche that was combined by peaking and sensual, spine-tingling exhilaration. Goose should be on your music radar and, if 2019 is any prediction of their meteoric rise, you should see them while they are still performing at modest 1200 person venues.

SunSquabi was next to perform, and they best describe their music as "a place, deep in the cosmos, where jam bands and electronic dance music intersect with rhythm-driven funk." Tonight, that intersection was 815 V Street in Washington DC. This three-piece outfit out of Colorado consists of Kevin Donohue (guitars, keys), Josh Fairman (bass, synth) and Chris Anderson (drums). 

SunSquabi's music is half dance and half "declaration of intent" - their intent was clearly to lay siege to the deepest funk depths of your soul and make you dance as hard as your body could let you. It is hard to comprehend the powerful music that resonates from this modest army of men because when you listen to their music you feel as though there is a thousand man army marching to a unique sound that is coming to conquer and lay siege on your musical soul.