Quincy, Michigan

For a town of roughly 400 people, the turnout at Quincy surprised us. A few dozen kids showed up at a pretty amazing all ages venue to hear some music and support their local scene. There was a good amount of energy and activity at the show, and although we were not the most anticipated act of the evening, people listened and seemed to enjoy our small contribution.

After the show the club owner took us next-door to a small bar where the locals were singing karaoke. People were taking things pretty seriously, which really isn’t uncommon for a karaoke scene. Country music seemed to dominant so Colin sang a Barry Manilow song for a change of pace. He really hammed it up, which seemed to offend the locals a little, but had us rolling.

Our short visit to Quincy was enlightening. Quincy is small town America. It is a place that seems completely generic but of course is anything but. Talking with the club owner we learned about the town’s own brand of local politics, racism, and economics. The discussion reminded me that people are people, whether they are in Seattle, Chicago, or Quincy, the same patterns seem to appear everywhere. The same trouble, and in many ways the same beauty, can take place anywhere.