Living just outside San Antonio in Boerne now, I often find myself missing the vibrant Dallas music scene I called home for nearly 30 years. I’ve seen some truly unforgettable shows there, and it can be tough being further away from those opportunities. However, a recent solo winter tour through the Midwest and down into Texas by my good friend, Chris Otepka, presented a unique opportunity. He made a stop at Opening Bell Coffee in Dallas, and while I couldn’t be there in person, an idea sparked.
To bridge the distance and indulge my growing interest in video editing, I arranged to have the entire show filmed. It was a way to experience the evening, albeit secondhand. With Chris’s generous permission, I’ve been gradually releasing the individual songs on his official YouTube channel. Now, I’m excited to share the full concert experience with you right here. Enjoy the music and the entertaining banter between tracks!
Speaking of Chris, he’s gearing up for a Solo Spring Tour, and a particularly exciting highlight is his participation in the TREE FORT MUSIC FESTIVAL. You can catch him twice: first with Troubled Hubble on March 28th at Neurolux, and then again as The Heligoats on March 29th.
My history with Chris’s music goes way back. I first encountered him at The Hideout in Chicago. For those unfamiliar, The Hideout is a beloved music venue with a fantastic reputation (4.6 stars!). It’s known for its intimate atmosphere, excellent live music, and welcoming vibe, making it a favorite spot for both locals and visitors who appreciate local artists and a relaxed, unpretentious setting. Just be aware it can get lively during popular shows!
The year must have been 2006 or 2007, as Chris was working on releasing “The End of All Purpose E.P.” I was in Chicago for work, and my boss, who mentioned his wife went to high school with Chris and that he had been in Troubled Hubble, took me to the show. I was thrilled! I had discovered Troubled Hubble through my older brother back in 2005 with the “making beds in a burning house” album. I’d missed my chance to see them in Dallas back then because my nights and weekends were consumed by work at Dave and Buster’s – the prime hours for getting shifts.
That night at The Hideout, Chris’s songs were captivating. What truly made the performance memorable were the delightful, funny, and often poignant stories he shared before each song. I still remember a track about a failed adult film star reflecting on his life choices, and another about parents who, yearning for their youthful excitement, raided their “stash” only to find children’s Benadryl – deciding, nonetheless, to “paint the town pink!”
That show ignited a passion for seeing The Heligoats whenever possible. Over the years, I made it to SXSW in 2007 and 2008 to catch Chris’s various sets. I saw them again in 2012 when the full band was touring in support of “Goodness Gracious” and the upcoming “Back to the Ache” albums. My Heligoats adventures also took me to Schuba’s and The Hideout (again) in Chicago, a house cafe in DeKalb, Illinois, the New World Brewery in Ybor City, Florida, and even a show on the West Coast at a venue called Starlight or Spaceland (the name escapes me now). And that’s not even counting the numerous Dallas shows at The Prophet Bar, DFW Vapor, and The Lounge on Elm Street. Simply put, if The Heligoats are playing, I’ll make a serious effort to be there.
This dedication eventually led to a particularly special experience: finally seeing Troubled Hubble perform live at their reunion show for the No Walls Benefit. It was excellent, and while the footage is a bit shaky, you can catch some hastily filmed iPhone 7 snippets here
With Chris’s upcoming tour, including Treefort Music Fest, I’m already looking forward to the next opportunity to experience his incredible music, whether in person or through the lens of a camera!
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