Wow—what a weekend! Brass over Tea Kettle pulled off a double-header to remember: a Friday night show under the magnolia tree at the legendary Musiikki, and a Saturday Oktoberfest blowout with a surprise we’d been waiting over a year for.

Friday night was pure enchantment. The air was warm enough to make the blankets jealous, the Musiikki patio was packed to the brim, and the crowd was singing loud enough to shake the fairy lights. Autumn spirits filled the air—liquid and musical—and the night glowed with brass-fueled joy.

Saturday morning with no idea what fate had “in store”, Fran and Pj were perusing the wares at Kingston's Antique Emporium after a post concert breakfast. They found, hiding under a desk, what we have been search for since the first brass chord sounded from our collective embouchures…. A SOUSAPHONE!!! IN B-FLAT!!!! The lonely sousa was pulled from the depths of the desk, brought into the light and shone out a signal visible to low brass players everywhere. We have been searching high and low across timezones, languages and oceans for this piece of metallic GLORY! 

The signal alerted Liam, who dashed to the store, besting rival tubists who tried to thwart his quest. Wrapping the massive horn around his shoulders, he put his lips to the mouthpiece and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” rang out through the late-morning sky. The crowd that had gathered in the store cheered, the sousa was purchased, and Liam triumphantly marched down Princess Street, serenading downtown Kingston shoppers with every glorious note.

Later that night, Fran and Liam, ever the masters of dramatic timing, kept the rest of the band in the dark about their discovery. When they revealed the new horn at Riverhead’s Oktoberfest show, screams and cheers erupted from the crowd. Lederhosen, dirndls, leather, and chains all swirled together in celebration as Liam marched the mighty sousa to the stage.

What followed was a night of pop, polkas, luftballons, teenage dirtbags, and New Sousa Energy! The beer was flowing, the music was hot, and the pretzels were delightfully soft.