Ava and Daisy’s School of Rock is Back in Session: An Unforgettable Evening with Incubus
Written by Colin LaVaute - Photography by Colin LaVaute
Before my wife went into labor with both of our girls, we spent a lot of time curating a playlist of music that would play in the delivery room while she was giving birth. Both girls had their own unique set of songs with each playlist lasting over four hours. The songs that played when each was born are forever known as their “birth songs” in the LaVaute household. Ava’s was “Just Breathe” by Pearl Jam. Daisy’s was “Aqueous Transmission” by Incubus.
Fast forward to years later when I began my own “School of Rock” with Ava and Daisy (you can read in more detail about our School of Rock in my coverage of Weezer’s recent tour). While they both are taking guitar and voice lessons, I was inspired to teach them about the history of rock n’ roll, band by band, after showing them the classic Jack Black-starring film of the same name.
When I drive them to school in the morning, I showcase a different band in rock history each week. After their first school year passed, three bands rose to the top of their favorites naturally: Weezer, Foo Fighters, and Incubus.
Imagine my elation when getting the phone call that not only would I be granted a press pass to Incubus’ recent show at the Ozarks Amphitheater, but that our entire family was invited by the band for a meet and greet. The very next day, myself Alicia, and The LaVa Girls were on our way to the Ozarks for an evening none of us will forget.
We arrived hours before doors opened and were allowed to sit in on the band’s soundcheck. As we walked up, we first laid eyes on the band, only they were dispersed into positions I didn’t expect. Lead singer Brandon Boyd was playing bass and guitarist Mike Einziger was playing drums as they jammed on a nameless, groovy instrumental tune for a good long while. Once the jam ceased, Brandon opened his eyes for the first time since we arrived and seemed genuinely startled to see us there, though he still greeted us warmly.
The funny thing about being there for soundcheck is that it can be a monotonous slog for the band doing it. Nothing special, right? Yet somehow I was enamored. They were giving each other shit in the same way my band does. When they played songs for the soundcheck, they mostly attempted playing other band’s music. The most incendiary moment for me was when they broke into Beck’s “The Golden Age” off of his iconic album Sea Change. Brandon was on drums and Mike was playing the simple, yet gorgeous, chords over DJ Kilmore’s keys. Mike was belting out every word, but not into the mic. With his sound-canceling in-ear monitors in place, he couldn’t hear me belting out every word with him. Never have I wanted to grab a mic more.
Minutes later, the LaVaute clan had the opportunity to meet the band. Ava matter-of-factly informed the band that “Absolution Calling” was her favorite song and she asked if they would be playing it that night.
“Well, we weren’t going to,” Brandon said, “but we’ll play it just for you, Ava.” We were ushered out, but on the way we were informed that our seats just happened to be on the stage. Mike was particularly sweet with the girls. I can only imagine he was somewhat homesick for his three girls back home.
The fam made our way to a local Mexican restaurant. Usually, when we go out to eat, the girls will draw pictures. We collectively decided that it would be special if the girls drew a hippo to give to the band when we were back on site. I happened to look at Incubus’ setlist this tour and I noticed that they had been opening each show with “Magic Medicine.” Ava drew the outline. Daisy colored it in. Mama wrote the quote of the sample that repeats as the song opens: “On this page, you see a little girl giggling at a hippopotamus. I wonder why?” When we were led to the stage for the show, we gave the drawing to our liaison to pass along to the band. We figured they would take the drawing as a token, but only moments before they took the stage, the drawing was delivered back to us with signatures and messages to the girls. “We love you, Ava and Daisy,” exclaimed Mike.
Incubus then tore into a career-spanning set that places itself head and shoulders above others I have seen them perform. It is one thing for me to feel the elation of seeing the band live, only feet away from the act. It is another to experience it with my five and six year old girls by my side. After opening with “Magic Medicine,” the band immediately launched into Make Yourself opener “Privilege.” While the theme of the song is more centered around being thankful for the mundane tasks we muddle through in order to live in a system where we are essentially free to live our lives how we see fit, it was not lost on me how privileged my family was that night to have this experience.
Right before the band jumped into “Absolution Calling,” Mike came over to us and said to the girls “Here’s your song, girl! I hope you enjoy it!” I have never seen Ava dance with such adulation before. It was beautiful. There she was, dancing her ass off before a crowd of thousands to a song they wouldn’t have heard if she hadn’t requested it. Another highlight from the set was “Karma, Come Back” from their EP Trust Fall Side B. It was the only song I had never heard across the seven times I had seen them live and it hit hard. I broke down crying during “Dig,” holding my family and singing along “Sing this song / Remind that we’ll always have each other/ When everything else is gone.”
The girls were absolute troopers. Unlike the Weezer show, they hung in there for the entire show. Encore and all. Mike came over after the show, gave the girls high fives, and we headed home.
If Ava and Daisy do decide they want to follow the path of rock stardom, they could not have had a better example of humble gratitude than what they experienced from Incubus in the Ozarks that night.
