By Annie Holub
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 2, 1997

Your own private Ida show

Photo by Pat Graham Ida Arizona Daily Wildcat Ida

Contrary to popular belief, sometimes good shows do come through Tucson.

Case in point: This Saturday, Oct. 4, Low, Ida, Run-On and the Passionflies are playing an all-ages show at Theater Congress.

Ida, from New York City, play mellow and honest songs, intense in emotional outpouring and musicianship. The band is on tour to promote its new album, Ten Small Paces (on Simple Machines, the record label Kristen from Tsunami runs) - a collection of 15 songs, including five covers, that were recorded all over the country.

Ida's music rests on slow and melodic guitar mastery from guitarist/vocalist Elizabeth Mitchell and Daniel Littleton - even when it's electric, it sounds acoustic. They played at Club Congress with Matthew Sweet earlier this year, and were unfortunately semi-drowned out by overall bar noise.

Ida is not a bar band. Encased in the black walls of Theater Congress (on Congress Street between Scott Avenue and 6th Avenue) Mitchell and Littleton's voices will undoubtedly come through as clear and ethereal as when they played at Luna Loca in 1996.

Also on the bill is Low, who make a complete departure from everyday chaos and everyday mainstream rock with music which is not only refreshing, but comforting, and Run-On (on Matador Records) who will provide the upbeat pop injection necessary for the show.

The concert, also featuring local band the Passionflies, should begin at about 9:30, and the price is $7, which is well worth it; you get the same effect you'd get from real mellow drugs, but cheaper and in a safer context.