With love in the air and weather perfect for the occasion, Valentines Day was a hit.

From the moment I woke up, I knew it was only a matter of time until I felt my insides turn.  Not only was it the day I loathe, but also the day my favorite band was going to play here in Lubbock at Jake’s Ballroom in Lubbock.

After reviewing my questions I had for the bands, I knew that before I walked into Jake’s that I had to gather myself so I wouldn’t come off as unprofessional.  With my recorder and questions in hand, I knew there was nothing much else to do but walk in and get things started. 

Once I walked into the room, I was greeted by Aqueduct keyboardist, writer, and singer David Terry.  Before I could even speak, I was asked to sit down and get comfortable. What I thought was going to be an interview turned out to be a normal conversation between friends.  Terry turned out to have a lot of the same interests as I have. First and foremost is our love for keyboards.

An owner of over 15 keyboards, Terry said he has had a passion for music since he was young.  At the age of 19, Terry decided to do some rough recordings of what is now, Aqueduct.  Though a one-man project, it is a four-man show. 

Terry told me about additions he makes to different songs and shows, but most of what he plays is from his keyboards and computer.  After only after a few questions, the waitress came in to give him his food, and not only did he ask me to continue with the interview, but he set his dinner to the side.  I couldn’t help myself but ask him to continue to eat, and I’d hold on, but he insisted. 

Like many musicians today, Terry didn’t complete college, but he still turned out to be one of the most talented musicians out there.  For aspiring musicians, he had nothing more to say other than, “If you are aspiring, you know what you are doing.” 

Something that didn’t surprise me was Terry’s relationship with Mates of State. Kori Garnder and Jason Hammel (Mates of State) tend to work in a tight knit group of friends inside and outside of the studio.  Terry, who has been friends with Jason and Kori for more than three years, was invited to join them on tour to promote their new album soon to be released this summer.

Once the first interview concluded, I walked outside the room to join those in line waiting for the evening performance of Mates of State.  At this point, I am more excited to speak with Kori and Jason than I am to see the actual show.  Stepping outside to take my place in line, my expectations were fulfilled when I saw the line go outside the door.  I was only standing in line for a maximum of 10 minutes, before Mark, the guy who sells merchandise for Mates of State, pulled me to the side and asked if I was ready to speak with the band.  From this point to the end of the night, hours were a blur, and my Valentine’s Day was complete.

Immediately after stepping into the ballroom again, I was greeted by “So you wanna go for a ride?” by the casually dressed Kori and Jason of Mates of State.  My response is exactly what you would expect, “Of course!” 

I couldn’t help but have the feeling of importance once I opened the van door and took a ride with MOS (Mates of State).  Riding around Lubbock with a band I’ve adored for more than two years, I started with the questions I have been waiting months to ask.  Kori knew exactly what I was ready for, and she sat beside me and gave the cue. 

Unable to control myself, I asked the first question that popped into my head.

“Kori, does your mom fart a lot?”

 Before I could release the seriousness from my face, Jason asked if someone had me ask them that question, and I had to give in.  Before the interview, Mark, the merchandise guy, had given me questions to ask them. 

After this, the ice was broken, and the questions became more serious and personal.  The last time MOS was in Lubbock, Kori was pregnant, and was more beautiful that ever. This Valentine’s Day, they brought along the newest addition to the family, 8-month-old, Magnolia.  We spoke about Magnolia and her influence in their music, and what this means for the band’s future.

“Magg’s presence does change the schedule a lot, but we expected it and it just makes things funner,” said Jason.

Kori and Jason shared with me their future plans for Magnolia in music.  As I expected, they are going to start Magnolia in piano lessons, and maybe we will have a modern Partridge Family.

“Hopefully once we put Maggs in piano lessons, she will start to gain interest in other instruments and have as much love for music as Jason and I,: said Kori, who also shared with me Magnolia’s favorite book, as well as her favorites and Jason’s favorites.

How does this have anything to do with music? Well, books and children serve as influences in MOS’s music.

“Everything about what we do and how we do it is expressed in our music somehow, and now with Maggs, you can expect its somehow affecting our music,” said Hammel.

As we were still driving, Kori told me that their new album would be produced with help from new people. However, this is something MOS has never done.  MOS tried to only work with friends, but in order to change the sound up a little, they thought new ideas and people would be a good idea.

“We thought that maybe with the new album that we should ask others what they think, and quit trying to take so much control,” said Kori, who had been explaining to me why they were finally doing things a little different.

“We gave a tape to a friend of ours who plays the violin, and asked him to come up with parts,” added Jason. “He has a creative mind, and could come up with stuff that would probably sound better than what we have.”

Unable to control my excitement, I asked if they had started recording yet, and they responded that soon after their tour was over they would start over again.

For those who haven’t seen their new DVD release, “The Two of Us,” it’s worth watching.  I tried my best not to ask questions that were too cliché or close to those included in the DVD.  After finally arriving at our destination, I found out about Kori’s new keyboard, and about production of previous albums such as “Our Constant Concern” and “Team Boo”.

We finally arrived back at Jake’s, and I was let in early to be right in front to take pictures and enjoy the show.  The excitement spread throughout my body, and the dancing started.  The entire set consisted of songs that everyone in the audience sung along with. 

Even when fans from the audience would scream out a song, the band was more than willing to play it.  Being a huge fan of MOS, there wasn’t one song that didn’t excite me, and many others felt the same way.  MOS’s positive, progressive pop sound has taken off in popularity during the past two years, and their shows are becoming full or even sold out. 

By playing songs such as “Gotta Get a Problem”, “Starman”, and “Ha Ha”, Mates of State knew they had the audience exactly where they wanted them,which was all over the dance floor.  They played songs from their latest EP, “All Day,” and spread their wholesome attitude throughout the building.  People of all ages attended the show, from junior high students to married couples, providing proof of the diverse audience that Mates of State captures.

Throughout their time on stage, the couple looked at each other during every song. That is one of the things that makes Mates of State so unique. Their performance is unlike so many others because they have a genuine love for one another and music. 

Without a doubt, Mates of State was a perfect close to a day filled with red and pink balloons, and heart shaped boxes filled with chocolate.