It was Jascha‘s last night in town before he set sail on an extended boat ride to Mexico — or something like that — and the local favorite’s friends were out in full force. The party-like atmosphere didn’t lend itself to a focused set, but that wasn’t the point. Everyone was there to have a good time, to hear some tunes live they wouldn’t have the chance to anytime soon, and to wish him well. On those counts, it was a success.

What drew me, however, to the White Rabbit Cabaret Tuesday night was a chance to see Santah for the first time in about a year. The Illinois band has a new EP coming out in October, so this was the first listen of impressive new songs like I Love the Way You Seal a Deal and Indigo. Oldies like Merry Ann and Chips of Paint still groove hard and the catchy nugget, Teeth, which they played on one of their prior trips through, has even more bite. Santah seemed both looser and tighter than the last time — a good sign of a maturing band.

And of course the Bonesetters played, but there’s really little else I can say about the band. Great every time. Lunatic was another fantastic new one.

Nice turnout for the show. Fun night in Fountain Square.