The Phelps Family: Music, Tacos, and Twin Energy

What happens when you combine the charm of Bryan and Jolee Phelps and a wonderful meal? You get an Encanto experience. Bryan and Jolee are members of the band Kittens Incorporated, parents of wonderful twins, and damn fine people. I am lucky to have called them my friends for years.

Whenever I see Jolee, I am always greeted with a warm hug. I'm not much of a hugger myself but getting a hug from her is the best. It makes you feel like you are in a welcome and loving place. They have both been fans of many of the bands that I have liked over the years, so I would see them at shows. They've also fronted a couple different bands that I have loved over the years. One of the first things I did when I moved back to Champaign five years ago was to go to The Great Cover Up. Jolee was afraid that I wouldn't remember her, but of course I did. When Bryan came up, I was just as worried that he might not remember me, but luckily, he did (or at least faked it well enough for me to believe he did.) It had been many years, but that encounter was one of the first moments that felt like I was back in the City that I love.

But first, as always, the meal. Bryan and Jolee are pescatarian, vegetarians who also eat fish, so they chose a place that had some dishes that fit their needs. Since they were out without the kids, they chose Mexican food, which if you are a parent of a teenager can be a hit or miss idea with a picky teen. This was my first time there, so I usually go with tacos for my first meal at a New Mexican restaurant, so I get a feel of what it is like. Today, I switched it up a bit and got a combo with a taco, burrito, and some beans. Good choice on my part. That burrito was one of the best meals I have had since I started this project. It was delicious. So good, in fact, that I didn't even check in with Bryan and Jolee to see if they liked their food. They finished it, so it must have been good, but maybe they can drop in in the comments and let us know what they thought.

Sometimes the best laid plans go awry very quickly. I was thinking that I would talk to the Phelps's about their music and what they were up to with that, but our conversation turned to how our lives were going, and it just felt good to talk. Just talk. Talk like you do when you are catching up with longtime friends who you haven't seen in a while. We talked so much in fact that I believe we literally talked Bryan's ear off. So, if you see him walking around with just one ear, know that it's my fault, and I apologize.

It was great to hear about the creative energy of their twin sons. Their band, Squirrel Movement, is so full of punk rock energy, you forget that they are so young and playing music in this era. I always look back to the 90's or even the late 70's to hear that kind of sound. And these kids aren't just playing around with music, they are playing live shows around town, they have a professionally recorded album, and they have ambitions of making this music thing their careers. That is such a hard path to follow, but when you see kids so dedicated to it, you can't help but think they are going to make it. Bryan and Jolee have not only instilled a love of music in them, but also the passion and dedication that it is going to take to make it in the long run. I know they are proud. The four of them are one of the best family-families that I know. You know what I mean? Just a group of family members who all seem to fit in in the right way.

Before we go further, I have to first ask a question: What do Ted Nugent, weathermen, and onions have in common? Answer: they are all pricks. I thought about explaining how this relates to today's conversation, but I'm just going to have fun and leave it at that. Ha.

So, on to the band. Kittens Incorporated kittensincorporated.bandcamp.com/album/uh-oh-daydream is a project put together by Bryan, with him on lead guitar and vocals, Jolee doing lead vocals, and three band mates on Sax, Bass and Drums. Sorry for not mentioning the band mates' names, but this post is about the Phelps's. If the other bandmates want to go out to a meal for It's My Treat, they can get their names mentioned and I will leave out Bryan and Jolee. That'll show 'em.

You ever just want to leave your cares behind and go off into another era (and as someone described listening to their music, you feel $200 richer), then Kittens Incorporated is the band for you. They describe it as breeze pop, but when I listen, I am just transported into the past where everything is better, smoother, and most importantly happier. Just listen and feel better. If I were a doctor, I'd prescribe their music to anyone who is feeling down, because after listening you are guaranteed to come out with a little kick in your step. I know that doesn't really explain their music very much. I'm not a music writer. Just go listen to it and you'll understand in a much better way than I could ever explain.

Jolee especially recommends their new song Daydream, which you can find on the bandcamp page and also on Spotify and probably other music sites. Be sure to follow Kittens Incorporated and Squirrel Movement Band on Facebook to see where they will be playing next. I believe Squirrel Movement will be playing at The Space later this month and Kittens Incorporated will be at Country Arbors in Urbana next month.

Before I close things up, I want to call out the cool Curb Service shirt that Jolee is wearing. Support your favorite bands by going to their shows, buying their music, and buying their merch. I was going to share Jolee's super easy secret to learning to play an instrument, but I think I am going to keep that knowledge to myself so that I can someday hit it big with my Breakfast at Tiffany's cover. Don't want any of you guys stealing my thunder before I get rolling.

• Speaking of Thunder Rolls, someone should be doing Garth Brooks covers. I feel like he doesn't get as much attention as he deserves.

Thank you, Bryan and Jolee, for recommending my new favorite Mexican food place. I look forward to hanging out with you soon.

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