Dad, Please
A podcast where a dad and daughter talk about the things we love... and the things we definitely don't always agree on.
Dad, Please
Raye, Riveting Retellings & Relaxing at the Post
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“Where Is My Husband?” — because apparently, RAYE had us questioning everything after that concert.
Join us for an episode packed with all things RAYE as we break down the entire concert experience — from the venue vibes and opening acts to RAYE’s powerhouse performance and the songs we still can’t stop thinking about. We also dive into one of Houston’s favorite hangout spots, POST Houston, where we explore the food hall, discuss our favorite bites, and debate what we’re trying next time.
Plus, we chat about a possible new book club adventure centered around the Disney Twisted Tales series — made even better by a surprise gift from Dad that may have officially kicked things off.
Concert chaos, food adventures, books, and unhinged commentary? Sounds like a classic Dad, Please episode.
Music by Joaquin
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Hello and welcome to Dad Please, the podcast where a dad and daughter talk about the things we love and the things we definitely don't always agree on. From concerts and city adventures to books, movies, and our favorite foods, each episode is full of stories, laughter, and a little generational debate.
SPEAKER_01I'm Hamlin, the dad.
SPEAKER_00And I'm Alex, the daughter.
SPEAKER_01Together we're exploring our favorite places, sharing what we're reading and watching, trying new foods, and of course, telling more dad jokes that anyone actually asks for. So grab a snack, get comfortable, and join the conversation.
SPEAKER_00Welcome to Dad Please. Welcome to Dad Please. It's me, Alex.
SPEAKER_01And it's me, Dad.
SPEAKER_00And today we are deep diving into Dancing with the Stars, one of my favorite reality TV shows. I love this show so much because it involves dancing and celebrities. I mean, what more could you ask for?
SPEAKER_01Um, football.
SPEAKER_00No. Well, there are football stars on there. So for some of you guys who don't know, which dad does know what this show is because I talk about it all the time. All the time. My mom and I watch this show along with my grandma, and this show essentially is a professional dancing show where you have professional dancers competing with celebrity stars. So it could be from football players to basketball players to musicians to influencers, and they just compete to win a trophy. So last season, Robert Irwin won as a celebrity. He won his season. And this year, they are actually doing a spin-off with Robert Irwin, and he is going to host a show called Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro. So essentially, this show is for professional dancers to compete to be a professional on season 35, which will come out later in the year. And the judges are Mark Ballas and his mom, Shirley Ballas, and they will be the judges to determine who's going to be the next professional dancing. And they have announced at least two of the cast for the season coming up, and that is Sierra Miller, which she is part of Summer House, which is another reality TV show. I actually have not watched that one yet.
SPEAKER_01Wow. I guess reality show you haven't seen.
SPEAKER_00Yes.
SPEAKER_01I'm shocked.
SPEAKER_00So I will be watching that soon. And then you have Mara Higgins, who she was on Traders season four, and of course, my all-time favorite show, Love Island, season five from the UK.
SPEAKER_01Oh my god, I love Mara. Uh Mara is so amazing. I have no idea who Mora is at all.
SPEAKER_00He doesn't know. Only from what I've probably told him about her. And those are the two celebrities that are gonna be on the show coming soon.
SPEAKER_01Celebrities um have changed a lot since I was younger.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, they are influencers. I will say I feel like if I was a celebrity, I would love to be on shows like this, like Dancing with the Stars, Um The Mass Singer. Any show that like does something fun, I would love to be on it.
SPEAKER_01I couldn't. I can't dance nor sing, so I couldn't do either one of them.
SPEAKER_00Well, they teach you how to dance.
SPEAKER_01I mean, they have no teaching me. I have two left beat.
SPEAKER_00I mean, there was there's a couple of like football professional stars on there that are just like, meh, they really can't dance, but they they make it to the end.
SPEAKER_01Oh, was on the mass singer and he could not sing and he was on there.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, there are some football players too and basketball singers who are on the mass singer.
SPEAKER_01But um Evan Smith did win, you know, go football.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, there's actually some football players that are on the Mass Singer and they kind of like surprise you with their vocal ability, and you're like, wow, I didn't know you could sing. And a lot of them are like, Well, I was in choir when I was younger, or this is kind of like a hobby of mine, but you know, my athletic career took off. So it's actually pretty cool to see how athletes have other abilities as well, which is pretty cool. But be on the lookout for dancing with the stars. I know I will be watching it. Maybe I can drag dad into watching it this new season.
SPEAKER_01I definitely will be hearing about it, no doubt about that.
SPEAKER_00So hopefully, but what we've been into this week, we actually have been on this lookout for some. I don't know if you guys have heard, but they're called the Disney Twisted Tales. And dad and I are kind of a little obsessed with trying to get basically almost every single one of them. So the Disney Twisted Tales essentially is a book series that is by different authors, and they I don't like 39 clues how they do that. Yeah, and so basically it's like a what if scenario. So, like, for example, the very first one, a whole new world, is an Aladdin one, which it's no longer being sold, guys.
SPEAKER_01So just putting that one out there, um, not being sold digitally. Digitally, yeah.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, only physical copy. But essentially, it is what if Jafar took the lamp instead of Aladdin? So if you guys have seen the movie, we all know that spoiler alert here, guys, in the movie Aladdin, when Aladdin goes into the cave, Jafar actually does not get the lamp, but Aladdin gets it because of his monkey Abu. So in the book, it's the opposite. So it's kind of like what if Aladdin actually did give the lamp to Jafar, and how would things go from there? So the books are kind of like that. They're just what if scenarios.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and I would say we did say it's like 39 clues. When we say that, we mean m made by different authors. 39 clues was a continuous um one author were writing, and then the other one would just go from that book. And so, you know, that's the difference. Disney Twisted Tales is an individual each book for um like each different story. And every book is not available in America. We have some digital copies, but there's not some that are available in America. So that's another thing, too. You have to try to find the books, and some of them are higher than others. And we do have a lot of them on um digital, but we're still trying to collect ones that we can't have on digital and that are only made in Australia. Like the newest one that's coming out, they have one for Lilo and Stitch that's coming out later this year, and it's gonna be in the United States. It's a lot of it's it's really interesting, a lot of good stuff. I gotta um step away for a second because I have to um I have to do something real quick.
SPEAKER_00Okay, well, while dad is doing that, we have so many different twisted tales, and we actually have like Sleeping Beauty's one, they have Mulan, The Little Mermaid, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, they have Frozen, Peter Pan, Cinderella. So they're all really cool. Um, I know another one that I also read was The Sleeping Beauty Once Upon a Dream. So essentially it's what if Sleeping Beauty never woke up? So what if Sleeping Beauty didn't get woken up by the Prince in the End? So it kind of follows that scenario of the Sleeping Beauty Twisted Tales. So they are really cool, and so we have been on the hunt to find these books.
SPEAKER_01Okay, guys, so I'm back. I had to surprise Alex. I have been hiding this for weeks, but I got her a lot of the books that are not that you can't that you can't find. You have to buy them in a store. So I bought these and had these for a couple of weeks.
SPEAKER_00Oh my god, guys, what in the world? There is like he got me one, two, three, four, five books. Wow, dad. Thank you. So the books that he got me, which I am excited to read these. We have a cruel truce, a twisted tale novel, and it is what if Corella and Anita were best friends. The other one, which I had been really wanting, this one, it's Be Prepared. So what if Nala was compelled to team up with Scar for a secret reason? We have a suddenly super and incredibles one, and it's what if Violet became an agent of syndrome? We have Princess of Thieves, which is a twisted tale of what if Maid Marion was the real outlaw? And then we have set in stone a twisted tale. What if Arthur wasn't meant to be king? I am so excited to read these. Thank you, Dad.
SPEAKER_01I found those and I was like looking and looking, and I was like, I'm gonna get these in surpriser. And then when we started talking, I was like, oh yeah, I have to bring these out. I meant to put them in like a bag in Surpriser, but I put it under my shirt and rent it out.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it was quite comical, guys. But we actually want to do a mini book club series um on the Twisted Tales. So be on the lookout for that. Um, we have a lot of things going on, a lot of little different stuff that we are trying to post for you guys. So be prepared for this little mini book series we're gonna put out of the Twisted Tales where we read it together and we talk about it and discuss it.
SPEAKER_01We'll discuss it on on probably on YouTube like on YouTube. We won't talk about it in uh to each other until we actually do it. That's what we try to do with some things.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, and for this book series, just a heads up, you do not have to read them in order because they're all from like different movies. But if you would like to read them in order, they do have a chronological list, of course.
SPEAKER_01I'm gonna read them in order. Alex knows me. I'm sorry.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so we will be reading them in order. So we will start with a whole new world. That is the first book, Aladdin. And I do recommend that you guys watch the movies before because these are based off of the movies, as in what if? So if you don't know what happens in the original movie, like how we said about Aladdin and how he got the lamp first, you kind of won't understand the gist of where these books are going, just because it's like the opposite effect. So I do highly recommend watching the movie. That's probably what we're gonna do. We're gonna watch the movie, read the book, and then we'll compare. But highly recommend doing that. And we are very big Disney fans, we're very big like Greek mythology fans, we're very just big fans of like anything that has to do with like fantasy in that sense.
SPEAKER_01We go to Disney, we try to go at least once a year. We we are big Disney, we're big Disney fans, we love Disney. Um, Disney is actually like they say, Disney World is the happiest place on earth. We we're just very excited when we go there. And these Twisted Tales, we are like we're really into it, and so Alex has started reading. Alex loves to reading. Love, love, loves to read. I like to read, but Alex has Alex has a love for it. Alex loves reading the way I love playing video games. So um But I do like books. Certain books catch my attention, and I'll just read and run through them. This is one that we talked about, and Alex has started reading it, but we'll reread it so that we can have a discussion about it. And I'm very excited about it. So still have a few more books that we have to buy. We're trying to catch them on sale. Put them on sale, Amazon, so our barns are no, but one of y'all put them on sale so we can get them.
SPEAKER_00So yeah, so we are excited. So we're gonna be starting this series, so please follow along with us, and we will be very excited to start that especially.
SPEAKER_01I can tell you my favorite one would probably be The Little Mermaid. That's what I'm I love the Little Mermaid.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, he loves The Little Mermaid. I love Princess and the Frog, so that might be one of my favorites. Um, the ones I've read have been pretty good, so rereading those would be nice. And you know, it'll be fun to discuss with a fellow Disney fan as well. It's always fun because, you know, even though dad and I have very similar thoughts, we have very diff like we bring up different points, so it'll be really fun to see that. And I'm excited to dive into that series. I'm sure dad is as well, but just be on the lookout for that. And then of course, we gotta get into our final record spotlight. And what is our spotlight of the week? And that would be this music contains hope by Ray. And of course, as you guys know by now, when we introduce a record, it's because we went to see that concert. Yes, and so this music may contain hope is her newest album that was released in 2026. It is actually a family album with contributions from her singer-songwriter sisters, Ama and Absolute, and also her grandmother and grandfather. So her grandfather does appear, and one of the songs, his voice appears. And some of the songs that are on this album include Girl Under the Grey Cloud, I Will Overcome, Beware the South London Lover Boy, The What's Up Shakespeare, Winter Woman, Click Clack Symphony, I Know You're Hurting, Lifeboat, Skin and Bones, and of course, one of her most popular songs, Where is My Husband? And this album was really good. So Ray is a British singer, songwriter who this is her second album officially that comes out, and it's just a really good album. Her first one was really good as well, and I really like this album because she does dedicate it to her family, which I think is really sweet, and which we will get into the concert in a bit. But her sisters actually were with her as well in the concert, so it's just a nice full circle album, I would say. And one of my favorite songs on the album is I love her song Skin and Bones. I think that album is so I mean, sorry, I think that song is so good. That is one of my favorite songs on the album. And Dad, what is your favorite song?
SPEAKER_01Um, this album, I would say it would be I listened to a lot of Ray getting ready for the concert. I would say that it would probably be um Where's My Husband? I like that song.
SPEAKER_00Could have told you guys that one.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I like that song. Baby, what up is my husband? I like that song, but you know.
SPEAKER_00It is such a good song, and so we listened to that to prepare ourselves for her concert.
SPEAKER_01And I don't let me interrupt you. I don't know where Ray's husband is. I don't know why nobody ain't snatched up. Ray is Ray is a baddie.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, she's beautiful, and she can sing, guys. And so we went to her concert, and this was actually both our first time at the 713 music hall, and it was a really fun time. So I will let dad explain his process on how he got the tickets, like his thought on why he got the tickets he got before we tell you where we actually sat and how amazing it was.
SPEAKER_01Okay, so we were talking. Alexandra, thanks. I don't always listen, but I listened to her a lot, and she was telling me that she's like, I want to see Ray so bad, but she's not coming to the state. I was like, I saw her name somewhere. What did I see? Her name, so I put it in her name and I put Houston, and it popped up that she was at the 713 Music Hall. So I was like, oh, okay, let me um try to find some tickets. But they it was sold out. So I had to go online and try to find some other tickets. And I mean, to me, the tickets, of course, they upped the price of the ticket when you buy them like from Subhub or anywhere like that. But still, even with that, it's still cheaper than most concerts that we paid for. So I just got I got the tickets. I said, okay, these are tickets. I it's kind of like um, what do you call it? When it's just a whole bunch of people, and there's at the bottom floor, there's a whole bunch of people.
SPEAKER_00It's kind of like a rave, yeah.
SPEAKER_01And I looked at the video and I saw all these people, and I started getting claustrophobic immediately. I said, I could not stand. Down there was those people pushing up against each other, it's gonna be hot. I need somewhere where I can sit. If I want to stand, I can stand. If I want to sit, I want to sit. So there's not a lot of seating like sit in place when they have the thing, so you have to find it because there's tables, there's a little stand, and then there's people standing behind you. So I wanted to find somewhere where I could sit, but I didn't want to be around a whole bunch of people like that.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so essentially the setup, it's one of our smaller venues along with House of Blues. So the 713 music hall, there's when you come in, you can stand at the bottom, which is kind of like the rave, like dad said, which I've actually been to House of Blues and I've been to a concert there, and you're standing at the bottom with a whole bunch of people. Think like an outdoor music festival, but inside it's kind of insane. So then you go to the top and they have seats like in the back where you can sit, but it's like at the back of the hall, and then you have the surrounding areas have little tables and chairs where you sit with another couple or two other people, essentially. And then behind you, you also have like standing room, but it's like not as bad as downstairs. Yeah. So dad got such amazing tickets, and it was like VIP, guys. I swear we go inside, it was VIP. It was this lady walks us into our seat, and we sit at this table. So it's like a little round table, and there's two chairs on each side. So we sit with these this other couple on the side of us, and then it's dad and I in our chairs, and then we're surrounded by other like tables and stuff. But you have your own personal waitress, she comes and brings you food, water, and then also you have your own personal bathroom, and they do have a lounge, but we did not see the lounge because we were a little we didn't get there on time.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00And so they have seating areas, which is really cool, and then also they give you like a goodie bag as well, which I will post what we got in that goodie bag later. We will post that, but it was such an amazing experience. And the stage, when I tell you, the stage is like right there. So, one thing I do like about 713 is that it's very intimate, it's a smaller area and it's intimate, and you could see Ray like you were standing in front of her. It was so cool.
SPEAKER_01We had a great view.
SPEAKER_00We had a really great view, a really good view, and so the parking also is not bad at all. We did pay $45 for parking, it was worth it, but it was a really good parking spot, and it's not too crazy because so 713 is downtown, so there's a lot of different parking areas, so people will like park in the garages, which are a little cheaper, and they'll walk over. But we parked right behind 713, and it was so nice. And then, of course, you know, we had to get our merch, or I did, because dad barely gets any merch. But the merch was much better priced than Bruno Mars, they were normal price, so I paid $45 for a shirt, and then they had you know the vinyl records, they had hats, bags, and all of that good stuff. But my shirt was really cool. $45. I was very happy to say that that was a lot cheaper than Bruno's $70 for a t-shirt. Bruno was crazy, and then what I really liked. I haven't listened to her openers, but now I will. I think dad and I both will.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, we saw the second sister. We missed um the first one, so yeah.
SPEAKER_00It was both her sisters who opened for her. So Alma and absolutely, and they were so good.
SPEAKER_01They came out and sung with her at the end.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, they come and they sung one song with her, Joy. They sang that song, and it was very nice. So we did miss Ama.
SPEAKER_01And but it wasn't our fault because we left as soon as like I got off work that day, and it just it was we left when we realized what it was. We immediately left, but it was just a lot of different things.
SPEAKER_00They also started on time, yeah. That was they started right on time. So Ama is the middle sister, and she has an album out that's called Middle Child, and then you also have Absolute, so she has two albums, and one of them is I'm probably gonna butcher these, but Paric Pericosum and Cerebrium. And so she has two albums, and that's the one we saw. We saw absolutely, and she was really good. Um, she actually said that she designed her own outfit, and they she actually sang happy birthday to some of the guests there.
SPEAKER_01Sold it right, right? Sowed it right. Um, the biggest thing I would tell you about the concert, too, like as Alex talks about them, and all of them, the well, the two that we saw, very crowd focused. They they talked to the crowd and they made you feel feel part of the show. The closest thing I've seen to somebody doing that was Justin Timberlake. Justin Timberlake talked to the crowd the whole time. He was taking signs, he was signing things, he was very personable with the crowd, and that's the way that Ray and her sister were.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, and it was really, really sweet, and it was fun because it's always fun when it's like the crowd's included in something. And of course, at 713, I feel like you are able to do that more because it's more intimate. And so it was fun. So she did sing, which I thought was funny because when her sister was like, Who has birthdays? Only two people like raised their hand, and then when Ray did it, like the whole crowd wanted to say it was their birthday. So I was like, That's crazy, guys. But they sang happy birthday absolutely beautifully. Yes, and then um Ray did come out like right on the top.
SPEAKER_01On time, they were on time, everybody was on time.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, she came out at 8:30. So a really big thing with Ray is that I was telling dad because I was kind of on TikTok, like searching and stuff. Ray did do different songs for different cities.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, when you look at the set list, it was really the only thing that was clear was her last song. That was the only thing.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it was kind of like very different, different songs. Like some people said she didn't sing certain songs at their venue, but then she sang at us. So the set list was kind of confusing. So dad and I, you know, we love our set list, but it was kind of all over the place. Yeah. So one song that I know she didn't sing at other venues was skin and bones, and she did sing that in Houston, which I was so excited because Houston's the best. Yes, because that's like one of my favorite songs. Um, of course, she sang Husband. She came, she that was her second song that she sang, but that's pretty much the same song she sang everywhere. Yeah, every city. So the way Ray did her concerts was she and she said it too, like she's like my my band. She brought out a full band, first of all.
SPEAKER_01Oh my god, that was amazing.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, when you say that it's just I can hear it like she had it was amazing.
SPEAKER_00A full band. I'm talking like the saxophone, the strings, the she even had backup singers, like it was a full thing. Yeah. And also Ray, she was not wearing any shoes. She was like, I'm gonna sing across the stage comfortably. She did not have any shoes on. Neither did I do it. Neither did her sisters have any shoes on. And her band was amazing. It was an amazing performance. And so throughout her show, she would sing, and then she would do kind of like little scenarios where she would like talk and like say, like, imagine this. And she always said that like that was like a boring part of her self. List which I didn't think it was. I thought it was funny.
SPEAKER_01It was funny. Yeah, she has a lot of personality. Yeah. Again, I don't know who her husband is. That's crazy.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, and it was really cool because so she was very personable too. Like when she sang that happy birthday, she was like, Okay, let me write down people's names. So she would like write down their names and she sang happy birthday.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, she sang their names, and then it was really good.
SPEAKER_00And then there was also another moment when she asked like a person in the crowd, which she's like, You guys gotta help me out. So like they would say the name and we would like chant her name to get it to Ray. And she got to pick a member to like play a solo from the band, which was really cool. When I tell you, she was singing, she was singing on the floor, she was singing standing, she was singing sitting.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, she was on her knees singing. It reminded me of Clean Dion. Selene Dion would was doing backbands when she was singing. Ray was doing that, and she was on her knees hitting notes and singing, and she was amazing. Like I had listened to some of her songs, and I was trying to get prepared for the concert, but um the preparation wasn't enough. She was she she has an amazing voice, her personality is is great, and so it was just a really, really good show. And the thing that I loved the most about it is that we got to stay the whole concert and we still got out really quickly.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_01It was real quick when we got out.
SPEAKER_00It was good, and she really had a lot of she talked to the crowd, meaning like she talked to them about like, you know, like trauma, her ex-boyfriends, you know, if you ever need anything, you know, how music heals all. And I think that's so true too, because music does help a lot of people. Like I remember seeing this one quote, and it was saying, like, you know, you can sing a song to somebody and they can sing it back to you for a thousand different reasons. And music is very healing, and I think that's what she was kind of trying to get across in her album about how the things she went through, and it's really good for artists because they're able to express themselves through that. So she had really nice messages throughout that I think. She was very uplifting, very uplifting, and she plays the piano, she did it for her ice cream man song, which was very emotional.
SPEAKER_01I told her she was singing that song and she was talking about it at first, and she said, I sing the song because essentially people need to hear it. And she said, But it's very emotional, and you can tell in the way the camera was on her face and things like that. And it's just it's crazy that things like this happen that they happen. And I don't know, as the as the as a girl dad, I'm just all about the girls. I'm all about girls, and I don't like when women are mistreated. Uh, you know, young ladies are mistreated, so it's a big deal to me. And so, but she sung that, and you can tell she was feeling that song.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, and it was very emotional, it was very beautiful, and she did a really good job, and it was just a really, really good moment, I think. And another thing that I think is really cool, so they actually um there was this one guy, and this girl did two, but she he brought her flowers, he actually brought all the sister flowers and one another girl as well. She made them like canvas art and she was able to give them that gift as well. And so the guy who actually brought her flowers, like he was he knew he was dancing to every single song, and they actually did a TikTok of him, like, hey, whoever you are, like you're awesome. And he actually found the TikTok, like, Oh, that's me, thank you so much. And he was it's really nice to see people like being so excited to see their favorite artists or to see an artist, and that's so cool. And I just think Houston was a very good supportive crowd to her. I think it was really good, and everyone supported her. We were cheering for her, and she also did a section where she did a rave little thing, which kind of fit the setting. Yeah, so she did a rave night where she was like not a rave night, but a rave section where she did like all her songs, and people were like, the strobe lights were going, and she's like, jump, jump, jump.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, because she had it where it came down and said it spelled her name and said R-A-Y-E. Then the Y went up and the V came down, and then she just started going crazy. And it was like she had different sets, like she was in a nightclub, she was a singer with the nightclub. It was just a lot of different things. She was really good and she can really sing, and it's just you watch that and you're like, Why is she not bigger than what she is? Like, uh like I'm glad she was at 713 Music Hall. I am because I I wish everybody would go there. But then you get, you know, as they get bigger, they have to go to these bigger places, and so you know, like Toyota Center, all this stuff. But this 713 Music Hall was really nice, and I think what I did was I messed up because we we got those tickets and now we want to sit there every time. Yes, or spoiled. Alex said, I can get used to this VIP treatment. They, I mean, literally, like Alex said, walked us to our table, told us do you need anything, put a band on us that we were VIP, and it was nice. I'm like, I might, I might have to, I'm a little cheap with the color stuff, but I might might have to spend a little bit more money to do this. It was nice though.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it was really cool. And she, of course, ended on my all-time favorite song. That's why I told Dad, I was like, we have to stay. I'm sorry, despite the traffic, like she said that because she doesn't drive. Yeah, but we had to stay for this one. Her last song was Escapism, and I love that song so dancing much, and that is my all-time favorite race song. That's actually what got me started to listen to her. That's how I started listening to her, and I was like, I I have to stay. Like, if I leave during this song, I'm gonna regret it for the rest of my life. And we stayed, and it was everything and more, but it wasn't bad to get out.
SPEAKER_01It wasn't it was quick. We it was not a problem at all.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it was really good. So if you are wondering if you should listen to Ray, you definitely should because for me personally, that was a Jackson 5 rating. I loved her so much. Probably one of my top concerts so far that we've been to. And I highly recommend seeing her. She's really good, and she should definitely be at the Toyota Center next time she comes.
SPEAKER_01I would probably, at first I was gonna give it a cold play. The more we talked about it, the more I was like, you know, the band, the way Ray had so much energy, the way she was talking to the crowd, the way she was even dancing. She's not a huge dancer, but she was up there bouncing around and jumping and and moving in her backup singer. She was just, it was just a really good concert. But the more we talk about it, because at first I was like, I'm gonna give a cold play, but you know, the more I think about it, I'm like, yeah, but the jacket pop the atmosphere was amazing. I would do a 713 music hall concert over and over again. That venue was amazing how close we were. Like I we could literally see her. I felt like I could reach out and touch her.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, we were so close. And we actually are having another concert there soon. So stay on the lookout for where who we're gonna see.
SPEAKER_01I should have paid Dexter running for the seats now, mad at myself.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so be on the lookout to see who we're gonna see there. But um, of course, you know, what's a concert without food?
SPEAKER_01Which is why we were late.
SPEAKER_00Yes, and that's why we were late. So I actually have been here before, but I wanted to take dad because I know he would appreciate it because we are both foodies. So we went to post Houston. So post Houston is located downtown, and it actually was the old Barbara Jordan post office that turned into post eatery in 2021. And so essentially it's a hub for culture, food, and recreation. So they do have office spaces still there. And then one of the coolest things, which dad will be able to see next time, but we didn't get to see this time just because of the rain. Um, they have a rooftop. So essentially, you go to the rooftop and they have where you could see the skyline of Houston. So they have different types of events that happen there. So they have like you can do yoga on the rooftop, they have farmers market. I know people take pictures there and they just have really cool events. So you do stay on the lookout for that. Post does have quite a bit of stuff. And so dad had never been there, and it's right by 713 Music Hall. And I I really do love posts because so essentially when you walk in, it's kind of like when you go to the mall and it's like a food court, essentially. But they have a variety of different foods. So they have foods from like Italian to Mexican to African food to Asian food. So there's so many options that you can choose from.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, it was overwhelming with all the stuff that was there. It was just like, what do you eat? And you want to kind of try everything, but you know, you gotta you know, pick one. I would say that you do a sampler place, that would be amazing.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, they do give some of the then the restaurants there give like little samples of their food, but not all the time. But it's just one big hub, and then they have some places that I have tried there before have been their burger. So Johnny Goodburger, it's really good.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, they smell good over there.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, Taco Fuego is a Mexican place, and that's really good too. And then dad and I actually we were in debating because we were like, do we want a burger? Or I was like, should I try something new? So we actually stopped at twisted grilled cheese, which was a very good option, I would say, because I agree. It was so good. So basically, it's in the name, guys. It was all grilled cheese sandwiches and different kinds. I mean, of course, you have original, but then they did like a Philly cheesesteak. Um, they did a brisket one.
SPEAKER_01The brisket one is one of their most popular ones, they said.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, and so the one that we ended up getting, we got one that was like uh like a pig grilled cheese, so it had ham, bacon, and pepperoni. It was life, it was so good. And then we got garlic parmesan fries with the lemonade.
SPEAKER_01Also good. The lemonade was really, it was like it was fresh grease lemonade or something. It was a really good lemonade, and I was like, I'm gonna have to cook this grilled cheese sandwich at home. And I don't eat bread as much anymore because you know, bread, I love bread, but it's toasted bread, calories don't count, guys. And concert, concert calories don't count. That's what we tell ourselves.
SPEAKER_00Yes.
SPEAKER_01Concert calories don't count, but it was a really, really good sandwich. We have pictures that we'll post um about that too, and there's a lot of different places. And uh, if you're in Houston and you can go down. I don't know if the parking is that much all the time, if it's just because it was the concert. I know people might be like, you pay $45 to park at a concert. It was worth it. I would have paid $50 or $60. Alex actually paid for that, but it was I was gonna pay for it. I don't care. It was it was totally worth it. We had some issues with um with Stub Hub. We about tickets to get parked right by the venue, and they kept sending us tickets that were far away. So um I had to I need to actually check and make sure they gave me my money back for that. But paid $50 for tickets that they were trying to kind of hustle us on. Then I will say Stub Hub um did a great job of trying to you know help me deal with it and they got an understanding for it. But yeah, you didn't I didn't need that. We can just park now. We know because we had never been there before, but now we we've learned a few other things. So I mean Alex had been to the post, but never to 713 Music Hall, so yeah.
SPEAKER_00So the parking actually when you just go to the post isn't bad, it's about like 12 bucks. Does charge you by hour, so it depends how long you're there. But if the parking actually is not too bad. I mean, it's like parking anywhere downtown, the price you're gonna have to pay for parking.
SPEAKER_01I thought it was great parking, me personally, like it's right by the venue. I thought it was great parking, and it was a really good, it was people there for prom. They were in a prom dress taking pictures, it was really cool. Yeah, it was really cool and reminded me of when Alex was in high school and we were getting her ready for her prom. It seemed like it was just today and it was so long ago.
SPEAKER_00So yeah, they go because I mean there's so many different food eateries there, and there's also like there's ice cream, which one of my favorite ice cream places is flour and cream ice cream, and I got cookie biscoff, and then dad got gelato Italian ice. So they do have like stuff like desserts, they have food, they have drinks, and it's just a really like it's a really fun time, especially you know, when your different family members are like oh to eat. Well, there you go.
SPEAKER_01Everybody, everybody can get something that they want, everybody can get something different. And I mean, if y'all have been following, y'all know I love Italian ice. Um, I have a really, really good friend, my my best friend wife, one of my best friends and his wife, they own a um gelato um that they do in Baytown. So if you ever have, you know, need any business, you know, call them. But y'all know how I get down for Jeremiah's.
SPEAKER_00I yeah, so it's a really cool place. Check it out if you're in Houston. I always recommend that to people who are visiting. I love downtown Houston, but I don't like to drive there, and it's just a lot and you can get lost and confused. So if you want to say you went to downtown Houston, the post is a perfect spot because you can get food from different things.
SPEAKER_01It's diversity. That's that's the thing about Houston. We're the one of the most diverse, if not the most diverse city in the world. And um then and that's on full display at the post. It's on full display.
SPEAKER_00And then you can see the Houston skyline while you eat your meal.
SPEAKER_01So I mean, if you're going for a concert, I'm you go there. You can go there to eight concerts and you can eat eight different places. It was it was it was amazing. When we go back next time, that's where we're gonna go again, and we're gonna try something different. Even though I want to go back and get that grilled cheese sandwich again. It was amazing. It was so good. I'm tasting it right now. I'm thinking about it.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, we'll try something new, but for sure, put post on your bucket list, guys. And now we're headed into my favorite segment, chop segment. So, quick little brief introduction. You know, we love chop the show. So essentially, dad gets four basket ingredients and he has to create a meal off of it, also based off of a challenge. And he does this by cheating because he cannot come up with it on the spot. So he does get a little hint before.
SPEAKER_01So I'm glad she gave me a hint for this one. It took me a few days to try to come up with this because it was, you know, the Alex's rules for this one was different.
SPEAKER_00Yes, so the ingredients are cheese, jam, toast, and bacon, and the challenges to create a British dish because we saw Ray and she's British. And a little trivia tip, these are some of her favorite things. So that is where the recipe ingredients, or I guess I should say ingredients inspiration came from.
SPEAKER_01So I told Alex Take it away, Dad. I told Alex I didn't want to tell her, I said, Oh my god, this this recipe, I don't know how it's gonna be, but I was they I was excited because I came up with something. It took me a few days to do it, but I came up with something. You know, like Alex said, in on our raised concert, we're not just making a British themed recipe, we're gonna make a dramatic, emotionally layered brunch situation that feels like a ray song. A little sweet, a little chaotic, and slightly life-changing at 11 a.m. So the ingredients, or as I call them the plot twist, is toast. That's the emotional foundation. Um, the bacon because we're not okay, but we are eating protein, the cheese because it's rich filling, slightly melt, melty decisions, and the jam, the unexpected heartbreak sweetness. So, what you do is step one, I call this the ray in the UK escapism breakfast stack. So, step one is escapism, toast base. Toast your bread until it's golden, like you're trying to scrape your responsibilities, but still show up presentable. This is your I'm fine layer, excuse me. Hard out of here, bacon layer. Cook bacon until it's confident, crispy, and slightly dramatic. Place it on a toast like it has something to prove because it does. And then step three is the ice cream ink. That's the cheese milk moment. You add cheese on top of the hot bacon, so it melts into an emotional confusion. Let it drip a little. That's the vulnerability. Right? Right, right. You see that? Step four, these is brace on them throwing in here on for Alex. Work the jam finelli. Add a small spread of jam on top or alongside if you're not ready for the commitment. It's sweet, slightly unpredictable, and honestly carrying the whole experience. So the final dish name is Escapism on Toast, featuring hard out here bacon and work the jam. So we eat it while you're pretending to live in a rave music video, walking through London at golden hours, questioning your life choices, but looking fabulous. Doing it. So you would need white or sourdough bread, which will be the royal, you want thick, thick bread. You want bacon, and we're gonna use cheddar cheese because they like cheddar cheese in Britain. I looked that up. And we're gonna use strawberry or raspberry jam, but we'll most likely use strawberry and then you put butter. It's optional, but it's very British coated. So that's what we're gonna do. And we're gonna call that the Escape is the Montos featuring hard out here bacon and work the jam.
SPEAKER_00Okay, I'm excited. I think this might be a five-four. So, Dad actually, if you follow us along, dad has actually gotten better with every recipe he has done. And I mean, we started with a taco soup, and we are he's hitting the ball out of the park every single dish. And it is so exciting to see him come up with these recipes. So I am excited to try this one.
SPEAKER_01I even bought me a cheese, a cheese cutter so I can cut the cheese.
SPEAKER_00Oh, dad joke, guys. Dad, please. So be on the lookout. Of course, you know we're doing our chop segment videos, so those will be coming soon. And yes. Um, it's been really fun to cook these recipes with dad and see his creations come to life. And of course, the best part is tasting them all, and it's so good. So I am excited to see what this recipe brings. Cause they, like I said, they have been all so good.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, we have, and then we have our our number one, as Alex said, our number one food critic, and my Sandy. She's our Sandy comes in. We have to make sure we make the food for her so that she has it and tastes it.
SPEAKER_00Yes, she loves our food. She's actually loved like every single recipe.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. So yes, and even um my grandson, he which is crazy, his favorite dish was the soup, which we thought was our least favorite dish, but he loves he tore that soup up.
SPEAKER_00Yes. So it's just crazy to see everybody's like taste buds and what they like the most and everything. Dad and I are pretty like similar in what we like. And even like I've been bringing uh stuff to my mom because if I don't bring it home, she gets so mad at me. And so she likes different stuff too. Like she liked the chicken that we made, which you guys will see soon, um, from our last episode. And my aunt Sandy has liked everything, essentially.
SPEAKER_01Yes, yes, she has.
SPEAKER_00It's really cool to see like these creations come to life. And like I said, like dad is such a great chef and a great cook. So it's been really fun to see this come to him bring his recipes to life based off of four ingredients that I give him.
SPEAKER_01That she just I don't even know what she'd be coming up with these these ingredients.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so it's been so fun. But we had a really good food week, a good concert week, and since 713 is a very small venue and it's the first time we actually saw a concert there. And if you guys did watch last episode, you know that we were at NRG, which is so different than 713. It's big versus small. It was crowded versus not as crowded. So it made me think of a question that I have for dad. And it's is it better to see an artist in an intimate venue or sold out to stadium? And I do think that both have their their perks and both have their like pros and cons, I guess you could say. And I would say I think it's really cool to see the artist perform in an intimate setting, just because I feel like you do have more of that connection because you're so close and like you know, like how dad and I were saying, Ray was able to like have more like connection with the people, with the fans. I mean, she was able to talk to somebody like all the way in the back. You can't do that in a like NRG.
SPEAKER_01No, exactly.
SPEAKER_00And I think it's cool because, like, um, if you kind of heard a little bit last time, um, our friend who went with us, Christina, she was describing the concert in Vegas with Bruno Mars, how that was so m so much more intimate.
SPEAKER_01That's what people said about the Usher concert as well in in Vegas.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, because the stadium's smaller. So I do think in that sense it's so nice to have that intimacy with the artist at a smaller venue, and I feel it's like more of connections. Because you can't, I mean, it's kind of impossible to do that like NRG or Toyota, it's so huge.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, unless you're like on the very front row, like our Bruno was um talking to people, but they were on the front row. Yeah, they're they were able to talk to more people, like she was talking to people way in the back, which the venue is not huge, but if she could talk to people in the back, you can't do that at at NRG or Toyota Center.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, and on the other hand, I do think a larger venue is better for the artists just because they make more money. I will say that.
SPEAKER_01Like I mean, they make a lot of money anyway, because these ticket prices are ridiculous.
SPEAKER_00Are ridiculous, yeah.
SPEAKER_01But like we've just we feed into it because we keep buying them.
SPEAKER_00We love concerts, guys. We can't stop, won't stop. And I mean, like Ray, like 713 was pretty sold out. I mean, it was packed.
SPEAKER_01No, it wasn't pretty, it was sold out.
SPEAKER_00It was sold out, you know, it was packed. But think of a packed 713 compared to NRG. Yeah, because Bruno was sold out. And I mean, when we saw Cardi B, it was sold out at the Toyota. Yeah. So think of how much more money they're making compared to being at a smaller venue. And I think too, it's an accomplishment for them to be able to say, like, I was at NRG, you know, I was at a stadium.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, the stadium is hard. Everybody can't get that.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, because I mean, like, artists that have performed at NRG, like Bruno, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, because even when Usher came, he was at um Toyota Toyota.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and Chris Brown was at um Dankin Park. Yeah, I was looking it up. Seven One Through Music Hall holds 5,000 people, which is like you and it was 5,000 people there, whereas NRG holds 70 some thousand people.
SPEAKER_00So think of like, yes, that's a lot of money, like 5,000, but think of 70,000, how much more money they're making. And the thing is, they're selling like 70,000 in every city. Yeah, because they're going to like stadiums. You know, I'm sure Ray's performing at smaller venues in every in city.
SPEAKER_01You know, like you say, for the artists, the bigger stadiums are are better for them. But I'm more of um I like the small venue. I think it's a good thing. Because it's it's more up close and it's more personal. And I tell people all the time, when you go to these big concerts, go watch the opening acts, right? Because when you watch them, like you never know, you may be having a star. Like we tell a story about Alex's real first concert that she fell in love with a lot of music, was the Cheetah Girls. And Hannah Montana opened up for. We saw Miley Cyrus when she was Hannah Montana, and people are dying to see her Miley Cyrus perform now. She hasn't performed, you know. You know, Miley, come on and do some Hannah Montana songs too. But we saw her in Santa Montana, and you see these people, like, you know, that are are up and coming, are people who have been around. And you like we went, I went to see Sam Hunt. I love Sam Hunt. Um, he's probably opt on the hitch contract more than anybody. I love Sam Hunt. So he had um Brett Young open for him. And when Alex made me think of it, because Brett Young was walking around the stage in his and with no shoes on as well. And so you get to see, I saw Jake Owens too. He opened up for Sam Hunt. So when you see some of these artists, they they've been around for a little bit, but they haven't, you know, have new albums and they're just touring. But then you see albums like Ray Sisters. They were amazing. Those girls could sing. And you we saw at Bruno, Leon Thomas opened up for Bruno. We saw at Chris Brown Summer Walker, and now Summer Walker is touring. But we saw her perform a little bit. So, you know, go see these other artists. You may see somebody that eventually is gonna blow up. So I like the like I said, I like the smaller venues. I thought it was more personal. The only person who made me feel like I was in a small arena when we were one was um mostly was Justin Timberlake. Justin Timberlake, he he was walking around, he was signing stuff. Somebody I remember one kid said, if you sign this for me, I don't have to go to school tomorrow. So he signed the he signed it for her, and it's like you know, it's just it was just he was very personable too. But that smaller venue to me just gives you an opportunity to just really feel like you're really close to the artist. Thought it was a great experience.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, and it was really good. And also, I will say, better parking, guys, easier to get out of. Yeah, we've got a smaller venue.
SPEAKER_01We got out really quickly, it was really nice. I was just with the only thing I told Alex I wish the post state opened after the conversation. So you can go get you a little snack afterwards.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, a little a little midnight snack. And a lot of people were trying to like cut into the post to like get to their car, and they were like, Do you see the sign? Don't come in here. It's closed. So it was really good. And I do think, you know, a smaller venue is best. And we already did answer this question, but should Ray do a stadium tour or perform in a larger area? And I think we can both agree.
SPEAKER_01I think I think more money for them, bigger stadium, but like you know how the way Ray was performing, it was really, really nice. Like some of these people, like you know, Usher, when he did his contract, he went in a crowd and he did stuff and he did his little whole little cherry thing or whatever. But most of the time they they're talking to you, but it's not like it feels like you just it's just part of the show instead of them being able to really interact. Like Ray, we were just she was talking to people, calling them by their name, laughing at people's jokes.
SPEAKER_00She laughed at one person's joke, so it was it was really yeah, because she was right there, but she definitely deserves a larger stage for herself because she is so good, and I think more people should listen to her music for sure. She's definitely underrated, very much underrated.
SPEAKER_01I came back and I was just listening to her songs. I was taking a shower listening to it the other day.
SPEAKER_00And she sounds just like her album 100%. Her voice is amazing, she has a beautiful voice, a beautiful voice, and leads me to say which artist vibe does Ray give off. Personally, for me, Amy Winehouse. She kind of, I feel like, is that like direction, not that they sound the same, but I do think they kind of give off similar vibes. And I love Amy Winehouse. I think Amy Winehouse was an excellent singer. She was also, I feel like maybe I don't want to say she was underrated, but of course she died very young. Yeah. But she was a beautiful singer, and I do think that Ray kind of gives off like a little bit of vibes like that. So I would have to say, like, Amy Winehouse.
SPEAKER_01I would probably say just because Alex has gotten me listening to this person more, I would say she reminds me a little bit, her and Olivia Dean are simulated me.
SPEAKER_00Oh, I love Olivia Dean.
SPEAKER_01I feel like they have some similarities. Um I think that uh that would be the only the only reason I know the about Olivia Dean is because Alex makes me listen to her all the time. I listen to a lot of music that I wouldn't normally listen to because I listen to a lot of old stuff.
SPEAKER_00I'll listen to old stuff over and over and bring this new stuff to him, guys.
SPEAKER_01I'll you I'll you put me on some Tupac and Biggie, and I'm happy as can be. You put me on some Whitney, some Michael Jackson. Like, I'm good. I can just go old school. Give me some some turn off the lights, give me some of that. I'm good. Like, so Alex makes me expand my horizon and listen to other things. So um I'm digging Olivia Dean right now. I think she probably they kind of remind me that they have there's kind of similar to it.
SPEAKER_00Olivia Dean vibes, yeah, for sure. And this is our second concert with an opener so far. So I guess openers are DJs, which do you prefer?
SPEAKER_01Openers. I like openers. That's what I was just saying, too. Because like we never know this person may blow up. And they're like, oh, I saw them when they were like blah, blah, blah. Like, my sister was telling a story, Keisha was on here, she was telling us a story how Leon Thomas came to her friend's wedding before he really started really blowing up and was singing there. And I'm like, that those are the type of experience you can be like, oh, I saw this. That's the that's the flex that you think it is.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so openers for sure. Not that DJs are bad because they'd be playing.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, DJ, they get you crack. They get you cracked. You got the right DJ. Cardi B's DJ was amazing.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, but I do like a good opener, especially ones that you don't really know. Just like Ray's sisters, I don't listen to the her their music, but now I'm listening to their music because I heard them sing. So, like, I feel like too, that helps them get their views and get their money and get let their albums out.
SPEAKER_01I love that. I love that she had opening acts and her opening acts with her family. That's like you're not borrowing money from me. I'm gonna get you to get your money. So, like, I thought that was a really cool thing that she had her family on on board with her.
SPEAKER_00So yeah, Ray is awesome. I love her so much, and she definitely is underrated, guys. Support her, see her, listen to her music. If there's a show coming near you, go see her. You will not review her.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, because I think she's independent from like so. Like, yeah, I I believe in supporting those people where they're not, you know, basically on her experience, what you say so. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so go support her. But now it's time for our blind ranking and which songs. So I did a mix of songs, not just from her concert, just because dad, I know, liked listening to her old album as well. So there is a good mix of songs in here. So we will start our blind ranking off. And our first one is Oscar Winning Tears. I don't know if you do you know that one?
SPEAKER_01I do. Okay. She sung it. Didn't she sing it? Yeah, she sang that one.
SPEAKER_00I love this song. I'm gonna go ahead and put it at two because I that's my second favorite song. We all know what my first one is, but I'm gonna go three.
SPEAKER_01I thought she was really good, but um I'm gonna go three. I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna follow Alex and put start at three.
SPEAKER_00Okay, the second song is Ice Cream Man. I'm gonna put that as three.
SPEAKER_01I'm gonna put Ice Cream Man at two. I sucks with the song why she made it, but the song is amazing, and the way she sung that song like had me almost in tears.
SPEAKER_00Um, the next one is Joy. So that's the one she sang with her sisters at the end. So I'm gonna go with four.
SPEAKER_01Four. That one was good.
SPEAKER_00I'm gonna say five. I'm actually gonna say five because I'm hoping there's two that come that I like.
SPEAKER_01I'm gonna say four because that was a good song. I don't want to put it at one though.
SPEAKER_00It is a really good song. Okay, the What's At Shakespeare? I really love that song, but I'm gonna go four.
SPEAKER_01I'm gonna go five with that.
SPEAKER_00Um, and then for our last song, which I'm hoping it's the one I want. Okay, I will take this skin and bones. That'll be my number one.
SPEAKER_01I mean, it has to be, it's the last one. So, like that's my number one as well.
SPEAKER_00But okay, guys, thank you so much for coming and listening to us. Please follow us on all our social medias. We are on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook. We are also on YouTube, so please follow us there. And we will be going to a concert, actually, two more concerts this month. So be prepared for those. And our next one coming up is Demi Lovato.
SPEAKER_01Sorry, not sorry.
SPEAKER_00So I'm excited. I heard she's been bringing out some really cool guests, so that's where we'll be headed next. So catch us there. And thank you so much for coming to Felix.
SPEAKER_01Wait, wait, wait, wait. I got something for you. I got something for you.
SPEAKER_00Yes.
SPEAKER_01Why do Brits end up losing weight easily?
SPEAKER_00I'm not sure.
SPEAKER_01Every time they make a purchase, they lose a couple of pounds.
SPEAKER_00Oh, I get it because of the money. Dad, please.