Tuesday, May 5, 2009

the open door & the new year


death cab for cutie played last night [their second night in nashville] at the ryman auditorium. you know, the one where johnny cash, james brown and all the legends played. "sounds great" you think to yourself, well think again. it was incredible. 

literally. 

ra ra riot kicked the evening off with a great set. some poor sound and mixing, but lets be honest, they're fairly new at this "huge auditorium" thing, so i'm gonna give them a break. they just need some time adjusting from exit/in size venues to actual auditoriums. the only complaint i've heard [while still a positive one] is that maybe it'd be way more amazing if their cello and violin were the real deal instead of completely electronic [cool, but not as cool as having actual ones].  the six-man band [two of which are females] have hit it pretty high, considering that death cab had asked them to be on the tour... meaning they've got some respect from the already-respected. 


next up: matt costa. while i was a bit skeptical, he delivered a show that was worth remembering. only knowing two songs [mr. pitiful & magnolia], and hearing some of his music 
here and there, i wasn't entirely sure what to expect. however, his voice and musical talent held the show - the entire auditorium [the sound was set correctly for this one] and, i believe, left quite a few people not only in awe, but eager to hear some more from him. he graced us with the presence of his glasses (and quite a few band-mates) making him to look like a perfect mixture of andrew bird [who will be joining later on in the tour] and friend, mike couse. he ended his set with merely his voice to make the perfect conjunction to he headlining set. 


and then of course, death cab for cutie. musical geniuses and great performers. no one can argue with ben gibbard's story telling & song writing abilities as well as the entire band's "true to album" and excelling performance. there's not much more to say other than they not only held their own, but performed over the top and raised the bar. not just with the actual set, but with a five-piece encore. and no one was begging them to be over.  they have been a part of my life for the past nine years and it was quite magical and enchanting to see the full band play. and play a glorious set at that. 
ben gibbard took the auditorium by surprise when performing "i will follow you into the dark," solo, acoustic, and without mics. even though this tour is to support their new EP [the open door] they played songs from almost every album they've released. it is indeed a goal of mine to one day be able to be friends with them, because their music has not only influenced me but has spoken deeply to my soul and carried me through many times. perhaps one day i will be able to thank them personally for the art they've created and shared and the art work that they have inspired me to create.  


a few side notes:  
making some changes in the way i think about things. grey area's aren't necessarily bad, they just mean that there is NO room for assumptions. therefore, don't assume anything until you know for sure. 
i really need to be seeking the Lord. it's difficult when there isn't a set time everyday to do it. 
cha and i have been talking about how to let others in, how to not be defensive, but to be transparent and vulnerable. its rough lately, i've built up a wall that isn't helping anyone. i need help, i just have to get to the place where i can actually ask for it. 
i'm trying to figure out more what i want to do with my life.  art clearly, but right now the desire is : be able to travel and work. travel all over and still work... create art wherever i am. how beautiful is that thought? 
children's book is coming along. it's being worked through, trying to set the foundations of it. its difficult, but once it is done, i believe that it has the potential to be something amazing, even if it just ends up being for me. 
i need to start working with some film, i still love it, i do. i just need to kick myself in the ass and do it. 

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