The Number Five

So, here’s the thing, I’ve been really excited to finally see Garrison Starr perform live. I first heard her music about three days after the last time she played The Great SLC nearly four years ago. I was stoked when i got an email from her fan list saying she was finally coming back on the 27th at dear ol’ Kilby Court.

Yesterday, i went to Smith’s and bought the tickets and said “I’m looking for the tickets for tomorrow night’s show at Kilby… Garrison Star & Jay Nash.” The teller asked, “What day….who?” To which I replied, “Garrison Starr” (consider this clue one). 30 seconds later I swiped my card and walked away.

After a lovely dinner this evening (the 27th), sweet Andrea and I headed to the show. As we were walking in I noticed Angel Taylor (you know, the VH1 You oughta know artist that opened for Sister Brandi Carlile last year), standing near the stage entrance. I though it was odd she would be there since she was not on the listing I had seen for the show (this would be a good time to clue into how this story is going to end).

On Angel’s 2nd or 3rd song Andrea turned to me and said “I noticed the sign out front didn’t say Garrison” (clue three for you folks). At this point I decided I should check the ticket….and then I laughed. And then I showed Andrea the ticket. And then she laughed.

And now I will be enjoying the sweet songs of Miss Star later this week…on the 29th.

(As a bonus, I thoroughly enjoyed tonight’s music as well. Here’s a picture for those of you who need proof).

Yep, it’s another blog about the cruise… well, not so much the cruise, as the music. The music was AMAZing.  There was music EVERYWHERE we turned…which is kind of how I picture heaven.  I had heard a majority of the artists before we got on board, but I learned to love nearly all of them by the end of the 5 days.

The biggest suprise, was Sara Watkins.  I had dug her voice with Nickel Creek, but I had no idea how fantastic she would be on her own.  One of the non-Brandi Carlile highlights of the week was hearing her and her brother Sean do their “family hour” as a suprise set in the movie theatre.  Here is a short clip… (oh how I wish I would have taped the whole thing).

I also loved every minute of shows by Brandi Carlile (my #2, only  to The Beatles), Shawn Mullins (another big surprise), Gregory Alan Isakov (even better when Brandi joined him), Ben Taylor, Lyle Lovett (especially when Shawn Colvin joined him), Emmylou Harris, Edwin McCain, Luke and Melissa, Samantha Crain, Works Progress Administration (including Sara Watkins and Glen Phillips), Larkin Poe (formerly of the Lovell Sisters…and currently on repeat in my car), Rachel Yamagata, Buddy Miller, Lissie, Hoots & Hellmouth and Katie Herzig.

Katie Herzig came into my musical life in October of last year when I saw her open for Brandi at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle.  Since then I have devoured her two studio albums and her live session.  Her music tells a story, and speaks to emotions so clearly. Some of her songs make me dance (for evidence click here), and others nearly bring me to tears.

Arguably my favorite song of hers is “Wish You Well.”  The song has been kind of an anthem for me these last few months.  I was lucky enough to hear it on the boat a few times… but probably  my favorite, was when she was joined on stage by Brandi in the Atrium.  It was kind of musical perfection.

Last week I took my first vacation in 5 years.  Yeah, yeah I’ve taken some weekend trips, visited some family, but a tried and true bonafide vacation?  5 years. I needed that vacation as bad as Avril Lavinge needs a hit song.

Linds and Steph called me minutes after they got off the Cayamo cruise in 2009, and told me there was no way I could miss the next one…. I signed up about 2 weeks later.  They were right.  The cruise is possibly the best idea ever.   Basically , it’s a floating music festival with bottomless soda, and 24 hour soft serve.  What could go wrong with that?

I spent every day listening to the music I love, and tapping my toe so hard core that I got shin splints (true story).  I also got the chance to meet new people, make friends, meet artists, and get some much needed sunshine.  It was perfect.

And these ladies, made it all the more worthwhile:

You ever hear an old song in a new way, and have it rock your world?  Yeah, me too.

When I first heard this song back in October, it brought me to tears.  It’s done that a few times since that first listen, too.  Now I hear the hope.  The refrain. And I am obsessed.

“I know you have a little life in you yet, I know you have a lot of strength left.”

(The album version is even better, but there is not a “real” video for the song).

I was a high school senior in a San Francisco suberb in the fall of 1995.  At 17, I was the epitome of teenage hope.  I was hyper to a fault. Reckless with enthusiasm, obnoxious with positivity.  I was invulnerable.  I was innocent. I was alive.

October 19th stands clearly in my mind as the day I lost that innocence.  A siren, a helipcopter, a phone call.  I would never be the same.

Today marks the last in a trio of somber anniversaries that I reflect on each year.

In September of 2007 I stood in The Fillmore Auditorium with my best friend and heard Brandi Carlile sing a then new song, for the first time.  A typically unemotional person, I was shocked when the tears came so freely to my eyes.  It was the tune of the pain, I had felt for so long…. it let me know that someone else held it too.

It still does.

Sometime in late ‘05 I stumbled across Brandi Carlile.  Her music spoke to me instantly, but I had no idea that should become my number 1 so quickly.  Well, she did…

I was lucky enough to see her live not long after hearing her album for the first time, and been able to see her a handful of times since.  This past Thursday was one of those times.  I woke up and knew that  ”Brandi-day” would be awesome.  It had to, you know? Luckily, the Univese agreed and everything was.  I wished everyone I came in contact with a “happy Brandi day.”  None of them know what I was talking about.

Here’s a couple things that made the day so great:

1. I woke up rested!

2. My work teammate brought bagels, someone else muffins (and bacon…not that I ate it, but just sayin, Who brings bacon to work?).

3. I successfully got through a presentation.

4. I crossed 9 things off my work to-do list.

5. I wore a color other than black or gray.

6. I got the perfect spot at the concert.

Brandi never disappoints live.  Ever.  EVER.  A major highlight of the show was having my sister there, who has never seen Brandi live.  I had a cool crew of folks there too (Sarah, D) but missed my usual CDS, Linds and Steph.  If you ever get the chance to see her, do.  It will, literally, change your life.

Here’s a little clip of Brandi being amazing.  This was not at the show, obviously, but it was at a SL radio station that day.

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* No really, she is.  My friend made that comment after going to a show with me in ‘07.  It’s the truth.  I swear I can barely sleep the night before I see her live.  And I’m a grown-up.

These lists were painful to put together due to the astounding amount of music and media I consumed this year.  With out question, 2008 was the most “event-full” of my life.  

These lists are in no particular order.

Concerts:

1. Mile High Music Festival

2. Erykah Badu

3. Bonnia Raitt

4. Ani DiFranco

5. James Taylor

(I have about a dozen honorable mentions, that if I don’t at least call out a few I’d be kidding myself: Sia, Greg Laswell, Feist, Jason Mraz, and Mr. Ray LaMontagne. I’d also like to thank my nearly constant event companion, Cdspath for her willingness to simply “do things.”)

Movies:

1. Doubt

2. American Teen

3. Changeling

4. Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2

5. Savages

Songs:

1. I’d be Lying – Greg Laswell

2. Can’t Go Back Now – The Weepies

3. Where I Stood – Missy Higgins

4. Hometown Glory – Adele

5. Already Home – Brandi Carlile and Ha’ash

Albums: 

1. Greg Laswell – 3 Flights from Alto Nido

2. Sia – Some People Have Real Problems

3. Missy Higgins – On a Clear Night

4. Tristan Prettyman – Hello x

5. The Weepies – Hideway

Artists:

1. Brandi Carlile

2. Sia

3. Greg Laswell

4. The Weepies

5. Missy Higgins

TV Shows:

1. LA Ink

2. Gray’s Anatomy

3. Beverly Hills, 90210 2.0

4. One Tree Hill

5. The Office

Unique Experiences:

Spent a week in Tennessee filming 2 big budget commercials.  Ah-mazing.

Meet Jason Mraz and had a very normal conversation with him.

Meet and worked with Boozer.  Great guy, great family.

Did not go to California (a first for an entire year of my life).

Faced many fears.

Other Stats:

Consumed nearly 115 gallons of Diet Coke.

Averaged 2800 cell phone minutes a month.

Became an aunt for the 21st time.

Bought a new car (2009 VW Jetta Wagon).

Purchased 3 new pairs of Birks.

Had hair long enough to touch my collar (a first since ‘93)

Attended 28 concerts.

Ate too much pizza.

Laughed more than any year before.

We (me Chels, and KJ) met Missy Higgins tonight!!! I don’t have the energy to go into details, but know that:

1. She’s taller than I thought
2. Her accent is dope, and super thick.
3. She signs a very messy signature
4. She was ridiculously kind
5. Her jeans weren’t too tight.

Stay tuned for a picture!

That fact that Paula Abdul gets paid to speak, blows my mind. That fact that she is likely paid in the millions, makes me down right mad…