Short on words and long on things to say.
Congratulations on surviving the presidential election, everyone! ๐ ๐ ๐ While there is surely more work ahead โ as there always is โ we both felt our shoulders drop a few inches once the announcement came through on Saturday. Anyone else?
After a few weeks away to take care of ourselves in the wake of some difficult days, and after playing a show IN THE SNOW, we got back to SpotiFriday LIVE last week, and it was a hoot. Our theme: seasons and seasonings. Watch Maryโs half, Dannโs half, and then check out the companion playlist below, which includes a track from the incomparable Boston-area singer-songwriter, Julia Mark:
Dann learned a brand new tuning in order to be able to play Chris Cornellโs โSeasons.โ The song has meant a lot to him for a long time; in fact, he wrote about it on our old Wordpress blog back in 2017, shortly after Chris Cornell died. We thought it would make sense to share that blog post here.
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When I was in high school, I had what the kids today would probably call a play list. Every night, as I lay in bed under the light green kinda crocheted blanket next to my posters of baseball players, rockstars, and many oversized CD cases, I would play the same songs or close to the same songs as I went to sleep. And as soon as the Singles soundtrack came out, Chris Cornellโs โSeasonsโ was a permanent fixture on the playlist.
There was something about that song that spoke truth. I wasnโt even a Soundgarden fan โ that was my brother. I was Pearl Jam all the way. State of Love and Trust was my true love on the Singles soundtrack. But there was something about Seasons that I didnโt even realize I connected with.
Fast forward to two weeks ago. The news that Chris Cornell had died permeated the internet and was impossible to not see. I wasnโt affected. I mean, I was. And as a super star who was seemingly at a peak in his career, it was shocking to me. As the day and days kept going by, I realized just how affected I was. Not by my idol dying. Not by someone I was obsessed with disappearing. This death started me looking at everything around me. At myself, even.
Itโs part of why we play music. To be a rock star. It would be amazing to have people singing my lyrics back at me. Or would it? Iโd hope that it would be.
Either way, I did convince myself (with some help) to call a therapist because everyone needs one. Even if they donโt need it.
If you find yourself in a situation you might need some help, ask for it. Because people are willing to help you if you let them know.
https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/NAMI-HelpLine
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
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Finally, here are some actions weโre taking to fight systemic injustice, and as always, we invite you to join us:
Call a therapist. Journal. Talk to a friend. Healing trauma is a revolutionary act.
Weโll see you Friday the 13th for a show about fears and superstitions, and on the 18th where weโre playing โatโ Club Passim for their Songs of 2010 Tribute Show.
Peace,
3@H