A complete new vibe greeted us for the Saturday night gig. Word had gotten out that we were in town and people wanted to come see for themselves. So it was a pretty full bar. However, people felt tired. Partied out already or saving themselves for more partying later in the weekend, there was just a general low energy that had grabbed the town. Us included. It’s not often that we play two consecutive nights in the same venue. The pressure to bring the same exhilarating show but keep it all fresh like the first time is tough. Do you play the same set and really drive in the point? Do you play all new songs and show your “other sides”? Do you mix it up and do a little of each? Yes. But first, coffee. These 9-12 nights aren’t so much the norm anymore for this duo. So, caffeinated we must be to March into music battle!
With all that dragginess going into the evening, I was pleasantly surprised to take the stage at 9:00 with a renewed energy and sense of purpose! We came out of the gate strong with “Birdies” and never looked back. It was a cornucopia of songs ranging from moody power tunes like “Substance” and “Snow”, fun dance vibes with “What a Day”, “Fall of Gabriel”, and “Balance”, the obvious crowd connector, “That Girl”, and we even brought out “Top of the World”. It was a wild ride and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.
My assessment of these two nights in this tiny (and I mean TINY-even typing it in all caps feels too big…) town is this: You will only ever be as well-received as the effort with which you choose to put into that reception.
If Jared and I had slunk into this town as though it was a damn drag to “have” to be there, played our 2 gigs and left, no one would have given a shit about us. Our job is not just playing music. It is creating relationships, 100%. Without them, no one will listen. And if they listen, they won’t hear. It’s got to be bigger than the music because sooooo many people are playing music. Everyone knows someone in a band. Every band is trying to “make it”. We’re getting older (maybe) and one day the way we do music will be different. But the way we do relationships won’t be. It will always come from a place of love, grace, unity and compassion. I’m happy leaving that legacy to our son. And when people hear our music, THAT is what I hope they’ll remember. That is certainly what we’ll remember about towns like this. Thank you “Wyutah” for a genuine good time.
