Outside there’s the gentle patter of unidentified precipitation. It’s supposed to snow, but it looks like rain, but it has a solid sound when it strikes the earth. It’s cold outside, but it’s that cloud-covered cold which sort of feels like the first couple of moments getting under the blankets in bed – shockingly frigid but with an enclosed feeling of security and impending warmth. The sound is one of my favourites, and it’s intimately associated with the security of home.
I don’t have much that triggers “home” anymore, but that sound does me good.
Last night we played Jammin Java in Vienna, VA – it was nominally a CD release for “Myxomatosis Took Its Toll”, but I haven’t made that big of a deal about it until I’ve got a better feel for how people respond to this rather indie-flavoured release.
The show itself was good, high-energy – just the sort of thing that we tried to capture with the new CD, but as seems our habit at Jammin Java, frought with technical difficulties. Heather’s guitar had been giving us angst, and just when we get THAT fixed, her cable fritzes out… but it meant that we got to hear her play Keith’s (of the Dreamscapes Project) 12-string Rainsong. The audience (me included… cause I may play along with Heather’s songs, but I Love listening) was pretty enraptured by the 12-string sound. It really added some flavour to Illinois is Overflowing and In the Water. Heather said she was a little panicky, but it didn’t show.
After the gig we sauntered over to the College Perk and just hung out. A good night all around – reminding me of college, in the Gatehouse at 3am with people gathering and playing music till dawn. Dan Zimmerman broke out his made-out-of-Legos mini-bass, Sharif brought in his keyboard, Rowan and Heather and I played guitars – we lead the room through a Mountain Goat medley, and wandered through some Dan songs and some Nine Inch Nails and all sorts of things. Very relaxed, flirting with the idea of Truth or Dare Jenga.
I turned in at around 4.30 after padding around the coffeehouse in stocking feet for a couple of hours. Shane from Philadelphia had come down for the weekend with his friend Jason, and we played pool for a while till I absolutely couldn’t focus on the world anymore.
I Love sleepovers. Shane, Jason, Heather, Rowan (on the floor), Brennan, Tori, Sharif (who slept in his case)… it’s a shame Amy and Alli didn’t stay… I Love the gathering and the leisurely morning grunting. Even waiting for the bathroom has it’s charm when there’s no urgency. Tori made cookies and we all made inane conversation. It was a good weekend.
Monday is ugly and roaring, and I know that it brings work for our friends… I weep for them.
And then watch cartoons!
