Music is Love

Last May, as part of my Happiness Project, my goal was to plan to go to a concert. A few months later Steve's buddy from SB called and invited us to see Wilco in Avila Beach. The sunshine, ice cold beer, ocean view venue, good friends, and amazing music reinvigorated my love for live shows. I often search for acts as far as LA, San Francisco and everywhere in between to check off the shows that are on my "must see before I die" list. Some of my fondest life memories involve live music. 

Like when my fellow Muir Hall girls and I acted like teenagers in San Jose at the N'SYNC show.

Or when RachO and I made matching t-shirts to witness the glory that is Coldplay.

Or how about the power of John Mayer, bringing my mom and I together two summers in a row. 

I remember belting out "just a day, just an ordinary day" alongside my new friend Helya during the  Vanessa Carlton show at Cal Poly...and that time we saw Jason Mraz before he was anyone.

Like our first date to see Mountain Goats at the Steynberg Gallery, sitting cross-legged on the floor with Steve's arms wrapped around me and being completely shocked that this cool guy wanted to show me affection in public! 

And when Death Cab's energy filled our souls and Steve finally understood my obsession.

Or that time Steve and I got "tore" in San Francisco at the wacky of Montreal show.

Or that time Steve and I ate the worst pizza in the world before a Blonde Redhead show in Anaheim.

And drinking in the sweet sound of Nickel Creek as it mirrored my feelings of young love. 

Like when we fell in love in Chicago while bouncing from Yo La Tengo to Snow Patrol to Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and My Morning Jacket. Not knowing at the time that the sounds, beats, words, and rhythms would make a permanent impression in our minds and our hearts. 

There are more, but all of that is to say that in this life, I want to do the things that truly make me happy and going to see shows is one of those things! 

So, it started with my friend Kara (who has exquisite musical taste) when she was visiting last year and asked, "if you could see any artist live, who would it be?" My first reaction was Sufjan Stevens of course. Second came Mumford and Sons who I think would be SO MUCH FUN to see live. Like really, really fun! I want to dance to that banjo! Well fast forward 6 months and I get an email from Kara linking me to Bonnaroo. If you haven't already looked, Bonnaroos's line up is insanely good this year and guess who it includes? MUMFORD! Among so many other amazing artists - Passion Pit, The Lumineers, Beach House, Glen Hansard, I can go on and on and on and on and on. AND ON! I was this close <> to buying plane tickets to Tennessee. But, after much deliberation, Steve and I felt like we should stick to our already planned vacation plans and save the money and vacation days for Alaska. So that night, as I sat around like a lump, super sad about not going on this adventure with Music-Master Kara, no Mumford, and no dancing to that banjo, we found out that Sufjan Stevens was playing in LA! Not his regular stuff, but still Sufjan Stevens LIVE, only a few hours away. So we got tickets immediately and my heart felt a little better. And then learned that Kara works near the venue, so DRINKS with KARA before SUFJAN! My Heart!

And then, the other day I was browsing around on Instagram and came across a picture of a ticket stub to The Postal Service at Madonna Inn in SLO. WHAT THE HECK! How did I not know about this?! (For those of you who don't know, Ben Gibbard is the brains and voice behind Death Cab For Cutie AND The Postal Service, so this is SERIOUS). I immediately went online to find tickets, and they were SOLD OUT. My heart burst. So I googled some more and found some on Stub Hub. Completely over-priced, but hey, we don't even have to leave town or take time off work, so I had no choice...and lookie!

And guess what else? John Mayer is going to be at the Mid State Fair in July so you know where my mom and I and two very giant margaritas will be!! 

I have to say that Kara's question and email really sparked something in me to get back in touch with this wonderful, wonderful art form. And my cute mom is constantly looking at shows, so keep it up, Mom, because you are really good at planning things like "John Mayer Week" :) 

Live music is like medicine. Have you ever not smiled while watching live music? And remember, with music comes dancing, and you can't be mad when you are dancing!!! Thank you, Kara, and I promise one day we will see a show together!