Gathering in Song

I went up to Omaha last night to catch Damien Jurado and Rosie Thomas at the ol’ Sokol, and it was probably the best highlight of my week (though seeing The Matrix Revolutions this weekend might knock it out of the top spot). The show was solid — I’ve loved Jurado’s songwriting for years, Rosie is an absolute joy to watch, and Steve Bartolomei (the opening act), though uneven and rough in places, had some genuine potential — but it was such a joy to with so many of my friends in one place.

It hit me during the final song of Bartolomei’s set (their best song, by the way, and one that really perked up my ears) and I think I had a ridiculous grin on my face the rest of the night. I haven’t felt genuinely grateful in a long time, due in some small part to the blasted weather (and in large part to my own pervasive moodiness).

Chesterton once wrote that “the worst moment for the atheist is when he is really thankful and has no one to thank.” I don’t consider myself an atheist, but all too often my faith (or lack thereof, I suppose) seems to lead me in that direction. I get bogged down by the anxieties of life, and takes a truly transcendental moment of thankfulness to give me a wee bit of perspective.

Of course, the moment I woke up this morning with a splitting headache (and no, it wasn’t a hangover), that realization seemed a million miles away… but it gives me hope that it’s not too distant.

Special thanks to everyone who came out to the show — Heather and Nick, Nate and Kevin, Becky, Jason, Christina, Liz, Melissa, Jared, Joe, the Mr. 1986 boys, and of course, the lovely Clint. I know that sounds conceited since I wasn’t even one of the bands playing last night, but being around you all did more than you know.

And yes, I did post photos from the show; Damien Jurado, Rosie Thomas, and Steven Bartolomei.