Just a thought...

Do you remember the transition when little kids getting hurt or crying (for one reason or another) started to seem kinda funny? Most of the time its probably because they look so darn precious crying those big crocodile tears. But maybe there are times when we laugh to hide the fact that deep down inside sometimes we still hurt that same way we did when we were that small.

I'm on a Concert High!

Sometimes I get musically restless.  My favorite artists sound boring and the radio doesn't seem to provide the cure for my longing.  It's similar to when you are craving a particular food but have NO idea what that food is.  You go to the market blindly hoping you'll eventually encounter what you are craving, endlessly scouring the isles.  You open the fridge fifteen times in five minutes checking to see if what you've desired has magically appeared.  What I had wanted without knowing was the Alternate Routes and Matt Wertz performing live at Slim's.  What?  You say you've never heard of them?  That was the real beauty of the concert.  These are two GREAT musical acts.  But they haven't "made it big" yet.  So they played in a small venue in San Francisco and I got to meet them and hear a little bit about them and actually see their faces while they were performing.  They really were fantastic and energizing live performers.  Not like some bands you hear these days that are garbage live.  Real, true musicians.  The Alternate Routes lead singer Tim reminds me of one of my favorite artists Ray Lamontagne and he plays the harmonica as well!  There is something in their style that's a little folksy, a little country but they've also got a great rock sound.  During one of their songs, Tim used a tool box with something heavy inside as percussion.  It can't be explained, it was just super cool and imaginative and perfect for the song.  Plus, their bass player has longish, voluminous red hair and he let my friend Chelsey touch it after she had been admiring it all night.  Matt Wertz belongs in the category of Jason Mraz and John Mayer.  He's written these incredibly romantic songs that just melt my heart (I may have actually found the song I want played at my wedding- it's called "I Will Not Take My Love Away" but my future husband may have a say in that, haha.  Anyways, he's that kind of romantic).  I was in love with him halfway through his set because of his music AND his personality.  He sat up there and somehow managed to chat with everyone in the room at the same time making it feel very intimate and real.  He also took time to talk about Africa and his experiences traveling there.  He endorses a really great organization that helps women who have been part of the sex industry.  All the while saying he's really not the type of person to do this sort of thing, trying to take himself out of the equation and really highlight the organization.  I didn't have to look at anyone on a TV screen and woke up the next morning singing the Alternate Routes song Ain't No Secret (The concert may have actually infiltrated my dreams).  I've had their music in my head since Saturday.  I stupidly didn't buy any CD's at the concert so had to hike out to Best Buy the next day to make sure I could get my fix whenever I wanted it but the trip was oh, so worth it.  I wish I could hear them play every night.  And don't you worry, I won't leave you hanging: their websites

myspace.com/alternateroutes.com

mattwertz.com

Hope you enjoy them as much as I have.