Tuesday
Feb272007
old friends, new perspectives
Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 12:59AM
One of the weird things about doing what I do, and being in the community that I do it in, is that your friends have fans that see them in a completely different light than you do. Every now and then, though, you catch a glimpse of what they see when they're sitting there in their seats, watching us do our things.
Tonight I played a little in-the-round acoustic concert with my friends Matthew Perryman Jones, Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken. All three of these people are dear friends of mine. I got to know their music after getting to know them so, although I think they make wonderful music, that's not the first thing I associate with them.
I've worked off and on with Derek for years. We've toured together in a variety of circus acts, played on a bunch of the same records, and I'm now taking my turn in the role he created in Caedmon's Call. And tonight, I got his music in a way I never have before.
I realized that he makes statements that cause discussion. The one that caught my ear tonight was a line from a new song : "you're only free when you have no choice." What an interesting line. I don't know, at first, what it even really means, but it makes me think. And I think if I was with somebody else, it might make us both think, and our thinking will probably not be the same and we'll have the afore-mentioned discussion. That's so cool.
Derek's writing is littered with "statements" like that, and now that I realize it, it's fascinating. I have never written something like that. I tell stories. She saw this and it made her think of this... That's the way I get to the bottom of my thoughts. I just love that there is such a variety of ways to express ideas and get people thinking and talking and changing. And I love that I get to discover my old friends in new ways because of it.
Tonight I played a little in-the-round acoustic concert with my friends Matthew Perryman Jones, Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken. All three of these people are dear friends of mine. I got to know their music after getting to know them so, although I think they make wonderful music, that's not the first thing I associate with them.
I've worked off and on with Derek for years. We've toured together in a variety of circus acts, played on a bunch of the same records, and I'm now taking my turn in the role he created in Caedmon's Call. And tonight, I got his music in a way I never have before.
I realized that he makes statements that cause discussion. The one that caught my ear tonight was a line from a new song : "you're only free when you have no choice." What an interesting line. I don't know, at first, what it even really means, but it makes me think. And I think if I was with somebody else, it might make us both think, and our thinking will probably not be the same and we'll have the afore-mentioned discussion. That's so cool.
Derek's writing is littered with "statements" like that, and now that I realize it, it's fascinating. I have never written something like that. I tell stories. She saw this and it made her think of this... That's the way I get to the bottom of my thoughts. I just love that there is such a variety of ways to express ideas and get people thinking and talking and changing. And I love that I get to discover my old friends in new ways because of it.
Reader Comments (10)
I loved the show tonight, Andy. And a big part of the reason I enjoyed it comes from exactly what you mentioned - watching you all enjoy each others music and maybe discovering new things about each other.
that was one seriously good show. thanks for playing!
My first thought when I read a line like that is the old adage that "a train is only free when confined to its tracks".
very cool! I like Derek Webb.
Those in-the-round shows are usually terrible. Last night's was great.
I agree with your thoughts on Derek's "discussion lyrics" but don't sell yourself short. You got the whole "painting pictures with lyrics and sound" thing. Man, I get vivid images and colors out of your stuff. And I've never even smoked weed.
I know you weren't fishing for compliments here but I just thought I'd share.
I love that God created all of so differently. We are not robots who are all touched by the same messages and media in the same ways. I can remember the first time I heard Derek's "Faith My Eyes". My dad had just been diagnosed w/ Alzheimers disease and I that song just wrenched my heart about the whole concept of not ever being able to go back to childhood where everything was good and safe. And that same song may have a totally different effect on others... or none at all.
Andy, when I first heard Derek's music I was immediately hooked. His little statements in his songs are what God used to kick my butt and get me into gear. Derek Webb was all I listened to and almost all I thought about. When I got to meet him in my hometown, that was like meeting C.S. Lewis for me almost. It was huge. Everyone knew me as "That Derek Webb Guy"
Months passed and my tastes branched out a little more.
And then I got my hands on your stuff Andy. I realized that the little statements that Derek was writing and the stories that you are writing are just as key in "restoring my sanity." God has used your music in the same way He has used Derek's to grow me.
And yes, your style's are WAY different. I think that that is so freaking awesome. It makes me want to write music myself. It makes me want to spread the word. It makes me want to do a bunch of stuff I believe I wouldn't have before if I hadn't heard your music.
Thanks buddy. I appreciate you.
tk
It was amazing to get to see the four of you guys interact and play together last night. It brought out a side of all of your personalities that doesn't shine through on a solo set. What an awesome community!
-"Dirty Ernie" freakin halarious man-
a.o.
"my best friend Renaldi, still getting drunk but not laid" has sparked many a late night discussions. That and table for two have kept many a college students up to the crack of dawn i bet.
Serious note. I've had my copy of souvenirs about two years and Priest is just now helping me figure out what the fight does.