Ok, I’m going to say this first and then get to it. I have no clue what I’m about to say or where this is going. I have a general idea but who knows how this is going to end up. I just know that I need to keep myself busy. And writing is one of the ways I can do that. Be it in my journal, writing poems and short stories, or writing about music for Tuned Up. Writing has been a coping skill I have used for as long as I can remember. Another coping skill has been music. In high school while most kids my age were at football games, dances, parties, and other things, on most Friday nights, you would find me at home in my room listening to music while reading music magazines or writing.

So it’s no surprise that in a time like this, the present state of the world, that I have turned to what I know. I spend my days listening to music mostly. Which I love. I honestly don’t remember the last time I have actually just been able to dive into music the way I have over the past month. While I have my usual loves, I have been able to expand my tastes, which is great. I mean I have never been one to just stick to one genre. We listen to what we like. So anytime I find something new I dive right in. And I’ve found out that my tastes are indeed all over the place. One moment I can be listening to Spanish Love Songs, and the next it’s Joey Bada$$, and from there Leonard Cohen, and I may end with John Prine (R.I.P). That’s just how it works in my world, and I love it.

Another thing that has helped over the past month has been streamed shows. I will admit at first I was 100% against them, my thought was it’s not going to be the same for me. Besides seeing acts I love live, the other aspect of live shows that I love are hanging with my friends. I cannot count the nights I have spent outside a venue with friends and strangers just shooting the shit and talking about life. All while smoking an entire pack of Camel Crush cigarettes. Those are the moments that sometimes make the night memorable. I also can’t count the number of strangers that have become friends all because we were at the same show. There is hardly a better feeling. Anyways, streamed shows. The first one I caught was rising country singer Morgan Wade. This young lady has taken over my world in a year. She writes the most honest songs. Songs that give my heroes like Jason Isbell, Micah Schnabel, Geoff Rickly, and Jim Adkins a run for their money. This woman will make you cry in a New York minute. Lol. The only reason I watched her is I haven’t seen her live yet. In a year that I have been a fan, she hasn’t been to Columbus. And that makes Ray sad, so I was like, sure I’ll watch. HOLY SHIT!!!!!! That performance was great. I still got the feels I would have got if I had seen her in person. Two of my good friends from out of state were also “there” so it was like they were there with me. We were able to chat while we all “watched” her. After that one, I was hooked. In the time since I’ve seen twenty shows from artists like Jimmy Eat World to Chuck Ragan to Aaron Gillespie. And I have enjoyed all of them. Some I’ve “seen” friends at and that makes them better and some I’ve actually made friends as well. Another streamed show that stands out is Spanish Love Songs. This is a band that just released what very well may end up being my Album of the year. I have yet to see them live, and it hurts like hell. In the past month, I have now seen them twice, or I should say their singer playing acoustic. But that does not matter because the passion and heart are still there. It’s still the songs I have grown to love over the last two months. All those feelings are still there. All it does for me is make me want to experience them live with my friends. And I cannot wait for that moment. That moment were we can all yell at the top of our lungs in a room with strangers. If you ask me, there aren’t too many things better than that in this world.

When I started writing this, as I mentioned above I wasn’t sure what would come out. I just wanted to write about what I love and how much I miss it. And I know I’m not the only one. That’s a common thing I see on social media these days, how much people are missing concerts. For as long as I can remember, I have said nothing, and I mean nothing, brings people together as music does. And I am seeing that to be true right now. So if you are having a difficult time right now like so many of us are, turn on some music, put on some vinyl and get lost it. I promise you, for the duration of that album or playlist, the world in which we live will no longer exist. Yes, the music stops, and we have to face the real world, but we are not alone. We have each other to get through this. And we will. So as always, I’ll see you at the rock show. Oh and one more thing. Brave Faces, Everyone!!!!