So last night I went and saw one of my favorite bands, The Avett Brothers. I’m not really sure how one pronounces that but, they rock none the less. I don’t really know how to classify them either. Country? Rock? Indie? I have no idea. Here’s what the San Francisco Chronicle had for a way to describe them.
[Heavy] sadness of Townes Van Zandt, the light pop concision of Buddy Holly, the tuneful jangle of the Beatles, the raw energy of the Ramones.
I think it’s fairly apt. Their latest album especially. They let loose with a lot more rock. The album can be streamed and listened to, in it’s entirety, from NPR’s website for the week prior to the album’s release, which might be today… I can’t remember.
The live show was really awesome but, in a way very strange and very sad. Strange because of the demographics of the crowd. I didn’t really expect to see so many frat boys and sorostitues there. Sure, not all frat boys are into Dave Mathews but still. These were just not your expected kids at this concert. I expected many more hipsters and folk hipsters. I didn’t expect to see so many women with shiny earrings and makeup on. Guys wearing khaki shorts and a Bud t-shirt. When the band played songs about deep, heartfelt love? The frat boys ate it up, singing along and cheering. I watched as some frat boy got upset at the two girls with him because they were talking during the show. He repeatedly would tell them to be quiet. Really? I expect this at Newby’s or at a DMB concert but The Avett Brothers?
Why did I find it very sad? Well, I’m very happy for the band that their popularity is such that it attracts a large and diverse crowd but at the same time it does make me sad, yes. Sad because I can’t help but fear that such a rise in popularity coupled with the big studio record deal will in the end spell out the demise of their good music. As their audience widens so might their music to the point that it’s no longer the wonderful Avett Brothers that I love so much. Hopefully this won’t happen, they’ll be able to keep it together, and I won’t have to go through the heartache of watching a beloved band fall into the pit of economic greed and musical suck.
All in all though, they’re one of my favorite bands ever. I mean, I listened to their entire catalog yesterday, straight through, chronologically before I went to the show. These guys have some of the most heart moving music I’ve ever heard. I highly suggest them to anyone and everyone, even the frat boys.
Ramblings of a Depressed Monkey, Jacked On Coffee
Have you ever had an urge to just drive away?
I have that urge sometimes. Mostly it coincides with a low point in my mental status. I’m manic depressive so I get these crazy lows sometimes. When this happens I get really confused about everything. I mean, life everything. I start thinking about why I’m doing the things I’m doing. What’s the point? I mean, I’m just gonna die someday so who cares if I went to school, read this book or that, etc. I mean, why do I have a job? Why do I pay my rent? I think about these things and get sad. I get sad because if there’s no point, then what’s the point? I’m not making sense.
I had coffee with a dear friend who I want to more than friends with but at the moment we’re just friends and all but that’s okay because I’d just like to have this person in my life and that’s what really matters.
Rambling again.
We had coffee and we started talking about all of this. We’re both having serious issues with school. She hates it and wants to quit. I hate it and am wondering why I started again. I mean, I’m always bitching about freedom. Freedom from societal expectations, freedom from my boss and work. All sorts of freedoms. I mean, what I really want is to live in the woods in a little house that I’ve built, growing most of my own food and taking photos when I feel like it. I want to be able to sit with a mug of tea on a fall afternoon, watching to sunset as the air gets slightly hazy, enjoying the view and the moment. Not having to listen to cars and planes. Not having to stress about work the next day, or paying the rent. Or school. Or anything. I want to be free. But is this possible? Where does school play into this? Do I need an education? If I die before I finish school, will I have missed out? I mean, would it have been worth the delay on seeking my own happiness?
So I guess the question now is, do I just get in the car and drive away? Leaving all of the stress, responsibility and expectations behind? Is that possible or will I just get somewhere else and discover that I get trapped in the same situation? Is it possible to escape? Will it always be like this?
But what is happiness anyway? I guess for me it’s a sunset, my toes in the grass, and a woman I love next to me. That about sums it up. Oh yeah, and not having to be somewhere. I’m so tired of always having to be somewhere. Why are people always in such a fucking rush? What’s the huge hurry? You’re gonna die either way. Who cares if you made it wherever on time? What’s on time anyway? Made up. That’s what. When you’re dead no one is gonna be like, “Oh he was a good guy, always on time for work.” Fuck that. Who cares if you were? I’m more concerned with, “He was an alright guy.” Or… “That guy was happy.” “He didn’t let shit get in the way of happy. Of having a good time.” I mean, I go to work 40 hours a week. That’s 160 hours a month. 1,920 a year. I spend more time at work than I do awake at home. What is that? For what? So I can have this laptop I’m typing on? Who gives a fuck? Time is limited man. Life is limited. Get out and see the sunshine. I only have one life, why waste any of it?
I mean, will the job and school make me happier? What I really want doesn’t involve them. If I won the lottery tomorrow I wouldn’t buy a whole bunch of stuff. I’d buy some land and setup a trust that would support the modest things I would need living in the middle of nowhere taking photos of the beautiful things I find. That would make me happy.
Anyhow, I’m just way jacked on coffee right now and am rambling after a wonderful time having coffee with a wonderful girl that won’t date me right now and maybe not ever and we talked about life and what it all means and everything. Lo Fidelity style. I’m SO Rob.