Camp Revival

The Barry. (Image courtesy of Andrew Nedimyer)

My best friend Barry and I have gotten into some sticky situations. Real sticky. And no matter how sticky things get, Barry somehow keeps his cool while I go bonkers.

The stint that Barry and I spent working in a coal mine was a very dark time for me. The working conditions of the colliery destroyed me. Hours in complete darkness breathing toxic materials pushed me to depression and insomnia. I lost track of what day and time it was. I started collecting random pieces of garbage and storing them beneath my bed. My fish died because I didn’t clean his bowl.

Meanwhile, Barry flourished in the mines. He won a lobster dinner for producing so much coal and his chipper “go get ‘em” attitude. He also volunteered at the local rec center teaching senior citizens how to play basketball. He won the lottery, and donated the winnings to some animal-helping organization. In efforts to cheer me up, he would bring an extra pack of fruit snacks to share with me. It only made my demeanor the worse. I couldn’t fathom how he could tolerate the hours we spent in what to me was a tomb.

It wasn’t until just recently that I discovered that the entire time we were in the mine, Barry had been listnening to the song “The Walls Are Coming Down” by Fanfarlo on his headphones. Bright, rich, and ornate. Uplifting choruses crescendo over swooping strings and horns. Maybe what it would be like if you could eat a whole apple pie without any guilt. Sweet.

‘The Walls Are Coming Down’

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That Barry, he knows what he is doing.

Tune•out•cruise•r

‘Dark Cicadas’

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Aaron has one of the most refined and discerning tastes in music of anyone I know. A tremendous musician himself, he knows his licks and knows when a song ticks. But his musical aptitude isn’t the only reason why I asked him to recommend a tune that have been doing it for him. It is because Aaron and I both enjoy being cynical. And when talking music during a dull lecture class full of Juicy Couture wearing co-eds, the potential for cynicism is endless.

So I asked Aaron for a tune, and he immediately dove into his backpack to produce his iPod. No hesitation. He offered “Close Chorus” by A Sunny Day In Glasgow, without any attached disclaimer. No modest “It’s pretty good,” or “You might not like it, but…” This was it. This was the jam.

I thought he was going to let me have a listen, but instead he queued it up for himself. Thus, I had to wait until later that night to hear the jarring chord progressions in “Close Chorus” that intrigued Aaron. Thanks buddy. Thanks for leaving me to listen to the discussion of approaches to analyzing cultural industries and whispers of scandalous Facebook photos.

Close Chorus

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Sun•is•out

‘Dance Around’

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Road trips, electronics, things that require foresight, are all things that consistently abide by Murphy’s Law. Anticipating a recording with Rainbow Bridge in Olympia, Washington on February 21, 2010, it was assumed that “something would go wrong.” But for some reason, the adage fell apart with Rainbow Bridge. The entire day resonated with a “just right” tone. Front-and-center parking for hearty burritos with a side of exclusively for Sunday mornings conversation. February weather that was anything but February. The unyielding hospitality of Rainbow Bridge and the delightful setting of their backyard patio. Equipment malfunctions that ultimately enhanced the recordings. High fives and even friendship bracelets. The enveloping warmth of unexpected sunshine and captivating songs Rainbow Bridge shared with in the quiet Olympia neighborhood. Much like Rainbow Bridge’s approach to their music, the day was comprised of simple things, but good things. And when added all together, the feeling is wholly satisfying: like sinking into a a big comfy couch after a good meal.

The journey home continued as such, the setting sun bringing out the shadows of fir trees and casting a glow on the Cascade mountains. And as weariness set in after the long day, it was unavoidable to start humming Rainbow Bridge’s anthemic “Big Wave Rider.”

Apparently, Murphy’s Law doesn’t hold with Rainbow Bridge. Their music and good graces feel like a first-try swish on a crisp, new basketball net.

This was the second video we shot with Rainbow Bridge. Enjoy.

This was the third, and final video we shot with Rainbow Bridge.