On this tour we found out so many things about ourselves and our lifestyles. We learned that it is possible (and okay!!!) to go to a concert without any expectations and still enjoy yourself. We learned that we can be nice and patient, and we can go to Oklahoma without death or serious injury!!
The trip started Tuesday with a show in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Due to a bad experience many years ago in Oklahoma (along with the ridiculous amount of toll roads and construction), we have very strategically avoided Oklahoma for years. But as part of our fresh start (and honestly, desperation for a possible show) we headed out for Tulsa. We didn't leave until day of show and didn't arrive at the venue until 3:30pm. For anyone who knows us, this is about 6-7 hours later than we usually arrive for a show! The most interesting thing is that we didn't even get into line at that point. We met a really good concert friend (and road mother) across the street for an amazing Mexican dinner. It was so great to catch up after 4 years and talk candidly about everything. It made being in Oklahoma better ;)
We got in line about an hour before doors. We weren't even close to being first and we didn't have heart attacks or die or anything. It was amazing. We ended up on the rail but not center. We managed to scoot right in front of Dean which was perfectly fine with us. The opening band, Highly Suspect, was amazing. We have fallen in love with their sound. I would highly recommend checking them out!!
Chevelle was just unbelievable as usual! I smiled through the whole show! I rocked out, I cried, I laughed, I experienced everything that music is supposed to make you experience. I didn't calculate my movements, or anticipate glances, or pick and choose songs to "feel". I was just there. I was just happy. After the show we met Dean but the other guys didn't come out. I was absolutely ok with this.
We met up with our awesome Tulsa friends at IHOP again before leaving Oklahoma. We had such a great time. We talked until 3am! It was almost like a therapy session. We pretty much told them everything and didn't even care. It's the first time we've talked to someone else about the whole Sick Puppies thing. So that was an accomplishment for us. It helped us reach full closure. But real closure this time! We've been talking about the whole ordeal for a year now and convincing ourselves that we were over it. But it took this trip to actually move on and have a feeling of peace with everything. We sadly said goodbye to our friends and headed towards Memphis. We made it pretty far! We didn't stop until 5:30am. We slept in the car as usual and made it to Memphis the next afternoon.
It was so nice to have a really comfortable bed. We both crashed and didn't wake up until after dinner. We showered and went downtown. We were a little apprehensive about spending time in Memphis because everyone told us it was so dirty and dangerous. Completely the opposite! We had the best time in Memphis. We walked around all night. We had amazing food at a place called Huey's and we experienced Beale Street at it's best. We encountered the friendliest people you could ever imagine and were humbled by southern hospitality. It was a true life changing experience.
The next day we left Memphis and went to Tunica, Mississippi. On our way out of Memphis we were humbled yet again by the amazing people of the South. We tried fried corn and jojo's for the first time and we spent the trip relaxed and patient. Jennifer and I joked that we needed to move to Memphis for a year to rediscover our patience. Tunica was unbelievable. From the minute we walked in the casino doors every single person was friendly and courteous. Ellis, the front door security guard brought us magazines to make our wait a little less boring, and Sindy, the Bluesville "end all be all" took us under her wing and set us up for the night. We met Chevelle backstage before the show thanks to VIP passes from Sindy, and we got front row center about 15 minutes before doors opened. There was no opening band so our anticipation didn't last long. The show was amazing. They played a whole different setlist, including Closure and Envy, which seemed to hit at just the right time. I almost cried during each of these songs when I realized how much they spoke to me.
"I may not win the race
I may not reach the top
Or I may not live your way;
It doesn't mean I'm stuck here
We may not fit the mold
Kind of going off
Well, the medicine inside takes a stronger hold"
"Like a leach,
I hold on as if we belonged,
To some precious pure dream.
Cast off, you've seen what's beneath,
Now fail me."
"Closure has come to me myself,
You will never belong to me."
After the show we said goodbye to Sindy and Jackie. Something we would NEVER do normally. It felt great and we were rewarded with kindness. We waited by the bus until the guys came out. They were all very talkative and funny and we had such a great time. We even talked to their TM and told him a funny story about a past show. He was very intrigued. Before we left we told everyone goodbye and thank you. They were all so nice and sweet. This is something we have never done before. We almost have a rule that we don't talk to people, we don't smile, we don't engage or interact. We just get our shit done and leave. We never want to let on that we want more or know more. We just keep mysterious. Being able to break that mold felt so good!!
We were so happy the entire way home. There was nothing to dissect. Nothing to feel depressed about. Just pure joy. We found a band that means something to us. We were purely happy the entire show. We didn't expect to be recognized or treated specially. When we weren't it was ok! That wasn't why we were there. The show was amazing on it's own. That's all that matters. We were so happy we decided to embrace the southern way and told the woman at McDonald's to have a blessed day. She responded with a genuine "you too!!" If we were to do that here we would probably get a WTF look and a "Fuck you". It's safe to say we will probably be touring the south exclusively from now on! haha :)
It is also safe to say that SP will not be entering our thoughts again. We have talked about closure for a year. We were never really over it. This was the week we needed to feel what true release feels like. It was a great time while it lasted. We lost ourselves. We got addicted to the drug. We went to rehab. We relapsed. We almost got lost again. This time we put ourselves through a true "dialysis" to come out clean and pure and in the right state of mind. It feels good. And as ridiculous as it sounds to say that we just got out of a bad relationship with a band, I know there are people out there who will understand and sympathize. It took some time and some roadblocks, but we have found the love of our life and we plan to live happily ever after!
Thank you again to our road parents in Tulsa. You guys are awesome! See you soon
A
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