Roger and I are so lucky to have an amazing life together with our son, Thomas. And once a year we bring it all back to the Casbah where we said our vows on stage, with 200 of our closest family and friends. Owner, Tim Mays lets us take over and book bands for the night, inviting the world to share the love. And last Monday, the love was felt by everyone present.

Patrick Dennis of Wirepony and Truckee Brothers kicked off the night with a solo set of songs of love. Well most of them where about love. Through a misinterpreted text, he believed I requested the most violent, brutal anti-love song, Right Hook of Love. I only had it stuck in my head at the time. It’s a great song, so I didn’t mind breaking the theme.  

I was a bit sad Patrick’s talented son, Aaron wasn’t able to make it, but we understand that playing with his own band, Tan Sister Radio takes priority. It doesn’t mean that he wasn’t missed.

During the breaks between bands in the Casbah’s Atari Lounge, Roger’s band, Listening to Rocks played two short sets. With a bit of practicing, the band sounded more solid than I ever remember. What once felt like 3 people each playing their own songs with their own styles, now sounds like one cohesive unit. I even had the chance to sing a bit including a Nada Surf cover, I Like What You Say and the debut of the song Roger and I cowrote, Can’t Wait.

Back on the main stage, Swim Party continued the love fest with beautiful music accented by colorful bubbles of light. The harmonies and rolling chords truly feels like you are riding the ocean current while the fishes and creatures of the sea move alongside you. During the set, Robin Roth proclaimed Swim Party’s show at the Whistle Stop on Friday, March 11 to be a celebration of my birth. Yay me!

After a second Listening to Rocks set, Rafter takes the stage sharing his set will be an “ode to love, marriage, sex, family and death”.  Death? Ok? Let’s do this.

Rafter’s 2010 release, Animal Feelings hit #1 in my top ten of last year. I cannot say enough good things about this guy.  A family man himself, and a purveyor of love, he pulled together a set of feel good songs including “Fruit” and of course, “Feel Good.” Funniest part? The banter between songs. I don’t think I’ve heard much more than a song name before, but prior to each song he gave a short awkward description on how it is connected to love. Best description came with “A-Frame,” where he described how his father taught him how an A frame house is the strongest house and relating it to two people leaning towards one another, supporting each other.

We want to thank a few friends who helped out promoting the show: Hilary and Tim Pyles at FM94/9 through the concert calendar listings on the Friday before and the locals only show on the evening before. Robin Roth wrote up an awesome posting on her website. We were also amazed that the show was even listed as alternate plans for both CityBeat and the Reader and SD Dialed In listed our show in her listings. Plus all of the bands that sent out the fb link to their mailing list. We thank you ALL for the extra mentions.

My favorite part of these evenings is meeting people who see a new band for the first time. For us, these events are not of selfish intentions. Sure we love seeing all of your awesome faces, but what we really want is to share the music we love with the world. And we are grateful for all who listen and come out to be engulfed by love.

Here is the video from our debut of “Can’t Wait,” the first song that Roger and I have ever written together. The process was a bit challenging but fun. I’m amazed how the song actually morphed into the kind of song that I was aiming for.  I’m hoping that we will continue to write more songs together as time moves on. Below are the lyrics, some of you were asking for:

“Can’t Wait”

My little one,
Learning new things each day.
But there are some things
I wish you could say.
Like “Great Scott” like the Doc,
Or “I’ll stop throwing rocks,”
“I think it’s time for a nap,”
“It’s cozy here on your lap.”

Why can’t you stay
little everyday?
Can’t wait til you say…
I love you!

Your aunts would jump
If you said their names,
And I can’t wait
To teach you rhyming games.
Someday you’ll name all your toys,
Know every bird by it’s noise,
I’m not trying to rush,
Cause I love my baby so much!

Why can’t you stay
little everyday?
Can’t wait til you say…
I love you!

Seems like everyday,
You’re learning something new.
Wish we could watch you grow,
But keep you little too.

Why can’t you stay
little everyday?
Can’t wait til you say…
I love you!

I know that you can’t stay
little everyday?
Can’t wait til you say…
I love you!
I love you!
I love you!
I love you!

This Valentine’s Day weekend (the one of recent past including today), Roger and I are attempting a feat we have always talked about, but never have pulled together… we will be writing a song. Writing stories, essays or poems never have fazed me like the intimidation I feel with writing a song. Placing writing on a 3rd dimension, the words are not the only element. The addition of rhythm, melodies and eventual harmonies create an endless palette of choices.

We started this weekend while the kid was snoozing along to They Might Be Giants after a long day at the zoo. Head spinning, I had a hard time determining where to begin. So I toke the natural route for me. Scribbling down words that vaguely have flow and meter, I managed to come up with a chorus and most of a verse. Then I became stuck.

Luckily for me, Roger is a seasoned veteran. We sat down and played with the all of the rhythms on our little Casio keyboard. This was a bit of an awkward process, but in the end I discovered that I wrote it with a 3/4 tempo in mind (but as Roger said, it could be in 4/4). Who knew.

Next up, music… actual notes. This is where I completely rely on Roger’s expertise. After a bit of tooling around with his guitar, he came up with some chords to fit. “That sounds like a funeral procession.” was my immediate remark. The bitter truth came with all of the minor chords he presented. That one was scrapped.

The song is about all of the little things I wish Thomas would say, but not wanting him to grow up or have time pass. To me, I wanted it to be an upbeat sort of song while Roger saw it as a sad sort of ballad.

The next set of chords weren’t bad. Roger’s instincts point him towards the country end of the spectrum, still a little sad, but he exclaims, “This one only has one minor chord.” We wrote down the chords and moved on to something completely different.

Completely different was right. I loved where he went. I could already imagine singing along with Roger on stage. This was a break through, a parting of the clouds. We can do this.

As we started on the verses, the little one woke up. So tonight, our goal is to finish what we started. And after that, we will turn it over to the band.

A song is a strange and amazing collaborative art piece that morphs each time some one touches it. From the words to the rhythm to the melody to the bass and the drums; the end result a mystery until all of the pieces are put together. In the end, we are creating a lasting Valentine’s Day memory of making music together for the first time.

Design credit: John Tibbott Threadless shirt design currently available called “Classic Notation.”