TI have this sticky note that is posted to my wall at work that has one purpose: keeping notes on new songs or artists that caught my ear as I listed to random playlists while I worked. I used to write on it about once a week or so. . .used to.

I’ve mentioned before that it is one of my favorite experiences to hear a song and know instantly that I love it. It’s even better when I can tell that it won’t just be the song, but the artist. And it’s like diving into the deep end, as I get to know the world of that artist as I try to process how in the world have I not heard of them until that moment.

Yesterday, I had to work for a few hours and went into the office to have the full force of three monitors and wouldn’t have to struggle with Stella and Lacey vying for my attention (which entails toys being put on my hands as I type, Stella bumping my laptop, and both crying at me until I finally give in to play.)

I love working in the office when no one else is there. (Which is kind of an inside joke, because inevitably there’s always at least one other attorney or two. But I try to keep my singing down to a minimum.) But I love putting on a playlist and not worrying about who might be looking or listening as I process whatever I’m working on. And when and if I hear a song that I haven’t heard before, it’s a little like someone spectacular just entered the room and you have to stop what you’re doing and figure out who it is. And when a song or artist can stop you in your tracks – I think its important to listen. To honor that moment and that power of creativity connecting us.

I was working on something intensely detailed, so yesterday was a day to put on a playlist of songs that I thought I knew. Spotify has a Throwback Thursday list that changes every week and this week it was changed to be dedicated to Irish artists. I saw Glen Hansard on the list and just immediately knew it was the perfect choice. For my friends who have known me a while, you know that I love, love, love Glen Hansard. And because of him, I really discovered just how much I love buskers and their intensity. The first time, I knew I loved Glen. . .the intro to Once.

 

 

 

 

There’s something about the fight in their voice, the fight to find their space, to have their voice heard. It can have this heart wrenching effect that can raise the hairs on the back of your neck, give you goosebumps, and even cry because it’s so incredibly emotive.

Someday I’ll tell you about the time Glen led a rebellion against a music festival that didn’t understand he didn’t need a mic. Best concert experience I have ever had to date.

So I love Glen, love the Frames and Marketa of course, which lead to loving Hozier (no, not take me church but I’m more of a Jackie and Wilson fan), Lisa Hannigan and others. I’ve always loved Van Morrison’s Into the Mystic and the Swell Season covered it at a concert that just destroyed me. Here’s at least one video that doesn’t do the live version justice but comes close.  And that led me to better understand my love of the Avetts too (not Irish, but the busk is real. Buskness? Buskiness? Busk vibe. . .you get my point.) A friend would say, “ugh but he’s too screamy”. . . as I would just shake my head. “He’s just wringing his heart out is all.”

Back to yesterday, I’m listening to this playlist while working hard for the money. And I hear the first line to this song and immediately, I’m pulled in. Immediately. The first line:

“I call arrows to fall short.”

 

 

 

And as the song continued, the hair stood, the goosebumps. . . the feeling like time stood still in my little corner office.

But it’s alright because
You cause lanterns to light
And force demons disperse
And if Lucifer may fear the swift drying of tears
Then for evil, you could not be worse

Woosah.

The artist is Dermot Kennedy. And let me say, Dermot, sorry to be late to the party, but once I become a fan, I become a super fan. And you had me within the first line of “After Rain”, but then as I listened to more, I just kept shaking my head as some of the lyrics just were like beautiful bombs being dropped, destroying my ability to focus for awhile. “I just want the devil to hate me.”. . . “I was lost ’til I found you, Now these songs will hold and hide your name….” (insert me shaking my head … ‘dang it, Dermot I’m trying to work here, can you just stop with the great lyrics’.)

 

 

And if only you could see yourself in my eyes
You’d see you shine, you shine
I know you’d never leave me behind
But I am lost this time
What if the love you deserve is love you never find?
I’ve learned in love and death, we don’t decide
And if only you could see yourself in my eyes
You’d see you shine, you shine

I’ve learned in love and death, we don’t decide. I’m tempted to post the entire set of lyrics here, because  it’s moving to read them just on their own without the music.

And then, I came across some newer stuff that throws in some amazing percussion and more of a hip hop vibe.

She said: Oh, I know that love is all about the wind
How it can hold me up and kill me in the end

Dermot….. making me love you all the more! Good grief!  I know, so many videos, but please at least watch the first song of this set. It’s so worth it.