Lately I have been having very eerie dreams. Almost surreal, almost lucid. They seem to have a recurring theme, too. When I say that, they generally include the same people with different situations.
One recurring topic is my grandfather. I was very close with him. I would like to think that I still am. Most in my family would say that I was his favorite. I don’t necessarily doubt this, I just think I cared the most. The dreams have been, as I said, almost surreal and lucid. Very strange. I miss him very much. He was a big part of my life – the closest thing I had to a real father. I think that I am very much like him.
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I remember the first time I saw Bright Eyes. It was in 2005 at the Nokia Theater in Grand Prairie. Their supporting acts were Airborne Audio and The Faint. Both were very good. It was a great show, and I still remember the majority of it.
The way they opened was unforgettable. Lights out, nothing could be seen. They created kind of an eerie (I use this word a lot I guess?) feeling amongst the audience. The lights come on, but only in violet. Still, not much was visible. The introductory song to Digital Ash In A Digital Urn, Time Code, began playing. It kind of played hand in hand with the opening of their set. Odd sounds, heavy breathing, enchantment. The song continues to commence, with the violet light getting brighter. Conor’s beginning lyrics come out, and the light gets bright enough to see the stage. There are many people on stage including two drummers with full kits. They begin the drumming and sound effects – all of the noise being created is mesmerizing. The song continues and works its way into the song that follows, which is Gold Mine Gutted. Both of these songs are favorites of mine by the band. I very much enjoyed the show.
Conor and Bright Eyes didn’t come back to Texas for two years. The second show they were a completely different band, but still very good. They played the majority of their Cassadaga album with an included quartet for good measure. I drank a lot of alcohol and reminisced about the first time I saw them.
I saw Conor at the Austin City Limits music festival about a year later playing with the Mystic Valley Band. It wasn’t near as good, but still enjoyable. Now I hear that Bright Eyes is writing new material. I’m excited.
This video is very similar to what I described, but two years later. I did not get my description of the show in 2005 based on this video, that is genuinely how I remember it.
The band Neutral Milk Hotel was way ahead of their time even as they disbanded. Their music is somewhat timeless, I guess you could say. Their album “In The Aeroplane Over The Sea” is still heralded as one of the better “indie” albums of all time. That is among the likes of Arcade Fire’s “Funeral,” which is a devastatingly good album. One song that particularly speaks to me, which I’m quite sure is the same for others, is “Oh Comely.” The song is a droning 8 minutes and change long. Yet, with every line the song becomes more strong and piercing.
I had heard Brand New cover the song around the internet, but hadn’t really paid much thought to it. I’ve always been a huge fan of Jesse Lacey’s emotionally charged vocals, so to hear him cover a song which conveys so many different emotions so greatly was a nice thing for me to experience. Then I saw them cover it live. I remember sort of freaking out in excitement. I text messaged my friend James as they began playing. It went something along the lines of “OMG I CAN’T BELIEVE THEY’RE PLAYING OH COMELY!!!” I was excited, to say the least. So much that I sound like a little girl now I reflect on it. Oh well, that shit was good.
I’m positive that the song can have different meanings depending on the person listening and their situation. That’s anything, though. As I said, the song speaks to me. I really enjoy it and how genuine both acts make it sound. I’d like very much to be able to witness it played live again. I’m not holding my breath, though.
Neutral Milk Hotel – Oh Comely
Jesse Lacey of Brand New – Oh Comely Cover