Palindrome Day Brings Musical Medicine
Palindrome Day Brings Musical Medicine
4/20/2024
Fun fact: Yesterday’s date (4/20/2024) was a palindrome. We’ll run out of them eventually, so when I think of it I’m reminded of the temporary nature of all things. (Actually, no, I’m more reminded of my delight as a kid when I’d see the clock hit 11:11 or 8:08). Palindromes are numbers or words that read the same backwards and forwards (like racecar or Yo Banana Boy). They’ve been a regular occurrence on the calendar throughout the 2020’s. To celebrate, I went to Sidecar Supper Club to catch my friend, Pete Jive, and his friend Brandon Reisdorf play guitar, fiddle, and vocals for a few hours.
I’ve written about my take on live music. In short, I compared the ways we experience live music as: a seasoning, an appetizer, or a main course. You can “read full story” from last year’s post below. (Apparently Aprils are my mile markers).
Music as Medicine
When I was in college, I got to see Pete Jive play with Juice Digits & Marc quite regularly at a few local venues in Dekalb. I didn’t realize it then, but the combo of instruments (guitar, bass, harmonica, and vocals) was a lovely mix to witness between three friends. I’ve seen Pete play solo several times in recent years and he’s a great musician and performer. With that said, to see him up there last night accompanied by another human on fiddle/guitar/vocals was… it was another experience entirely. A flavor I didn’t know could be added so perfectly? A sound that complements what’s there like a well-fitted pair of jeans? I don’t have the words quite yet. So: medicine.
Pete set the stage, and Brandon knew where his sound fit perfectly. He knew how to ease the fiddle in almost imperceptibly, as if it’d always been there.
It was harmonious.
Shit.
I saw Pete light up in a familiar way. Like when he’d play at NIU.
We (the audience) got to know them (Pete & Brandon) — through guitar, fiddle, and vocals — and our response (laughter, dance, clapping, singing).
Call — Response
What a vulnerable place to stand as musicians. Bare your soul on a stage to a room full of strangers and hope for a warm reception.
It was good medicine.
I’m thankful.
I’ve now been to the Sidecar Supper Club in Batavia, IL three times, and each was a gosh darn delight. The folks who work there are special, hardworking individuals who are bravely running a small business in uncertain times. Their food (particularly the meatloaf horseshoe) is delicious and the atmosphere is inviting. Like a step into simpler living. Eat, drink, and be merry. This is community.
My friends and I left merrily at the end of the show, and now I’m going to get myself ready for coffee with a friend :)
Take good care!
Love,
Jessie