Staying up past our bedtime...

 

We love music in this house - all kinds. So, when I saw one of my favorite bands was going to be in town for my birthday week, I had to get tickets. They were reasonably priced and at a venue we'd not been to. Swallow Hill Music is a very intimate venue that is a 501(c)(3) that values teaching and enjoying great music. The show was sold out.

I was so happy to get these tickets as we hadn't seen them live in  years.  The first time was in 2003 in Littleton at the Celtic Festival and I was immediately smitten. When I purchased the tix it was a discussion as it started at 8:00 AT NIGHT.  Part of present me was a little irritated at past me for thinking this was a good idea.  Turns out past me knew what I needed. The entire night of music was totally cathartic.

The opening band was a home grown Colorado band - Ryan Chrys and the Rough Cuts.  We had not heard of them nor did we preview any music and boy howdy were they great. First, who doesn't love a female bass player! They've admittedly been everything from Country to Rock and now they are a fabulous blend.  Highly entertaining. I'll admit that lead singer was giving Sam Elliot vibes from Roadhouse, so that didn't hurt 🤣🤣 The female bass player was great and their drummer was out of this world. Come to find out the drummer has backed numerous big name groups as well as being a session musician and playing on lots of soundtracks for TV and movies. For reference, he's 3 years older than me.  We were not disappointed with this 45min session and it left me wanting more - all of it.  Pump it right into my veins. 

Young Dubliners are phenomenal.  They're rock/celtic and their music makes you want to leap to your feet. The surprising thing - the average age in the room was, well, me.  Then I got to thinking, they started in 1988, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  

The violinist/mandolin/piano/singer is soo good at, well, everything. Pure magic.  Keith (lead singer) is full of piss and vinegar and boundless energy.  I don't know how his hand doesn't just fall off at the end of the night AND he only used one pick all night. 

It was totally worth staying up past our bedtime, losing an hour of sleep (due to DST) and waking up with not much of a voice. Give both these groups a listen, you won't be disappointed.