karlifairbanks.com

It’s amazing to me all the different aspects of a show that can make it a “favorite” on the list of many. The time of preparation, the actual set, the other bands that play, the time after the show…all of it results in a collection of feelings and things that I either block out or very specifically capture in my memory as a performer.

Tonight became surprisingly what will be one of my most memorable shows. The lineup was probably of the more spectacular, to me personally, shows I have ever played. Two of my sincerely very favorite bands from Seattle, The Globes and Pickwick played and also one of my long time favorite hero’s of music, David Bazan was set to headline the event at Empyrean. I rarely get nervous for shows in Spokane, knowing that the crowd will be mostly friends or people that have heard me before. But tonight was different. I shook a bit as I tuned my guitar and couldn’t even really get into the set. Caroline sang with me and we did a bunch of new songs, mostly new songs, that we had worked on the week prior in our recording session. I was excited to share new songs, but for some reason felt really indifferent the whole time we were playing. It sounded really nice, Caroline sang so well, our harmonies seemed really tight and we covered one of our favorite Gillian Welch songs. The room was full, I sold cd’s but at the same time felt uncomfortable about it all. I think my brother was the only one in the crowd who maybe noticed my inability to connect.

Later, we all went to hang out and over drinks and burritos the night was recovered for me. Talking with Eric and Galen and Michael about Animal Collective, Wilco, childbirth and faith made me remember why I love playing music so much. It’s about the conversations, the people and opportunities I have had somehow as a result of being able to sing and sloppily play a guitar. Talking with Dave Bazan also made me realize how lucky I am to be here in Spokane in what I see as a thriving music community without style borders, stress and pressure.

Welcome to my new blog.

I’ve been blogging on myspace for a LONG time about recording and shows and tours and life as a musician. I thought it was time to relocate all my words to a place that was easier for me to update and easier for you to read! So, here we are. I posted a bunch of old posts and some general information that I used to keep on my website. Hopefully it’s easy to navigate and keep up with here on blogger. I’ll be keeping this all updated very often. Subscribe, link, RSS feed or whatever you have to do to keep reading. Feel free to comment, you don’t have to be a blogger member!

Sincerely,
karli

I’ve been really into Damien Jurado’s new record. Every little bit of it has filled my ears and soul with the best feeling you can get from music. You know those albums that just satisfy your ears like others haven’t? The ones where you have to cherish the moment because you aren’t sure when it will happen again with another album. That’s how I have felt about this one.