Esther Rose, live on the Pacific Ocean.

I got to accompany one of my dear friends and long time collabos, Esther Rose, on her road trip with the artist “Twain” on the West coast for a string of shows. I’d only been out that way a couple times, also on tours, so its always nice to visit the Pacific Ocean. I’m generally east of the Mississippi, so the culture shock (and geographical landscape shock) is always there. Getting to roll up on a street called “Ocean Avenue” (shout out Yellowcard), and walk on an empty public beach to play a song, is amazing to me.

Esther is a true road dawg, and I don’t know how she maintains her endless poise, dedication and creative aura, but she does it with grace and diginity. All of which i’d probably lose in one or two shows. I’d be up there manically cussing everyone out, trying to sell my guitar and joining the first cult that approached me in search of a better life. She just rolls with all the punches, and gets better at it all the time. She actively writes new material, puts pen to paper on things that mean something to her, trusting the process and that the end result will resonate with other human beings.

And on that tour, I saw it first hand. People turn up, people love her, people feel that shit. Its messy, its personal, and she owns it. Shes a songwriter, she doesn’t apologize about it, she doesn’t try to put some sort of theatrical performance art around it, the songs either speak for themselves or don’t. And I love that. Take it or leave it.

Twain was a perfect pairing. Matt is another incredible artist (truth told, one of my favorites), so I loved seeing them together. He turned down doing a video with me. It might have stung more if he didn’t then turn down a Valentine card from a fan, and any photos with anyone. As I’d watch him meditate before shows in the green rooms, I got the feeling that human interaction is a bit of psychic vampirism, for him anyway, and he was just protecting his aura, doing what must be done to have the energy to get on stage and perform. Good for him.

Anyway, I love Yellowcard, shoutout Tony (Esther’s Manager), and Lee Dubin, driver/photo prince.

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Written by GemsOnVHS