Goodbye, Goodnight

As we all know, I love music. mae has been a very influential band in my life, and their album, "The Everglow" will likely always be in my top 5 albums of all time. I was privaleged to have the chance to catch them last night on their "Goodbye, Goodnight" tour. This is their farewell tour, so last night was the last time they played in Rochester. I'm a little disappointed I missed the opening band, Windsor Drive, because we came in at the end of their set and they sounded phenominal. The next band was Terrible Things, which is Fred's (Taking Back Sunday, The Color Fred) new band with former members of Hot Rod Circuit and Coheed & Cambria. They were really good. I liked their sound a lot and they were super tight. After their set I went to their table to buy a shirt, and Fred was actually manning it himself. He is a really personable guy, and he seemed to genuinely want to get to know his fans, which is something that I think is awesome. After that was what we had all been waiting for, mae. They played a lot of songs. The majority of the songs were from "The Everglow," which I was super stoked about. They played some older songs that I had forgotten about, because I haven't had the chance to purchase some of their older stuff that I got rid of when I felt convicted I needed to get rid of all of my illegally downloaded music a few years back, but that's an issue for another post. They played a brand new song off of "(e)vening" which just came out. I think the song was called "Sleep Well." It was incredible. I think possibly the best part of the concert was that mae wanted it to be all about the fans, so if someone shouted out a song, they played it. Dave and Zack even played "Sun" by themselves because the band hadn't rehearsed it for tour but someone wanted to hear it. This show completely changed my perspective of mae as a live band. Last time I saw them was a few years back, with relient k, and they didn't talk to the crowd the whole time, but this time was so different. If I have the chance, I'd really like to see them play another date on this tour. It would totally be worth it. Also, they were selling "(e)vening" at the show last night but I couldn't find it on iTunes today, so i hope they do release it online. I would have bought the disc last night, but my netbook doesn't have a c.d. drive.

With the end of mae is the end of an era. My friends and I all grew up on mae, and it's sad to see them go. I am so glad that they had Rob (Keys) and Mark (Bass) back for this tour. It was really cool that they have their original lineup again. I wish them all the best of luck as they continue their journeys as people and as musicians.

Mitch

Listening To:
"(m)orning" by mae
"The Everglow" by mae

The Weekend

This past weekend was rare. When was the last time you had a weekend that you wished never ended, because it was so incredible? This was the case for me this past weekend. My weekends generally start on Thursday because of Mountain Dew Thursday. So, Thursday evening Kyle and I headed to Roberts for MDT. It was cool hanging out with a very different crowd at MDT. I met some new friends. We had a jam session that turned into a worship session. My new friends had me play some songs that I hadn't played in a very long time. It may have been a little rusty. I think I got home from Roberts at like 1:30AM Friday morning. I got up early to help a friend move and then had lunch with my bro Sam Updike. It's always a good time hanging out with him. Friday night we had a frickin' stellar send off party for my friend Lisa who is leaving for International House of Prayer tomorrow. Our friend Matt Garlock is a beast! He made us a seven course meal which was truly incredible. He and Sam started prepping at 2 and the dinner party didn't start till 7. We probably didn't start eating until like 9. The meal we had would have cost upwards of $100 per plate in a fine dining restaurant. The best part of the night was the fact that we all were able to just relax and hang out. Great food, dancing, coffee, and just an awesome time celebrating Lisa and getting to know everyone better. I got home at like 3:30AM Saturday morning. We had a branded meeting Saturday morning and it was just an awesome time bonding and coming up with some great plans for Halloween branded. Saturday night was TFH downtown. I always have a great time hanging out with Nate and the downtown worship team before service on Saturday nights. Worship was great and Denis brought a great message on why and how we were made to pour, closing out our made for more series. After downtown, a bunch of us went to Moe's Southwestern Grill to celebrate Lisa again. We ended up going to my new friend Matt's flat afterward to continue hanging out. We all sang together, laughed together, watched some hilarious parody YouTube videos by a guy named Tim Hawkins if I'm remembering correctly, took some funny "family photos," and really just had an awesome time. I got home again at like 3:30AM and had to be at church to help with the Fuse band sound check at 6:30. I think I drank like 10 cups of black coffee yesterday along with the rock star energy drink Lisa gave me. I observed Fuse first service. I'm so proud of what God is doing in that team. I went to second service because I wanted to hear Denis' message again, because it was that good. Worship was incredible, Denis was great. After that I pretty much hung out till branded sound check. I am so thankful for the worship team last night. They tore it up. It was awesome. Mike Thomas spoke last night and his message was convicting. He has an anointing from God. The night ended at Wimpy's getting plates with my friend Alex, who is now playing drums at branded. Last night I got to bed before 11 which was wonderful.

To sum things up, this past weekend was awesome, and I wish I could relive it, but we keep on truckin'. I thank God for the people he has placed in my life and the family he has given me at TFH.

Mitch
Listening To:
Thrice "Beggars"
Gungor

Manning Up.

Today is only half done and I have learned something that I think will stay with me for the rest of your life. A wise friend of mine said this morning that you should always tell people how you really feel about them. What if this was the last time you ever saw them and you never had the chance to say I love you? I know, it's cliche, it's the plot of numerous movies, novels, poems, albums, etc. but today for whatever reason. It stuck. My immediate response was, well what if it makes things awkward between you and that friend. My wise friend replied with something along the lines of that it doesn't matter. It's better than wondering what if. I am so thankful to have learned this lesson today. This is all I have for now.

Mitch

Listening to:
Ascend the Hill
Four Year Strong