On Friday night, I drove through a snowstorm to play a show at speakeasy. It was dark and mysterious in there. I played surrounded by candles. I drank absinthe. The crowd was buzzing. While I was singing, I felt inspired and alive.
The next morning, I drove through the sunshine to play a funeral at a church. It was bright and reverent in there. I played by the light of stain-glassed windows. I drank coffee. The crowd was silent. While I was singing, I felt inspired and alive.
Two different shows, evoking an eerily common feeling for me.
Long ago, I got some career advice from my cousin, Matt. He said, "whatever you choose to do, do it everywhere, as much as you can, without waiting for your ideal conditions."
What he meant was, if you're a photographer, don't wait until you're a National Geographic photographer to take pictures: be a wedding photographer if that's the gig. If you're a cook, cater that birthday party, even if it's not the renowned pastry chef gig you're aspiring to.
And if you're a musician, play the bars, play the concert halls, play the high school gyms, and play the church funerals. Because if you're inspired by something, you can feel inspired by it anywhere.
(In truth, there are a few places that I'll never play...a gal's gotta set boundaries, after all).
Reader, I don't know if it's helpful to read, but the moral of my week was: take the gig. Don't hold out for just the right one. I'm so glad I played the funeral on Saturday morning. Not only because I learned new songs and was able to provide comfort to my grieving family, but also because I got to be reminded of how little the venue matters. Singing makes me feel alive, almost everywhere.
Whatever you're up to this week, I hope it inspires you. And if not, maybe try doing what you love even under less than perfect circumstances. It often still manages to inspire. See you next Monday. -Em
P.S. I leave you with a picture I took this week of my new rescue pup, Franklin. Here's definitely a guy who knows how to take the gig.
