Taylor Harris Designhello there

I’m still dumbfounded that last night actually occurred. I’ve been going to mountain goats shows at every possible opportunity since I began listening to the band but last night’s show was something completely different than I’ve ever experienced. Last night all the weird little jokes I’ve ran with throughout all of the concerts were finally recognized. Not only did John (Finally! After three other shows) hear my request to play remix for ignition but he even giggled a little bit. Oh to see the smile forming across his beautiful face. My favorite was when I shouted “I just love to hear you talk” to John and he actually had to take a minute to gather himself from cracking up and made a joke about his band disagreeing after being in van with him for so long. Shouting things at the band in between songs was really just the tip of the iceberg as anyone that was there had that opportunity. During the song This Year (the first mountain goats song I ever heard years ago) we rushed the stage and were dancing and singing along with the band. This as well had been something I had hoped to do during the show as I was able to do it in the same venue during Andrew WK. The real kicker was the fact that I arrived as early as possible and was blessed to see no one else had arrived yet. Now this isn’t unusual for these kind of shows because I always try to stake out a spot at the front but this time was different. After sitting on the cigarette butt littered ground for about 15 minutes who do I see but Jon Wurster, oh how my little fanboy heart fluttered. Obviously I sprung in to action gawking at him and asking for an autograph. This was really special to me as I had never actually interacted with any of the band members and really had always dreamed to. Mere minutes later I see him, John Darnielle, my idol, the man I’ve come here to see, the man I’ve wanted to interact with since I was a teenager. My friends and I were all so shocked we sprang to our feet only to be quickly halted by the man himself. He had acknowledged us, oh my. As he began walking towards our group I felt my heart racing, my body shaking, and my hands sweating. It was finally happening. I really didn’t know what to do with myself so I hugged latched on to his legs as if I were an infant grabbing it’s parent. He reached his hand in there and he touched my hair. At this point I was on the verge of fainting but too happy to actually do so. After we spoke a bit he returned inside. A few cigarettes later he returned. This time I was a little more composed because of the liquor and nicotine flowing through me. We actually had a conversation with John Darnielle. Not only did we talk about the previous night’s riots (woo) but he actually told us a story about being in a city during a soccer riot. It’s amazing to think that on some level, even for a moment, we were interacting like friends. The musician fan barrier had been broken or at least blurred. This was what I had been dreaming of all these years. It had finally happened, I had met John Darnielle. My life was now complete. Well complete after getting a photo of him and I in a loving embrace (I know he felt it too!). Honestly the show could not have been more perfect. From everything that happened to the amazing set list (You were cool!!) the night could have not been any better and I’m so thankful I got to experience it especially with my best friends.

So I had the sublime privilege of seeing The Mountain Goats live last night at The Rickshaw. The show was absolutely amazing besides the opening band; The Beets. I really didn’t enjoy them but that could have been due to the horrible balance of vocals to instrumentals. Also the guitarist kept rocking his amp during every song (often more than once) and the noise that produced was horrible although it did drown out what little I could hear of his nasal voice.

When the actual show started and we all recovered from the opening band I was shocked to hear one of my favorite songs 02-75 which I never in a million years would have expected them to play. Nor have I heard of them playing that song before. The show was flawless of course and incredibly engaging but the best part for me was during the encore of No Children when John and I locked eyes and sung to each other during the chorus. My heart grew three sizes. I’ve idolized that man for years and to have him acknowledge me on a personal level was more than I could have ever asked for. During the final (fourth!) encore John was throwing flowers into the audience and unfortunately due to my gentlemanly nature I was left flowerless as I let the ladies around me catch them. Luckily the amazingly talented bassist Peter Hughes noticed this and handed me the flower John had earlier placed in his lapel. I’m still in awe from last night, I couldn’t have asked for a better show

Lately I’ve been feeling like something in my life is lacking. I don’t know if it’s not enough creative output or just general dissatisfaction with where I am but I’ve really felt like I needed to make a change. I’ve been trying over the past few days and I plan on keeping that up. If I work hard at this hopefully I can actually achieve something.

Throughout most of my life I’ve always tried to draw or design in some manner just so I have some creative output. Although I’ve never been too talented I’ve always worked at it and over the past few weeks I’ve been trying to draw for about an hour a day whenever I can find the time. I guess this regular cycle of creativity is actually working though because I can look through my little sketch book and see my improvement from when I began to now. I have some big plans for these drawings and I guess we’ll see those come to fruition in the coming weeks.

As anyone that knows me well knows; I am a huge Mountain Goats fan. They’re upcoming album was streaming on NPR the other day and obviously leaked soon after that. As unfortunate as that may be for John it’s been quite a treat listening to the album non stop for the past few days. I can’t wait until the album actually comes out so he tours some more. Here is my favorite track (so far) from the All Eternals Deck: High Hawk Season

I’ve left the west end because of a horrible roommate debacle. Luckily we’ve found a new place just inside china town. It’s truly an amazing location and somehow less expensive. We’re definitely happy here.

But we’ll make only quick decisions
And you’ll just keep my in the waiting room
And all the while I’ll know we’re fucked
And not getting unfucked soon
When we get home we’re bigger strangers than we’ve ever been before
You sit in front of snowy television, suitcase on the floor

“This is your brain trolling you. It decided at one point that the girl was appropriate to pair bond with and gave you great feelings. Those feelings also addicted you to her to ensure you partner and have kids. Turned out the relationship didn’t work out – but your brain still makes you feel bonded to her and gives you feelings of physical pain (emotional pain) in separation. All this is an evolved response that has nothing to do with the logical situation and everything to do with outmoded unuseful neurological features. Solution – troll your brain back. Distract it with other things and definitely remove any reminders of her from your environment. The pattern will shift. Just remember it’s nothing to do with her. Or all the romantic fictions we sell ourselves. Treat it like a chemical dependency – which essentially, it is.”

I plan on making more but first I need to order the supplies from etsy. I have a few ideas for some more complex ones. If I can’t afford it I can at least emulate Ann Demeulemeester’s accessories

Oh yet another year has flown by and it seems that for the better half of last year I seriously neglected this place. Well I have returned and hopefully will continue my musings here.