A Day in the Life
I heard the drums before I even parked my car. The front door of the quaint, grey house on Crockett Street was open, echoing voices and music and laughter. I swung my camera over my shoulder, headed towards the house and was greeted with many licks from an enthusiastic goldendoodle puppy. “Huxley! What’re you doin’ boy? Get back in here!” Huxley ran back into the house; I followed him in. “Hey, Nolan, do you mind grabbing my amp from the car?” “For sure dude.” “Hey you want a hit of this?” “You know I really think I need to work on my tone.” “Could you not be such a hardo?” “I really cannot wait for those veggie burgers.” “Oh shit, are we starting now?” People were moving and things were happening. Everything and everyone was everywhere. I stood there for a few moments, awestruck and terrified, with my camera held to my chest like a football. “AJ! Hi! How are you!” I turned around and saw a small, blonde girl with a septum piercing and a puppy in her arms. “Hey, Georgia,” I responded. “So, like, how does this all...work?” I asked her cautiously. I think she could smell my fear. “Well, basically, they just run through their set a couple of times, work on some things, and then Brigitta and I just kind of hang out here with Hux until they’re done,” she replied chipperly. For clarification, Georgia is dating Jayce, the bassist, who is the lucky owner of the pup, Huxley. Brigitta, also a small, blonde girl, is dating Alec, one of the singer/guitarists. I turned and saw her sitting at the kitchen table doodling in her notebook. I wanted to sit and doodle with her, but reminded myself I was there to work. She saw me looking and gave me a friendly smile. I smiled back. A quick countdown paired with the click of drumsticks diverted my attention. I followed the electric twang of a guitar down a few stairs, and found myself half-deaf and in the middle of four people with really cool instruments who all looked like they came straight out of a Tilly’s ad. I switched my camera on and looked through the lens, seeing for the first time this raw process of creating art. ______________ As a journalist, it’s often hard to distinguish yourself from social and work situations. You’re supposed to be objective, but connect with the people you’re covering. You’re supposed to learn and tell their story, but keep yourself out of it. Covering Orca Welles, it was especially difficult for me to do this since I am dating the drummer of the band. But it also gave me a unique opportunity to experience first-hand not only their amazing process of making and playing original music, but their distinct bond as not just friends, but a step further than that-- family. “Hey can I take a break really quick? I want a chop and a donut.” Rex’s level, goofy voice echoed through the foyer. “Dude. Two more songs left in the set. Just finish this and then we can take a break.” Nolan, the drummer/band dad, responded firmly. “Alright, 1, 2, 3, 4!” And the music began again. Each song was different and similar at the same time; the steady 4-beat measures remained stagnant, but the chord progressions and notes were wildly contrasting. From quick, surfy riffs to waltzy, constant, 4-chord melodies, the sound of Orca Welles came to life in front of me. “Hey wait, wait--” Alec interrupted, and the music came to an abrupt stop. “Can we actually go back and start from the top of the second verse? I feel like that transition was weird.” “Alright from the top of the second verse, and…” And just like that they started again. Over and over, they played the songs and replayed the songs and changed a little bit of the songs and laughed a lot in between. The professional yet fun and loving dynamic that exists within a band is so unique, not only to bands themselves but to each band in particular. Following and covering this band has made me see that. “Alright we are done for today. Are we going to Liv’s now?” “Yep, we need to go to the store first and buy the patties.” “Wait what’s going on?” “We’re all gonna go to Olivia’s and have some veggie burgers.” “Aw hell yeah. Veggie burgers.” “Hey do you have ketchup? Or should we buy that too?” “Nah I got ketchup. Of course I got ketchup.” And with the calling of veggie burgers and a family dinner, eight people piled up in cars and went to Olivia’s. _______________ Though every band has its own uniqueness, Orca Welles is especially peculiar because of the long distance between its band members. While Nolan and Olivia live and go to school in Fort Collins, Alec lives in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Jayce is all the way down in New Orleans. Of course, their love of music has played a part in motivating them to continue to collaborate, but after witnessing their dynamic, I am convinced that their strong personal connections are the glue that holds the band together. I walked into a new house that smelled like beans and veggies and, inevitably, ketchup. Twinkly lights lined the ceilings while guitars were propped up against the walls. Guitar tabs were written in blue marker on a whiteboard displayed in the living room. People were spread out-- some in the living room on various beanbag chairs, some on the back porch listening to music, some in the kitchen cooking up dinner. But everyone was relaxed, and everyone was happy to be exactly where they were. “Alright dinner’s ready!” Alec shouted from the kitchen. Olivia walked out with a plate of patties, buns, and vegetables, and she set it on the table. The warmth that I felt from being in that room didn’t just come from the cozy blankets on the couch or the heater blowing in. It was from the bonds between each and every person, from the smiles displayed on every face, and the music that rang even when there were no instruments. It was from the big hugs that were given and received when it was time to go home at the end of the evening. It was from the passion for the music, and the love of the people. Orca Welles isn’t just a band, or a friend group, or a weird name hybrid between a whale species and a famous producer. It’s a family, and a story that I had the honor of not only telling, but living, even for just a few moments. |