.
I think it was sometime in the late Spring/Summer that I
started joking about throwing a rock show for my birthday. It seemed silly at first since I had no clue
how to set one up and I was never one for throwing parties for myself in the
first place. You only turn 35 once
though, so why not do something to celebrate?
The people I wanted to play this theoretical birthday show
were obvious choices – Tanya, Chris, and Hilken. Aside from being a huge fan of
their music, all three have been there for me many times over as real friends
throughout the 15 or so years we’ve known each other. Still, I was stupidly shy and not sure about
asking them about playing some sort of show. (Chris and Hilken hadn’t played together
in a long time, and Tanya rarely plays out these days.) Eventually I stopped
being stupid and forced myself to ask them. I’d kick myself if I didn’t at
least ask, and there wouldn’t have been any hard feelings on my part if any of
them had said no.
After I asked, Hilken suggested turning a show at the Haven
that she already had lined up around my birthday into a party. Chris and Tanya
soon replied that they’d be into playing, and the birthday show was born. I
loved that they all replied so quickly when I didn’t think they’d even be into
playing a show. Chris rightfully reprimanded me later on for thinking they
wouldn’t do it -- I totally deserved that.
Weeks passed until it was finally time for the show. I ended
up running late getting to my own party. (The trek from Somerville to JP on the 39 bus
is not an easy one.) A little panic set in after I got a few text messages
asking where I was, but it worked out. Once I got there, I remember thinking,
“Shit, this is really happening?” when I saw them through the window of the pub.
The music quickly started after a few friends ushered me to
the front. I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of songs, but really, the
three of them playing mattered more than what they played. Tanya started things
off with one of her songs, and they made their way through four songs in all. They
even played a Fuzzy favorite that I hadn’t heard in almost 10 years.
While the set was short, they played four more songs than I
would’ve heard if I hadn’t asked. It meant a lot that they were willing to do
something like this for me. It seemed fitting to celebrate reaching my
mid-thirties with people who played a big part in my adult life so far.