partlydrawn

A couple of weeks ago, drift partner and I once again had the pleasure of attending a Delta Rae show, and may I say, I leave more floored every damn time.

For those of y’all who don’t know, Delta Rae recently finished a massive Kickstarter campaign. The point was to fund a pair of albums (The Light and The Dark) so they could be independent from their label. Thanks to the tenacity of Diehards, as I’ve found out we’re called, and also a little bit to the surprise support of Taylor Swift fans (Swift has also had label Issues, though admittedly I don’t know many details, and as such that bunch got on board with helping our bunch), they far exceeded their goal. Like, making it and then some in a day and by the end of the campaign pledging over $450,000. Part of this was because of the many extras the band rolled out after the initial announcement: in addition to the usual perks (downloads of songs or albums) they promised a multitude of music videos and, if they hit a certain amount of money and/or backers, the creation and eventual staging of a Southern Gothic musical.

Now I pledged immediately, of course I did, but it was the Southern Gothic musical that really got me spreading the word and getting others to pledge. Not only are Delta Rae some of my favorite musical storytellers, ever, a Southern Gothic musical sounds like exactly my brand. (I actually, prior to this goal being proposed, once tweeted at Brittany Holljes that they could do a Southern Gothic musical of A Song of Ice and Fire. She’d tweeted about should she play musical Daenerys, you see, so it was relevant, and that was just too ideal for me not to tweet back, plus I got to throw shade on the television show a little. Not that she or the band responded, but I just wanted to tell the story.) They described it as “‘Bottom of the River’ meets Oh Brother Where Art Thou?” and, guys, I had to see this come to life, not just on an album but in person.

So they met their goals and set off on the tour, and the crowd was charged, in my opinion, with “we did that!” energy. The band certainly was.

Frances Cone was the opener this time ’round, and I must say, I really liked them. (I met the singer after the show, to buy a CD, and complimented her on her voice doing the flippy thing I like. I was a little more articulate about it, but I know I’ve mentioned that before, that thing that female vocalists do with vowels sometimes. She did it really well.) They were pretty contained, but there was a really beautiful plaintive quality to the music; the song I’m specifically remembering is called “Easy Love” and it’s sad and lovely.

Anyway. The show began. The lights were all over the place. We were up in the balcony area because that’s less crowded and better from a sensory standpoint, but while drift partner sat down for a good chunk of it I was up against the railing, leaning forward so hard that my elbows hurt for a few days after, mouthing along and bouncing and unironically stimming like Wanda Maximoff. All of drift partner’s favorites (“Run,” “Outlaws,” “Chasing Twisters”) came pretty early in the set, which worked out nicely; me, I’m a simple girl, and I’m here for all of it.

Although, of course, I’m the most thrilled for “I Will Never Die.” I can’t help it. That song just chills me all the way through. I wasn’t sure they’d do it, since they didn’t last time, but they did this time and I swear I started vibrating with excitement. And then! They did an interlude in the middle of it of “Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac. (We all know they’re Fleetwood Mac stans, and it’s largely thanks to them that I’ve tiptoed near being one myself.) Reader, I nearly lost my damn mind.

We got lots of songs that aren’t on albums yet, of course. “All Good People,” which is about the Charleston shooting and is heart-wrenching but also a complete rock and roll masterpiece, and “Hitch a Ride,” the murder ballad they did last time , and “Hands Dirty,” which they wrote/recorded/perform in response to #MeToo and, you know, just general advocacy for equality. A few others I’m not recalling off the top of my head. (I admit, I love all of their songs but I personally go hardest for the ones that are loud and/or morbid and/or stories.)

They closed out with “Bottom of the River” and then “Dance in the Graveyards” (combined with “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”) and I’m pretty sure that, like it always does, my soul transcended my body for a minute. It’s just the most exhilarating experience to be in a crowd full of people who are so into amazing music with you, and for whatever reason this is always hundredfold at Delta Rae shows.

Anyway, then after the show we were getting ready for bed and I said, somewhat sleepily in review, “it was fun be gay.” (Look, I’m/we’re only human. Brittany Holljes and Elizabeth Hopkins are beautiful and talented and passionate and that’s attractive. The best thing about being a woman who likes women [and sometimes men] who’s married to a woman who likes women is that instead of getting jealous of the famous people that we’re attracted to that are the opposite gender like some of my heterosexual friends do with their partners, we can just sigh and find women hot together..) Drift partner tweeted this at them, attributing it to me. And then, no big deal, the band liked our tweet and retweeted it with the comment “Favorite tweet award” and a rainbow of hearts.

Admittedly, still riding pretty high on that one.

–your fangirl heroine.

Tags: delta rae, music monday

Again.

So way back when, when my mother and I saw these guys perform at a casino that they didn’t really seem to understand but whatever they still brought it, I seem to remember tweeting soon after that seeing them perform live was one of the closest things (the closest thing?) I’ve had to a religious experience. I cannot find this tweet because it’s very old, but I remember it, and I remembered it at the concert specifically because Brittany told a story about how, while she and her brothers had friends raised Christian, they were “raised confused” but did attend churches sometimes and find themselves moved by the woman who led the music programs. They wrote a song about it, after which Elizabeth made some joke about how they, perhaps, made the audience find some religion. Or something like that. It was similar enough to my original thought that I noticed it, is the point.

Because — yeah, pretty much. I grew up going to church and had a weird churchy phase in high school and sure I’d like to believe in some greater power but also religion makes me really nervous as it’s presented so it’s not really a thing I connect with that much. But what they were talking about, what that particular song captured, and what I feel most explicitly at really good live music events but especially specifically these times I’ve seen Delta Rae, is this kind of euphoria and awe about the world and this glorious audio experience just washing over people. Me, specifically.

Like, I don’t think I can actually fully articulate how intense of a joybuzz I get at a Delta Rae show. I’m not sure what it is about them, exactly, that makes it so noticeable, because I have a great time at the concerts I see and most of the musicals. I could make you a list of songs that have sent electricity up my spine (“Defying Gravity,” “Mama Who Bore Me (Reprise),” “Superboy and the Invisible Girl”; “Love Interruption” by Jack White, “Go Away My Lover” by Elizabeth and the Catapult, “The Night Comes” by Eisley; it goes on and on) but for some reason the second Delta Rae comes onstage I’m just… turned up to eleven for the entire show.

By the time they came on we, drift partner and I (she was largely new to their music but indulging me), found ourselves in the venue’s balcony area (it’s still very close, and given the tall, gross men who pushed in front of us while we were standing on the floor who I would very much like to shame but do not know the names of so I can’t, that’s how angry they made me, it was preferable and the view was much better). We were still behind a thin row of people, sort of sitting/leaning on a bench along the wall, but through a series of odd contortions I had a perfect view of the side of the side of the stage that Eric and Brittany, mostly, were on, and that was enough for me.

The fact that this show was in an actual venue meant that I had no compunction about getting physically, full-body-stim, into the music. Before I felt like I had to sit politely. No such thing here. I was pretty constantly moving, just slightly during slower songs, adamantly during the showstoppers. (Oops. By showstoppers I largely mean the intense crazy-eyed songs Brittany does lead on. They didn’t do some of my favorites this time, no “I Will Never Die” and still no “Fire,” but we of course got “Bottom of the River” – more on that in a bit – and there was a new song, a “cautionary tale,” called “Hitch a Ride,” that achieved that same intensity, among others.) And god, I was sweating buckets but I was having the most blissful time.

Maybe it’s the fact that all of them are constantly so into the performance. Maybe that’s what sucks me in. Maybe it’s the way that Brittany and Elizabeth are so constantly on, dancing and keeping time and singing at each other and climbing on the box they put at the front of the stage and everything. Maybe it’s the harmonies. I’m a giant sucker for harmonies.

Whatever it is, these guys put on a show like no other and it hits me just the right way. This time ’round they prefaced “Bottom of the River” with a scintillating remix-of-sorts of “I Put a Spell On You,” which then got threaded through their own song too, and it was somehow so brilliant that I was probably actually vibrating.

Also they kept talking about positivity and love and supporting people no matter their xyz differences including who they love. And they’re doing this thing where they give free tickets to teachers/school professionals and the winner this time was nominated by her wife and they mentioned that. And we ladyqueers up in the balcony squealed, “Oh, that’s nice!” It’s always nice to feel accepted, especially when you’re on an adrenaline high from beautiful music flooding your senses.

–your fangirl heroine.

Tags: delta rae, music monday

Or: Give Me This Right Now Even Though I’m Betting Most Of These Tracks Will Also Be On The Next Album When It Drops. This is an EP, there are only 4 tracks, but I don’t care I’m ready.

“A Long and Happy Life.” Hello Liz! “I was raised by strongheaded women, men who tested limits.” I mean this is country. This is a country song. Moreso than some of their stuff. I’m fine with it. I’m not a big straight country person… but it’s part of these guys. It’s an element. It’s part of what raised them and what makes them who they are and I love who they are. “Make me a country bride, you’ll be my prince of tides” well that seems to be a slightly strange reference but sure. It’s still pretty. It’s wholesome. Whatever. Y’all do you.

“I Moved South.” A bit more guitar. GIRL DUET OH MY GODDDDDDD. One of the only things their catalogue has been somewhat lacking thus far. They’re singing about the nice things about Southern culture (and Southern music culture) and that’s nice. This is full of harmonies and it’s semi-autobiographical, clearly, and that’s nice too.

“No Peace in Quiet.” Oh no it’s the one that’s going to be like to make me cry. I can tell just from the opening chords. “My friends are always over so I’m not alone” oh Liz. Oh my god. This is so just… this is lonely and melancholic and beautiful and shit. “I’ll hate myself for checking as if I don’t know that it’s just the wind chimes” fuck damn you guys. “There’s nothing I hear louder than the words I never said” ow ow ow ow ow.

“Ain’t Love.” Okay, so this EP is mostly Liz. That’s fine! I love them all. “A broken heart looks good on me.” Oh, damn damn. “Ain’t love till it hurts like this.” “We only share the happy pictures we take, we put a filter on our own heartache” they’re straight owning up to things I’ve psychologically observed about other people oh my god this is. Something. This is kind of upbeat but it’s like, country angry-sad. This is not the first time I’ve felt they were kind of dissecting things emotionally and it’s interesting as hell.

–your fangirl heroine.

Tags: delta rae, music monday

Guys, I don’t think I can put into words how excited I am about this.  I found out the exact release date for this, the blessed new Delta Rae, in December, and proceeded to not shut up about it for the subsequent months, and here it is.  Here it is.

“Anthem.”  Oh, we start out with sweetsy, almost classical piano with slowly growing undertone of vaguely wistful/ominous something.  Hi, boyvoice.  I… can’t entirely tell the boys’ voices apart unless I’m looking at their faces, oops.  I feel like I should be able to, but this skill will hopefully come with time.  And this little ~one minute track swells into an epic opening.

“Run.”  And hello, one of the tracks from the Chasing Twisters EP with a completely string-heavy reorchestration.  And now the verse and it’s so much Brittanyvoice and oh the boyvoice is echoing and all the voices are echoing and the strings are swelling and my heart is genuinely freaking exploding with joy this sounds like it should be on the end of a Tinkerbell movie, but like, a Southern Gothic Tinkerbell movie (this should happen, please world get on this, even if it’s just via someone cosplaying).  But it’s so beautiful and I know all of the words but it feels like a completely new song and I’m so just thrilled.

“Outlaws.”  OH “baby we could be magic” I’m so.  This is a boy singing a song about “giving the finger to death itself, we got no one to hide from” and running off with a girl but I’m still so into it they have managed to make me do something that normally I wouldn’t be into but it’s so uplifting and everyone is singing together and “baby we could be magic.”

“The Dream.”  Oh oh this is the one that was in the eerie-ass promo clip for the album that released in December “pretty red rose pinned to my clothes, I had the dream as always” it’s

“Scared.”  And this is the one that they released the music video for where Elizabeth and Ian I think were criminals (?) and sold paintings of cats (?) to the mafia (?) that was run by Brittany the vampire (?) mob princess with a throne and then Elizabeth might have been a call girl (?) and it had literally nothing to do with the song and the elements by themselves made no sense at all but gosh it was fun (especially for Brittany’s vampire [?] mob princess glares) and it’s a good song, it really is, and I really like all the gospel-chorus oohs in the back of all of these tracks.  I really do.

“Chasing Twisters.”  Another familiar song completely freaking reorchestrated.  This one is now… wistful Western maiden instead of like, full-out pounding pissed-off cowgirl.  I think both have their uses and it’s getting fuller as it goes on but it’s still different and it’s beautiful it’s freaking beautiful “feel the lives that I have taken, what little soul that I have left” oh god this damn band is reducing me to convulsions of feeling.  Girl harmonies.  GIRL HARMONIES.

“Bethlehem Steel.”  Oh!!  I remember this song from the concert.  It was such a good show such a good show god I’m getting so nostalgic about Brittanyvoice and Brittanyface and everyone else rocking out and jumping around and sometimes concerts are just among the best nights of my life, you know?  “He grows up fast” oh gosh that was a beautiful little twist on that word gosh what a good.

“Dead End Road.”  Well this is a very cheerful start for a song with the word “dead” in the title.  I think this is Elizabethvoice!  Hello!  She’s lovely to listen to, too.  She really is.  “Tell me honestly what you came here for, when you’ve heard enough but you beg for more, when you talk so tough but you can’t ignore” oh my.  Oh this is the nicest little stripe of Americana.  Oh I’m so happy.

“You’re the One For Me.”  This seems like it might be really nice.  “We’ve been walking down this open road for way too long, I don’t wanna lead you on, I don’t wanna lead you on.”  This just… sounds like it should be the song on the end of a romantic comedy that the male protagonist sings to the female protagonist at a… county fair karaoke party, idk… except there was just an “I don’t wanna fuck it up the first time” so maybe it would have to be a really sassy romantic comedy, one with a very indie sensibility.  But this is just so uplifting.

“Cold Day in Heaven.”  Oh oh it’s wistful and melancholy and voices “we said it’d never happen to us” this is going to make me feel a lot of things isn’t it.  Yep.  I’m feeling a lot of things.  “Your kisses are poison and all your words are treason.”  Oops.  I don’t even know what I’m feeling but I’m feeling everything.

“I Will Never Die.”  Oh oh last year’s #1 song.  How has this one been reorchestrated?  The drum sounds a little different and her voice is echoing a little more and the raw power is still there oh god I can just feel this song building up through my body oh and the orchestration feels a little fuller, but it’s not too different but I don’t care it’s perfect it’s perfect I love this freaking song this is why I don’t usually liveblog songs I’m super familiar with because I just turn into a fast-typing mess of nonsense and ecstasy I know even the damn drumbeats of this song inside-out I can recognize each and every harmony I know when Brittany revs her voice kind of OH electric guitar that is not particularly new but it is beautiful and oh oh oh oh here comes the swelling-up harmonies chorus this is ecstasy chains percussion harmonies the perfection of this song is unbridled and sometimes I listen to it and just wish I could have a time machine to go back in time and watch it live again.

“The Meaning Of It All.”  Ooh, introspective piano.  That’s pretty and nice.  An abrupt change from the last, honestly.  “Your anger has such beauty underneath and we all wanna know” oh oh.  I’m getting legitimate shivers, which is super weird because this is boyvoice but oh god cellos they know my weakness???  “‘Cause I’m breaking down and I can tell it’s deep, I try to dream about the future when I dream” that’s — oh my.  This is just a conglomeration of feelings.  A feelings amusement park.  It’s not even just one rollercoaster, it’s the whole park.

“My Whole Life Long.”  Oh, and now we’re grooving in a much more retro sort of way, with a certain vintage whatnot to it, and that’s nice too.  More boyvoice, but also girlvoice! Hello Elizabeth!  Oh this is a duet is this a duet that would be lovely.  HARMONIES YEP.  Oh this is so cute and “I wanna love you in the darkness with the night rolling in like thunder” goooooosh.  This is beautiful.  And also sounds like the end of a romantic comedy, but it is a testament to the blessed magic of Delta Rae that this does not make me run away and instead makes me smile.

“After It All.”  IT SOUNDS LIKE “BLACKBIRD” BY THE BEATLES that is another weakness.  It’s so soft and pretty gosh harmonies harmonies galore and twang and suddenly everything is so peaceful and I feel very at one with the universe.  AND SUDDENLY a sweeping epic of instrumentation and uplifting whatever and harmonizing and voices and it feels triumphant and I’m getting shivers again.  But it comes back to the single twang and gooooosh I am so happy about things.

–your fangirl heroine.

Tags: delta rae, music monday