Here's a sorry excuse for the fact that we're made to be burned
Morning! This is a rare public post because I'm planning to link to this from various other sources, and I'd like as many people as possible to read it. I don't often shout out to promote causes or support fundraising but I'm going to make an exception here because this one isn't going to get mainstream attention, it's not raising money for a trendy cause and it's not linked to a large organisation: however, I feel it's important and worthwhile.
Those of you who have known me for a while know that music plays a huge part in my life; some of you have even put a few of the songs onto that soundtrack! You all know how exciting it is when you find songs that resonate with you, carry you along and leave you unable to get them out of your head for days. Earlier this year I came across an artist who commanded that sort of resonance just in the first seconds of a song, and in the space of a 2-hour live show told such dark and beautiful stories and wove such captivating tunes that by the time it came to an end I all wanted was to go back and experience it all over again. I've been listening to her ever since.
She's Jordan Reyne. She's brilliant and talented and wonderful, and I've just read that she's having a very, very bad time of things right now:
Due to a series of unpredictable personal disasters, the things Jordan had been able to count on as part of a stable and nourishing life broke down, with the eventual result that, this very week, Jordan is homeless, without income, and has suffered losses to her personal belongings and equipment. And when we watched her put her beloved dog into foster care, some people thought: enough was enough. Those people, generous musicians and friends who have grown to love Jordan, decided to offer what they could - the proceeds from their work. To help.
The quote above is from the IdleRogue blog, posted by a group of her friends and fellow musicians who are organising a benefit concert in Second Life to raise money to help Jordan: it's tomorrow throughout the day/night, and they're asking that people who enjoy the show send donations or buy her albums online.
To anyone on my friends list, if you're at a loose end over the bank holiday, do go and have a listen to the sample tracks here. I know a lot of you have a hint of the gothic about you, many are fascinated by history and you all love stories: this stuff is perfect for you! Johnny & The Sea was the first song of hers that I heard and loved, but I also think you'll like The Arsonist, and I can think of at least a couple of people who will love London :) If you enjoy them, please buy the albums.
Oh, and the words on the bracelet above? It's a line from the very last song she played that night. For a lot of reasons that line hit home with me; so much so I had them stamped onto a bracelet so they can remind me to move forward when everything feels like it's stalling and static, and it is working. For that alone I owe Jordan a drink or three - but if I can encourage some more people to enjoy her music too, I think I'll have done something really worthwhile.