Stumbling Across Old Friends

 I was perusing the events in town for the weekend of January 18, 2025 when my eye caught a strangely named band performing at my favorite record store.

A group hang with approachable ambiance: The trio of musicians behind Swim Ignorant Fire’s latest, lovely album will play an official release show at Reverberation Vinyl. It is, like it sounds, a record store, so if you’re not prepared to stand or sit on the floor, bring a milk crate or tiny travel stool and prepare to get cozy with your neighbors in the stacks. 6 p.m. Saturday; donations accepted at the door. Facebook.com/reverberationvinyl.

Hmmmmmmm.  

  I followed a link within the article to read more.

Ambient emo meets coffee house cool: Fatherhood hasn’t slowed down composer/musician Stephen Holliger, who released a new LP on Bandcamp and cassette earlier this month. The eponymous album, titled after Holliger’s musical moniker Swim Ignorant Fire, is an extension of his ongoing collaboration with pedal steel guitarist Nate Hahn and multi-instrumentalist Stefen Robinson. And it’s the strongest yet, with a celestial, vintage vibe and rhythmic underbelly that’s less purely ambient than other recent offerings—primed to run in the background or accompany deep, focused listening.

A bass clarinet with a pedal steel guitar and a bass player? Interesting. My grandson is playing a bass clarinet, so maybe he and I should attend. Then I saw the pedal steel player's name, Nate Hahn. WHAT?? I have a fraternity brother with that name! Could it be him? Yup, it was.

Markell and I attended the show. Loads of fun. Great to see Nate again.