Thoughts for Company

I am one lucky devil, spoiled beyond all reason.

I know I live a life of great privilege, not the least important demonstration of which is running in the right social circles.

Take this week’s most thrilling event as an example.

My ultimate groupie friend took me as her +1 (literally - my name was “+1″ on the guest list!) to The Peak FM’s intimate acoustic concert by David Gray, who is in town for two shows at the Orpheum.

If you’re not familiar with David Gray’s music, check out his latest video, for the song “Fugitive“.

Neither of us knew what to expect. My friend received the call a couple days prior to the event and was told to show up at the studio on Thursday afternoon. The message was taken by a family member, so she didn’t have the chance to get any details. Naturally, then, the caller neglected to mention that a) my friend was one of maybe ten contest winners, allowing us unprecedented access to the artist, b) we would have the opportunity to ask David (yes, we are on a first name basis now!) some questions, c) we would be able to take a photo with David, and d) we could ask David for one autograph each.

Say what?!

So our preparations were grossly inadequate. I took a short pause from work to attend, bringing little more than my camera. (I figured that I might be able to sneak a quick photo when his handlers weren’t looking.)

But then I found myself in a room of about 50 people, one of whom was David. Gray.

And he was, maybe 10 feet away from me.

Shocking.

He's so dreamy...

After the usual introductions by the radio station’s DJs, David took to the little stage with his acoustic guitar and another guitarist, performing four songs before engaging the audience in a brief Q&A session. This was my first time seeing him live, and despite the pared down accompaniment and notable absence of any sort of production gimmicks often used by artists of his calibre, I was blown away.

David Gray earned the right to my attention, my awe.  His music is art, an incredibly powerful tool to evoke emotion - and David is a true master.

Of course, I hadn’t prepared anything intelligent to ask him, but the rabid fans next to me on the couch (we were seated in couches!) had more than enough questions for the rest of us. Grown women, gushing like giddy little school girls, clutching every one of his albums, crying during the performance, rambling like idiots, offering to do a duet with him… it was almost embarrassing.

Never before have I felt more civilized!

I thought of asking, “Man United or Manchester City?” after learning of David’s birthplace, but decided against it. I was acting civilized today, remember. (Well, that and I didn’t want to look like I hadn’t done my proper Wikipedia research before attending.)

David stuck around after his set to take photos and sign autographs, despite having just done a radio interview and likely needing to rest and prep before the evening’s performance. He took it all in stride, joking with the group and demonstrating that some international superstars are indeed down-to-earth folk. Not a single diva move from David - how refreshing!

For sale: second-hand David Gray hugs. (Note the arm on the shoulder, people!) Also, would this be a good engagement photo?

I'm rich! I'm rich!

But what began as a generous offer by my contest-winning pal became a catalyst for what should be a turning point in my musical endeavours. Someone else in the room (but not Ryan Johnson*, who was also there!) asked David what inspired him.

And his response was something along the lines of,

You can’t wait around for inspiration to show up. You have to make yourself sit down and just write a song.

Time to get off my ass, I see!

So if you don’t like what I’m about to create, you have David Gray to blame.

*Why didn’t I talk to Ryan Johnson? Because I didn’t know what to say, besides inviting him for a round of golf. It’s just too soon for me…