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8 December 2002 My word. I just came back from a rare triple-bill house concert, which was undoubtedly one of the coolest shows I've had the pleasure to perform in. Phil Hudson and Bill Mazur of the Ecto list opened the show with a beautiful set (you know someone's good when he can do a Peter Gabriel cover and an original song back-to-back, and the transition is seamless). After me came the much-anticipated Terami Hirsch, accompanied by her husband Kevin on a beat sampler and a digital theremin. I've always wondered how a song like, say, Between might be done live with the Eric-Milleresque production intact, and now I know. Terami and Kevin brought studio arrangements to an intimate live setting, neatly sidestepped all potential for tackiness, and had the audience spellbound. I will say this again: the audience makes all the difference. More generally, the vibe makes all the difference. Cheryl the hostess had transformed a run-down former bar space into a warm room of tapestries and candelabras, and the people listened in a way that was palpable from the stage. When that happens, the effect on me as a performer is an interesting oxymoron: I feel at once intense pressure to give it my all, and complete freedom to relax into what I'm doing. Lately I've had the great fortune to have it happen often.
I wish I could recommend Cheryl and Phil's place to everyone as a venue, but of course it's a private living space. So you'll just have to wait until their next open-to-public house concert goes up on the calendar. Keep your eyes peeled. - VT
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