The voice of an angel and a band from the heavens
I think by now we have established that Hem is my favorite band.
Tonight I got to see them in concert. I cannot explain why that was important. It may have been a $12 pledge of my support. It may have been curiosity about the people that make music that move me. It may have been a reason to get out on a Friday night, or a chance to surround myself with other Hem fans. It may have been something entirely different.

At first it was odd, and not just because women I'd never met were talking to me,(for the second week in a row, what's the deal?). It was odd to see the faces and the imperfections of a group I imagined as perfect. I didn't know an angel could have tiny lips that jutted to the side when she sang. I didn't know the guitar player would wear orthopedic shoes on his giant-sized feet. I didn't know the bass player would be so sleepy, or that the pianist would be so hairy, or even what a pedal steel was. It took me a little time to adjust. It took me time to adjust to the mood as well. The energy of the concert, of the crowd, of the band was mellow. Even the "upbeat song" made me feel regret and loss in its hopefulness. I had to adjust to loving every song Hem played. I had to adjust to the incredible aspect of a band, not a band, but a BAND. Hem creates this sound where the piano, the glockenspiel, the bass, the guitar, the mandolin, the pedal steel and their voices become this one sound. The sound of sun rising. The sound of clouds passing by a mountain peak. The sound of life and all the hopes, dreams, and disappointments that make it all worthwhile. People didn't sing the words at this venue, even though they knew them all by heart. They didn't sing, because people came to hear Sally Ellyson. People came to hear the angel and her heavenly band.