Joey said something last week–that you never know what the summer music will be until the summer’s over. We always end up with summer music, and it’s some cd we actually splurged on at the record store so we could listen to it in the car, or it’s something someone brought over to a party and it just never left the cd player in the kitchen. But we never hear music right off the bat and say this! this will be the music of the summer! Instead it just happens to be playing all the time, and we end up associating every single memory with some song or another. In the fall, or even the next year, we know that that was the summer music.
Back in July, Joey took me to a tiny music festival at the Dream Away Lodge. I’ve talked about the Dream Away a bunch here, mostly because it’s one of my favorite places. But every year they have a music festival out on the side lawn, and they don’t advertise it hardly at all, but really amazing bands come–bands you’ve heard of and want to see, and there’s a little bar outside and people bring their own beach chairs and blankets. You don’t have to buy a ticket or anything–the bands just play for tips. Joey’s gone for several years in a row, and he always stays out till 2 or some crazy hour like that, and he has the best time. But this year, there was no one to go with him, and the stars aligned so we could leave the girls home with my parents and I could go.
He did a little research the week before, and we ended up buying an album from one of the bands we knew would be there, a band (ironically) named Death Vessel. It’s just one guy, and he sings in an unearthly way where you’re not quite sure he’s a man or a woman–it’s just so beautiful. So we’d been listening to his album, and then we showed up at the Dream Away midway through his set, and there were maybe 30 people sitting on the lawn. It was just getting dark, and the full moon was in the glow before it’s rise, so it looked like there was a city hiding behind the mountain.
I felt like I had arrived in a perfect moment of the world.
We stayed for most of the show as the moon rose higher behind the stage. Every so often we’d get up to stretch our legs, and we’d wander through the labyrinth or over the big rock lit with twinkle lights in the woods. And when we were so tired we had to go home, we walked back to the car with The Low Anthem serenading us the whole way. And although it had been clear and beautiful, it poured on our way home, and it seemed it had been raining everywhere but on the lawn of the Dream Away.
The summer is over, and now I can know it’s true. Death Vessel was the music of the summer.
I sent in my book (!) on Monday, and the girls started school on Tuesday. Fourth and Sixth grade, if anyone’s counting. Sunday night, we went over to our friends Jon and Juan’s house, which happens to be the house where I wrote the proposal for the book over 2 years ago. I had a little left to do, and while every one had a party downstairs, I sat in the room in which I’d begun, and I finished. If I’m to be honest, I have to tell you that this book probably took a few years off my life (although time will tell). I hear that’s par for the course with a second book, as anyone who works in books in some way who I would talk to about the difference between this book and the first would reply–well it’s your second book! Second books are HARD. One of these days I’ll try to figure out how not to put my whole heart and self into the things I make, and then maybe I can save a bit for myself. But all that being said, I feel happy with where it all landed, and the relief of finishing turns out to be commensurate with the difficulty of the process. Jon and Juan had champagne waiting for me when I came downstairs, and champagne has never tasted so good.
Since then, I’ve been making food without recipes. I’ve been making snacks for lunch boxes, and bread for sandwiches, and I have a million things in fermenting crocks (more on that soon), especially lots and lots of cabbage. Joey and I have started working our way through all the Spike Lee movies. I’m taking walks again. It’s been a good week.
I’m still listening to Death Vessel, as technically the summer is still with us. I’m happy to hear anyone else’s summer music recommendations, though. Soon it will be time for fall music, and I’ll need to discover something new.
Occasionally I teach workshops, and I have one coming up this fall. Join me and stellar novelist 
Alana, I don’t know, or care to know Death Vessel. The most contemporary I’ve gotten is Shostakovich. But, I know you and I absolutely love the way you tell a story. Good luck with the new book. I look forward to reading it.
Oh, thank you Barbara! And Shastakovich might just be the right music for fall…
I want to know what you have to say about fermenting crocks! I’ve made 1 batch of kimchi, 2 of pickles, and have sauerkraut souring on the counter right now and don’t know when to take it out of the crock!
That’s my next post, Stephanie, I promise! But let’s talk kraut- how long has it been fermenting? And have you been tasting as you go- how’s it doing?
My summer song(s) have been anything sung at the dialysis center where I take mom. The nurses, and techs make it a point to sing loud, bad and mix songs up just to get a laugh or a smile out of their patients. Some folks are waiting for a kidney to be donated, some are not, (mom). It can be a most depressing place sometimes, but these beautiful folks with their silly songs keep the patients and families going. Today’s song was “…somewhere over the rainbow connection…” My new favorite.
Simply can’t wait for your book to come out. I’m sure it’s going to be beautiful–heart and soul.
Oh JoAnn, thank you! And please send my best to your mom, too 🙂
Our summer has been a mix of Head and the Heart, The Lumineers, and Metallica. So glad for the post and really looking forward to the fermenting discussion as I literally just pulled out Homemade Pantry to deal with leftover green cabbage!
oooh, I want to hear what you have to say about fermenting! Which reminds me that I haven’t fermented any kosher dills yet this summer. I think I have time.
I just listened to my summer song on repeat before turning on my computer. It’s Movers and Lovers by Mindy Nolt – was hoping it would be on youtube, but no luck. I have the album. https://play.spotify.com/album/7ifj0WnXRGSO0wg4BR5jW4?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open
Congratulations!! What an achievement to pour yourself (twice!) into the pages of a book. It’s great to hear you’re integrating some quiet celebrations into this week.
Cant wait to get your second book. I absolutely love the first one. As a matter of fact, your book was the springboard to my new found love of cooking! You are also the reason I now make my own yogurt :0) and thanks to your many emails talking me through the process!!! Your book and blog will always be my favorites and the new book will take it’s rightful place on the shelf with the first one. Thank you so much for each and every post.
Now, relax and rejuvenate!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you Lisa!
Congrats on finishing the book and thanks for the music recommendation. It seems this summer has raced by, and although I’ve listened to a lot of music, nothing will stick with me as the music of this summer. Today I discovered Benjamin Booker and was impressed. I’m looking forward to listening to Death Vessel.
Duh, I just recalled that actually I do have a song of the summer. It’s Gown of Green by the Collection.
http://www.npr.org/event/music/310783241/the-collection-the-gown-of-green
Their entire album (Airs Moriendi) has been on heavy rotation here.
I followed the link and I’m listening to it right now- it’s great! And especially listening to this- I think Death Vessel is right up your alley.
I have a summer playlist on the ipod that I take off once summer is over. Each year some songs are added while others are removed. They’re the songs that just feel like summer to me, not sure why.
Can’t wait for your next book! Has a pub date been set?
Right now we’re looking at next September (2015), but you all will be the first to know when I know the exact date. I promise.
SHUT. UP. Death Vessel has been my summer music, too! As well as the new albums by First Aid Kit and Conor Oberst.
No way! I’m so happy to hear that, as I felt like it was such a private little discovery. Makes me happy to think of you (and probably others, right?) privately discovering him too 🙂
Joel Thibodeau went to Bowdoin with a bunch of my friends — though I first heard about Death Vessel from NPR, actually. I have been talking up this album all summer! So funny.
Milky Chance, I can only find four songs by them, and they are out of Germany. Congratulations, LOVE your first book! I even own it, and I am not usually a cookbook buyer.
How do you do it?
Open up and share the way you do.
I’m amazed every single time.
Your writing really reaches out and speaks to me.
It feels like a friend I’ve never met is talking to me!
I don’t want to sound like a creepy fan! I just love your writing!!! 😉
I am sooo waiting for your next book! I’m sure you put a lot into it!
By the way I just listen to Death vessal and The low anthem and milky chance and I like all three.
It means so much to me to hear it- thank you!