Hey Hartlist,
Well… $%&.
A moment of silence for the loss of what would have been a really lovely solstice concert tonight at the Rockwood and the chance to use the name “The Dirty Wrong Students” to describe the mix of players onstage . *1
But only a moment, because I refuse to join the hand-wringing chorus of “We’re going back to March of 2020!” For one thing, we did not have vaccines in March of 2020. And for another thing, WAY fewer people I know had Covid back then.
Was that comforting? Not sure.
Either way, a small but mighty (and extremely tested and triple vaxxed) cohort of would-be performers are making their way to my home this evening to play some of the songs we couldn’t play, and to make this fine-looking cocktail in honor of one of those songs. (I recommend making the ‘winter warmth syrup’ whether or not you add whiskey, because your apartment will smell like a Yankee Candle’s boldest ambitions.)
Anyway, here’s a winter song for you. Consider it the first in what will probably be several installments of tunes, since Jonny Porkpie is coming over with both latkes and a new song parody. When our band played the memorable Solstice Show at the Irish Arts Center in 2019, I opened solo with ‘To Drive the Cold Winter Away’. Matt asked me about it and when I said “it’s a 17th century carol”, he said “Who are you, Sting?”
I said yes.
So, happy Winter Solstice from me, Gordon Sumner, and may your holidays be healthy and joyful even if different from plans you had. Remember the light is there, still growing, even when you can’t see it.
Love,
Rebecca & everyone
members of Rebecca Hart & the Wrong Band, the erstwhile Dirty Waltz Band, and folk group The New Students.
pivoting (towards the light)