Enjoyed dinner tonight at the Doug Fir with Matt Wertz and Tim Warren, frontman for The Alternate Routes, a band new to me but apparently a staple for a lot of folks. I ended up not being able to get into the show because my license was expired (really? you’re really not going to let me in?) and the guys were on stage so it was a lost cause, but the conversation was worth the outing. And I’ve since come home and bought more than a few of A/R’s songs, including their entire first album, and I’m sure the new album will follow. Some of the best stuff I’ve heard since I was introduced to Ryan Adams. If you’re up for some new music, check them out.
My favorite conversations are with other artists, especially musicians, and my favorite topic is “the craft of writing.” For some reason, I’ve rarely met authors who I feel like I understand and who understand me. When we talk about the craft of writing, I don’t even feel like I’m talking with another writer, or rather, I feel like I must be some kind of strange writer because my process looks nothing like their process. But I usually feel solidarity with musicians. Matt and I talked about process a little bit, how he writes a song and then puts flesh on it in the studio, rounding it out. Tim, of The Alternative Routes talked about his frustrations with the music industry because they are so painfully slow to release music. Apparently he writes a lot of songs but can’t release them because that’s not how the business works. Unless you are Ryan Adams, then you can do a few songs a week and get away with it.
We spent most of our time, though, talking about faith, about how some people feel a need for God and others don’t. It reminded me of that phrase Jesus used when he said “I am the good shepherd, my sheep will hear my voice.” I think we try to argue people into believing, not realizing there is a whole other aspect to faith that I don’t think any of us are going to understand anytime soon.
My favorite part of the conversation was when Tim talked about the beauty of life, how he leans toward a belief in something greater, something that gives life a greater meaning. And of how we need somebody to be grateful to when we see a sunrise or come over a ridge to see the ocean lapping toward us.
All that to say, Matt Wertz and Tim Warren are good guys to have dinner with. If you get the chance, take it. And if you happen to be at the Doug Fir, order the Meatloaf. It’s not bad.
P.S. I’ll post later about the car my mother bought. If all went well, she purchased a car today. And largely based on your suggestions. Way to go!
