As I sit down to write my last blog post for the Sweater Friends I am so filled with emotions it’s hard to describe. This silly band truly started out as a joke between two friends but it grew into so much more than that. I owe so much to this band. So many good times and lessons learned. Closing this chapter of our lives is such a bittersweet experience. I know there are so many other opportunities out there for both of us. I know time for those opportunities will be freed up by ending the Sweater Friends. But I’m not going to lie and say there isn’t any sadness associated with Jake and me making this decision.
For my last post I really just want to remember some of my favorite Sweater Friends memories.
Our First Show – Our first show pretty much accomplished all of the goals we set up as a band at the start (yes we had band goals). Our goals as I remember them were to play at Kilby Court and play a show with some really popular established bands. We weren’t prepared when the opportunity presented itself (the night before the actual show) and we finished writing a song as we drove to the venue the night of. I can’t remember ever being so nervous before (and since) in my life. I had always been on the other side of the stage at Kilby Court and I was a big fan of both of the bands we played with (The Green Peanuts and The Contingency Plan). It seemed to be happening way faster than either of us had thought and starting that night, The Sweater Friends were born.
Band Practice With Jake – So much other stuff happened during band practice other than playing our guitars. When we both lived down in Salt Lake it happened much more often and almost felt like a mini therapy session for both of us. We talked about our families and current relationships. I remember getting to talk about the decisions to get engaged and married. I remember the practice when Jake had to tell me he had seen my current boyfriend out with another girl. Band practice was never just band practice. It was getting to hang out with one of my best friends.
Playing During a Power Outage: While we were playing a festival up in Park City about a year ago, there was a huge snow storm and the power went out. That moment after the lights went out was probably the most rewarding moment to reaffirm our choice to be an acoustic band. Jake didn’t skip a beat and the show went on in the dark.
Finally Playing the Arts Festival: It’s no secret it took some time and persistence to get to play the Utah Arts Festival last year. All the credit goes to Jake on this one. He worked ridiculously hard to make this happen. It always feels great to accomplish a goal like that, especially when it seemed like such a long shot in the first place.
Playing a Show at the Anarchist House: A few years ago Jake and I were asked to play a show at the Anarchist’s house in SLC. When we arrived no one seemed to know who we were or what was supposed to be going on (this happened more times than I can remember). We went out and sat on the sidewalk and waited until it was time to play. I’m glad we didn’t get discouraged at our initial impression of the place. Jake and I were able to play a nice long set in front of one of the most captive audiences I have ever seen. I could feel the entire room hanging onto our every lyric and I think any musician would agree that’s what it’s all about. Getting to put your thoughts to song and maybe someone at some point will hear your music and really listen to it.
Playing Our Last Outdoor Show: I guess at the time we didn’t know it would be our last outdoor show. A few months ago Jake organized a show up the canyon. That show embodied what the Sweater Friends were all about. We were always looking to play shows where people wouldn’t pay to get in which meant we often used our backyards and basements. As we played songs in the canyon that night we had honestly just planned to play 3 songs. Quick and simple. When we finished our last song on the set list, our friends started asking for others. I don’t remember how many more songs we ended up playing, but I’m glad we did. It just felt right to play the songs for the people that had supported us for so long. Exactly when they wanted them.
There are so many other memories I will always cherish about the Sweater Friends but I think this post is already the longest post I have written for the blog.
I’m so grateful that Jake and I are such good friends to realize it’s time to end it. It would be a tragedy to let the band muddle along while we both continue to become more frustrated with the local scene, time commitment and all around pressure on our music. That’s not what music is meant to be. Music is meant to be fun, exciting, an outlet for creativity and thoughts. And in my opinion, music is meant to be a musical joke gone ridiculously right.
