Closed Rythme and Flow

[Soren Fell]

Soren had been in town for a few days and had already run into an old friend from America. The unexpected appearance of Erik had definitely shown just how small the magical community at large was for them to run into each other hundreds of miles from home. Soren and Erik had a complicated past and while they were older, Soren could not help but wonder just how much the other man had grown since they last spoke. Of course, it was not his place to have an opinion on Erik and so he figured that it was better to get out of the apartment to keep his mind firmly out off of memory row. Old hurts and bad decisions were nothing to dwell on at least not without a beer in hand. Soren was out and so he had to go down to the Leaky Cauldron to clear his head.

Luckily for Soren, it seemed as though the Leaky Cauldron had live music on this particular night. A chance to rub elbows with the locals and to check out a new band to add to his playlist. He had always tried to support local artists when he could and so it was cool that he had a chance to listen to what music was on the pulse of the city. By the general look of things, it appeared to be more rock-inspired which he was not mad at as his own personal taste was eclectic and was driven largely y his mood at the time. Rock seemed to embodied his current vibe and so he pulled up a bench at the bar and allowed the music to fill his thoughts.

The band was pretty good. They were young and eager which meant they were gig chasing but they had the potential to grow into something more mainstream and popular. With fame came recognition and commercial success. Every good band chased that dream from one smokey bar to the next. Some found, others not so much but the music was a dog eat dog world. You had to be unique to stand out in the sea of musicians already out not the scene.

Ordering a whiskey neat, he nursed his drink as he listened to the rest of the set. When one of the men from the band approached the bar, Soren looked over at the stranger and smiled. "You guys sound pretty great. Good Job tonight." He said as he offered the man an appreciative compliment. It was after all the polite thing to do when meeting a performer after a performance.

@Leo Malstrom

 

[Leo Malstrom]

There was something about a post-show adrenaline high that was indescribable. Playing guitar and feeling the energy of the crowd’s cheers was an experience Leo could never translate into words, as much as he wished he was able to. A song to commemorate the feeling he experienced countless times and in so many different locations but that conversely and alternatively felt so much like home would be the perfect medium to express the moment as accurately as he felt it, but regardless of his efforts there were no words for what he felt as a show ended, and for the wind down period where he headed to the bar for a drink after cleaning himself up. It was all something that was too raw and genuine, too outside of the limited English language to have a word or phrase as worthy as the experience in itself. Despite wishing for a medium to express the feeling of post-performance adrenaline accurately, Leo realized not having a means to express the feeling was part of the illusion of it all. It was part of the mystique that the description was so elusive. It was the reason he coveted it, to it’s core. It was the reason he searched for the experience and wished for it in every show he played. It was worth playing shows anywhere he could.

Leo’s restless fingers tapped on the counter of the bar as he ordered himself a whiskey. He watched as the drink was poured for him, specifying the necessity to only have two ice cubes, and only looking away from the bartender and the drink being poured for him when a fellow bar patron commented on his band’s performance. Leo looked to the man who spoke and nodded, picking up his glass and lifting it as a sign of cheers. Not being good at words in many senses, and even in lyrics without the help of his band mates, Leo found himself unable to respond more eloquently than with a tip of his glass and a nod. “Thank you, glad you enjoyed.” Leo commented, one corner of his lip turning upwards as he sipped from his drink. After swallowing the amber liquid, he added. “Was good the crowd was energetic; it makes everything easier.” Leo tilted his head slightly. “Did you see the whole set?” Leo then asked, wondering if the man had seen the entire performance or simply the last few songs. He couldn't help but wonder what else the man had to say on the performance. ​