Music to My Ears

I am not known as a music enthusiast. My Spotify playlist are the ones already created by the app, or friends' playlists they have shared with me. The only concert I have ever attended was Fetty Wap my Sophomore year of college and it was a horrible music performance. The man literally sang along to his already recorded songs. This is not to say I don't love music though. I listen to things that remind me of old memories; oldies bring back my grandparents dancing in the kitchen, Blackbear was the soundtrack of high school and speeding down the Autobahn with friends, Disney is my childhood. I love music I just am not the kind of person to surround my life with it. I never listen to it on my way to class or while I'm doing work, it is something exclusively reserved for my car rides and the record player in my parents' living room. So, if you haven't picked up on it yet, my second item on the bucket list has to do with music and for me it was going to a live music performance. 

Now, I will admit I had to do this for a class assignment so the idea did not just come to me. We were assigned to venture outside of class and attend a concert of our choice and to write on it. At first I dreaded this because this class is one I am merely taking for a gen ed and the last thing I want to do it put more time than I need to into it. However, I then realized this would be my second live music performance ever and I was not going to waste it. Thus, bloomed the second item on "The Bucket List."

Of course I knew that in Chapel Hill on a random week night there was no way Post Malone nor Lizzo or even someone remotely famous would be making a debut at Cat's Cradle. So, I was pushed further to not only go out of my physical comfort zone, but my musical one as well. With that said, I settled on a Folk music duo called Admiral Radio at a bar called the Cave. It was the most un-me performance and location I could find, which further solidified my decision to go.

The entrance to the bar was an alleyway, barely fitting the width of one person. Stairs that were littered with graffiti and random objects led to an old metal door that seemed to lead into a dungeon rather than a bar that would provide me the entertainment for the night. The name, the Cave, was perfect as it had low rock ceilings, cave paintings and other random art on the wall, and a cool musty smell throughout the place. Had more than 12 people tried to fit in there, it would have been a disaster because of how small it is. The bar top was old weathered wood covered with band stickers and there was no sink in the bathroom.

I sat down next to my friend with a gin and tonic and low expectations for this bucket list item, but man was I wrong. This bar was the most transportive place with a room that managed to fill up with music in every corner once the couple started playing. The vibe was local and friendly with the bartender caring more about the music and getting to know me than making sure I closed my tab. People were relaxed and respectful; just sitting in silence and appreciating the band.

In reference to my choice of folk music, I honestly liked it. The couple was raising money for their wedding day fund and were surprised and overjoyed that ten people had showed up to their concert at all. They stared in each others eyes throughout the entire performance and played originals they had written which enhanced the intimacy of the performance. I was entranced for the duration of their hour-long set and not necessarily by the music, but the warm feeling I got sitting on my broken bar stool and feeling as if they were only singing to me the entire time.

I talked with the performers and the bartender after the performance was finished and discovered the Cave hosts musicians every night to perform for the 10-12 people that show up to listen. They gave me a calendar and I have no doubts if I come back the same woman would be working the bar and would even recognize me.

While I certainly am not a converted folk music fan, nor has my musical passion been heightened by this night at the Cave, I think I may have found my bar. I don't like to be pushed and shoved to pay $12 for a watered-down drink at the regular hang-outs on Franklin and Rosemary. I loved sitting and enjoying new music and the relaxed company of people who just want to sit and listen. I wasn't hit on by creepy guys sitting next to me and I wasn’t worried about how I was dressed to make sure I met the standards of the other women in the room. I got to be myself in jeans and a sweater and enjoy new music I would never have listened to outside of that setting. I plan on coming back often and I hope others try this place out too.