Back home years ago, Robert and I decided that we needed more that what Chicago could offer us. We decided that we could have more for our band if we left the state. We wanted to be a bigger fish in a smaller pond, instead of the other way around. We were a little uncomfortable about our decision, though we both knew that there was nothing that could stop us.
The six months before we split Chicago for somewhere else (we still weren't entirely sure WHERE we were moving yet), someone kept spray painting this phrase all over Wicker Park and Ukranian Village. This phrase helped qualm the uncertainty of leaving my family. This phrase justified me squeezing in as much time and memories as I could with them.
It was inspiring and to me, a personal message.
After we moved out of our apartment, we put our items in storage and spent time with family and friends (thanks Dennis and Angela!!!). In the remaining time, we created and finished an album with Miguel Torres and William Bradford Simons (This Balance), wrote another album while couch-surfing (Displaced Ghost Lodgers). We visited the city we were sure was "the one". We signed a lease and gave our security deposit to an old man whom we hoped was not a con artist. We headed back to Chicago and did a cross-country move with our pets. We
bought a car, got married, moved and settled into our new environment. Not too bad.
So, for all of you considering drastic changes to your music or your lifestyle, I offer this picture up as comfort.
