(Airing Oct. 12 – Oct. 18) eTown broadcast/podcast with The Civil Wars and Sarah Jarosz

By Helen ~ October 11, 2011

Great show this week, with visitors The Civil Wars and Sarah Jarosz, two terrific musical guests. Plus a cool, ‘in person, on stage’ E-Chievement Award winner.

First, the Civil Wars:

This indie duo (Joy Williams & John Paul White) has a stripped-down sound that’s garnered a lot of attention recently. They became a sensation after one of their songs was played on Grey’s Anatomy, and their ascent has been almost meteoric since then. You may have heard them featured on NPR’s ‘All Things Considered’ not too long ago. This show marks their very first visit to eTown, and I have to say they are exquisite. Their vocal harmonies, and their stage presence, are just stunning. And they are two of the nicest folks to work with that I’ve come across. In my opinion, these two talented, attractive people are bound to go far.

And then there’s the remarkable, wonderful Sarah Jarosz:

Sarah is one of the most talked about young singer-musicians today (The New York Times recently called her “one of acoustic music’s most promising young talents”). She and her gifted colleagues/friends Alex Hargreaves and Nathaniel Smith provide several stellar musical moments for us, including a number with Nick that is just awesome. These three twenty-somethings are uber-talented separately but even more dynamic as a trio; well worth tuning in for. (They’re all really great folks too!)

As usual, there’ll be revealing conversations with the musicians; and of course there’s that ‘in-person’ E-Chievement Award winner I mentioned earlier, a man from D.C. who’s come up with a way for the average person to give modestly and yet see their donations effectively help the needy around the world.

Other thoughts: There’s a nip in the air just these last couple days. I have to accept that it’s October. Summer’s over. And winter is around the corner. I always get a little jumbled up, a bit melancholy, this time of year. Fall is such a beautiful time of year, with the changing of the trees and the deep blue October sky, a season that brings one great joy to observe; but at the same time, you know it’ll all end way too soon, and that brings just a touch of sadness.

That last thought leads me to Steve Jobs. (I’ll keep this short, b/c by now you’ve seen and heard a lot of testimonials, tributes and mention of him. But I am compelled to comment briefly here.) It’s surprising how many people felt, like me, very sad at the news of his passing. I never met him, but in some ways I felt I knew him; and I know a lot of friends who feel the same. He was a fascinating person, one you could not help but watch with great interest. And we should’ve had him in our midst a lot longer. I think his death has effected the general populace so noticeably for two reasons: first, that he should leave the planet so young, and second, that we as a society lost someone who was so innovative, so creative and so focused on finding ways to make our workaday world productive, fun and interesting. I know, his work certainly cannot be compared to Mother Teresa’s and like individuals in terms of compassion and mission. But still, society needs inventive, brilliant, playful people. In short, we need rebels; and Steve Jobs was one of those. I will miss his presence.

Until next time, reach out and connect with those you love, and enjoy these last few weeks of spectacular colors and the wondrous smells and sights that are autumn.

Best,

Helen