Ignorance is everywhere regardless of country, ethnicity, socio-economic group. Reflection, seeking to understand and compassion are in short supply. As to the soft power, it's still there, hearts whisper while loudmouths shout until they expire in a puff.
Amen, and beautifully put! Willi's got another song, 'Your Heart's a Big Tent.' Yup. Love and play the long game. Hearts whisper, hearts sing. We'll abide somehow.
Thanks Dad! The second I heard Willi sing I pinged back to that first Doc Watson album, on the tape you made, playing in my childhood bedroom. That's where it starts for me. Thanks for all the music! Big hugs from NZ!
Hey Dan awesome piece. If I'm brutally honest with myself I probably would have been one of those young lads 20 years ago.... Listening to their banter I actually thought they really loved Willi.... so you've got me thinking, maybe kiwi blokes are just piss poor at expressing ourselves, and revert to piss taking instead of showing appreciation in a positive way? Anyway, what a show, Tyler and Willi were on fire, loved every minute of our roadie. Thanks for being a great co-pilot!
Thanks man! An epic roadie it was! Thanks for getting our asses home on a hard day two. Wish we could do it again 20 years ago just to see (who would've been playing, I wonder?)
They were good dudes, I think. I find piss-taking in both the NZ and UK vibes can run a few clicks saltier than Americans are used to. We just don't need it as much, because we're allowed (required, even) to see something we love and just shout WOOHOOO!!! I remember one of the dudes said 'If Tyler plays Follow You to Virgie I'm gonna wet my pants' and then Tyler did, and we all got to shout together. No hard feelings. Just a funny a moment. I'd like to buy them boys a beer just for giving me something to chew on.
And then I met a bloke at Harvest in a Tyler Childers hat who praised Willi without any prompting from me. Something got through. Live music is good for the soul. I'm keeping an eye on the calendar for another run!
You DROVE to and from Auckland? Respect. We were holidaying in Queenstown last week - amazing, though it doesn't feel like NZ to me - listening to our son's Spotify playlist titled "Country Music that doesn't suck." I gotta admit I liked it - and picked up a new line: "I'ma go South on you if you don't shut up". It's like I heard long ago and adopted for myself: There are but two kinds of music - Good & Bad. I prefer the good. For me that includes but is not limited to: Jason Isbell; Drive By Truckers; Poco; Emylou Harris; Kris Kristofferson; Hank Williams (Sr); Merle Haggard; George Jones; Mark Knopfler (and old Dire Straights). And so much more.
American soft power? Not anymore. And don't look now but the Red Menace to the North is steaming warships down the East Coast of Australia. NZ gonna have to pick sides one day soon, meethinks.
Hey Brad! Good on your boy, sounds like a good playlist. Agreed to all those. Isbell's touring Australia but so far no dates over here, I'd be there in a hot minute. I ain't been to Queenstown yet. I grew up in AZ and spent enough childhood at the Grand Canyon, so I get that interplanetary tourism vibe! Soft power is big and complicated. Who else is packing Spark, right?? But I feel like it's already changing, and I'm bummed on a level I can't even explain. NZ reddit was gaming out picking sides in ww3 the other day. Sigh.
Well, according to my son who saw the show, Willi was quite 'something', cow bones and all. He was hard to hear, in his own world, so a bit of a fascinating enigma? Reactions may stem from 'I have no idea what he's saying - but good on him - go Willi!' Our family originally being from the US (some time in Austin), I think Kiwis definitely get the blues, but country music is...emerging. The scenes you depicted on your drive back south show how similar we all are. Well put.
Thanks, Heather! And to your son! Yeah I don't want to pick on these boys. Good times, beer, you shout stuff. Openers are openers, and they're all heroes for taking the guff. Kiwis got all the feels, for sure--funny how cultures churn their beauty and sorrow in different ways. Willi's a lot for more stoic Kiwi palettes, I think. Austin gets it, or it used to. Just gotta keep driving, and keep singing :)
Yup, I like this, and we need to compare playlists in this exact genre BUT. Dan. It cannot be "neotrad vamp." That sounds like a tansylvanian manga translation. It's gotta be something that fits the vibe. Words that you could say while playing cowbones. (or spoons! That's what my dad played!) C'mon poet!
Ain't quite there, I know. But I want to hit that wink, not stay in the vibe. (Your'n Country??) Country's always a show, but this is so far beyond George Strait's pressed wranglers. There's a play with both of these dudes. Tyler started out as just some introvert kid. His Tiny Desk concert from like six years ago he looks like the stoned kid down the hall in your dorm who just rolled out of bed. At the concert he was playing Peter Lorre doing Mr Rogers and grinnin a mile wide.
Watch this great one of Willi and tell me there ain't a little vamp
Oh I don't disagree! That belt buckle is straight up costume. Instead of vamp, we call it "Showboatin'"? You like Sturgill Simpson? Not so Ole Timey, costume's all in the music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK4UFSNGRdE
BTW in 2016 we were all laughing at Americans - not the ones we knew of course - they were too smart, too kind to vote for him - we thought. But when he won the electionmany of us were surprised at the numbers we knew who voted for Trump. Mostly, they said, for the tax breaks - but still...
It's hard, ain't it? Luagh or cry or yell. I try to use 'us' as much as possible in these conversations, for all Americans, whether I'm there or not and no matter who voted for who. I'm mad and confused and heartbroken as hell. But I've I been in plenty places back home where I understand the urge to burn it all down, even in the worst possible way. I dunno. Ten years in and I feel like the real grief is just starting. Onward we go. Songs help.
Once when I was talking to some kids at a NZ school, where many had whanau in gangs, I said I was from Brooklyn. Previously bored, many of them got very interested and asked if I'd ever been to Compton - and it wasn't because Serena and Venus were born there.
People make assumptions.
I hope those yokels (my xenophobia showing) paid full price for their tickets
Hi Susan! Brooklyn! Yeah, the big names filter through in crazy stereotypes, don't they? (I always say Texas, just to watch it land. A little reduction is unavoidable across borders. We can't know everything. But you gotta stay open. I'm sure those boys paid plenty to sing along to songs about Kentucky :)
Hi Brent! Thanks for reading! Yeah, a killer show. I guess I'm out here for the complications. Would skip whatever's coming, though. Safe travels to you and Michael!
Willi was new to me that night! Probably added to the feels & general gringo vulnerability. Country's a big damn tent--the good stuff is, anyhow. Glad you enjoyed it!
Wow. I'd be happy to call Willi an American without a hint of being derogatory. Steeped in history, but brought bang up to date. "Angel swinging on a Walmart sign" just became one of my favourite lyrics today. This is everything to do with culture tho', slurs at nationality are a bullies response.
Hi Graham! Ain't he great?? I been listening to that song on repeat for days! All the rest of 'em, too. Feels like he's just warming up. Can't wait to see where he goes.
I am sorry it’s not ok. There’s an experience I can write about similar to this, but I will have to save it for later as it still makes me so disappointed. We have to do better.
Thanks kōtare! It's alright. Us superpower boys all need a poke in the ribs every now and then. I want to read your story, whenever you want to write it!
I love the way you weaved your main point through your story of experience, Dan. Sounds like a great concert, and I can’t wait to check Willi out when I’m done writing this comment.
Meanwhile, as an American who loves to get out of the country as much as possible and dreams of becoming an immigrant someday, I think the reason those types of shots sting more for us is because we know what’s in our hearts. And whether we want to admit it or not, many of us are getting very tired of having to be stoic in the midst of such turmoil. It cuts deep to be thought of as hateful, ignorant, xenophobic, self-centered, or any other number of negative descriptors associated with the States right now because we will never be able to convince a random stranger in a different country that we aren’t those things. And there’s nothing sadder for people who like people than to be mischaracterized as someone who is flippant about the suffering of others. American, sadly, has become a slur, and right now I can understand why. All we can do is our part, which is to surprise people by being good ambassadors. I have no doubt you do that daily!
Thanks, Tim! Glad you dug it! Yeah, it's a strange feeling, right?? These boys didn't mean anything sharp by it, I think. Beery concert fun. The sting I think was more inside me--that sense of losing the margin we used to have, the grace to be understood more complexly despite all our faults. The headlines are insane, and the change they tell us about even crazier. It drowns everything else out. When you're outside the country it's just you, without the backdrop or context, and now we all feel that much more naked, I guess. am so tired. I think a lot of us are. But there's no rest coming. Home and away, we just gotta up every day and be that good dude. Take care out there, man!
Ignorance is everywhere regardless of country, ethnicity, socio-economic group. Reflection, seeking to understand and compassion are in short supply. As to the soft power, it's still there, hearts whisper while loudmouths shout until they expire in a puff.
Amen, and beautifully put! Willi's got another song, 'Your Heart's a Big Tent.' Yup. Love and play the long game. Hearts whisper, hearts sing. We'll abide somehow.
Killer piece!
Thanks Dad! The second I heard Willi sing I pinged back to that first Doc Watson album, on the tape you made, playing in my childhood bedroom. That's where it starts for me. Thanks for all the music! Big hugs from NZ!
Your beautiful description of driving South has shades of Sam Hunt. Legend.
Hi Helen! Sam Hunt!! You just totally made my day. Thanks for reading!
Hey Dan awesome piece. If I'm brutally honest with myself I probably would have been one of those young lads 20 years ago.... Listening to their banter I actually thought they really loved Willi.... so you've got me thinking, maybe kiwi blokes are just piss poor at expressing ourselves, and revert to piss taking instead of showing appreciation in a positive way? Anyway, what a show, Tyler and Willi were on fire, loved every minute of our roadie. Thanks for being a great co-pilot!
Thanks man! An epic roadie it was! Thanks for getting our asses home on a hard day two. Wish we could do it again 20 years ago just to see (who would've been playing, I wonder?)
They were good dudes, I think. I find piss-taking in both the NZ and UK vibes can run a few clicks saltier than Americans are used to. We just don't need it as much, because we're allowed (required, even) to see something we love and just shout WOOHOOO!!! I remember one of the dudes said 'If Tyler plays Follow You to Virgie I'm gonna wet my pants' and then Tyler did, and we all got to shout together. No hard feelings. Just a funny a moment. I'd like to buy them boys a beer just for giving me something to chew on.
And then I met a bloke at Harvest in a Tyler Childers hat who praised Willi without any prompting from me. Something got through. Live music is good for the soul. I'm keeping an eye on the calendar for another run!
You DROVE to and from Auckland? Respect. We were holidaying in Queenstown last week - amazing, though it doesn't feel like NZ to me - listening to our son's Spotify playlist titled "Country Music that doesn't suck." I gotta admit I liked it - and picked up a new line: "I'ma go South on you if you don't shut up". It's like I heard long ago and adopted for myself: There are but two kinds of music - Good & Bad. I prefer the good. For me that includes but is not limited to: Jason Isbell; Drive By Truckers; Poco; Emylou Harris; Kris Kristofferson; Hank Williams (Sr); Merle Haggard; George Jones; Mark Knopfler (and old Dire Straights). And so much more.
American soft power? Not anymore. And don't look now but the Red Menace to the North is steaming warships down the East Coast of Australia. NZ gonna have to pick sides one day soon, meethinks.
Hey Brad! Good on your boy, sounds like a good playlist. Agreed to all those. Isbell's touring Australia but so far no dates over here, I'd be there in a hot minute. I ain't been to Queenstown yet. I grew up in AZ and spent enough childhood at the Grand Canyon, so I get that interplanetary tourism vibe! Soft power is big and complicated. Who else is packing Spark, right?? But I feel like it's already changing, and I'm bummed on a level I can't even explain. NZ reddit was gaming out picking sides in ww3 the other day. Sigh.
Well, according to my son who saw the show, Willi was quite 'something', cow bones and all. He was hard to hear, in his own world, so a bit of a fascinating enigma? Reactions may stem from 'I have no idea what he's saying - but good on him - go Willi!' Our family originally being from the US (some time in Austin), I think Kiwis definitely get the blues, but country music is...emerging. The scenes you depicted on your drive back south show how similar we all are. Well put.
Thanks, Heather! And to your son! Yeah I don't want to pick on these boys. Good times, beer, you shout stuff. Openers are openers, and they're all heroes for taking the guff. Kiwis got all the feels, for sure--funny how cultures churn their beauty and sorrow in different ways. Willi's a lot for more stoic Kiwi palettes, I think. Austin gets it, or it used to. Just gotta keep driving, and keep singing :)
Yup, I like this, and we need to compare playlists in this exact genre BUT. Dan. It cannot be "neotrad vamp." That sounds like a tansylvanian manga translation. It's gotta be something that fits the vibe. Words that you could say while playing cowbones. (or spoons! That's what my dad played!) C'mon poet!
Ain't quite there, I know. But I want to hit that wink, not stay in the vibe. (Your'n Country??) Country's always a show, but this is so far beyond George Strait's pressed wranglers. There's a play with both of these dudes. Tyler started out as just some introvert kid. His Tiny Desk concert from like six years ago he looks like the stoned kid down the hall in your dorm who just rolled out of bed. At the concert he was playing Peter Lorre doing Mr Rogers and grinnin a mile wide.
Watch this great one of Willi and tell me there ain't a little vamp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQHeIbP_gbM
Your dad plays spoons???!?!? AWESOME
Oh I don't disagree! That belt buckle is straight up costume. Instead of vamp, we call it "Showboatin'"? You like Sturgill Simpson? Not so Ole Timey, costume's all in the music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK4UFSNGRdE
Showboatin', I can dig it. Apostrophe required. Sturgill's great! And goddamn he sounds like Waylon sometimes, in the best possible way
Knew a dude with a W tattoo
Did you give it to him
🤣 I wish! I did do a cattle brand on my best friend.
BTW in 2016 we were all laughing at Americans - not the ones we knew of course - they were too smart, too kind to vote for him - we thought. But when he won the electionmany of us were surprised at the numbers we knew who voted for Trump. Mostly, they said, for the tax breaks - but still...
It's hard, ain't it? Luagh or cry or yell. I try to use 'us' as much as possible in these conversations, for all Americans, whether I'm there or not and no matter who voted for who. I'm mad and confused and heartbroken as hell. But I've I been in plenty places back home where I understand the urge to burn it all down, even in the worst possible way. I dunno. Ten years in and I feel like the real grief is just starting. Onward we go. Songs help.
Xenophobia is a big part of the mental geography.
Once when I was talking to some kids at a NZ school, where many had whanau in gangs, I said I was from Brooklyn. Previously bored, many of them got very interested and asked if I'd ever been to Compton - and it wasn't because Serena and Venus were born there.
People make assumptions.
I hope those yokels (my xenophobia showing) paid full price for their tickets
Hi Susan! Brooklyn! Yeah, the big names filter through in crazy stereotypes, don't they? (I always say Texas, just to watch it land. A little reduction is unavoidable across borders. We can't know everything. But you gotta stay open. I'm sure those boys paid plenty to sing along to songs about Kentucky :)
LOL it's a complicated tapestry. Sounds like an amazing show tho!
Hi Brent! Thanks for reading! Yeah, a killer show. I guess I'm out here for the complications. Would skip whatever's coming, though. Safe travels to you and Michael!
All the singers are new to me as country isn’t my thing…but y’all described it beautifully. Ignorance is everywhere.
Willi was new to me that night! Probably added to the feels & general gringo vulnerability. Country's a big damn tent--the good stuff is, anyhow. Glad you enjoyed it!
Wow. I'd be happy to call Willi an American without a hint of being derogatory. Steeped in history, but brought bang up to date. "Angel swinging on a Walmart sign" just became one of my favourite lyrics today. This is everything to do with culture tho', slurs at nationality are a bullies response.
Hi Graham! Ain't he great?? I been listening to that song on repeat for days! All the rest of 'em, too. Feels like he's just warming up. Can't wait to see where he goes.
I am sorry it’s not ok. There’s an experience I can write about similar to this, but I will have to save it for later as it still makes me so disappointed. We have to do better.
Thanks kōtare! It's alright. Us superpower boys all need a poke in the ribs every now and then. I want to read your story, whenever you want to write it!
I love the way you weaved your main point through your story of experience, Dan. Sounds like a great concert, and I can’t wait to check Willi out when I’m done writing this comment.
Meanwhile, as an American who loves to get out of the country as much as possible and dreams of becoming an immigrant someday, I think the reason those types of shots sting more for us is because we know what’s in our hearts. And whether we want to admit it or not, many of us are getting very tired of having to be stoic in the midst of such turmoil. It cuts deep to be thought of as hateful, ignorant, xenophobic, self-centered, or any other number of negative descriptors associated with the States right now because we will never be able to convince a random stranger in a different country that we aren’t those things. And there’s nothing sadder for people who like people than to be mischaracterized as someone who is flippant about the suffering of others. American, sadly, has become a slur, and right now I can understand why. All we can do is our part, which is to surprise people by being good ambassadors. I have no doubt you do that daily!
Thanks, Tim! Glad you dug it! Yeah, it's a strange feeling, right?? These boys didn't mean anything sharp by it, I think. Beery concert fun. The sting I think was more inside me--that sense of losing the margin we used to have, the grace to be understood more complexly despite all our faults. The headlines are insane, and the change they tell us about even crazier. It drowns everything else out. When you're outside the country it's just you, without the backdrop or context, and now we all feel that much more naked, I guess. am so tired. I think a lot of us are. But there's no rest coming. Home and away, we just gotta up every day and be that good dude. Take care out there, man!
Loved this. Beautiful and evocative. And I love the fact that you can see people like Willi Carlisle live in NZ. That in itself is beautiful.
Glad you dug it! Well worth the eight-hour drive to see him. We don't get 'em all down here, so when they do show you gotta hop to it!