On April 28, 2024, this brother-sister duo played for 35 people in our living room. It’s impossible to put the experience of music into words. But here are a couple of observations that made our time with them a pleasure.
The vibe was “there’s room for everyone.” There was no difference between the Wildmans on stage and off stage. The show, if that’s the right word, seemed an extension of who they are and the way music is integral to their lives. The playing was outstanding, and never showy.
If you like old time music, you come to really appreciate fiddle tunes. But they are not like the music most of us grew up on. Eli and Aila treated us to Billy in the Lowground and Say Old Man Can You Play that Fiddle? among others. When asked what made fiddle tunes interesting to them, I expected to hear about structure and pattern, or the history of the tune. But what they said, paraphrased here, is that they are like a campfire – a community thing, a shared experience. People play together and “you can end up playing the same tune for 30 minutes.”
Think about that for a moment. When was the last time you spent 30 minutes focused, listening to what others are contributing, letting go of your best input and your “mistakes” as things move on (music doesn’t stop), making room for others, finding your place, adding your contribution, all without trying to win the competition?
That’s an inspiring-sounding experience; a description a way of living in the present.
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