Brandi Carlile
The night I saw Brandi Carlile was a night of inspiration.
I have loved her for so long but honestly, she was someone I just kind of figured I would never get the opportunity to see. Then came her show in October where she was going to play Joni Mitchell’s Blue album live at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Which is crazy. I mean Joni is phenomenal, and the Blue album is one of the all time best things in the world. It was when these show tickets were going on sale that I found out my amazing friend Rachel also loves Brandi Carlile, and had seen her a bunch. I knew if there was one show of hers I had to go to it was this one. Well, sadly even with the two of us ready on multiple avenues there was no way we were getting tickets to that show. It was unfortunate, and we were bummed because I’m sure that show was remarkable and one of a kind.
Flash forward to January, and Brandi was coming to the Palladium in Hollywood! It was sheer luck, Rachel was able to get tickets, and off we went! (Basically, moral of the story, Rachel is a hero…DUH) So we went off to the Palladium, and I had my world rocked. Having grown up with a musician for a father, and a stepmom that started her own record label, I had a lot of influences. Brandi was one we all agreed on so this moment was really hyped up for me. Let me tell you she did not disappoint. When she played The Story, it took me right back to where I was the first moment I heard it. I felt like I was home.
Brandi has an unbelievable range and talent, and I mean who doesn’t love seeing a woman up on the stage owning it without question or apology. I had chills the whole night, and all of the emotions that you could possibly have as each track she played brought me back to various points in my life. The highs and the lows. The chemistry that her and the twins have on the stage is just so captivating it all hits you in your bones. With songs like The Joke, and The Mother I was all in my feelings with such phenomenal songs. And then she did it, she played A Case Of You, from the Blue album and I am pretty sure my heart exploded right there in that moment. Both heartbreak and joy all at once, that is what music is. I have been someone who has sung my entire life, I’m pretty sure that I may have actually come out of the womb doing it, and people like Brandi have helped to shape and inspire me to keep being strong and doing my thing. Talk about an inspiring show, this was it. Her songwriting is so raw, intricate and relatable all at once, and I feel that a lot of times that’s hard to find. But you feel her passion even more in person, which I didn’t think would be possible. I was blown away, she is so simply, beautifully, passionate. I would highly recommend seeing her if you have the opportunity.
Have you listened to Brandi Carlile? What is your favorite song? favorite album?
You can find her music here.
