Turn the Page - Pezzettino
October 13th, 2008 - by Eddie
Photo by Kevin Groen
As I pick up the accordion by its straps, the house music scales back and all of a sudden everything around me is jet black. My eyes dart up and search the room, and I sort of wonder if the walls, floor, chairs, and the people sitting in them, are still out there.
A complete absence of sound and sight, I thought it possible that this room might have actually been erased from existence. I turn to Nez on the drums, and am comforted knowing that I wasn’t entirely lifted from time and space. “I’m ready. Go for it.” He starts the marching beat, and I can breathe. That nothingness was killing me.
After the first song a group starts to gather on the floor right in front of the stage, a little to the left. It’s like having your favorite pet hamster come out of its hiding spot-you know its in there, but without showing its face you have nothing to connect to. I’m just grateful for the faces, for the connection. I can’t get over how quiet the room is… and start with:
Would you listen to me?
I’m coming back home…
I need a place now to
Fall apart.
Unseen.
To untangle my twine
To unbutton my sleeves
To lie awake with the
Buzzing
Til dawn
Pezzettino - For What It’s Worth
As I’m singing, the room feels warmer- like each hidden, breathing being out there is my confidante and we’re hiding in a blanket fort, flashlight shining on my face. It’s my turn to tell all my secrets.
I switch to the piano, play a love song full of optimism, which tonight feels more ironic than hopeful… I sort of feel like I’m lying, singing that song tonight, and am relieved to change the topic with the next two songs.
At this point I’m lifted from the room. My voice echoes and I storm on the piano. When all else fails, the keys are always there for me, and I return to them tonight. The air around me feels electrified and weighted. With the last note, I mumble “thanks” into the microphone, and am yanked back to Earth by applause from the room and backstage. The response is heartwarming. It’s time to move on.
I hoist on the accordion and hear some whispering…then someone says, “Yeah!” This makes me smile. “Yeah!” I say into the microphone. I’m glad we’re all on the same page.
We launch into two up-tempo songs before bringing it in with “Falling Down,” my newest and therefore favorite song about falling in love, and learning to let go of your barriers like the trees letting go of their leaves. My eyes have adjusted to the dark and I see a man sitting in the back with a white collared shirt, and I wonder what his story is. If he’s loved, lost, and had the courage to hope again. We are all in this together.
Pezzettino - Sweet Decent
-Pezzettino
Miramar Theatre
October 9, 2008
