A song is a key for locked memory boxes. A song can transport you back through time, giving you a chance to relive moments and ideas that occurred back when you first heard that song. A song is not just a song; it is also a story.
Photos by Lawren Moore
Jacob and the House of Fire – “Coyote”
This took a lot of thought for me because almost every song is a memory, or at least the songs I really like. It’s actually funny how many times I’ve put a CD on and thought to myself, “I need to take this off” because it would recall too many sad memories or sometimes I can find myself laughing and smiling, remembering some great things.
The song I chose to write about surprised me at first, perhaps because it’s such a recent memory. The song is called “Coyote” by a band out of Portland ME who were called Jacob and the House of Fire. The band is not around anymore but this song really just had me recall last summer (2010), which I feel was a really great one. Last summer I had spent a week in the middle of August out in Portland ME. I went with one of my best friends visiting fellow Box Tiger member Jordan Stowell. We were out there to record and play a couple shows with In The Audience, one of which was at a music festival called Kabang in Bangor ME. Playing with In The Audience was really important to me and this had been the second show I had gone out to play with them, which was really great.
After playing we caught a live set by Jacob and The House of Fire. I had already known the song at the time but hearing it live really created a perfect soundtrack to one of the best weeks I had had in a very long time. There was something about that week while I was there, which almost felt nostalgic as if it was a memory while I was actually living it, I guess it’s because I knew I would always remember it. Portland is actually really pretty. I really like it and the people I know there. Growing up in a dormant suburb of Toronto it was really nice to get away and go somewhere to just spend time making music and hang out with some friends. You realize that sometimes going to a random small city in the States for a week can be more special than spending a summer in Europe or staying at a five-star resort in the Caribbean…. at least for me (I know because I’ve done both). I guess it all ties into the age old cliché of “it’s not where you are but who you’re with that matter.”
But yes this song definitely makes me feel like it’s last summer again, and probably will have me feel that way every time I hear it. And it’s just a really, really great song.
- Sonia Sturino, lead vocalist/guitarist of The Box Tiger
Photo by Lawren Moore
