Empyrean

I had the pleasure of being in Spokane this last Saturday for the last ever show/evening of the Empyrean Coffee House. I rode down with The Head and the Heart. They were scheduled to close out the evening with a bang. But I didn’t want to miss the last night of this wonderful place so I threw myself in their van to go enjoy the evening. The Empyrean was a wonderful place for art and community to build and thrive. Every minute I have spent there over the last 3 years has been such a memorable experience. I have made friendships there, grew relationships there, drank amazing coffee there, played music there, accidentally got drunk there… just so many memories. I was honored to even be there for the closing night. 

I was thrilled to hear new songs from my dear friend Karli (Cathedral Pearls). It had simply been way too long. Her songs are so inspiring to me for some reason. I don’t know why. Maybe because they’re amazing and I’ve been listening to her tunes for 4 years now. Hmm. Maybe that’s it.

But, right as we arrived and I walked in the doors Saturday night, I was greeted so warmly and was asked to play an impromptu set before The Head and the Heart played. So I agreed. What a complete honor to play music there on the last night. To be a part of that? Wow. It meant the world to be asked. Even if it was only 3 songs, it was so very special for me. There was a wonderful response and everyone was so warm all night.

Community is something that not too many people have. Real relationships and friendships are very rare nowadays. And I feel like Washington is so very blessed to have things like Conor Byrne Open Mic and the Empyrean Coffee House. I am so sad to see the Empyrean go, but the thing about true community is that its got inertia. It goes on regardless of what’s in its way. When its all about people, you don’t need a specific building to contain them. That’s what we’re so blessed to have around these parts. 

I’m thankful to have been apart of it in some small way.

Buddy Wakefield



Zache



Performing ‘Poverty’ with Jon Russell & Josiah Johnson (The Head and the Heart). Photo by Kaylyn Messer



Kenny keeping it “rill.” And blocking out Kevin & Charity