On a rainy Sunday night during the Spring semester of 2007, I took a risk. I had read on the Internet that one of my favorite bands, MV & EE, would be playing at "Shawn's House" that Sunday night, and I decided to go. I was especially nervous as I had no idea whose house this was, who would be there, or what it would be like. Plus, it was a school night.

I decided to put away my fear, put on my rain coat, and go. When I got there, I timidly knocked on the door and was welcomed to a living room with a handful of strange people. I instantly felt out of place and anxious. But soon, the great philosopher/sage/musician Matt Valentine and his etheral bride Erika began their set.

As soon as they started playing, I felt this wonderful, real connection with everyone in the room. Matt and Erika played deep into the night, and the longer they played the greater my connection with, and compassion toward, everyone in the room became. By the end of their set, my soul was overflowing with love for the people around me. Apparently everyone else had the same feeling, because we all began to hug each other, with broad smiles and light spirits. We continued to fellowship with each other, and soon found ourselves laying on the floor listening to Willie Nelson records and discussing our lives.

I had come into the situation axious, but through the power of Matt and Erika's music, I had grown close to the people around me, and was now hugging people I had never met before and sharing my views on the universe.

This illumination occured when I learned that we are all on the same wavelength and can fully love one another, if only the floodgates of compassion and realness are opened, in this case by music.

Picture Credit: ed__209