Last week I had the honor to witness The Swell Season play. For those of you unfamiliar with this duo, they are Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova from the movie Once. If you haven't seen Once, leave what ever you are doing right now, drop it, run to where ever this film is playing, and watch it.

The best part of this film is the music. It sings directly to your soul. The concert was at The Ogden Theatre in Denver. A great venue that stands a bit over 1,000. It was packed. I stood right in the middle, in front of the sound board...my favorite location at shows. The two were joined by musicians from Glen's band The Frames and a cellist from France. The entire evening was filled with songs that feel alive. As if each one has its own life, own breath. So as they were played you weren't just listneing to a good tune, but experiencing the life lived to get those lyrics and melodies.

It was beautiful.

It was moving.

It was accompanied by endearing chatter from Glen, while Marketa shyed away from talking (which was also endearing). One of my favorite moments is when Hansard stated, "Yep, we're a 17 year, overnight success." The crowed laughed with him. It's almost unbelievable that such an artist would be breaking just now. Although The Frames have had a decent fan base for a number of years, Once truly broke them out for everyone to hear. I stood there, listening, and thinking "Well done." Well done for not giving up on what is obviously the greatest passion of your life, for not letting your talent fade for no one to hear. These are the kind of musicians that cannot live without playing. They inspire me. They completely deserve whatever success comes their way.

Thank you. Thank you for fervently following what you were made to do.

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tifah