Everyone has bands that they grew up listening to. There will always be concerts you’ll never forget, and albums that denote a specific time in your life. All because music is one of the most powerful tools that we have. I was lucky enough to not only have a band that I grew up listening to, but a band that I grew up with. I’ve been going to see Sirsy ever since I can really remember. When I was in kindergarten, my sisters and I danced to one of their songs for our school’s talent show, and they came to see it. Melanie and Rich, the two people creating and performing the amazing music, are family friends and amazingly positive influences as well as talented musicians.
After years of listening to their music, buying CD’s (and always getting them autographed), buying t-shirts, going to their concerts, and singing along to every song in the car, I got to spend a day with Mel, Rich, and a small group of fans who love Sirsy and their music just as much as I do. I attended the sixth Sirsy Band Camp on Sunday, January 8th.
First, you get a spot in the camp, which sort of goes without saying. But then you email Mel and Rich and tell them what instruments you can play, or if you can sing, or if you’re not really all that musically inclined. There has to be something you can do, right? Then everyone who’s going to be at the camp votes on a Sirsy song that everyone is going to learn to sing/play. Once the votes are in, we all get messaged with which song was the winner and everyone receives a breakdown of who will be playing what instrument along with the lyrics and instrumental chords for the song. You get some time to practice before camp, and then before you know it, it’s game time!
I didn’t know what to expect going into it since it was my first band camp. I was extremely excited though. Knowing Mel and Rich, and the general easy-going mentality of everyone that I’ve met because of the band, I didn’t think that this was going to be a stressful time or involve any pressure. We were all just there to jam out and have fun. Which is exactly what we did!
The song we were learning to play was called Thieves, which was off of their latest CD called Sketches and Ghosts. There were twelve of us at this band camp (and we were a pretty stellar group if I do say so myself). I was one of the only people for whom it was their first band camp—I was among the experienced, the veterans. Most of the people there had been to at majority of, if not all six, of the band camps that Sirsy has put on.
In the matter of three hours we all practiced our parts, and started playing like we were a real band! We had two drummers, four singers, four guitarists, two bassists, and one electric kazoo. With tips and guidance from Mel and Rich, we were able to do a few great run-throughs of the song as a whole twelve-piece ensemble. Between the antics before and after each take, we managed to get a few runs that everyone felt comfortable and confident with. The three hours flew right by, and before we knew it, it was almost time for Band Camp #6 to end. It was amazing what we had all pulled together with a little practice, some dedication, and a whole lot of fun and laughs.
Of course, I wouldn’t tell you all of this and not give you some proof that we really did get out there and work hard! So enjoy Band Camp #6’s rendition of Sirsy’s song Thieves:
