I log on, see everyone in the group video chat. They can’t see me. “You see the camera with the line through it? Click that.” I click that, appear.
Seven of us in squares. Six squares in a row. One large square. Kendra explains, “Whoever’s talking moves to the large square.” She is, in fact, in the large square as she tells us this.
We begin. “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” During intercessions, Jason raises his hand, lets us know he’d like to speak. He exhales deeply. He says since his brother passed—“Gosh, was that a year ago, now?”—he’s felt as if he’s been floating, just above himself, as if one of the two strings that tether the soul to the body has been cut. He’s holding onto his conscious self as a child holds onto a balloon. He’s exhausted from the effort. He says he’s scared, if he lets go, he’ll lose himself, be carried away.
We say it’s OK to let go. He’s reluctant, shakes his head, then says, “Aw hell. I’ll give it a shot.”
We sit in silence for one, two, three minutes. Jason opens his eyes. He’s surprised he’s still with us, surprised he’s still in the large square. He says he was scared for his family, scared his daughters would grow up like their cousins, fatherless.
Jason rubs his eyes with his fingers. Lets out a “Woo.” We tell him we love him. We promise to check in again next week.
We finish the prayers, sit in silence, and, one by one, log off.
credits
from Small Comforts,
released January 27, 2023
Dan: piano, synth
Ashley: vocals
Anna: vocals
Eric: vocals, guitar
Will: bass
Mike: drums
Luke & Ashley are two of the greatest musical minds I know. (The Chairman Dances' recordings are significantly better because of their involvement.) This record of theirs is incredible. -EK The Chairman Dances
Harrison is a truly excellent songwriter. I love everything of his, but this, his most recent album, is particularly compelling and lovely. -EK The Chairman Dances
supported by 4 fans who also own “A Year Spent Floating”
I think it's difficult to write songs about something other than romantic love, and still be able to communicate the intensity with which those feelings can hit a person. Some of the entries on this album are fantastic examples of this niche. dani_bloop
With “In Silver Halides,” Lowpines have created a collection of rich, textured, deeply-felt rock songs abounding in small sonic details. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 26, 2018