"Comes and Goes (In Waves)"

It was 2002. I scurried between our living room couch and wall where I had my American Idol karaoke machine set up and proceeded to belt out my very best five year old self’s rendition of “Danny Boy” (at that point in my life, I was much too shy to sing in front of anyone). American Idol was a brand new, shiny concept and was the only thing on my mind. I would watch absolutely enamored as Kelly Clarkson paraded around on stage. Even at that young age, I was overwhelmed with a feeling that I was being pulled to be a singer. That’s what I was meant to do, no doubt about it. As my life goes on, I experience this feeling in waves countless times. Once when I was five years old, another time when I performed for the first time, when I met Striking Matches and saw them live, and most recently when we spoke with Friction Farm on Friday.

Friction Farm is a folk duo consisting of married couple, Aidan Quinn and Christine Stay. These two tour the country constantly for almost half of the year. They have shows several nights in a row, business negotiations, new places every night… you name it. This would sound exhausting and unappealing to some, but to me, it mirrors exactly what I want to do. To me, touring seems like an incredible phenomenon of feeling terrified and absolutely giddy and eager all at the same time.

We had a lovely conversation with Aidan and Christine. They were even so kind as to leave our class with small tidbits of advice. My favorite being, “find your way to recenter on what matters.” This really stuck with me, so I decided to give it a try. I found that when I attempted to live like this, everything in my life worked a little smoother. Songwriting started to get easier, my interactions with people were different, school wasn’t as stressful. My path seemed to be clear for once, and I felt that familiar wave of purpose again, all because I decided to “recenter” on my genuine happiness and creativity.

Lately my life seems like the end of a Full House episode where they have an important life lesson to teach. I’m not complaining though. I’m most definitely benefitting from it. Plus, I always was a Bob Saget fan. Friction Farm is living proof that an affordable, successful, and happy life on the road is possible . I’m so thankful we had the chance to talk to them and to be inspired by their life.