my first post on here in 1,230 days days and the last one was a joke about me unstanning,, chaotic post to start an indefinite hiatus on. I know this community is a graveyard but I truly feel strongly about sharing Marcus’s new song, I feel it is really talking about things that are difficult and it makes my throat close up thinking about. I don’t have an eloquent way of explaining it but it was very much a surprise to listen to and the lyrics really leave me with a lot to think about.
Mostly I’m glad Marcus trusts his audience to share something so personal and private, and that in some tiny way sharing it helps people and brings him some peace. The band always sang “you are not alone in this,” and it truly breaks my heart that Marcus had to carry that so close to his chest all these years, likely very alone.
I wish him the complete best and wish he knew how important his work is to so many of us all around the world. I’ve made some great friends because of his band and his art and was just talking to K today about how his music was life-saving in high school. I used to put my Babel cd on eating breakfast, and then, hours later after school and swim practice and/or play rehearsals I’d sit in my kitchen in the dark, hair dripping, eating dinner and listening to Babel. When my aunt died I listened to their music and wept, I was comforted, I felt seen. I remember listening to Thistle and Weeds and Dust Bowl Dance after reading Grapes of Wrath and being so amazed how the songs came to life in completely ne, vivid ways for me. How completely heard and at peace I felt stepping foot into a stopover at 2015 to see my favorite band with other like-minded people, it became the basis for my college admissions essay that helped me get into many schools, that intersection of community and music that made me feel like flying. I picked up countless books, new favorite bands, song recommendations, and the guitar because of his band. I had people- ever far away and foreign to me- who I felt understood me, whose voices calmed me in times of need.
I guess I’m just saying that hearing what Marcus went through utterly breaks my heart, and for what its worth in many ways his music saved my life and I wish I could thank him. To say what happened was horrible but I am here because you stayed here and relating to your pain has helped me with mine, and that you aren’t alone in this. I guess it sounds cheesy. It’s so difficult being vulnerable and honest and earnest with people but hearing Marcus have the strength to do so is encouraging. I truly hope this new album helps people dealing with trauma.
