An Intimate Evening At Brett Dennen's

So I had the pleasure of attending an intimate evening with Brett Dennen and friends at his house the other day for an exclusive performance of tracks off of his new premium release: HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS.

The early night in his quaint home provided the perfect energy and vibe for all of us. (it lingers still, as i sit back and reflect....) There is such a gentleness that surrounds Brett. It's like he just kind of moves along at his own pace. Calculating his steps with a carelessness and carefulness perfectly in tune. His music reflects that too, I think.

It's raw. It's emotional. It's truth. (the hard truth, at times) It's genuine, for sure. And from what we were all blessed to hear on this night - it is :

Hope for The Hopeless.

Upon arrival, as we entered his home, we were welcomed with open arms and genuine smiles. LOVE was the 1st thing i noticed, and it carried itself throughout the remainder of the evening. The feeling of it. the power of it. the beauty of it.

Thru his home, his friends, his girlfriend Sarita (love you girl!) & the love that everyone brought to him as well.

His home and the energy in it was calm, serene, inspiring, organic and FILLED with LOVE.... Just like his music.......

The outside garden was beautifully set up with the perfect stage, tiki torches and lots of candlelight. The moon was full, and the California October sky gave us a cool, crisp air.

Of course, NO Brett Dennen event is complete without Guayaki Yerba Mate in attendance. The night began with friends arriving and settling in with Guayaki's signature cocktail the 'Soft Landing'

(my GOD those were f'ing good!), yummy food from local Santa Monica favorite: El Cholo. (odelay!)

& our own lovely Ana, sharing a gourd with Brett.

His performance was incredible. He took us on a gentle journey of his heart, his hopes and his frustrations. We all stood quietly (along with the neighbors) as Brett and the guys softly serended us with a handful of emotional tunes certainly bound for i-pods everywhere.



Being that i did not have the right equipment to shoot more pics at nite - you can check out a warm up video i captured of them playing 'Make You Crazy' here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGv05W2slL0

From there, the nite went in a few directions.

Being that is was a Tuesday nite, we were all doing our absolute best to behave appropriately.

(hard to do all Mate'd up on Soft Landings!)

As you can clearly see here, Andrew McKay (guitarist) went from being super chill....
to doing the most hilariously titled:

'SILENT KEG STANDS'

(seriously, it looks like they were raging,

but they were all doing these in almost total silence!

we were literally whispering)

it was total effing comedy.....

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUT A BUNCH OF MUSICIANS IN A ROOMFUL OF INSTRUMENTS AT BRETT DENNENS?

you get a music-class like jam session with beloved Tom Freund on Ukelele and vocals, Andrew McKay on guitar, me on vocals and everyone else on any instrument within arms reach.

Music is the only thing that they can never take from you. It is timeless and limitless.

Thank You Brett Dennen and everyone else who helps to spread that force

PEACE and LOVE and forever,

HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS

Angel~a