Empyrean
- The venue where my first band, The Eurhapsodist played our very first show.
- It’s where I first met Joel Smith (one of my favorite singer-songwriters), Scott Ellis (my pedal steel player and good friend), Garage Voice (three amazing musicians that have shaped and encouraged me), Kaylee Cole (my dear friend now living in seattle), Anna Baer (one of my favorite people in the world), and so many more fabulous musicians that will be in my life always.
- I designed my first posters for empyrean shows.
- I opened for David Bazan, Bill Mallonee and Damien Jurado there.
- I had my first cd release show there, a magical memory.
- Chrisy (one of the owners) and I put together a poetry class and a series of art nights for the community.
- We also started this crazy thing called Crunk Roost, a local music magazine, that dominated my life for six months but was totally awesome.
- I heard Kevin Long play for the first time there opening for Bazan and J. Tillman. He pretty much stole the show. Anyone else remember that?
- I watched For Years Blue start out in high school and develop into The Globes that they are now. I still remember the very first show my brother and I saw them play at. We both felt like never playing music ever again. We were floored by their creative genius and chemistry. Those boys amaze me.
- I had my first art shows there. A poster show with a group of other local designers and then I showed a series of paintings I had based off new songs I was writing.
- I put together two amazingly magical Christmas shows there that I will never forget.
- Developed my love for performing and for encouraging other new musicians to develop their own love for it.
- I spent countless hours there reading, rehearsing for tours, drinking coffee, sitting on the old patio, listening to new bands, watching open mic nights, designing posters…
- It will be where my new band has their first show this weekend.
Chrisy and Michelle Riddle are selfless dreamers. They inspire others to dream and then stand strongly behind them and cheer as the dream becomes reality. This week they are laying down the torch. I am proud to have experienced so much of my life in the past several years with them. Their commitment to Spokane has shaped my career as a musician and as an artist.
Anyone have other special empyrean memories?
This is where I fell in love with my wife.
Spent endless hours drinking coffee and talking with people I love there. Got exposed to my first Poetry Slam there. I called it culture through a Fire hose. Saw one of my song writer heros (Bill Malonee) there, and actually had a beer with him. He's awesome. I think I lost partial hearing in my right tear there. Bummer. 🙂
Too much to recount. Thanks Chrisy and Michelle. You both are amazing.
Rob
Spent many Mondays relaxing with my family there…drank my first espresso and coffee made by my son…enjoyed music and community in several ways…enjoyed poetry in a new way through a poetry slam and taking a class…painted a water color picture…held a Bible study there…viewed art that I loved and hated…I really was impressed by Chrissy and Michelle's love and openness to people through this business venture that allowed many people to connect. Thanks!
thanks karli,
I'm crying. I admire chrisy and michelle so very much. They made a home there.
I am so proud to have known that lovely place. Oh I wish I could be there this weekend. I know the Papst keg will run out.
I am excited for chrisy and michelle to move on and bless other people in totally different ways. They have inspired so many. Really working so, too hard.
I hope they can rest and enjoy some quiet in their lives.
Thank you empyrean. I don't even know where to start… I'll try later… maybe on my blog.
thanks kar. sorry for the blabbing..
anna