Jasmine Commerce, a Rare Bird

Back in college, I dreamed of being a rock star. A folk rock star, that is. I was not alone, in the peak of the Jewel era. At my school, it seemed that many of the open mics and music shows I played also featured this other girl. Though she was lovely and we had some mutual friends, I felt an odd sense of competition, most likely because of my own self-consciousness. After all, we were both girls with guitars playing the same venues and audiences. It was natural to feel a little...(dare I say?) jealous.

Fast forward thirteen years. Two college degrees, four babies, two different states, and two different career paths. In which I realized that I have a like, but not a love, for singing in public. This other girl with a guitar, the beautiful and talented Jasmine Commerce, is fully embracing folk rockdom. And I am not a bit jealous--only completely happy that she is living the dream.

Also? I'm totally loving the direction of her sound.

My sister-in-law Taya and I got to see Jasmine and Rheanna Downey, together

The Rare Birds, at a house show here in Houston. I LOVED them. Separately, together--just lovely. They have different voices, but both had an ease and effortlessness, plus total mastery of guitar, which I always envy. Jasmine also played violin on some of the songs, and this stripped down concert really highlighted their talent.

Not everyone can play a house concert, where the audience is five feet away and can hear every note and see your hands and smell your sweat--though these two seemed unaffected by the heat somehow. No sweat up there, only my own. Cooper was herself a rock star, sleeping through the first set (aside from a scream in her sleep between songs that startled most of the audience), and watching quietly through the second.

Jasmine and I got to catch up and it was maybe the most we've talked in our lives, but I oddly felt an instant connection like we had actually been friends all these years.

If you are in Texas, Austin specifically, The Rare Birds will be playing a show at the Rattle Inn at 9pm this Tuesday the 16th. GO SEE THEM IF YOU CAN.