livemusic – The Tragic Queen

Out and about on the town one night, I headed downtown to watch my friend Alyssa perform a new set from her upcoming album. This time it was at Berlin, a live music bar in Manhattan, famous for booking fresh talent as part of a “decadent escape into New York City’s Underground.”

For me, it had more Sarah Lawrence people, more alcohol, and, most importantly, a fresh audience to hear Alyssa’s new album, The Train.

Anxious that I would be late after the train got delayed, I hauled ass to the bar and showed up sweaty and panting, prompting the bouncer to tell me, “you’ve got a nice cocaine energy to you.”

I informed him that it was “just my natural energy” and that, lucky me, I get to act this way all the time.

Alyssa hadn’t gone on yet, so when I arrived there was instead a young woman singing a folk song about someone going down on her.

It was an original piece by her.

The lyrics to her next song were something to the effect of “I thought that dating older men would fix me psychologically.”

I believe that it did not work out that way for her.

Alyssa, and her band of fellow Sarah Lawrence-ites, went on shortly thereafter. While they were setting up, I had my second Long Island Iced Tea of the night (I know, shut up) and strangely started to really feel the music.

It was for that reason that I cheered very loudly and shouted only the most intelligent things I could think of.

The next morning, after I swore I’d never drink again (alcohol is a poison, etc.), I thanked Alyssa for another good time watching one of her performances and reuniting with my fellow alumni.

As always, brava, Alyssa!