I think the first time I fell head-over-heels in love is when I heard the exquisite music of Over The Rhine. They were playing at the school where I did my undergrad and apparently were regular performers at this venue. I went not at all knowing how my life would be changed in the department of music and poetry.

Despite being an aspiring wordsmith, I fail to find words adequate to do justice in describing the music of Over The Rhine. Sometimes sultry, sometimes rockabilly, sometimes sweet, sometimes sad, always stunning, married duo Karin and Linford maintain an utterly refreshing authenticity about life in their sound and lyrics. Karin says of her unabashed letting go on The Trumpet Child, “I had all this stuff bottled up and I was afraid that if I let it out, even musically, I’d be laughed at or, God forbid, misunderstood. Now, I’m more lost in it. More drunk on it. Far more out of control about it. Messy, juicy and tangled up.” Husband Linford remarks, “On this project, I think we returned to the quintessential stuff that’s always interested us in our writing: spirituality, sexuality, living vividly, challenging the status quo and subtly taking power away from those who have too much and transferring it to people who have too little.”

Maybe this is why I love them: they are not afraid to ask really difficult questions in life, they live passionately, they write authentically, and they inspire hope at the very same moment they acknowledge heartache. One of my absolute, all-time, favorite songs of theirs is Latter Days.

This weekend they played two shows in my area–one in LA and one at Fuller Theological Seminary, where I did my graduate work. I have been anticipating this weekend (aka: “Over the Rhine Fest ’08″) for many months–planning what to wear, who to go with, what we will do before the shows and after the shows, listening to their records…on repeat, trying desperately to sway last minute converts, and being generally giddy. Approximately 24 hours before their Saturday show I was hit with a wretched stomach bug which meant, among other things, no show for Mav. I was still under self-imposed quarantine, not wanting to risk inflicting such a miserable bug on anyone else, for tonight’s show and moped around my apartment feeling very sorry for my sad little self. Instead of soaking up some of the music industry’s most talented artists, I was sipping Gatorade and nursing applesauce. Very pathetic indeed.

Then around 10pm I got a call from some friends who wanted to stop by with “a little something.” I love “little somethings” and surprise visits, especially when I’m sick. And oh my what a surprise they had: a get-well-soon card…signed by Linford and Karin and the entire OTR crew!!!! Complete with personal notes!!!! As well as the hand-written play list for the evening!!!! I’m still beaming and smiling from ear to ear.

I cherish the thoughtfulness of my friends to bring me such a gift and I am so touched by the kindness of this, my dearest most beloved band, to personally pause to brighten my otherwise sad weekend. As if I needed any more excuse to adore these wonderful people!

So, a heart full of thanks over flows! Thank you Libby and Grete for your friendship and amazingness. Thank you Linford and Karin for well-wishes and for sharing your extraordinary gifts with the rest of us. Thank you members of the OTR crew for signing my card and making my day!

And…if you’ve never been graced by the sounds of Over The Rhine…get thee to their site, listen, and be captivated!