Music Community comes together for a night of healing around two of their own

Com•mu•ni•ty:  A feeling of fellowship with others as a result of sharing common attitudes, interest, and goals.

On a rainy night in Ballard, a group of family, friends, and fans came together to support and lift up two of Seattle’s brightest and beloved artists. Andrew Joslyn and Susy Sunborg, while on New Year’s holiday, came home to find that their apartment had caught fire. They lost nearly everything, including their beloved cat Mendelssohn. Being full-time musicians, the loss of instruments and gear, also meant lost revenue.

While waiting to learn if insurance would cover any of the loss, the duo started a “Go Fund Me” campaign and their friends and the music community stepped in to help. So far, they’ve raised $18,050 of the $20,000 goal. The music community rallied to organize some benefit shows to help them buy new instruments and gear to get back to work and begin the process of rebuilding.

One such show on Wednesday, March 15 at The Tractor Tavern was organized by Kevin Sur of Artists Home Presents and The Watt Sisters from Seattle Living Room Shows. There was a lot of love and respect in the room as some of Seattle’s top artists donated their performance in support of Joslyn and Sunborg. There was a kinship in the room as the crowd gathered to lift the spirits and ease the duo’s grief as they rebuild their lives. The performers were adamant that they didn’t want this to be a night of sadness, but to acknowledge what happened and help these two friends who have played on many of their own projects.

SMI’s Greg Roth served as the evening’s MC, gently reminding the Tractor crowd what the evening was all about.

Each artist gave a heartfelt tribute. Lotte Kestener with Kevin Long on guitar and Patrick McHenry on pedal steel, opened with Kestener’s impeccable vocals. Long soloed as “Montavilla” and Patrick McHenry, a wonderful artist in his own right, accompanied him. Long has an easy style reminiscent of James Taylor, and the pedal steel evoked a myriad of emotions.

Next up was Zach Fluery with vocalist Lizzie Rodrigue and percussionist Tim LoPresto. Fluery lightened the mood with upbeat, flirty, and quirky tunes. Ever notice that hurricanes are named after women? Hurricane Shelby blew in and Shelby Earl was a force to be reckoned with! She played a gritty tribute to Lucinda Williams, and debuted a song she had written that day!  Hard to follow all that fun, but Kris Orlowski did it in style. Orlowski talked about his friendship with Joslyn and Sunborg, having collaborated with Joslyn on the album Pieces We Are. Sunborg had also contributed chorus vocals to that project.

The Local Strangers are no strangers to the Tractor stage. They just released a new album and, as always brought a strong performance. Aubrey Zoli’s voice and Matt Hart added the perfect blend. They played some tunes off the new album Take What You Can Carry, which received a rousing response. Next up, Cumulus singer/guitarist Alexandra Niedzialkowski with her sweet voice and poppy tunes brought smiles and helped the crowd forget that it was storming outside. Closing the show were brothers Mikey and Matty (Gervais). This duo shined with tight harmonies like only siblings can, and their joy of performing was infectious. They did an encore joined by Mikey’s wife, artist Charity Rose (Gervais) from The Head and The Heart.

Donate to Joslyn and Sunborg’s “Go Fund Me” campaign at:  http://www.gofundme.com/k5wspk