This Saturday (January 11) in Los Angeles, and next Sunday (January 19) in Orlando, TWLOHA will gather with friends old and new for an evening of songs, conversation, and hope. It’s our favorite event of the year, and we call it HEAVY AND LIGHT.
Below is an email our founder Jamie sent to the artists playing (Jon Foreman, The Summer Set, Tristan Prettyman, Mary Lambert, Anis Mojgani). We think it’s a fitting behind-the-scenes look into the heart of the matter and the true goals of HEAVY AND LIGHT.
If you’re near Los Angeles or Orlando (or even if you’re not!), we hope to see you at HEAVY AND LIGHT (Tickets are still on sale here). And we hope, as Jamie shares below, that you might be moved.
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Hey guys,
Jon is an old pro, but this (HEAVY AND LIGHT) is something new for the rest of you, so i wanted to share a couple thoughts, especially as you think about songs to play and perhaps stories to tell this weekend (and in Orlando).
HEAVY AND LIGHT is not a benefit show. It is not about raising awareness.
HEAVY AND LIGHT is an attempt to move people.
It’s an attempt to move people to know that it’s OK to be honest about their pain, struggles, depression, addiction, etc. That this stuff is part of being human and they’re allowed to—they deserve to—say it out loud.
It’s an attempt to move people to know that it’s OK to ask for help. We’ve learned that most people (2 out of 3) who struggle with depression never get help for it. More than simply presenting a message or idea, one of the coolest parts of HEAVY AND LIGHT is that every single person who attends the show leaves with a list of local resources where they can get help. (Counseling, treatment, crisis hotlines, AA, NA)
What does a successful show look like? It looks like people knocking on those doors, a day or a month later or even a year later, people getting the help they need.
Heart of the matter / best thing ever / goal:
We’ve heard stories of people literally choosing to stay alive because of their experience at HEAVY AND LIGHT. And we’ve heard a lot of stories of people getting help, getting honest, and feeling less alone because of HEAVY AND LIGHT.
I know a lot of this goes without saying. This is what you guys do. You make music that moves people, that speaks to people, that relates and offers hope. You say the thing people feel but haven’t said.
This email is simply an invitation. There is someone in the crowd who isn’t sure they want to live another 24 hours. They’re thinking about giving up. There is someone heartbroken. There is someone depressed. There is someone struggling with addiction. There is someone who uses pain to deal with pain.
What songs will you play for them?
What story or stories will you tell?
Beyond that, please know that the other side of heavy is light. This ain’t meant to be all heavy. Enjoy yourself. Put on a show. It’s OK to laugh. The spirit of HEAVY AND LIGHT has been one of artists performing together, surprising the crowd with covers and duets, and then of course it all ends with a big ol’ group singalong that people will remember forever.
Thanks again for being part of this thing.
jamie
Sammi
I have been sitting here for over an hour struggling through my emotions and trying to decide if I have the strength to start this fight for my health. I had made a counseling appointment for Thursday on a whim and I was unsure if I wanted to go and open this pandora’s box again. In all of this terrifying uncertainty, I found my way to these words and and decided that I have to fight for my health. I so wish I could attend this event in Orlando this weekend, but I wanted whoever reads this to know something. While circumstances prevent me from trekking from Arkansas for what I am sure will be an incredible night of hope and healing, I am moved by this exchange among the people who are making that event possible. It is these words that got me to a point where I realize I have to fight and a point where I want to seek help. So you see, I might not be in the room on Sunday night, but these words about have already moved me. I am so thankful for that. I am so thankful for this organization. Please know what you do matters so much to me and so many others. Have an incredible night in Orlando. I will be in there in spirit already moved and fighting thanks to these words.
THANK YOU!
Catherine
Sammi,
I read a lot of blogs and a lot of stories. I’d like to think I’m an compassionate and understanding person, so a lot of them pull some sort of emotional response out of me. After reading Jamie’s email, I was already in tears. But your comment literally made my breath catch in my chest.
Sammi is my sister’s name. Spelt the same and everything.
I’m a survivor. Of depression, of addiction, of suicide attempts, of being lost and giving up. My sister lives 9 hours away from me and wasn’t very involved in my healing process or even fully aware of my struggle. I can’t imagine my sister going through what I went through, not because she couldn’t handle it or anything, but because she is nothing but light and warmth in my life.
I’m sure you are also filled with light and warmth, Sammi. I’m so proud of you for reaching out and seeking help.
And to my sister Sammi, should she ever read this, I love you so much more than you know.
Larry
Good to hear from you Sammi; we went to the Heavy and Light Show Saturday. It was awesome as you might expect. We were hoping and thinking about you in spirit. Hang in there. Glad you have that counseling appointment. Know that you can recover from feelings of hopelessness, depression and the rest. Keep up the fight. We are there for you.
Larry
Sammi
Thank you so much for the encouragement. It is knowing that I am not alone that gives me the strength to face it all. Thank you for taking the time to reply. It gives me so much hope more than words can express.
Larry
Good to hear from you Sammi; we went to the Heavy and Light Show Saturday. It was awesome as you might expect. We were hoping and thinking about you in spirit. Hang in there. Glad you have that counseling appointment. Know that you can recover from feelings of hopelessness, depression and the rest. Keep up the fight. We are there for you.
Larry