CROW AND GAZELLE: A COSMIC ENCOUNTER
LIVE AT GREEN GUITAR FOLK HOUSE
There are moments in life that feel like the universe aligns to deliver something truly magical. For me, seeing Crow and Gazelle live for the first time was one of those moments. It was at Knuckleheads Garage where I was setting up our shoot for the main act, Paul Thorn when I heard them the first time. From the first moments of hearing Chrislyn’s haunted, echoing voice harmonizing perfectly with Mike, I felt an instant, cosmic connection. It wasn’t just their music—it was an energy, it was their words, their message and a shared vibration that resonated deep within me… and that, my friends, is not an easy thing to accomplish.
Sometimes I feel like a lone wolf in this world. It’s a familiar feeling when you’ve lived a life like mine. Trauma survivors often learn to push emotions to the back of their minds, locking them away. But when I heard this incredible duo, something changed. I felt. Truly felt. I’ll say it again—I felt. Their songs pierced straight through, leaving me breathless and in tears. At the time, I didn’t know who they were. Mike’s name struck a chord—I recognized him from The Great Divide and his pioneering role in shaping Red Dirt music. As an Ozark Hillbilly, that connection runs deep. But Chrislyn? She was new to me, and I’m so grateful to know her now.
After their set, we made a point to connect with them before shooting Paul Thorn’s performance. That’s when they invited us to their show at the Green Guitar Folk House in Lenexa. This venue, with its intimate setting and commitment to raw, soul-stirring music, seemed like the perfect place to experience their artistry again. The universe had aligned the stars for another unforgettable encounter.
Their performance that night was nothing short of transcendent. The chemistry between them is undeniable—there's an alchemy in the way they create together, as if they’re channeling something far beyond themselves. Their harmonies are rich, layered with raw emotion and vulnerability. Each strum, each lyric, feels like a story whispered straight from the heart.
“Streets of Aragon” transported us to a place of memory and longing, a journey through time and emotion that felt both deeply personal and universally relatable given the world as it is today.. I closed my eyes, letting the music wash over me, and found myself tears welling up again as the same emotions resurfaced.
Then came “In the Meantime,” a song that feels like the soundtrack of the my life, fitting the narrative of my estrangement from my mother It’s a reminder that, even amidst discord and disagreement, there is beauty, there is hope, and most importantly, there is still a connection. Even when the division has spanned countless years. The crowd sat in reverent silence, as if afraid to break the spell, every person present hanging on to each word and note.
Music like this isn’t just heard; it’s felt. It’s experienced on a soul level. Crow and Gazelle don’t just play music—they create moments, shared experiences that remind us of our own humanity. In a world that often feels disconnected and chaotic, their music is a tether, grounding us, reminding us that we are not alone.
Leaving the Green Guitar Folk House that night, I felt the same cosmic connection I experienced the first time I saw them. It’s rare to find artists who leave such an indelible mark—who reach deep into your spirit and remind you of the magic that still exists in this world. For me, Crow and Gazelle are those artists. They’re a guiding light, a reminder that sometimes the universe sends us exactly what we need, even when it comes in tears that cleanse the soul.
