These tour pieces are a modern day Get In The Van. I would love a J. Bannon book. Thank you for sharing & for all the art you’ve given & have yet to give.
I was at this show, it was my second time seeing Converge, but certainly the more intimate of the two. I lingered around as everyone left, and I came close to approaching you, but opted to let you meet with other fans. I just want to say thank you. For 25+ years of joy, pain, and inspiration. For reinforcing my esoteric attitude about music being magic, art for art's sake, and for being a direct influence on me as a vocalist and lyricist. Thank you for going and going, and thanks for playing the song that got me into the band, and in many ways was the impetus for my journey as a front-person.
"Something in the process though has left me feeling incomplete, rejected."
Very real. Anyone who's ever got incomplete work lost, whether be any form of art or essay/research knows this pain very deep. You try and you try to reconstitute the parts you already had, but somewhere along the trying you get swept in a new tide of emotions or just other stuff that comes up, and the same original vibe can't seem to ever be able to replicate itself. When you finally surrender to the new inputs or impressions and decide to do it a new way, and it ends up not being well received or just out of timing altogether... it's a mixed bag of feeling, but beyond the rejection rest assured there's a lesson to be learnt. We never like that lesson though, or I for sure don't. The learning to let go... Maybe your original art/your friend's wasn't meant for the ones who in the end rejected the modified reprise. Maybe there's nothing wrong with just not being a match to some energies. Hang on in there. It can't be this grim forever.
You have a way with words and everyone that reads here seems to agree and keep tuning in. I'm not the first to suggest, and you'd be wise to consider turning this blog into a book later on. Perhaps add the illustration that got dismissed, amongst other rough sketches that flow along with the pain of touring and recording. A diary of a darker time that one brighter day becomes yet just another scar, no more no less. We are all being purged right now. It came as a thought reading this that it not accidentally that your band is called Converge and how it's appealed to me as well as many others right off the gate. Let those who diverge fall away to the side. Loyal ones will flock in turn and claim their rightful space instead. I might be projecting here a little because I relate to the struggle. Gotta have faith, some sort of. Take care.
Saw Converge for the first time (after 30+ years of going to shows) at last night’s Rich Hall benefit in Brooklyn. Your words “if you love something, devote yourself to it,” really moved me. Thank you and your band for pushing into the future. You make a difference. Thank you for closing with Saddest Day. I’ve been to a lot of shows, but this might have been the best. Dead guy sounded so good. Cave In, Defeater, so many, but Converge took the crown.
As always, thank you for showing all sides of everything:
The highs.
The lows.
The successes.
The defeats.
You're looked up to and adored by a lot of people. Sharing your experiences and vulnerabilities makes you even more relatable and just cements your name into being one of the greatest, both on and off stage. Converge played a show at The Altar Bar in Pittsburgh several years ago, and the fact that you stayed to interact with fans after the show was an incredible experience for me and everyone in the room that evening. Stay safe out on the road, Jacob.
These tour pieces are a modern day Get In The Van. I would love a J. Bannon book. Thank you for sharing & for all the art you’ve given & have yet to give.
Thank you for reading, much appreciated.
I was at this show, it was my second time seeing Converge, but certainly the more intimate of the two. I lingered around as everyone left, and I came close to approaching you, but opted to let you meet with other fans. I just want to say thank you. For 25+ years of joy, pain, and inspiration. For reinforcing my esoteric attitude about music being magic, art for art's sake, and for being a direct influence on me as a vocalist and lyricist. Thank you for going and going, and thanks for playing the song that got me into the band, and in many ways was the impetus for my journey as a front-person.
Thank you Matt for coming to the show as well as readong along here. Good luck in your own work.
"Something in the process though has left me feeling incomplete, rejected."
Very real. Anyone who's ever got incomplete work lost, whether be any form of art or essay/research knows this pain very deep. You try and you try to reconstitute the parts you already had, but somewhere along the trying you get swept in a new tide of emotions or just other stuff that comes up, and the same original vibe can't seem to ever be able to replicate itself. When you finally surrender to the new inputs or impressions and decide to do it a new way, and it ends up not being well received or just out of timing altogether... it's a mixed bag of feeling, but beyond the rejection rest assured there's a lesson to be learnt. We never like that lesson though, or I for sure don't. The learning to let go... Maybe your original art/your friend's wasn't meant for the ones who in the end rejected the modified reprise. Maybe there's nothing wrong with just not being a match to some energies. Hang on in there. It can't be this grim forever.
Absolutely. Thank you for taking the time to read and relate. It means a lot that someone out there understands this complex feeling.
You have a way with words and everyone that reads here seems to agree and keep tuning in. I'm not the first to suggest, and you'd be wise to consider turning this blog into a book later on. Perhaps add the illustration that got dismissed, amongst other rough sketches that flow along with the pain of touring and recording. A diary of a darker time that one brighter day becomes yet just another scar, no more no less. We are all being purged right now. It came as a thought reading this that it not accidentally that your band is called Converge and how it's appealed to me as well as many others right off the gate. Let those who diverge fall away to the side. Loyal ones will flock in turn and claim their rightful space instead. I might be projecting here a little because I relate to the struggle. Gotta have faith, some sort of. Take care.
Saw Converge for the first time (after 30+ years of going to shows) at last night’s Rich Hall benefit in Brooklyn. Your words “if you love something, devote yourself to it,” really moved me. Thank you and your band for pushing into the future. You make a difference. Thank you for closing with Saddest Day. I’ve been to a lot of shows, but this might have been the best. Dead guy sounded so good. Cave In, Defeater, so many, but Converge took the crown.
Jacob, I just found your substack this afternoon, and I didn’t know how badly this was missing from my life.
from the crowd, "you motherfuckers, I fucking love you!" so good
Long time fan of you and your band, first time reading.
I really enjoyed this.
Interesting read, thank you for sharing.
Much obliged sir
Thank you for reading Gunter.
Beautifully written; love hearing about your experiences!
Thank you for reading Kelly, more to come.
I am really enjoying reading these pieces...thank you for sharing with us
Thanks for reading along David.
As always, thank you for showing all sides of everything:
The highs.
The lows.
The successes.
The defeats.
You're looked up to and adored by a lot of people. Sharing your experiences and vulnerabilities makes you even more relatable and just cements your name into being one of the greatest, both on and off stage. Converge played a show at The Altar Bar in Pittsburgh several years ago, and the fact that you stayed to interact with fans after the show was an incredible experience for me and everyone in the room that evening. Stay safe out on the road, Jacob.
Thank you Donnie for coming to that show as well as reading along here.