🎶 🎙️Listening Party | A Cozy Story from The Slow Life Podcast | Bedtime Story

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00:00:02,080 --> 00:00:07,590
Welcome to The Slow Life.
I'm Jennifer Vino and I create,

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00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:12,050
narrate and design the
soundscape of this village of

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00:00:12,060 --> 00:00:15,810
cosy stories to relax and
unwind.

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00:00:16,860 --> 00:00:20,250
Each week I share an original
story.

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00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:25,350
Read 2 times so you can relax
even more during the second

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reading.
I'm happy to announce my

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website, theslowlife.ca.
It provides a space where we can

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00:00:36,260 --> 00:00:40,650
connect and I can bring you all
things cozy.

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00:00:43,050 --> 00:00:47,680
Let's settle in with some easy
breathing at your own pace.

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00:00:48,790 --> 00:00:53,840
With each inhale, let fresh air
fill the space around your

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00:00:53,850 --> 00:00:58,840
heart.
With each exhale, feel the calm

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00:00:58,850 --> 00:01:04,440
air spread through your body and
flow out through your arms and

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00:01:04,450 --> 00:01:09,680
legs, gently in through your
heart.

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00:01:12,300 --> 00:01:25,690
Gently out through your body, in
through your heart, out through

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your body.
And now let's begin.

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00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:42,100
This story is called Listening
Party, and it's about tuning in

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to the lyrics, a ballad of
holding space for a friend and

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00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:55,940
being proud of a stranger.
The caffe glows as I approach

19
00:01:55,950 --> 00:02:01,720
it, amber spilling into the
street like hot tea pouring into

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00:02:01,730 --> 00:02:05,960
my cup.
Inside, people close to the

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00:02:05,970 --> 00:02:10,990
windows are clear through the
glass, while further back

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00:02:11,039 --> 00:02:15,190
silhouettes move about, slow and
comforting.

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00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:22,290
I push open the door and step
into the smell of roasted coffee

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00:02:22,300 --> 00:02:25,470
beans.
Although I know some cups are

25
00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:31,040
filled with something stronger,
there's a hum of anticipation

26
00:02:31,090 --> 00:02:34,180
that always builds before music
begins.

27
00:02:35,920 --> 00:02:40,650
I was invited here by a friend
who heard about this listening

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00:02:40,660 --> 00:02:44,960
party through another friend,
and now I'm standing in the

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00:02:44,970 --> 00:02:50,170
midst of this intimate space.
But I feel welcome knowing

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00:02:50,180 --> 00:02:56,870
anyone who wanders in can stay.
The tables have been rearranged

31
00:02:56,920 --> 00:03:02,850
to open a space at the far end.
A stage no higher than a single

32
00:03:02,860 --> 00:03:08,590
step holds a guitar stand and a
microphone, a keyboard and a

33
00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:13,890
small drum kit.
I received my welcome almost

34
00:03:13,900 --> 00:03:16,630
right away from the musician
herself.

35
00:03:17,790 --> 00:03:22,120
She greets people near the
front, her guitar slung on a

36
00:03:22,130 --> 00:03:26,650
strap over her shoulder, her
hair tied up in a loose bun.

37
00:03:27,510 --> 00:03:31,760
She looks calm but focused, as
though she's been rehearsing

38
00:03:31,770 --> 00:03:35,720
this moment in her mind for
weeks, probably months.

39
00:03:37,240 --> 00:03:41,810
The clink of mugs and glasses
and the chatter fade as she

40
00:03:41,820 --> 00:03:47,270
steps up to the microphone.
She doesn't announce anything

41
00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:51,770
just yet, only suttles her
fingers on the strings and

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00:03:51,780 --> 00:03:56,070
begins.
Her voice is gentle enough for

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00:03:56,080 --> 00:04:00,850
this atmosphere, but strong,
like waves that can lull you to

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sleep but also carry ships on
its surface.

45
00:04:06,390 --> 00:04:09,720
Her guitar follows, bright and
steady.

46
00:04:10,110 --> 00:04:15,540
The first song is about walking
familiar streets on her own, the

47
00:04:15,550 --> 00:04:18,890
way solitude can be a kind of
companion.

48
00:04:19,730 --> 00:04:25,270
I listen really tuning in to the
lyrics, noticing how personal

49
00:04:25,280 --> 00:04:28,990
they seem.
The best ones are always written

50
00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:33,520
this way.
After this opening number, she

51
00:04:33,530 --> 00:04:38,340
introduces herself.
This album release is her first

52
00:04:38,350 --> 00:04:41,700
ever.
She's appreciative of the local

53
00:04:41,710 --> 00:04:45,800
support she's being shown,
including this crowd here to

54
00:04:45,810 --> 00:04:50,200
night.
She shifts into another song,

55
00:04:50,430 --> 00:04:54,340
the tempo quicker, a spark under
her fingers.

56
00:04:55,330 --> 00:05:00,280
The lyrics tell of a long drive
on narrow roads, getting to

57
00:05:00,290 --> 00:05:05,700
somewhere not yet known.
The keyboard adds the perfect

58
00:05:05,710 --> 00:05:09,000
undercurrents and the drummer
keeps it light.

59
00:05:09,070 --> 00:05:14,590
But sure, both of these women
behind her are smiling and

60
00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:18,620
shining in their element, their
skills inspirational.

61
00:05:20,060 --> 00:05:24,330
Then there's a song about a ship
that catches me by surprise.

62
00:05:25,100 --> 00:05:29,910
The keyboard and drums sit out
for this one, and the singer

63
00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:35,370
uses her voice accompanied only
by her hand, creating a steady

64
00:05:35,380 --> 00:05:39,010
beat against the hollow wood of
her guitar.

65
00:05:40,330 --> 00:05:44,820
Her words describe the strength
of the wind and the taste of

66
00:05:44,830 --> 00:05:51,040
salt spray in the mist.
Her eyes closed as she sings of

67
00:05:51,050 --> 00:05:55,820
how in all female crew have
become family to each other,

68
00:05:56,050 --> 00:06:00,070
creating safety and strong
culture for each member.

69
00:06:01,580 --> 00:06:06,210
The added harmony from the two
behind her builds at one point

70
00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:10,270
and I feel a shiver down my arms
at the beauty of it.

71
00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:15,080
They fade out as she carries the
song to the end.

72
00:06:16,500 --> 00:06:20,770
She points out some of the boats
crew members in the audience.

73
00:06:21,220 --> 00:06:24,520
We oblige with cheers, without
hesitation.

74
00:06:26,410 --> 00:06:30,920
Halfway through the set, she
places the guitar on the stand.

75
00:06:31,690 --> 00:06:35,920
Applause again bursts up, warm
and genuine.

76
00:06:36,410 --> 00:06:41,300
She smiles, thanks the room
quietly, and steps down for a

77
00:06:41,310 --> 00:06:45,540
short break.
People shift towards the

78
00:06:45,550 --> 00:06:48,830
counter, where snacks and drinks
are set out.

79
00:06:49,470 --> 00:06:54,570
I see plates of fruit and
cheese, bowls of roasted nuts,

80
00:06:54,990 --> 00:06:59,490
little glasses with sparkling
water and slices of lemon.

81
00:07:00,970 --> 00:07:07,300
The cafe owner pours coffee into
thick ceramic mugs, froth rising

82
00:07:07,310 --> 00:07:12,250
to the tops.
I see on every table a

83
00:07:12,260 --> 00:07:17,790
scattering of business cards
with a code on each one ready to

84
00:07:17,800 --> 00:07:22,500
be scanned by anyone wanting to
take her music with them on

85
00:07:22,510 --> 00:07:27,740
their phones.
Displayed on a table to the side

86
00:07:27,780 --> 00:07:33,070
is a small stack of CD's.
Happy to have a hard copy

87
00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:36,160
version.
I pull out the cash and pay the

88
00:07:36,170 --> 00:07:41,770
person at the table.
I turn around and find myself

89
00:07:41,780 --> 00:07:46,650
near the musician on the cover,
her hands free to shake in

90
00:07:46,660 --> 00:07:50,130
greeting or to sign my seedy
insert.

91
00:07:51,510 --> 00:07:55,770
She looks completely relaxed now
that she knows folks are

92
00:07:55,780 --> 00:07:59,530
enjoying themselves with
something she's created.

93
00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:05,930
She tells me she used to work at
the library, surrounded by

94
00:08:05,940 --> 00:08:09,710
beautiful stories but not quite
telling her own.

95
00:08:11,350 --> 00:08:15,920
I ask her how she's doing, how
it feels to be stepping in to

96
00:08:15,930 --> 00:08:20,320
this new era.
She says it feels like stepping

97
00:08:20,330 --> 00:08:25,240
into a bit of a current kind of
uncertain, but exciting.

98
00:08:25,670 --> 00:08:30,080
She doesn't know exactly where
it's carrying her, but she knows

99
00:08:30,090 --> 00:08:35,370
she wants to ride with it.
I nod and tell her this night

100
00:08:35,380 --> 00:08:39,590
and this path seemed to suit
her, that she doesn't seem

101
00:08:39,600 --> 00:08:43,690
afraid at all.
Before I miss my chance, I ask

102
00:08:43,700 --> 00:08:47,670
her to sign my CD.
She's honored and writes her

103
00:08:47,680 --> 00:08:53,790
name and a thank you in gold
script taking her place back on

104
00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:57,300
the stage.
The room settles and the first

105
00:08:57,310 --> 00:09:02,130
notes drift out.
A ballad about holding space for

106
00:09:02,140 --> 00:09:07,430
a friend, about welcoming them
to share their truth, or just

107
00:09:07,440 --> 00:09:10,700
being with them when no words
are necessary.

108
00:09:12,100 --> 00:09:16,730
A song that remembers A
childhood field, tall grass

109
00:09:16,740 --> 00:09:21,280
bending in the wind.
Another, more upbeat tune

110
00:09:21,330 --> 00:09:25,920
wonders what it means to begin
again, even when you're no

111
00:09:25,930 --> 00:09:31,780
longer at your youngest.
She announces the final song,

112
00:09:32,250 --> 00:09:36,010
thanking everyone for being a
part of this evening.

113
00:09:37,620 --> 00:09:42,890
The three of them play a melody
of coming home, not to a hosts

114
00:09:42,900 --> 00:09:47,500
or a place, but to a part of
oneself that had been waiting.

115
00:09:48,660 --> 00:09:53,740
The chorus loops softly, then
dissolves into a single chord

116
00:09:53,750 --> 00:10:00,600
that fades, leaving silence.
For a moment, the cafe holds its

117
00:10:00,610 --> 00:10:04,500
breath.
Then the applause rises again,

118
00:10:04,710 --> 00:10:10,640
fuller than before.
She smiles, shoulders dropping

119
00:10:10,890 --> 00:10:17,120
as if some weight has eased.
I don't know her, not really.

120
00:10:17,350 --> 00:10:21,760
She's a friend of a friend, and
yet I feel proud.

121
00:10:22,210 --> 00:10:26,800
Proud of this stranger for
standing in the intimacy of a

122
00:10:26,810 --> 00:10:32,520
cafe and giving her work and
heart to the room and to the

123
00:10:32,530 --> 00:10:38,940
world.
Listening party.

124
00:10:42,360 --> 00:10:47,570
The caffe glows as I approach
it, amber spilling into the

125
00:10:47,580 --> 00:10:51,380
street like hot tea pouring into
my cup.

126
00:10:52,660 --> 00:10:57,300
Inside, people close to the
windows are clear through the

127
00:10:57,310 --> 00:11:03,370
glass, while further back
silhouettes move about, slow and

128
00:11:03,380 --> 00:11:08,560
comforting.
I push open the door and step

129
00:11:08,570 --> 00:11:11,970
into the smell of roasted coffee
beans.

130
00:11:12,490 --> 00:11:16,460
Although I know some cups are
filled with something stronger,

131
00:11:17,620 --> 00:11:22,390
there's a hum of anticipation
that always builds before music

132
00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:27,600
begins.
I was invited here by a friend

133
00:11:27,830 --> 00:11:31,760
who heard about this listening
party through another friend,

134
00:11:32,010 --> 00:11:36,320
and now I'm standing in the
midst of this intimate space.

135
00:11:36,730 --> 00:11:41,770
But I feel welcome knowing
anyone who wanders in can stay.

136
00:11:43,260 --> 00:11:48,500
The tables have been rearranged
to open a space at the far end.

137
00:11:49,270 --> 00:11:55,140
A stage no higher than a single
step holds a guitar stand and a

138
00:11:55,150 --> 00:11:58,850
microphone, a keyboard and a
small drum kit.

139
00:12:00,580 --> 00:12:04,950
I received my welcome almost
right away from the musician

140
00:12:04,960 --> 00:12:08,560
herself.
She greets people near the

141
00:12:08,570 --> 00:12:13,460
front, her guitar slung on a
strap over her shoulder, her

142
00:12:13,470 --> 00:12:19,250
hair tied up in a loose bun.
She looks calm but focused, as

143
00:12:19,260 --> 00:12:22,460
though she's been rehearsing
this moment in her mind for

144
00:12:22,470 --> 00:12:28,700
weeks, probably months.
The clink of mugs and glasses

145
00:12:28,710 --> 00:12:32,770
and the chatter fade as she
steps up to the microphone.

146
00:12:34,400 --> 00:12:38,670
She doesn't announce anything
just yet, only settles her

147
00:12:38,680 --> 00:12:41,510
fingers on the strings and
begins.

148
00:12:42,970 --> 00:12:47,760
Her voice is gentle enough for
this atmosphere, but strong,

149
00:12:47,810 --> 00:12:52,800
like waves that can lull you to
sleep but also carry ships on

150
00:12:52,810 --> 00:12:57,900
its surface.
Her guitar follows, bright and

151
00:12:57,910 --> 00:13:01,460
steady.
The first song is about walking

152
00:13:01,470 --> 00:13:07,100
familiar streets on her own, the
way solitude can be a kind of

153
00:13:07,110 --> 00:13:11,340
companion.
I listen really tuning in to the

154
00:13:11,350 --> 00:13:14,930
lyrics, noticing how personal
they seem.

155
00:13:15,930 --> 00:13:18,660
The best ones are always written
this way.

156
00:13:20,210 --> 00:13:24,280
After this opening number, she
introduces herself.

157
00:13:24,910 --> 00:13:28,080
This album release is her first
ever.

158
00:13:28,330 --> 00:13:32,500
She's appreciative of the local
support she's being shown,

159
00:13:32,850 --> 00:13:35,190
including this crowd here to
night.

160
00:13:36,580 --> 00:13:42,530
She shifts into another song,
the tempo quicker, a spark under

161
00:13:42,540 --> 00:13:46,960
her fingers.
The lyrics tell of a long drive

162
00:13:46,970 --> 00:13:51,100
on narrow roads, getting to
somewhere not yet known.

163
00:13:52,630 --> 00:13:56,860
The keyboard adds the perfect
undercurrents and the drummer

164
00:13:56,870 --> 00:14:01,520
keeps it light.
But sure, both of these women

165
00:14:01,530 --> 00:14:05,850
behind her are smiling and
shining in their element, their

166
00:14:05,860 --> 00:14:11,130
skills inspirational.
Then there's a song about a ship

167
00:14:11,180 --> 00:14:16,460
that catches me by surprise.
The keyboard and drums sit out

168
00:14:16,470 --> 00:14:21,880
for this one, and the singer
uses her voice accompanied only

169
00:14:21,890 --> 00:14:27,220
by her hand, creating a steady
beat against the hollow wood of

170
00:14:27,230 --> 00:14:31,680
her guitar.
Her words describe the strength

171
00:14:31,690 --> 00:14:35,760
of the wind and the taste of
salt spray in the mist.

172
00:14:37,300 --> 00:14:42,540
Her eyes closed as she sings of
how in all female crew have

173
00:14:42,550 --> 00:14:47,290
become family to each other,
creating safety and strong

174
00:14:47,300 --> 00:14:52,580
culture for each member.
The added harmony from the two

175
00:14:52,590 --> 00:14:58,080
behind her builds at one point
and I feel a shiver down my arms

176
00:14:58,090 --> 00:15:02,640
at the beauty of it.
They fade out as she carries the

177
00:15:02,650 --> 00:15:07,720
song to the end.
She points out some of the boats

178
00:15:07,730 --> 00:15:12,560
crew members in the audience.
We oblige with cheers, without

179
00:15:12,570 --> 00:15:17,620
hesitation.
Halfway through the set, she

180
00:15:17,630 --> 00:15:23,800
places the guitar on the stand.
Applause again bursts up, warm

181
00:15:23,810 --> 00:15:27,760
and genuine.
She smiles, thanks the room

182
00:15:27,770 --> 00:15:31,260
quietly, and steps down for a
short break.

183
00:15:32,740 --> 00:15:36,860
People shift towards the
counter, where snacks and drinks

184
00:15:36,870 --> 00:15:40,570
are set out.
I see plates of fruit and

185
00:15:40,580 --> 00:15:46,130
cheese, bowls of roasted nuts,
little glasses with sparkling

186
00:15:46,140 --> 00:15:52,790
water and slices of lemon.
The cafe owner pours coffee into

187
00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:57,260
thick ceramic mugs, froth rising
to the tops.

188
00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:03,550
I see on every table a
scattering of business cards

189
00:16:03,560 --> 00:16:09,350
with a code on each one ready to
be scanned by anyone wanting to

190
00:16:09,360 --> 00:16:12,380
take her music with them on
their phones.

191
00:16:13,900 --> 00:16:19,370
Displayed on a table to the side
is a small stack of CD's.

192
00:16:19,920 --> 00:16:22,910
Happy to have a hard copy
version.

193
00:16:22,980 --> 00:16:26,720
I pull out the cash and pay the
person at the table.

194
00:16:28,310 --> 00:16:33,260
I turn around and find myself
near the musician on the cover,

195
00:16:33,530 --> 00:16:38,440
her hands free to shake in
greeting or to sign my seedy

196
00:16:38,450 --> 00:16:43,210
insert.
She looks completely relaxed now

197
00:16:43,220 --> 00:16:46,740
that she knows folks are
enjoying themselves with

198
00:16:46,750 --> 00:16:52,470
something she's created.
She tells me she used to work at

199
00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:57,540
the library, surrounded by
beautiful stories but not quite

200
00:16:57,550 --> 00:17:02,940
telling her own.
I ask her how she's doing, how

201
00:17:02,950 --> 00:17:06,079
it feels to be stepping in to
this new era.

202
00:17:07,150 --> 00:17:12,280
She says it feels like stepping
into a bit of a current kind of

203
00:17:12,290 --> 00:17:16,740
uncertain, but exciting.
She doesn't know exactly where

204
00:17:16,750 --> 00:17:20,660
its carrying her, but she knows
she wants to ride with it.

205
00:17:22,010 --> 00:17:26,480
I nod and tell her this night
and this path seemed to suit

206
00:17:26,490 --> 00:17:29,730
her, that she doesn't seem
afraid at all.

207
00:17:30,570 --> 00:17:34,340
Before I miss my chance, I ask
her to sign my CD.

208
00:17:35,070 --> 00:17:38,940
She's honored and writes her
name and a thank you in gold

209
00:17:38,950 --> 00:17:43,740
script taking her place back on
the stage.

210
00:17:43,800 --> 00:17:47,610
The room settles and the first
notes drift out.

211
00:17:48,670 --> 00:17:53,840
A ballad about holding space for
a friend, about welcoming them

212
00:17:53,850 --> 00:17:58,720
to share their truth, or just
being with them when no words

213
00:17:58,730 --> 00:18:02,750
are necessary.
A song that remembers A

214
00:18:02,760 --> 00:18:07,200
childhood field, tall grass
bending in the wind.

215
00:18:08,100 --> 00:18:12,550
Another, more upbeat tune
wonders what it means to begin

216
00:18:12,560 --> 00:18:16,750
again, even when you're no
longer at your youngest.

217
00:18:18,230 --> 00:18:23,360
She announces the final song,
thanking everyone for being a

218
00:18:23,370 --> 00:18:28,910
part of this evening.
The three of them play a melody

219
00:18:28,960 --> 00:18:34,290
of coming home, not to a hosts
or a place, but to a part of

220
00:18:34,300 --> 00:18:40,500
oneself that had been waiting.
The chorus loops softly, then

221
00:18:40,510 --> 00:18:45,320
dissolves into a single chord
that fades, leaving silence.

222
00:18:47,070 --> 00:18:50,240
For a moment, the cafe holds its
breath.

223
00:18:50,710 --> 00:18:55,380
Then the applause rises again,
fuller than before.

224
00:18:56,680 --> 00:19:02,080
She smiles, shoulders dropping
as if some weight has eased.

225
00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:08,850
I don't know her, not really.
She's a friend of a friend, and

226
00:19:08,860 --> 00:19:13,290
yet I feel proud.
Proud of this stranger for

227
00:19:13,300 --> 00:19:18,890
standing in the intimacy of a
cafe and giving her work and

228
00:19:18,900 --> 00:19:22,080
heart to the room and to the
world.

229
00:19:24,310 --> 00:19:26,610
I wish you sweet dreams.