Last Friday night I met one of my biggest idols. Jón Þór "Jónsi" Birgisson, vocalist of the post-rock band, Sigur Rós. He’s currently touring with his partner, Alex Somers, playing their collaborative album Riceboy Sleeps with an orchestra.
Sigur Rós has been one of my all-time favorites since 2002, since hearing their song, Njósnavélin play over that last beautiful scene of Vanilla Sky when David had just learned he’d been dreaming for many years and choosing to finally wake up, jumps off the building in his dream. All happening against that fantastically beautiful montage of old photos and home movie footage, those snapshots and memories from our collective past gone forever now that for me, elicits such lovely nostalgic sadness: Saudade. (A Portuguese term that describes this feeling that I’ve recently learned and fallen in love with.) Anyway, Mike and I went to grab a bite at a place right around the corner from the venue (Paramount) where we were seeing their concert. While we were waiting for our food, I look up to see a man asking if he can take one of the empty chairs from our table. It was Jónsi and I was so stunned I just stared at him and smiled while Mike, not knowing who it was, actually let him know that yes, he could take the chair. Once he returned to his table, I explained to Mike what had just happened and my immediate regret at my lack of any words said to the man. Thankfully, right before we left Mike persuaded me to approach him and say hello. Terrified, I did. I was so nervous I don’t remember exactly what I said but it was something along the lines of an apology for the chair situation, telling him how much I’ve loved him and his music for nearly two decades (oh how they’ve saved me on so many occasions) and thanking him, just for everything. Everything. I shook his hand and walked out of that restaurant in a daze, in total disbelief of what had just transpired. And so grateful @feralmike had pushed me to talk to him despite my fear.
Because I’m not joking, kids, this man has played quite a enormous role in my life since I was 19 years old.
Oh life. You never fail to surprise me. Thanks for that. I’ll never ever forget that fortuitous moment.