Beats in the Breeze
Soundtrack for the Sun
The first chord hung in the summer air. Outside Top of Tacoma, while lunch crowds flowed past, Erina McLaren started playing with the nonchalance of someone who's turned sidewalks into stages a hundred times before.
Ever watch someone so comfortable with their craft that it feels like they're just having a conversation? Erina's guitar work was sharp and deliberate, her belts powerful enough to make a few passersby stop mid-stride. When she sang about her kids, her songs were catchy, dynamic, like little stories that felt both personal and universal. People in the patio section nodded along like they just found their new soundtrack of the summer. Top of Tacoma is a lively and unique restaurant, a beacon in an underrepresented neighborhood.
“They bounced off each other easily, like old friends.”
Then came Vealinium and Hal Warren, whose energy transformed the concrete into something electric. They bounced off each other easily, like old friends. Their flow was unstoppable, trading verses, finishing each other's musical thoughts, their harmonies unexpectedly rich and soulful. When they launched into their chorus, the hook was so catchy that even people just passing through were humming along by the second chorus.
The Top of Tacoma was busy in the background, servers weaving between tables, patrons coming and going, but the music pulled focus, creating a pocket of attention in the summer heat. You could tell they had a strong support group; a small cluster of fans cheered after each number like they were at a private concert.
Next time you're rushing through town, remember there might be magic happening around any corner.
Reach out and give them a follow:
@halwarren_ , @vealinium, @reenbean253, @topoftacoma
Want to catch the next sidewalk session?
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Check out the full performance, here!
