SPEAK for a year: December 2010

How many people can say that they've had a band not only perform "Happy Birthday" at your birthday party, but also write a special arrangement just for you?

Not very many.
But I can.

The last month of SPEAK for a Year was very special and personal to me because the guys sang at my early birthday party on Sunday. I was born two days after Christmas (Dec. 27). Yes, I always get that one Christmas/birthday gift. Yes, it sucks and I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

But the guys and my friends did a great job to make sure my birthday was special this year.

Back in May, I was hanging out in the parking lot near the House of Blues with three members of SPEAK. My best friend and I made the road trip to Dallas as it was the only show booked that month. And on the drive over there, I jokingly told my best friend that I wanted SPEAK to sing "Happy Birthday" to me for the last month of this crazy little project.

While we were standing outside chatting, I told them.

"So I've decided how we're gonna end this project. You're going to sing 'Happy Birthday' to me while I blow out my candles."

The guys said ok and then started talking about using the vocal arrangement they performed for Troupe's mom's birthday.

But it was never mentioned again after that.

It wasn't until last month when I went to their show at Emo's when the topic was brought up again. We realized we had one month left but there was one problem. The guys didn't have a show booked.

So I reminded them of our Dallas conversation about my birthday party.

And it was a done deal.

This month brought the guys to me this time at my house. But instead of playing a 30-minute electric set I saw every month, all they brought was an acoustic guitar and performed a barbershop harmony (which they coined "barber pop") of "Happy Birthday" to me right before I blew out my candles. And it was just like I'd imagine. Of course, I geeked like a little girl.

If there is one thing SPEAK is known for, it's for their harmonies. Usually singing three-part harmonies, the drummer Jake made his vocal debut singing with the rest of the band this time. And he wasn't bad at all. Maybe this will bring more barber pop to the SPEAK set list.

By the way, my friend Karissa filmed (as well as some of my party guests) SPEAK's performance for me.

SPEAK sings Happy Birthday from Sarah Vasquez on Vimeo.

So SPEAK for a Year is over. Aww. It's kinda sad. But I'll admit. I'm relieved. The guys posted a new show on thier Facebook page recently and I stopped myself from writing it down in my planner. I no longer have to feel obligated to see every show SPEAK performs which is a nice break. That doesn't mean I'll cut this band from my life. I still like their music and I can't wait to the full length (whenever that's released).

I've had friends ask me if I plan to do this project with another band. No. It takes a special band to endure a project like this and I got incredibly lucky that I didn't end this completely hating them or them hating me. Of course, some of my friends are relieved I'll stop talking about them, but that's what they think.

So what's the next step?

I am going to wrap this up with one final article. But I'm not going to get started with that until next year.