The Swell Season

Over the last few days the band and crew have been dealing and coming to terms with the events of last Thursday night. The range of emotion is far and wide and sadly we will carry this with us forever. As will all those that were in attendance. To all those who have reached out to us in the last few days please know we are humbled by your support, kindness and generosity. Unfortunately at this time we are unable to write everyone back, but please know that we are getting these messages and THANK YOU.

We ask that you continue to send the same positive energy to the family and friends of Michael Pickels, who need equal support to get through this difficult time.

At some point over the weekend we met with grief counselors to help try and make sense of this situation. While we likely will never gain the answers we need, what we did get out of the conversations were of great service to our mind, body and soul. In regards to coping with what we witnessed it was a step in the right direction. We have come to realize that some of those in attendance may be in need of similar counseling and may not be receiving it. Our hearts go out to you and we want to encourage you to talk to someone who has experience in these types of matters.

We have reached out to Kara, a Bay Area organization that is available to assist with grief counseling for attendees. Kara offers one-to-one grief counseling and have also set up several drop in groups specifically for you over the next couple of weeks.

If you or your children were at The Swell Season concert at The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA Thursday, August 19, 2010, you witnessed something that is traumatic and has the potential to stay with you.

All Kara peer counseling is free. Do not be afraid to reach out to them and one does not need to attend the first meeting to attend subsequent meetings.

Please call 650-321-5272 for one-to-one support or to find out more about the drop in groups.

Drop in group schedule:
Thursday, August 26th, noon – 1:30pm
Thursday, August 26th, 7pm – 8:30pm
Thursday, September 2nd, noon-1:30pm
Thursday, September 2nd, 7pm-8:30pm

The drop in groups will be held at Kara, 457 Kingsley Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301. Please plan to stay for the full time of the group session.

Kara’s regular office hours are Monday through Friday 9am – 4pm. For the next few weeks they will also be regularly checking for messages after hours and will respond as quickly as possible. Please note that Kara is not a 24 hour crisis hotline. If you are in crisis and in need of urgent services please contact 408-279-3312, the Santa Clara County Mental Health Suicide & Crisis Service 24 hour line.

We will be checking in with Kara throughout the next few days and week and will take their lead as we move forward. They are the professionals and we are blessed to have them there and ready to help.

We love our fans and it’s time to turn our attention to them. Without them we are nothing.

Respectfully, The Swell Season

Making and performing music is what the band has always done in good times and in bad. Our hope is that in this communal experience tonight we can somehow help our own grieving process after what we just witnessed. The show will most certainly be different than any other we have ever played.

We wish to continue to be sensitive to family and friends of this individual and hope that in performing it is not viewed as a selfish act. We have not come to this decision lightly. We continue to have them at the forefront of our minds and hearts.
- Portland, OR . August 20, 2010

The band, crew and all involved with them are shocked and saddened by the death that occurred at the August 19th show. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the deceased, his family and friends.

The Swell Season is saddened to announce the cancellation of the scheduled August 16, 2010 concert at The Crown Theater, Las Vegas, NV. Ticket refunds will be available at the point of purchase.

Thank you to all who purchased tickets in advance to this show. Your support for The Swell Season is appreciated more than we will ever be able to express in an online note.

While it will be a long haul, on short notice, if any Las Vegas ticket holders would like to make the journey to any of The Swell Season’s shows in August,* we can offer free entrance to any of those shows.**

If you have any issues with refunds or would like to attend another August show, please contact tssvegas@gmail.com.

Our sincerest apologies to Las Vegas ticket holders. Thank you for understanding.

The Swell Season
Overcoat Management

*Excluding Lyons, CO. Extremely limited availability in Saratoga, CA.
** Requester’s name must match a name on Las Vegas purchased tickets list.

The Swell Season’s cover of Candi Staton’s “Young Hearts Run Free” is now available for free download via Levi’s Pioneer Sessions site.

Also, check out the post about the song on ew.com.

Owls, RVs, and Zebras on men’s, women’s, and kid’s shirts, scarves, stickers, and buttons.

Swing on by the merch table to see the new items.

Size and color availability can vary night to night.

Thanks!

May Tour Posters by Dexterity Press
Letter Press . Limited

Congrats to Crystal and Lee! Excellent song choice!

Find The Swell Season’s version of “Falling Slowly” on Amazon or iTunes (Both N American Online Stores).

Find Crystal and Lee’s version on iTunes.

To celebrate the beginning of The Swell Season’s Spring Tour, a free live version of “Low Rising” is available for download, in exchange for your Tweet or Facebook post.

Check out the details on how to get your free copy of “Low Rising” – here.

Thanks for sharing! Thanks for listening! See you soon!