If you want to go to the beach, but a) it's fall now, and Lake Michigan is Very Cold; or b) you live far away from sunny climes, then I suggest listening to Colbie Caillat's new Malibu Sessions album. It was recorded over 2 months - get this: at a beach house, on the ocean in California. Yes, I love that, too. 

We headed downtown to the Kalamazoo State Theatre last night to catch the show. The theatre was built in 1927 and is just gorgeous inside. I kept asking about ghosts (I had season tickets to the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis for years - yes, there was a ghost in their old building at the Walker Art Center!), but alas, no ghosts were forthcoming.

If you want to enhance your listening experience, I suggest discovering one of the tour dates left in her Malibu Sessions tour, and getting there. It's a beautiful show, full of great music, compassion, and human and animal rights.

The show started off with Colbie's fiancee and member of her group, Justin Kawika Young. I will tell you, I got a musical crush when he started singing in Hawaiian, and playing the ukelele. His voice is strong, and I recommend listening to his music - it's catchy, interesting, and creative.

Then Colbie's old friend Jason and his wife Nelly, as the duo High Dive Heart, came onstage. Their set was fun, lively, and something to cherish, as they invited teen activist Corey Maison onstage to sing and dance with her family for the song Misfit, to share the Bully Project and stop bullying. This is something we wholeheartedly agree with, and seeing Corey and her family onstage raised goosebumps and cheers. 

Here's Corey's video:

Well, let me tell you, after these two, I thought nothing could match it. Then Colbie, Justin, Jason and Nelly, drummer Billy Hawn, and an amazing bass player came and shared the WHOLE Malibu Sessions album - as a complete set list. Then, Colbie played some of her older songs, including many favorites that had the entire audience singing along and dancing. 

Highlights include:

A glowing Colbie drinking tea, sharing stories, and making us all feel at home.
Tales of being an introvert - and songs that backed it up.
Extreme musical happiness
DOGS ON STAGE!! Jason and Nell's dog Bella, and Colbie and Justin's dog Mate.
Stories of recording the music for two months in a beach house - and how they had to get special curtains to cover up the wave noise (let's be honest: the crowd could NOT believe this. But ok). Then, the drummer played a beautiful wave percussion instrument as they all left the stage. It was incredible.

Take a look:

Getting ready to start! As we learned, Colbie had just gotten those light up letters at Target. No U, so they are sticking with a V at the end. 

Stories and laughter

Solo, on beloved favorites

Bella! (and below, look between the speakers)

And Mate...

The End. We wished we could replay it...

Learn more:
http://colbiecaillat.com/

and find tour dates near you, so you, too, can share in the Malibu Sessions...
http://colbiecaillat.com/tour

Follow along:
https://www.instagram.com/colbiecaillat/
https://www.facebook.com/colbiecaillat/
https://www.youtube.com/user/colbiecaillat

All photos courtesy and copyright Wandering Educators