Concert Tue May 13 2008

Wrestle With God

“I struggle with all the energy that’s powerfully inspired with in me… I wrestle with God all night long in my bed.”

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of interviewing a writer who has complied a collection of stories, essays, poem, comics, and clippings all focused on one topic… insomnia. His name is Steven Lee Beeber and the book is called Awake!: A Reader for the Sleepless. After our conversation, I began to think of those nights I spent exhausted, crawling into bed and finally having my head hit the pillow. The second I close my eyes flashes of light, heat, images of everything I hadn’t finished or even started that day begin to swirl and jump. Thoughts, like tiny explosions of energy, illuminate the night as I wrestle with sleep and seldom win.

A song that occasionally fills these wake/sleep moments is “Wrestle With God” by Birmingham based Wild Sweet Orange (WSO). The idea that the constant thoughts and battles in my head are actually a struggle or conversation with God has always intrigued me. Behind the old soul, 23 year-old Preston Livinggood, WSO creates roots music that speaks to the heart and romances the mind. Aside from releasing a wonderful ep (known as The Whale Ep) last November, they have been actively touring and recording for six months straight, and have tour dates scheduled through June. You can see a full list of dates and venues at their myspace page. Their full-length debut, We Have Cause to Be Uneasy, will be released via Canvasback Music on July 15th.

[mp3] Wild Sweet Orange - Wrestle With God

Wild Sweet Orange will be appearing at The Metro tonight with David Ford and Augustana. Doors open at 6:00pm and tickets are $17.50.
Image by David McClister

— Jason Behrends / Comments (0)