Video Premiere: The War and Treaty, “If It’s in Your Heart”
There are a lot of things about being human that are hard and scary. On the inestimably long list, being vulnerable with another person is most certainly near the top. It requires immense courage to share something of yourself with another, when their response isn’t sufficiently pre-determined to be positive. Whether it’s saying “I love you” or “I need help,” humans are terrified of what might meet their heartfelt confession.
The War and Treaty’s “If It’s in Your Heart” was sparked by an incident that involved both sides of that equation. A few years ago, Michael Trotter, who served in the Army prior to his career in music, was talking to a friend from the military who confided in him that she’d been raped while in the service. Naturally, he asked if she was okay. She said she was fine. He took her at her word and didn’t push or pry. Though she didn’t ask for help, his gut had a twinge of concern as they hung up the phone.
“Something in her voice, as we said goodbye, would suggest otherwise,” Trotter says. “Instead of investigating the feeling of uneasiness that I had, I chalked it up as me just being nervous. She was a strong gal, and I didn’t want to impose on that, so I left it alone.”
“Two weeks later, her sister contacted me and said that she had committed suicide,” he continues. “Everything inside of me wished that I had acted on that gut feeling I had that was saying, ‘Something is not right.’” He wrote “If It’s in Your Heart” while thinking and rethinking the moment wherein they both missed the opportunity to speak their truths. She needed help, but couldn’t ask for it. He sensed her need, but didn’t offer it. So faint is the line between recognizing someone’s burdens and respecting their boundaries.
Time and again, it has been proven that we regret the things we don’t do or say far more often than the things we do. But doing and saying the things in our hearts demands the courage to be vulnerable. Yes, in doing so, we risk the chance of being misunderstood or rejected, if things don’t go our way. If they do, though, we take a step toward embracing a love, realizing a dream, or saving a life. And all of those things are absolutely worth the risk.
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“If It’s in Your Heart” from the album Healing Tide is available at iTunes and Amazon.com.
February 22 – Lancaster, PA /// Lancaster Roots & Blues
February 23 – Nelsonville, OH /// Stuart’s Opera House
February 24 – Grand Rapids, MI /// St. Cecilia Music Center
March 28 – Birmingham, AL /// Saturn
March 29-30 – New Orleans, LA /// Hogs For The Cause
April 11-13 – Greer, SC /// SpringSkunk Fest
April 13-14 – Charleston, SC /// High Water Festival
April 18-22 – Byron Bay, Australia /// Bluesfest Byron Bay
April 26 – Irving, TX /// Toyota Music Factory*
April 27-28 – Panama City Beach, FL /// SandJam Fest
May 3 – Atlanta, GA /// The Fox Theatre*
May 24 – Napa, CA /// BottleRock
July 19-20 – Somerset, KY /// Master Musicians Festival
July 24-28 – Floyd, VA /// FloydFest
August 4 – St. Charles, IA /// Hinterland
August 29 – Bayfield, WI /// Big Top Chautauqua†
August 30 – Bayfield, WI /// Big Top Chautauqua†
November 11-15 – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic /// John Prine’s All The Best Fest
*with Al Green
†with Brandi Carlile
