Quick version of their story: Singer-songwriter girl meets singer-songwriter guy in a Boston Club. They’re intimidated at first, then fall for each others’ tunes and then each other.

1 venue + 2 guitars x Starry night in Boston = The Weepies

Say I Am You is their second album together. Folky/chill/simple and thoughtful lyricists. Evidence of what happens when two independently great planets collide:

A while back, Nora, Sara and Joseph (three friends and fellow music lovers) had an extra ticket for a Ditty Bops show. Luckily, I just happened to have no plans that Friday night and scrambled to meet them at a local Starbucks for the drive up to Denver. The show was taking place at what I later learned was a sweet little venue called Swallow Hill, reputed as “Denver’s Home for Folk, Roots & Acoustic Music.”

For less than $20, I walked into a small white building that looked like (and may very well have been) an old, re-purposed church. It had all the ambiance you’d expect and seemed to attract only music purists. You know… messy hairdos, warm smiles and, if you looked closely enough, calloused fingers. I felt right at home and was excited to listen to a band that I had no history with.

Amanda and Abby–the Ditty Bops–did not disappoint. In fact, through the course of their performance, I went from feeling awe to admiration to a real (surely mutual) connection. I was convinced that they, especially Amanda, would become my new best friends. For these 10 reasons (and more):

1. They figured out how to make bluegrass modern with their contemplative and eccentric lyrics.
2. This concert was one of several that required them to travel across the country on their bicycles. Just for kicks.
3. Amanda wore suspenders and played her mandolin like an angel.
4. Abby wore her hair in pigtails, strummed her guitar effortlessly and made fun of Amanda.
5. Amanda’s mic fell over during the first song and instead of picking it up, she bent down and sang into it while smiling profusely.
6. They had props (more specifically paper cut-outs of clouds, hearts and rainbows) that they kept in an antique chest. These props were integrated into their performance during opportune and inopportune times.
7. Their stand-up bass player showed us a full size human skeleton after the intermission. Just because.
8. Amanda knows how to eat fire (her dad taught her).
9. Their harmonies were pitch-perfect.
10. Abby showed us her bicycle at the end of the show. If I remember correctly, it was blue.

Somehow, The Ditty Bops managed to captivate us all with their quirkiness, their talent and their authenticity. I fully intended to ask if they needed a third wheel violinist to complete their act and really felt like the cards were in my favor. Unfortunately, my party had to jet quickly after the show and I never got the chance.

Do check out their music. You deserve it.

(Amanda/Abby… if you’re reading this, I’m still interested.)

I get to play with Luke Flowers on Cinco de Mayo. We’ll be opening for Jared Anderson. Should be a really fun show, especially because I might be wearing an outfit made entirely of spandex. Maybe even a uni-tard. Why? Because I have to head over to a “Dress as Your Favorite Mexican Wrestler Party” afterwards.