Battery Tour
We were at the bank, opening a new account, and my patience was being tested.
Not because of poor customer service--the Client Rep had EXCELLENT customer service. She sat us down with a big smile, asked us about what we do for work, how long we have been married, where we lived. We told her we just moved to Kansas City. As we worked our way through the paperwork, she became our official guidebook--telling us about the best grocery stores, points of interests to visit, restaurants to try, and tips to stay safe around town.
"But you're coming from Boston, you probably already how to stay smart in a city," she smiled.
I was not used to this kind of attentiveness. In Boston, we have to fight for everything: our parking spot, our spot on the train, the perfect apartment in our price range. It is safe to assume that everything in Boston is a struggle, and that the city (the municipality, the systems, the people) are going to do all that they can to fight for themselves, first.
When we opened our account, I noticed that my internal rhythm was still ticking to a Bostonian pace. I was caught off guard when strangers would say 'Hello' as we passed by each other on the street. I was always a little more in a rush than the people around me.
Back in Boston, I was the stranger who would strike up conversations with people as we waited for our coffee, or say some sort of observation about the T's malfunction to the people around me. I would start conversations. But in Kansas City, I was the girl who ended them.
We were standing in line for the teller to make our first deposit when a group of dudes--tall and skinny with broad smiles--came into the bank and completely changed the mood. All the bankers lit up to see them. The young men rushed over to our Rep and wrapped her in a group hug before continuing on to meet with someone.
"That's Battery Tour," she told us. "They're a cool band--they perform all over the city, usually on the Plaza. I've seen it get so crowded the streets get closed off when they play."
That weekend, Kyle and I were on our way to try a restaurant in the Plaza when we saw them performing. It was a Friday evening and the city was hot. They attracted an audience that was on their way to dinner or window shopping. They mixed their set with original songs and covers, breaking to do group dances like the YMCA and routines they choreographed themselves. Kyle couldn't resist and jumped in to dance with them--
Since moving to Kansas City, I keep running into their performances. I love their positive vibe and the way they interact with the audience, reminding the crowd that their act is "the People's tour." Their message is that of fearless love and unapologetic happiness. Every time I see them, even with my internal East Coast hustle, I have to stop and listen.
Like them on Facebook. Listen to their music, all their albums are free. If they are in your city, go see them live.
Their positive energy is infectious.