Crazy Love brings music to the Library

Last week, the musical duo of Heather Platts and Bruce Michael Miller brought their Idaho-based collection of songs to the Soda Springs Library for a Thursday concert that led to a bit of dancing in the aisles.  The event was held inside the library due to the equipment needed for the accompanying slideshow, which featured art works from Idaho artists.  The two elements together blended to make a captivating exploration of some of the unique and interesting areas around the state, including the Little Lost River, the Henrys Fork, Hagerman, the River of No Return, and many others.  

Each of the songs was introduced by the duo, who explained how the idea for the same came to them, what their songwriting process was like, and some of the things that they had encountered while touring with the songs.  The song “Thomas Mercantile,” for instance, was written to celebrate the re-opening of the store of that name in Swan Lake.  The store had been vacant for a number of years after having served as a community hub for generations of locals.  A woman named Kaarin Engleman decided to purchase the building and bring it back to life in 2020, which she was able to accomplish.  Crazy Love played their tribute to the effort at the location itself in 2023, while the audience sat on the historic radiators to watch and listen.

Along similar lines, Platts and Miller, both of whom are professional musicians and songwriters (though “we like to think of ourselves as songwriters first” Bruce noted), shared stories easily with the audience as the evening went on.  Some of their songs were inspired by visits to places they had taken, some by stories from locals, and some from wherever the mysterious force called “inspiration” sometimes comes from.  

In the space of the library, the sound was robust and clear, and those on hand had a great time.  Anyone who loves Idaho as both a place and an idea would find that the duo managed to capture the essence of what makes Idaho so compelling to those of us who would rather not imagine living somewhere else.  The song “The White Horse of Black Daisy Canyon” directly takes on that concept.  Artist Kayla Cuellar, who painted one of the images that accompanies the song during the performance said, “it felt like the perfect timing to paint a horse like I’ve wanted for a while now: abstract, loose, and free.  After listening to the song lyrics about the horse breaking loose, I read more about sighting by locals and travelers and felt an awe for this beautiful beast.  Now I’m drawn to visit the valley, hoping for a chance to see the old horse too…while this horse is alone, he is not sad, he is FREE and that brings him joy!  The song, to me is a stunning symbol of passionately living our God-designed purpose.  Breaking free of human expectations.  Stepping into our personal story and who we were CREATED to be with confidence and courage.  Let the critics, the nay-sayers, and the scoffers think we’re crazy!  Let them wonder how we’re going to survive a life of freedom.  When they see how things turn out, they will know…”

For each of the songs, a similarly inspiring story about the connections between people and places, feelings and ideas was explored.  It was hard to attend the performance and not be moved to want to see more of the state, or visit places that you’ve been before and loved.

Bruce and Heather are Idaho Humanities Council presenters, members of the Idaho Songwriters Association, and live in the relatively nearby Twin Falls area.  This is only the second or third time in Caribou County, but Heather stated, “We’ve been really impressed with the area.  There is a lot of great stuff here, and we can’t wait to come back!” 

Fingers crossed for a song about Soda…

“Thomas Mercantile”

Me and the gang are gonna drop by later

Save us a spot on the radiator

Ice cold beer in the refrigerator

Gonna be a good one tonight

With five generations of getting together

This little country store

Is the epicenter

We sit and talk about the world and the weather

Just passing time

In a big world full of change 

One thing stays the same

This little town of Swan Lake

Is gonna hold your heart a while

So trade in your troubles for a smile

At the Thomas Mercantile

When they closed the store

Its heart was still beating

And a call went out a steady beacon

Till a kindred soul with a flair for believin’

Turned back the years

Now the shelves are stocked

For every occasion

Weddings, births, and graduation

With the Crazy Love band

For the celebration

So glad you’re here