It was completely by chance that junior Tim Allen heard of the obscure, small band from a friend. It was completely by chance that while downloading their songs online he received a cover email from the band about a tour in the area. And it was completely by chance that the band’s tour was coming through the area and could make a couple extra stops along the way.
But it isn’t by chance that the Gray Havens are set to perform in Hillsdale at the Dawn Theatre on Thursday, April 24, at 8 p.m.
Composed of husband and wife duo Dave and Licia Radford, the band is based out of the small town Crystal Lake, Ill., where the couple records from a home studio.
They began recording their first album in 2012 and finished on January 25. The available but unpublished album consists of six songs and initiated a tour.
Allen described the Gray Havens as “Folksy with some real, awesome jazz influence.”
After being introduced to the band by a friend, Allen downloaded the six-song album.
In order to download the songs, Allen had to sign-up for the email list. Because of this list, Allen received a cover email about open slots in the tour.
Co-worker at Jitters and friend junior Katherine Sinkovitz said that she only learned about the band by working at Jitters with Allen. Sinkovitz said that she was with Allen when he received the email from the band saying that they had openings slots in their tour schedule.
“He started freaking out. He was like, ‘Oh my gosh, they are going to be in Michigan. Oh my gosh, we could get them here.’”
After sending an email back to the band, Allen received a call from Dave Radford.
Since the band tour was passing through the area, they could make a stop in Hillsdale.
Radford said that the Gray Havens are looking forward to playing in Hillsdale.
“There’s just something about college students that you can’t find when you perform at houses or churches,” Radford said. “There’s just an energy in them.”
But getting the band to visit wasn’t the hardest task for Allen to conquer in order to bring the band to Hillsdale.
Given that the Gray Havens wanted at least a $300 profit from the show and a location provided for the event to be held, Allen needed to organize the logistics for the band.
“Originally it was just going to be a house event, but he just took off and planned everything.” Radford said. “We didn’t do a lot.”
But Allen wanted to do more for the band than the minimum. Instead of hosting a small event in a house, Allen decided to rent out the Dawn Theatre, making the final estimated costs to be around $700.
However, Allen says he hopes concert admission can be free for students. So how will he accomplish raising $700?
“I hope to contact each dorm [for donations] and put it forward as a big dorm social,” Allen said.
Allen said he hopes the dorms will be willing to help, but if the resources for the concert are not met, Allen said he will have to come up with the money through private means.
“It’ll be $700 between the rental and the band, but I would love to throw them a little bit more money,” he said. “I know they will do it for $300, but I’d love to throw a little on top.”
On top of providing the band with a large area to perform, Allen also wished to give the band a small house party. When asked what he would do if he did not meet the required monetary quote, Allen replied:
“That would be really unfortunate. It might end up with me panhandling in front of the library, if I need to.”
But for Allen, the risk is worth it to have the band come. He hopes that through the band’s visit, he can share its music and message with others.
“Their music has blessed me,” Allen said, “and I think it will bless others that hear it as well.”
