[tyler sonnichsen]

These have been strange times. I was down in Charlotte this weekend, enjoying what was one of the most fun weekends I've seen in a while, when I received disturbing news about an old friend of mine from college. I couldn't shake the idea that John was in danger for most of the rainy drive back up to DC, and now I cannot describe how devastated I am to have discovered that he is no longer with us.

We studied together in the TV-Radio-Film department at Syracuse, hung out at numerous shows and house parties, and spent quality time joking on our radio professor. His incredible musical talents spoke for themselves. I told a number of people he's one of very few people I would pay to watch play the drums...or play anything for that matter. (Seriously, the dude was like a white Prince).

The last time I saw John was a few months ago. He and his outstanding band Ra-Ra-Riot were packing it up and hitting the road after a show at the Black Cat here in DC. I treasured the opportunity to catch up with him. He was always someone I looked forward to seeing even more in person than onstage; he was incredibly smart, funny, and above all, a wonderful human being.

I don't know how and where word will spread of all this (it's already almost universally known among those close to him, as well as Ra-Ra-Riot's swelling fanbase). I know he won't be forgotten, and his legend will probably grow considering the great work he'd been doing for a long time. Even if you never had the pleasure of meeting him, keep any people you know like him close to you and in your thoughts, the world could not have enough of them around.