homemade knives, nola

i went to the homemade knives' show last night at the hyperlink cafe in RVA, and i made it in time to see one of the opening acts, nola. it was knives' bassist's (ryan?) last show. among several originals from their EP and album no one doubts the darkness, they covered Tom Waits' "cold, cold ground" and springsteen's "dancing in the dark" (the song whose video features a very young courteney cox).

i didnt take any photos from the show, but i got a shot of the chandelier from the venue.

photo from 11/06 show.

this video is from a performance last month of the same springsteen cover. lovely.

nola from raleigh moved me before the knives' performance. singer christy smith's vocals involved a tinge of dolores o'riordan's celtic wailing, as i mentioned to her after the show. she agreed and said that she had listened to a cranberries album from her ex, but not too much. they covered a violent femmes song, the name of which i will get from my show buddy. (it was his favorite femmes song.) minimalistic drums, bassist with a pick, and lead male guitarist who supplied vocal harmonies rounded out the impressive quartet. check them out.

another music blog is what the world needs.

great, another one. as if you didn't have enough bookmarks to check out everyday.

what makes me think i'm a qualified blogger?

i've maintained blogs and/or my own website since 1996 at the ripe old age of 15, and along the way i've learned what's good and what's shit. what do people want to read? what annoys people to scroll through? music has always been a part of those past sites, and now i want to make it my focus.

i've been writing CD/show/DVD reviews and interviews with musicians for about two years now. i've got a BA in philosophy, so i know how to be a critic. sound arguments make for convincing journalism. i've had my proverbial hand in the cookie jar since singing in the church choir at age 4. i've had music lessons, been involved in chorus throughout my K-12 years, taught myself guitar and bass, and i write songs on a regular basis. i have aced all my courses in music history including History of Jazz and Music in America (as well as Journalism). i can go through the phases of obsession with a certain artist, learning every tidbit and aspect of his or her career. that's not the constant, but it works sometimes. i hope this spot allows me to convey my current music ramblings, my favorite new artists and up-and-comers, show reviews, general cultural realizations, and at some point free music.

oh, and i've got skiksappeal.