Live Treats

I love when you go see one of your favorite musicians live and their opening acts end up being just as brilliant. It's truly a win-win, you discover a new amazing musician and get to see them perform live, which is like nothing else. Yes, the albums we be just fine, but hearing a band live feels so raw and intimate. When I was seeing Ani Difranco for the 3rd back in 2000, a musician named Erin McKeown opened for her and to this day Erin's album Distillation will forever be on my ipod. She just stood on stage with her acoustic guitar and played and sang her heart out, I will never forget it.

At Ingrid Michaelson's concert we did not know any opening bands were scheduled to play. But she actually ended up having 2 opening acts both ironically named Greg. First was Greg Holden from England, ladies first I must mention he was a real cutie and with that accent, oh boy. He was also a wonderfully talented lyricist and singer. Second up was Grey Laswell, who was equally as talented if not more talented. He had a very sweet, shy demeanor and his words were jarring with emotion. He was a little more earthy in his look and sound. I don't know I really liked them both for their own reasons. It was such a treat to discover them live. I can't wait to listen to there full albums.

Female Vocalists

I've always been a huge fan of female singer-songwriters. The way they use their instruments to express such raw emotion and write such amazing lyrics. As much as I've tried to expand my musical interests, with guy or group vocalists, I always come back to the female voice. I don't know what it is about their sound, and the girls I like are musically all over the map. I will always like the raw intensity of PJ Harvey and Liz Phair. Then there's my forever love for the powerful storytellers: Tori Amos and Ani Difranco. And recently my loves are Jenny Lewis (or her band Rilo Kiley), the brilliant Feist, Brandi Carlisle, Regina Spektor, and the sweet Ingrid Michaelson. Probably like most fans, I desire the talent and strengh to express my emotions through singing. I tried for a few years with Chorus and Choir, but with my low self-esteem I never excelled like I possibly could have. Going back to the positive nature of this entry, I love losing myself in a beautiful piece of music. Female vocalists have the ability to perform with such sensuality, tenderness, and passion. Keep singing your inner truths, ladies. I'll be listening with much anticipation.