Local Music is the blood shared by community. And safe too.
As I listen to Brian Greyson, his five man band and wife belting out house rocking covers and poetic originals, I realize how deprived many Chinese people are from good live music. My point of comparison is China because after living there for 4 years, lacking live local music with soul, took a toll on my creativity.
I phrase this statement "with soul" because China has a long way to go before the underground music scene produces unique beats, catchy vocals and talented group bands.
Harsh? China struggles to synthesize original back beats in overly pop sounding love struck lyrics.
Brian and his posse had a lively performance, minus a few gltiches in sound. The synthesized music topped my night with whipped cream. I am sucker for synthetic, repetive thumping.
The night started with a set of face melting rock/alternative cover songs then moved into a mellow love song set, including one of my favorites Such Great Heights by The Postal Service, and then finished off with a medley of original songs ranging from unintelligible folk (10 places to see before dying) to a simple song about the miracles brought by love.
My favorite chorus line from the original set:
I watch you pick at your toast,
and eat your cereal.
Love is a miracle.
In listening and watching the band come together, I am awestruck by the creativity and dedication. It takes time to write songs and tunes, then practice and work together in a group. Performances are the easy part, they just require rehearsals, but the preparation is consuming.
Brian is my co-worker at Le Feet Lab and I was more than happy to support him by attending his gig at the Fraser Rocky Mountain Roastery last Friday. They host live music ever Friday at 7pm. In the words of Brian, "it is the best music you hear for only a buck," the cover charge for the event.
True, a dollar for live music isn't much. Even a struggling band who hasn't practice enough won't make you ask for a refund. In a small town, locals want to support and preserve the budding local music scene. There is already an established Winter Park blues and jazz festival every July, which attracts big name performers, but regular local gigs help lesser known musicians have a space.
As I have aged, I find local events a great mix to the inner big city voice pushing me to attend the over packed dance clubs and attend stadium size concerts. I still have a check list of bands I want to see live after being deprived of concerts for the past 4 years, but I think local music events will fill the bill for expression. Until I find a women's writing circle or open spoken word mic.
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