Fever Ray...

The most mysterious band I've ever seen..

On m'way in!

Nine Inch Nails "Wave Goodbye"

There were many emotions that I went through during the course of this whole "wave goodbye" tour.

1. Denial and Isolation: When Trent Reznor announced that this was to be his last tour, I simply couldn't accept what I was hearing. I spoke to no one about the inevitable "end". My interior monologue with Trent Reznor went something along the lines of "OK OK, but you'll still make music, right? I mean, eventually you're going to get the itch, and you'll HAVE to tour, right? You have to. You'll be back, go ahead, get married, prosper, have babies, then go on tour with your wife and kids! It'll be great- just like you never left. There's no way that August 26th 2009 at Terminal 5 is Nine Inch Nails last show in NYC...ever.

2. Anger: This LITERALLY happened to me as the the final show at Terminal 5 came to a close. "What the FUCK? Why the fuck did I wait in line for 6 hours? What a shitty way to end touring in NYC- with a COVER?! YOU DON'T FUCKING END the LAST NIN show in NYC with a fucking COVER and a PRACTICALLY IDENTICAL fucking set list! FUCK YOU, TRENT! I am SO disappointed! I'm so fucking over it. I can't believe I fucking wasted 16 years of my life loving you. GRAHH!"

3. Bargaining: "If ONLY I had gone to more shows! THEN he wouldn't leave b/c he'd see how much more financial gain there is to touring! Why didn't I tour Europe with them when I had the chance to? I deeply regret not seeing the Peaches/Bauhaus/Nine Inch Nails shows more than once. WHY GOD WHY DIDN'T I TRY HARDER TO GET IN TO THE BOWERY and WEBSTER SHOWS!! Maybe, if I fly to California, I can make it to a few last minute shows, that way I can drag it out more, it doesn't have to be over, not yet!" No, No, No. NO! Maybe if I re-buy all the albums, a few more shirts, start an on-line petition...

4. Depression: I awoke the morning after the final Terminal 5 show. I was sore, exhausted, and numb. There was a distinct ringing in my ears, and a swelling in my throat. The swelling rapidly transformed itself into a lump, the lump into an infection. I had somehow contracted an infection as a result of the nine inch nails shows. The epidemic swept across the entire audience who had attended both NYC shows. They call it the "NINFLUENZA". Very funny, until it gives you "parotitus" or a salivary gland infection. The doctor asked if I had been recently dehydrated for an extended amount of time. "Why, yes, as a matter of fact, I was living in a SWEAT LODGE also known as a nin concert for two days, would that do it?" Yes. Yes it would. I'm hurt, frankly. Injured literally and figuratively. I am so depressed that Trent has left me, and worse, he has left me while I am sick with disease. I have been laying around with a case of the Mondays every day of the week.

5. Acceptance: I know that I have finally reached this final and oh-so important stage. How do I know this? Well, I FINALLY posted this blog. I had most of this draft written the day after the show... but I just COULD NOT face it. Every time I would sign on and attempt to write the rest of it, I would go through stages 1-4 all over again. It pained me to look at it and see the phrase "Wave Goodbye". I couldn't even go on to nin.com and look at its content, frozen in time since September 4th. Now, it's like the world has rebooted. I am listening to "other" music again, even have gotten excited about other artists. I will always hold nine inch nails near and dear to my heart, they will most likely stay my favorite band of all time, but I accept that this is my cue to move on- find other amazing live shows.

So, for all my web savvy gurus I leave you with this nugget:
There's only so many times a person can refresh a page before they have to close it... or at least open a new window.

Goodbye Nine Inch Nails... thanks for all the laughter, tears, and raucous head banging. I will miss it.

Nick Cave: Bunny Munro Reading, Interview, & Book Signing

There's nothing quite like hearing Nick Cave saying phrases like "cunt crunches", and "slick with various juices" to pep up an otherwise mediocre Monday.

I was fortunate to discover that Mr. Cave was doing an interview, reading, and book signing for his 2nd novel, “The Death of Bunny Munro” here in NYC in the Union Square Barnes and Noble. Having never been to a reading and book signing before, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I headed down as soon as I got out of work, and was (not-so) surprised to discover that, although the reading was to begin at seven, that most of the seats had been filled up. Luckily, I lfound a seat eighth row from the front.

Nick Cave is everything you wouldn't expect him to be. When you hear Grinderman, The Birthday Party, or The Bad Seeds you imagine a visceral, sex crazed, socially inept deviant straight from the pits of hell, who may, on occasion become quite somber and sentimental (in a good way). Nick Cave the Music Maker is all of that and then some. Nick Cave the Man, however, is courteous, well spoken, beautifully articulate, and expressive with his hands (in a non-threatening sort of way). The passages he chose to read from his book "The Death of Bunny Munro" only further impressed upon me his skill as an author. I felt the inspiration to write passionately and without disdain fill inside of me as he spoke his words to the captivated audience.

He talked about many things, namely some of the influences on the book itself, as well as the influences on his life. Namely love, sex, parenthood, and his constant intrigue and struggle to grasp at spirituality. The full interview will be available in a few days and will be reposted for your use in a few days (or as soon as I find it).

There was ONE thing I hadn't counted on... and that was my reaction to getting Mr. Cave's autograph. As the line shortened, and I rapidly approached the precipice of the "signing area". I felt a cold sweat begin to pool in the palm of my hands. I felt my body shake with violent nervous tremors. My breath rapidly quickened. As I approached Mr. Cave he looked up and cautiously smiled at me and said, "Hi, How are you?" "I'm NERVOUS!" I boisterously respond, tears welling up in my eyes. He smiles a little more warmly at me as he signs my already worn out copy of Bunny Munro and I manage to mumble, "Wow, I am quite a nervous wreck actually, it's just, that, you're my inspiration to write, and... you're..." as I am trying to say this I refuse to look in his eyes, he looks up at me, straight in the face and says "Thank you" extending his hand, "It was a pleasure to meet you" I shake his hand, the words "inspiration" trailing out.

and then I fled the scene. Overwhelmed by my own emotions. Who knew?

Rasputina at The New Brooklyn Knitting Factory

She was dressed in a matronly gown, reminiscent of a medieval midwife, in a muted black and maroon color palette. Her hair was down in long coordinating red locks, and long strands of deep rust colored yarn fell at the sides of her head. As she turned sideways, I was able to fully appreciate the berth of her body carrying her little one. The normally corseted Melora Creagor, in all her pregnant glory walked upon the stage, and set me to smiling widely as I thought, "My God, she is a lovely pregnant woman...". It made me wonder how she would be able to play the cello with such a low hung pregnant belly! As Melora took her seat, I learned a bit about pregnant cellists, for one- that it doesn't effect their playing whatsoever, the cello is held in such a way that there is no true pressure applied to her youngun, and finally, that while the mother plays, THAT baby has the BEST SEAT in the house!

To reiterate, I have been a fan of Rasputina since I am 14. I’ve seen them countless times and have NEVER had a negative experience. Last night was no exception, only it was SLIGHTLY better than usual. How so? Well, for one, it was more relaxed than I had anticipated, considering it was in Williamsburg. I was grateful for it being relaxed, namely because this was my first time going to see Rasputina alone. I don’t mind solitude, but, there is something a little sad about going to a concert by oneself. For one, you can’t really LEAVE your spot (for fear of losing it) and well, I detest not being able to share my excitement with someone. This night, however revealed a little glorious surprise for me, that my love of Rasputina trumps any feeling of isolation and loneliness I could’ve mustered. Sure, the waiting for them to go on in silence wasn’t much fun, but the second Melora, Daniel, and new drummer Julia entered the stage, all my negative thoughts melted away and revealed a calming, centering experience. I felt as though the musicians were playing alone with me, their delicious cellos, voices, and rhythmic notes ringing in my sternum with rigor.

This show was an “all request” performance as in fans were asked to email the band the song they wanted to hear performed that night. They opened with a song I have never heard live before, “Dig Ophelia” which pleased me GREATLY especially considering it was the song I requested they play! My face cracked open into a jack-o-lantern smile and stayed as such for the bulk of the show. The rest of the set list was equally exciting for me, hearing some old favorites, being pleasantly surprised by some exquisite new covers, as well as hearing 2 brand new songs! (Incidentally, we are ALL in for a treat with the new album’s release!) Melora even cast her cello aside for the tinny pluckings of a BANJO! The music was so perfect, each song sparking another emotion and memory within me that I was like a giddy school girl. There I was alone, mouthing all the words to the songs and dancing as discreetly as I could manage, learning then and there one glorious benefit of going to a concert alone, you can act like a fool and no one you care about is there to judge you!


I am glad that I didn’t let the risk of loneliness keep me from attending this show, especially considering it will be their last for a long while. The general vibe of the performance was so welcoming, so inviting, and, a constantly smiling Melora, in particular seemed to glow with reverence and appreciation. This warmth may have been generated by her beautiful maternal disposition, or maybe it was the years of less well-run and well-received concerts under her belt, but I would like to think it was those things, plus us, the audience that helped to make such a tender environment to experience the music of Rasputina in. The Knitting Factory turned into a big cozy womb with charmingly eccentric music playing all around its babies.

Rasputina Revised set list!

Rasputina REVISED Setlist:
1. Dig Ophelia
2. Clowns
3. 1816 The Year w.o a Summer
4. I Go to Sleep (New cover)
5. Girl Lunar Explorer
6. I wanna marry a lighthouse keeper
7. Diamond Mind
8. Teenage Kicks (New Cover)
9. The New Zero
10. Kinderhook Hoopskirt (New Song!!)
11. Any Old Actress
12. Giants (NEW song!)
13. Watch T.V.
14. American Girl (cover)
15. Possum of the Grotto
16. The Olde Headboard
Encore:
17. Rusty the Skatemaker
18. Bad Moon Rising
19. Remnants of Percy Bass

Rasputina & Guests at the Brooklyn Knitting Factory

After an Odd-yssey to get here... I have FINALLY arrived in Brooklyn for the new knitting factory in Brooklyn for The Shandelles (?) & Rasputina. Shaundelles are on now! Very expressive violinist!