Kiss me, I'm...

Just waiting for the next holiday.

No, not the one with hearts and valentines.  I don't celebrate that one.

I'm Irish.  I love the one, true, dye-your-river-green-Chicago holiday.  My favorite of the year. 

I was reminded of it last week when I braved the ice and snow to get to the West Michigan countryside for Fenian's, the "Best Irish Pub in Michigan."

Wednesday is their Traditional Irish Music Session.  And musicians come from far and wide for an Irish Jam.

      photo by Grand Rapids Magazine, September 2006 (but it really did look like this when I was there)

Right there in the little town of Conklin.  Irish Fiddles and Penny Whistles and everything.  It's almost like Ireland.  Ah, Ireland.  I miss you.






Don't you love how music unlocks our memories?  It's a good thing that penny whistle player I know travels with me.  She really is the best in Ireland and Michigan.  You should hear how many people ask her to join their bands...

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Concert of the Month: Joshua Radin

I'm not going to lie. I don't believe in celebrity crushes. I think they are unnecessary, ungodly and kind of weird. But, oh, my goodness, I couldn't help the way I reacted when Joshua Radin started singing. He took my breath away. I almost couldn't get a grip. I think it's fair to say I have my first (and hopefully only) celebrity crush. And judging from the picture we took below, the rest of the crowd at Minneapolis' First Ave felt almost the same way. This is the encore. Joshua and his band set up RIGHT IN FRONT OF US and crowded around one mic to perform "Ring of Fire." EXCELLENT.
I learned a few new things from this particular Concert of the Month (besides the fact that I can probably quit the club since no concert will ever be this good):

1. I love a standing-only venue. The energy and the crowd is awesome. It reminded me of a great night at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC.

2. I'll pick the city wisely. I really believe that artists give varied performances in different cities. Josh had special memories in MN and it was his first night back in the midwest (he's from OH). Plus, he was playing a famous venue where Prince got his start.

3. Your musical companion counts. I went with Abby, one of my college roommates and best friends. Read her blog post about how we arrived "against all odds." We had great dinner conversation, ditched our coats for fashion even though it was 15-degrees, stood on the concrete in heels for 3 hours and squeezed each others' hands when the songs were just TOO good.
Quotes of the night:
Abby: "I wish I brought a mom stool." (yeah, I'm still not sure what a mom stool is)
April: "I'm so glad I'm not married so I don't have to feel badly about how much I love him."
And now, you can see what the obsession is all about. I've decided to give you one of his newer songs, "Brand New Day." I actually think I like his older, dreary, heartbroken love croons a little better, but this one is just so uplifting. Thanks, for the best night ever, Joshua! (Oh, right, and you, too, Abby). :)

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Concert of the Month Club

I'm doing a new thing. It's called, the "Concert of the Month Club."
Yes, I made it up. I'll take name suggestions.

On October 30th, I saw Over the Rhine in Grand Rapids.

photo courtesy of Old Rock House

Here is why they are one of my favorites:
1- they are seasoned
2- they are insanely creative
3- they move well on stage
4- they write about real life

Look for their new album, The Long Surrender, released 1.11.11. They played their new set and it was my third and favorite OTR concert. Trust me. You'll want to get this new one.

Well, my friends. I'm a believer. That is, a believer that once it hits November, you can crank up the Christmas music. And one of my favorite albums is OTR's Snow Angels. Check out "All I Ever Get for Christmas is Blue" below. If Christmas is all jingle bells and glowing hearts for you, then this is not your band. Over the Rhine keeps it real. Love them.



In November, the "Club" will be traveling to see: JOSHUA RADIN!!!

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