Adventures with Dr. Lady Cutie Troublemaker

Life went on during all of the birdy drama. On Saturday night, after the final home bout of the Carolina Rollergirls (go Tai Chi-tahs!), I went out on a night shoot with the Raleigh Flickr Group organized by Daniel. Despite a downpour in the middle of it, some great shots were taken by all. I will share a particularly great one of yours truly taken by Engelfish, who I repeatedly say is that only person who gets to take my picture. I’m, of course, kidding. I have a number of friends who have taken WONDERFUL pictures of me, despite my camera anxiety and tendency to mug anxiety whenever a camera is aimed my way. I’ve learned that I’m best off while on these shoots just trying to relax and continue what I’m doing when I detect a camera trained on me. Chris’s directive style actually gives me something to focus on instead of my anxiety. You’d think this would have gone away after all the time I spend with these people… but I digress.

View all the pictures that have been uploaded so far from the shoot. Over time, the total number of images will grow as more people get around to uploading and tagging. This was created using a neat little site I’ve just found (thanks, Sooz) called Splashr. I recommend it highly!

I loved it. It’s so good in so many ways. it’s just a really unique and quirky treatment of a somewhat dark story. And the pie scenes are the ultimate in food-porn. I recommend skipping the reviews and just heading out. Trust me on this point. If you’ve seen or read about it, you know why. Just go. You won’t regret it.

The Raleigh Flickr Group will feature award winning photography tonight at Cafe Kado from 7-9pm. All are welcome to attend.

I don’t have any photos in the exhibit, but I know all the people who do, and they are good. It’s a nice place. Would love to get a few extra people out to see it.

Cafe Kado (link to map)
5311-G South Miami Blvd
Durham, NC 27703

A bit of a sneak peek:

Dan was right. The first time I met Dan, it was at karaoke at the Charles Playhouse Lounge. He told me that if I loved good music (he’d heard I did), I had to check out Cold War Kids. Understatement of the century. I finally got around to listening to them some time last month. Why did I wait so long? I’ve now had their album for a few weeks, and I’ve been listening to it constantly.

On Monday, I found out that they would be playing Tuesday night at Local 506 in Chapel Hill. I managed to talk my friend Massimo into joining me. There were still tickets. Why not? We arrived to find that the tickets were sold out, but within a few minutes, we were approached by a nice guy trying to sell us ticket for half-price. Half price? I told him he was my new hero and paid full price.

I don’t remember the last time I was this excited by new music. OK, that’s a lie. I do. Heartless Bastards also has my full attention right now, but I haven’t seen them live, so my enthusiasm is slightly more tempered.

Local 506 is a tiny club with a small but fairly high stage. Cold War Kids were the last of three bands playing. There is something so unique about the singer’s voice. It managed to be angsty and beautiful and powerful all at the same time. Much of the drumming is very militaristic (reminds me of the drumming on the first Throwing Muses album, actually). The bass is (and this is definitely the most appropriate word) PHAT! It’s driving, persistent, deep, and it undergirds this wall of sound that just filled the place. In most bands, each person has his or her spot, where they remain for most of the gig. Not true with CWK. The guitar and bass have this very interesting dance they do. The singer (who also plays the piano and guitar) gets in on it sometimes, too. It’s like watching a school of fish. It somewhat visible in this video I’m posting below. If you look at their faces, it seems as if they are paying absolutely no attention to where they are on the stage, but they are both traveling all over the place. The amazing thing is that they never crash into each other. Oh, and the SONGS! The gestalt experience of seeing this band is hard to describe, but it’s not to be missed. You are just going to have to trust me on this. Find out when they are playing near you and go. Don’t question. Just go. Dan was so very right.

Watch The Rawking Refuses to Stop all week for an Elliott Smith cover bonanza! Today is the Kinks, and they’ve got “Big Sky”. RAWK indeed!