Little Star Drops Today



Girlyman has launched themselves into the top 10 of my all-time favorite artists. I first saw them open for Catie Curtis at The Ark in Ann Arbor several years ago (the Ark possibly being the best music venue in the midwest). I didn't know anything about them before the show but really enjoyed them. They had great harmonies, clean sound, and they played what I liked to call "organic" instruments, such as acoustic guitar, djembe, banjo, etc.

I ran into them afterwards and told them I was from Cleveland. They let me know they were playing a house concert down in one of the suburbs and invited me to come. I got the info from their website, and I have to say I was quite excited to see my first house concert! I took my roommate and we crowded into this persons living room and watched a phenomenal show! They took an intermission and we all hung out in the kitchen chatting, drinking wine and eating hors d'oeuvres. We got to chat about how they got to know each other, how long they've been playing together, etc. They were definitely good people (though I can see Nate being a real bitch when he wants).

I saw them next at Cleveland Pride. By this time we had gotten some other people excited about Girlyman so there was a small group of us sitting in the grass, right at the front of the stage. We had to give bitch glances to the inconsiderate people behind us, and to those walking in front of us, because I don't think they realized they were interrupting something great. This may partially why I am so bitchy and disappointed about K-Lo being our next headliner.

By this point, the Girlyman album had been programmed in my head. I listened to it for comfort, and for something to sing along with (even a few minor attempts to harmonize with my roommate... yeah, it was a good idea at the moment). By this time I had told everyone I knew about them, knew every song on the album, and it had a place on my elite list.

Time passed on, and I was elated to see they were picked up by Amy Ray's Daemon Records! The new album was announced "Little Star" and they were asking for help. They were asking for people to pre-order the album to help raise the money to complete it. I've never felt so responsible to do my part and placed my order without hesitation. I just got my advance copy last week and opened it with eager anticipation.

Now as much as I enjoyed the last album, I did have a strong personal connection to the music, the people, and experiences around that album. Anything the follow that has a very high bar set for it. I also don't hold Girlyman up as some of the best songwriters out there (quite cryptic if you ask me), so listening to this album for the first time was a bit of a disappointment for me, as was the packaging. What's with these PHOTOS??. They truly don't do the band justice. (and c'mon Nate, just accepting the balding.) Don't get me wrong, it's great to listen to, and I am probably hearing in this album what I heard in that first one the first time I listened to it. I'm not giving up and I'm excited to see what this new album will bring with time. And you can bet your ass I'll be seeing them any chance I can.

Check out some sound clips from both albums here.
Buy a copy a Girlyman's Daemon site.

Posted: Tue - May 24, 2005 at 09:44 AM           |

©