Val subscribes, as I suspect many people do, to google alerts. For a performing artist, it can be fun to see if somebody is blogging about you, or if you were mentioned in a newspaper far from your home.
Occasionally, something truly bizarre will pop up, like the following:
The Celtic rock band GrooveLily mentions Virginia Woolf in a live version of their song, “Screwed-Up People Make Great Art.”(From http://blog.mediafetcher.com/Virginia_Woolf.html)
While it is factually correct that Virginia Woolf is mentioned in the lyrics, and while we have dabbled with Celtic music very very very occasionally, it’s remarkable that the song mentioned here is about as far from Celtic as we get.
But that’s cool. The Celtic section of the record store is always less crowded, and we’ll stand out, because we’ll be out on the bleeding edge of Latin-Montuno-Theatrical-Powerpop Celtic music, where there’s even less competition. Where’s my grammy?
5 Comments
They probably heard “Shannon” and went from there
Besides, everyone knows that the only bands who feature a violin regularly are Dave Matthews, late Jefferson Airplane/Starship, and Celtic bands.
Scanning the headline (Brendan blogs about our classic Celtic song, “Screwed-Up People Make Great Art”) I had a quick discussion with myself. Running through the music in my head, I vaguely resolved that the violin MAY have added a Celtic element. Barring that, you guys were desperate for attention. I’m relieved to read of your amusement and (in full support of visibility in the Celtic section) suggest that you bill “Sister Siren” as a sea shanty…
how do violinists join a band. i have been playing violin for nine years and am not that much into classical. i go for the celtic, country and many other aspects of the music. how did these major stars start their career? im looking to start a band or play violin in one… i just need some feedback on celtic style or a informative website to get started.
i saw you put dave mathews band as having violin what other bands are noted for it also?
Stephanie,
Quite a few bands (rock (especially progressive rock), celtic, folk) have violin in them. Just to name a few of my favorites (some of these go back a ways): Kansas, Premiata Forneira Marconi (an Italian band usually known just as PFM), Jethro Tull (only for part of their career…in the early 80′s they had a full-time violinist and in the last few years, they’ve brought along a fairly young (Japanese, IIRC) woman violinist). Mark Wood (the guy who makes the violins that Val plays) also has a band…his playing tends to be a bit too flamboyant for my taste but he IS a very impressive showman.
I’m not saying it just because this is the Groovelily board but very few bands have violinists as good as Val. Speaking as someone who grew up playing both in the rock and classical worlds, I can tell you that she’s an exceptional player (but you already knew that, didn’t you?).
oops…regarding Jethro Tull’s recent use of violin, that was supposed to say “…they’ve brought along a…woman violinist on their tours.”