If I could learn every folk instrument I've ever wanted in my music I would. But they're all so effing expensive. I'm extremely lucky to have as many as I do at my grasp, especially since I'm such a poor girl, but I've actually just been VERY lucky. My mandolin I got because my dad works at Zepp Country Music in Wendell and gets a sweet discount, and he traded my bass (I got it when I was 18 because I've always had a thing for bass players) for one, since he borrowed it from me for shows all the time and I never played it. I got my banjo three years ago when I posted on Facebook that I wanted one, and my dad commented just minutes after that there was an abandoned one at Zepp's that'd been there for years and no one ever claimed it. It's got a hole in the back of it, and it has trouble staying in tune but it works. I'd dreamed of learning to play the accordion since 1999, when I started listening to Jump, Little Children. And my in-laws gave me a used one for Christmas 2010. I still see a heavenly glow radiate off it every time I open the case. I wish I was better at it, but I'm slowly getting to a point where I'll feel comfortable playing it live. I know I've been saying it for awhile now but I promise you, this is one of the many awesome things happening this year. Me on accordion. I might have to walk off the stage to put it on though, because I still haven't figured out how to do it gracefully. Also, please note that this video was taken almost a year ago. I have gotten better since then. But I still haven't mastered what Angie was trying to go. ;)

 

September was a busy month for us. We played 5 shows (all with me sick and coughing), went on the road to Asheville, then at the Cat's Cradle for the Carrboro Music Festival this past Sunday. And we couldn't have ended September on a better note. From start to finish it was the perfect day.

If you've seen a Scarlet Virginia show, you know we fill up a stage. There are 5 of us.. which includes, three vocals, two acoustic guitars, one electric, bass, drums, violin, piano, mandolin, and banjo (and soon accordion). In Asheville the stage was so tiny Kat had to push the piano up against the wall and I'm sure we all almost hit eachother at one point or another. My favorite part was when two dogs ran a circle on the stage (and miraculously didn't knock anything down!) Luckily we're able to mold well to our surroundings and we make it work, and we always have a blast no matter what. So you can imagine how playing the Cat's Cradle was like heaven to us. Incredible sound, so much space, our own monitors (gasp!), and the best part.. an AWESOME crowd. By the time we started our set, the place was packed. We don't often get a chance to play to that many fresh ears at once (which will change), and they were all so amazing. I always have fun playing, but I haven't had that much fun in a long time. So if you were in the crowd on Sunday, THANK YOU. You made our entire month.

Let me just say how awesome this festival is. It was my first time playing it AND going to it, and now I can't figure out why. For one thing, it's FREE. And there were so many great local bands playing of all different sounds that it was difficult to choose who to see. Everywhere we went the crowds were warm, attentive, and responsive. And everyone seemed to be in high spirits. A great highlight for me was seeing my dad's old friend and bandmate Dave Youngman (and my old piano teacher) play keyboards in Chicken Fried Blues, and their gig crashed by the Bulltown Strutters. So much fun. We ended the night at Milltown since I've been wanting to see Onward, Soldiers. Definitely love at first listen (I believe they're playing Chapel Hill this Sunday for Festifall) It was packed and the crowd in front of the stage turned into a high energy dance party. I just remember thinking how much I didn't want to go to work the next day (Monday, ugh).

Unfortunately, Monday had to come. But seriously mark your calendars for the Carrboro Music Festival next year. IT'S FREE! And it's such a blast. Couldn't have asked for a better time.

While the edge of Irene was brushing over the Triangle, Scarlet Virginia was huddled indoors at the home of Katharine and her room mate Lauren in Chapel Hill, and we were having a blast. We were supposed to be playing a benefit show that the both of them put a lot of work into to happen for the Cool Mountain Education Fund (Katharine is a board member, and Lauren is the Vice-President).

On Saturday morning when it was confirmed that the show would be canceled, Kat and Lauren quickly arranged for a small, intimate house concert/party to take place instead. There was home cooked chili (which was YUM), cornbread, and a Fullsteam keg, along with a tiny vase by the door for donations. After helping ourselves to some of the delicious chili and mingling for a bit, Kat, Kyle, and I played a set as an acoustic trio for the full den of friends. It was definitely the most intimate "show" that I've played, but also one of the most fun. I seemed to have forgotten what it was like to just play music without the stage lights, the bar noise, and the pressure that at least one person in the crowd will remember your band when they leave. About 13 years ago living room performances were all I knew.

After Angie played a few of her tunes (I've missed singing with her!), the rest of the night turned into a massive jam session/sing along (complete with a percussion section). Mostly nostalgic 90's tunes with everyone looking up the lyrics on their phones. And while I was disappointed that the show had been canceled (especially because Harry Potter was playing afterward!), Saturday night ended up being something special and awesome. And the best part... they ended up meeting their $500 goal.

I have phases when I write a lot. When the first thing I do when I get home from work is pick up my guitar and everything in my head and heart come out at once. Most of it I never keep, some of it I end up piecing together with other old forgotten songs I never used and make them into new ones. But I can do this for hours... as long as Ben isn't in the house. There's a scene in High Fidelity when they're listening to Lisa Bonet sing "Baby I Love Your Way" and they're talking about how they want to live with a songwriter. How she'll write at home and ask him what he thinks of the songs. Well it doesn't work like that. At least not for me.

Songwriting is a very private and personal thing for me. Some people can do it with an audience, some people only co-write (which I can't imagine), but I have to be completely alone. Not just alone in my apartment, but I can't hear my neighbors shuffling around through the walls or through the floor. It didn't used to be so hard to find private songwriting time. I was single for majority of my life up until the past four years. When I first started writing as a teenager I lived in a tiny house with my parents and three siblings, but there always seemed to be a stretch of hours when I was completely alone, except for the cats and the dogs. When I first moved out my room mates were a lot more social than me so I was alone even more. And then Ben came along (along with the first real happy love song I ever wrote).

I moved in with Ben just two months into our relationship (there is a long story behind it, but I'll spare you). The first apartment we lived in together we shared with three other guys. Three guys who I didn't know. Ben and I had to stuff all of our possessions into one tiny room. Thankfully, we had our own bathroom. It was my sanctuary. Our room mates were not only always home, but ALWAYS in the living room. And the walls were paper thin. The only way I could get any writing done was when Ben was at work and I could lock myself in the bathroom, sit on top of the toilet, and sing in a low whispery voice. On top of that toilet was where I wrote Scarlet Virginia's first four songs... "The Burden", "Safe", "Blink", and "This Time Next Year" (the love song).

Ben and I have been together (and living together) for four years now. Over the years I have found ways to work around the privacy issue. If Ben is entranced in a video game I know he's not paying attention to me in the least. So I'll let him blast it as loud as he wants then go lock myself in the bedroom to write. And most of the time when he's working at home or on a flier he's got earbuds on listening to music, and I use the opportunity. But very recently, he accidentally (or so he says) got around my getting around it.

He went somewhere. Can't remember where but I was under the impression that he would be gone for awhile. So I seized the opportunity and grabbed my guitar. Our very loud neighbor was in his living room so I went into the bathroom. I was in there for awhile, and I was singing loud. One day I'm going to have to record myself writing because I'm sure it's very amusing. When trying to find a melody before there are lyrics I'll randomly make them up. Sometimes it's just random words, sometimes it just jibberish. Thankfully on this day I think I was past the gobbledygook part and singing actual words. I don't know if I can describe how hard it is for me to introduce a new song, even to my band. Their first reaction will usually determine whether or not I decide to keep the song. And I only show them a song if I'm already attached to it and can play it several times through without thinking it sucks. This particular song was in the stage of  playing it over and over again to decide just that... toss it or keep it. Deciding I needed a break I went out of the bathroom and who should I see sitting on the couch (with no earbuds and no video game) but Ben. I think I scared him a bit with how angry I actually was that he had been listening to me. I felt violated. He then got mad at me for getting mad at him. But it didn't take me long to not be mad anymore and actually think it was pretty hilarious. I didn't end up keeping the song.

I think now it was just one of those things we had to get past in our marriage. Ben had to hear me write. And for some reason, after that day when I take advantage of him playing a video game or working with his earbuds on, I still go in the other room but I don't seem to be half as aware of whether or not he might be able to hear me. But I'll be damned if  I ever let anyone else hear me writing. For husband's ears only.

I had such a blast last night at Jessee's. I'm starting to feel like we're a Chapel Hill band instead of a Raleigh band. Even though I live right in downtown Raleigh, whenever we drive to Chapel Hill/Carrboro to play I feel like we're going home. Everyone in Chapel Hill is so good to us. Can't wait to go back on the 27th!

We played with some very talented ladies last night. Daphne Nichols of Winston-Salem opened with a solo piano set with incredibly passionate tunes that channeled Tori at times and Ani at others. Would love to hear her with a full band. I believe she said she's got an EP coming out soon. Ten Cent Poetry of Asheville followed. The tunes are lovely and magical. I immediately fell in love. They're coming back to the Triangle in late September, so don't miss it! I encourage everyone to take a listen to these two lady fronted projects. It's not easy being a lady in music. A lot is expected of you, and often the wrong things. The music I heard and had the pleasure of playing with last night was genuine, passionate, and beautiful. LISTEN!

Speaking of ladies in music, many of you know that before Scarlet Virginia I was in two other bands with my best friend Angie Gainey, Fey and Lady Jade. She's finally playing music again and just started a new project called Suicide Fox. I'm a huge fan of Angie's songs, and not just because she's my bestie. Our very own Mike Shelby will be playing bass in Suicide Fox and she's currently looking for a drummer. Take a listen to her tunes. I can't wait for her project to get up and running as a full band!

Ben and I are taking a day trip to Beaufort today. I'm very much looking forward to a pirate ghost walking tour so let's hope it doesn't rain on us!

Lindsey

Things are very busy in our world. Busy in a good way. We have a brand new drummer, Kyle Duppstadt, who we are very happy to have playing with us. We've been working on new songs, and very soon we'll be taking some new photos and announcing some awesome shows that we're very excited about.

One show we're particularly excited about is the benefit for the Cool Mountain Education Fund on August 27th at the Southern Village Amphitheater in Chapel Hill. Katharine (our violinist) is a board member and it's a cause that is very close to her heart. What makes this show awesome (besides the great cause) is that you can pack a picnic, bring alcoholic beverages (I'll be sippin on red wine!) as long as you use paper or plastic cups, and a movie is playing after the music! The music starts at 4:30 with Arkandan, followed by Stephen Chandler at 5:30, then we take the stage at 6:30. The best part (because I'm a huge dork) is the movie will be Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2! I've already seen it twice, but I can't wait to see it a third time, and right after playing a show. Couldn't be more perfect. I just hope we're able to raise some good money for CMEF. To learn more about the fund, visit their website and check out the Event page on Facebook.

For now, I hope to see you all tomorrow at Jessee's in Carrboro! We'll be playing outside on the patio (if the weather allows us) with Ten Cent Poetry of Asheville. This Event Page has all the details.

See you soon!

Lindsey