My Love, Ben Folds

My love for Ben Folds started when I was the wee age of 19.  I had heard the song "Brick," but honestly, it did nothing for me. The song that made me fall in love was, the Ben Folds Five's "Battle of Who Could Care Less!"  The harmonies were amazing!  I ran out and bought the album, and from there, all is history.
As I sit here at my desk in the anticipation of the new Ben Folds Five CD, that is going to be delivered at any second by the UPS person, I reminisce on all of the years I've had with Ben and the love of his music. I've lost count how many concerts I've been to.  It's probably around 15-20, which is low in some people's eyes.
The first time I met Ben, I announced to every one at work that day, I wasn't leaving the concert venue until I met him!

Ben and I at Purdue, May 2, 2005

Well, I did. I stood for an hour in the rain... blah, blah, blah, but it happened!  All of my co-workers at the time, started calling him my husband!  

Every year, I try to see him at least once live.  It usually happens in the fall, so, I've started associating Fall with seeing Ben at some point. (Which is funny, because all of the pics I've posted on here are from Spring concerts!)

This year is different!  I've never seen him with the actual Ben Folds Five.  This is going to be so awesome!  I'm waiting for that CD to come today, so, I can start memorizing all of their new songs!  

There's something about Ben and BFF that moves me from deep in my soul.  I love every song, every harmony, every lyric! 

Indianapolis, Murat March 21st, 2009

Purdue March 1, 2008

E. and I with Sam, Ben's Drummer

October 3rd will be here soon!  I've spent way too much money on tickets, but I have them.  See ya then, Ben! 

System of a Down: A Random Love

I am a musician, and a classical opera sing to boot! I'm also obsessed with pop divas. I have this random love for the band System of a Down.  I admit it! I love listening to the harmonies. The lead singer's voice is phenomenal! This band isn't for the faint of heart!  (If you don't like cussing among other things, don't listen!)
You might think, "Such a sweet girl! She sings opera and show choir music.  Why would she be obsessed with System of a Down?!?"
This band is so operatic!  I can listen to them for hours on end.  The other day I was listening to them and thinking, I would love to start a band where my operatic voice isn't shunned.  Then, I start to realize, how there's a double standard with male and female opera singers.  It's O.K. for male singers in the pop/rock genre to sound like opera singers.  Besides System of a Down, there's Josh Groban, Il Divo, Muse, and many other male singers with operatic style voices that have successful "Pop Music" careers. When I look at female singers with that style of voice, I see a handful who are very successful, like Kristin Chenoweth, Sandy Patty, and young people, like Charlotte Church and Jackie Evancho.  After Charlotte grew up, the novelty of a 13 year old singing opera wore off, and she's not heard of anymore.  I hope little Jackie Evancho can survive that stigma! Women who are not "Belters"  are chastised for having too much vibrato.  I've been there. I know.  
Has anyone else experienced this? 
So, who's with me?!  Who wants to start and operatic rock band with a female lead singer?