We played a show at Fletcher's tonight. I hadn't been there in probably 2 years, mainly because during that time no one but horrible pop-punk, wanna-be screamo bands had been taking over the Noise in the Basement shows usually held there (along with your run-of-the-mill B-list alternative bands passing through Balitmore). And it's a shame, it used to be a really great venue, in one of my favorite parts of the city. However, tonight was an oppurtunity for some really great local and diverse acts to grace the stage of Fletcher's, including Kadman, Kodiak, Gist, and your very own a Cat Called Cricket. Unfortunately no one came!

    Our very good friend Ganesh from Kodiak asked us to play this show. Both KB and I have been in bands with Ganesh (Soft Pyramids & Hey Icarus), and THE first show Patty and I played together Ganesh's band at the time Sylvan Screen played as well. Whlie Ganesh and I played in Hey Icarus together last summer, we played an acoustic set at the Ottobar with local trio Kadman! We were immediately impressed and after the show i would catch David their lead singer/guitarist at Record & Tape Traders frequently. To make the world even smaller, Cricket played a show at DC's Revolution Records almost 2 years ago. Which was owned and operated Nayan from Gist. Yet somehow with us being all connected, the music tonight was one of the most eclectic and enthralling local shows i've ever been to; each band grabbing my attention more and more!

    It's such ashame that there were not more there to experience it. Besides other band members, i think the only other people there were on band's guest lists. What a waste for bands who actually stand out from their local music communities, to finally get a great bill and a great venue, and only play to a room of 10-15 people.

    I guess you could blame it on the time of the year, school is winding down. People are studying for exams or finishing up final papers or project...but come on! How many of us go to the same band's show multiple times in a month, and still complain that there's no good local music, when you're not even looking for it. I"m not even upset that us personally played to such a small crowd. We just had a show last weekend, but the bands after us deserved better! With every set the bands became more inspiring and more musically tight, but not one group sounded similar, and we're passionate and unique in their own ways.

    I had a great time tonight catching up with people i hadn't seen in a while, and meeting new friends who we're losely connected to somehow. It's great to feel a sense of unity in our music realms between here and DC. You have no idea how amazing it feels to be a part of something bigger than yourself, and even your band....but does it really matter if no one notices. If there's nobody's coming out to see us play, have fun at show with us, or maybe even get involved...are we waisting our time?

    Many of us have day jobs, or go to school so that we can have a real career in something. We come home from a long day, sit on our beds and write these songs, not because we want to make it big. Strike it rich with that major label record deal. No, this is just a hobby if you will, a hobby that we put a lot of heart, time and our own money into, just so we can share our passion and ideas with others who might feel the same. The goal is not financial, nor material. In fact there really isn't much of a goal, we write because we feel it, not necessarily to get anything out of it. Just playing is satisfaction enough. But the great payback is to have an audience, some one you can try and reach out to, and connect with. There's not monetary value to that.

    I know this has become quite the rant now, but i'm just bewildered that a place like Fletcher's can get packed by bands of teenage-sellouts, who are only in a band to look cool and score chicks. But when really talented, original, and passionate artists play there, there's not a single human being who'd front up a few dollars for a truly great night of music by musicians who grew probably right down the street from you.