On Saturday night we saw one of the greatest up and coming bands around. Their name is rubyhorse and you'll have to excuse me, because I plan on using this diary entry to gush about them a bit.

Kylan and I first came across rubyhorse (all lowercase) last summer when we went to see a performance by flickerstick (also lowercase), the band that won VH1's Bands on the Run reality television show. We thought that rubyhorse's performance absolutely blew flickerstick out of the water. After that show, we bought rubyhorse's indie CD and talked with the lead singer, Dave, for a bit. We found out that the band was from Cork, Ireland, and they were hoping to have a record deal sometime soon. Well as luck, or circumstance, would have it, less than one week after we first saw them perform, rubyhorse got signed to Island/Def Jam records (trust me, it's a major label). We were so excited for them! (We get their email newsletter, so we find out lots of info on them, almost as soon as it happens.)

About two weeks ago, we got an email listing some of the upcoming tour dates and, low and behold, one of them was at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland. The fact that it was almost an hour's drive away didn't phase us at all. (If we can do the 12 hour drive to Memphis, we can do anything!) Actually, rubyhorse was the opening act (as most new bands are) but we lucked out a bit because the main performers were a blues band. A perfect musical combination for the ecclectic music lovers that we are!

We arrived at the show early (of course) and staked our claim on a table in front. Kylan went to get us a couple of drinks and ran into Dave at the bar. He came back to our table to chat a bit and told us he was happy to hear that there were at least two people there to see them...they had considered not going on at all! As expected, their performance was amazing. Even though out of a crowd of more than 100 people there were less than 10 who had heard of rubyhorse, the guys showed lots of energy and performed as if the ballroom was full of diehard fans.

After the set, Kylan and I went backstage to let the guys know what a great performance it was. Dave even shook Kylan's hand and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Those Irish lads are friendly! We found out as well that they'll be touring for at least another year. The major label album comes out this May or June, but the first single "Sparkle" is set to hit radio stations on April 1st. (For all of my Canadian friends and family reading this, I can only hope that rubyhorse music hits Canadian airways sometime soon. If not, I'll just buy albums for everyone and ship them across the border!)

Okay, I think I'm done now. This is the longest diary entry I've done yet. You see what can happen when a lawyer gets going on a topic she feels strongly about?! ;o) And make sure to check out the next diary entry, where I promise to finally post photos of Banzai!

Until next time,
D.