Ember Swift!

Here is the story of how I met the band. I was so impressed that I went to three shows in a row. The first was in Saratoga Springs, NY, the second in Utica, NY and the final one was in Buffalo. I have been hooked ever since!

My good fortune began on a chilly evening while living in Saratoga Springs, NY. I had stepped out of my small studio to grab a bite to eat from hole-in-the-wall restaurant, called Esperanto's. On my way there, I stopped to look at a poster on the door of the much famed live music venue, Cafe Lena. I was intrigued by the poster because it reminded me of the song "Punk Rock Girl."

While reading the poster and thinking that it might be a good night for a set of live music, I was accosted by the hottest woman I had seen in all of NY. Turns out that hottie was Lyndell Montgomery, asking me if I was going to come to the show. This being one of the few times in my life that I was at a loss for words, I mumbled something along the lines of, "Sure, just let me go get my dinner."

After retrieving my dish of chicken curry, I faithfully marched back to Cafe Lena, forked over my cover, called my friend, Mike, so he could be a part of this amazing discovery, and patiently waited for the show to start.

When Mike arrived, we commented on how hot the band was (they are all lookers!) and then we were totally blown away by the show. The lyrics had the same kind of social message that Ani DiFranco is known for, but more mature and without the rage. And the music was an ecclectic mix of so many beautiful styles. Add to that the voices and we are talking about a world class act that is a special gift given only to a few.

In this little intro I have mentioned both Ember and Lyndell. Also performing with them that nite was drummer, Cheryl Reid. I didn't have much occassion to speak with her that night, but on subsequent shows I did and she has the same easy manner of the the other two.

The Band

Photo by Suzy Malik, Toronto, ON, CAN