kye

Shrank and Ran.

I love his music. Something about it, like all my favourite artists and musicians it makes something in my head snap. It clicks with me. It makes me want to move, to paint, to run, to scream, to live and bounce.

When I found out they were playing at The Globe, I quickly made plans with my friends to go and see them play. My friends hadn't seen them play before, but had heard of them and were keen to hear something new.

The band? I Nation.

Sounds like: A cross between NIN, Rammstein + Muse, mixed with a little Cult and Devin Townsend for good measure. - Taken from their myspace page. I Nation Myspace Page
I tend to agree, but I'm also going to say they remind me a little of Stabbing Westward too.

I remember the first time I saw them play, supporting H.I.M at the Tivoli. Right then, I knew I had finally found local music that was on par with the International acts that I love. They helped to fill the void of electronic rock that I had been looking for, for so long.
Not long after, I saw them play at the Alley with another local band I adore 'The Wretched Villains' and picked up a copy of the EP 'Splendid Isolate'. The five tracks on the EP have been played over and over in my house, car and mp3 player for the last 18 months. Needless to say, I Nation quickly secured a place in my Top 20 and have managed to maintain their position with great live shows - which I rarely miss.

At the last show I went to, I was caught out singing along to all the words and a microphone was extended towards me, I quickly shrank back into the crowd to avoid it and enjoyed the rest of the show.

Okay, background information aside. Last night.

I Nation - I Nation.

The irony of the lyrics in this song are not lost on me. Now.

They played a lot of new tracks. The one track they played from their EP was 'I Nation' and I was in the crowd, off to the side and singing along in my own little world. I don't really know details of what happened next, as it is kinda blurry and happened quickly (although it felt like slow motion). Once again, there was a microphone and I quickly started shrinking further back into the crowd.
Then, Dylan (guitar/vocals) is off the stage and following me.
Now, I can't begin to tell you the sheer terror I felt at that very moment. I make my way back to where the girls are sitting, and it's pretty far back, I turn around and he is still following me. I ran out of the room and to the foyer. Bright red and shaking.

It turns out social anxiety is still incredibly fucking high.

Now, sure, no big deal - He's just a Brisbane guy right? Wrong. Ronan Harris (VNV Nation), Stephen Jenkins (Third Eye Blind) or Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) might as well have just done the same thing to me and it would have had the same result. Godfrey Miller or Henri Matisse might as well have sat down with me and started talking Art.

Brisbane boy or not, I get seriously star struck. I remember the one time I spoke with him (I use that term loosely) was the night I bought the EP. He asked my name, I couldn't say it. It was on the tip of my tongue, but my vocal cords tightened and weren't going to give anything away. My friend with me at the time spoke on my behalf. I could have died.

The girls come out to find me and were in fits of laughter. Actually, fits of laughter doesn't adequately describe it. I thought Reshizzle and Allure were going to swallow their tongues or something. _Indigo_ found it funny, but was being polite/concerned and not rolling around in stitches like the others.
Eventually, the music called me back from my seated position and I found a place far enough away from the stage behind a few guys to enjoy the rest of the show. I danced and sang along to the chorus of a track that I've heard a lot from their myspace page.

After a little while, when I'd settled down, I too saw the humour in the situation. I don't suppose people usually run away like that.. But I didn't know what else to do! Sense fear, run. It's instinct!

All in all, a great night.
+ I got to spend some time with the lovely ladies that make me so happy.
+ I got to see one of my favourite bands of all time play - with new tracks!!!
+ The new tracks they played rocked my little world. The sound has evolved and has matured. I really like the direction they are headed.
+ I danced, I drank, I laughed.
- They started an hour late and I missed my train home as a result. *shakes fist at other bands for not running to time)
- I Nation played only one track from their EP. I had hoped to hear two or three older tracks
- Andy was meant to pick me up and fell asleep again, so I curled up on Kate's couch with nothing more than a short jacket to keep me warm (I'm an idiot and didn't want to wake her up and ask for a blanket or bedspace). As a result, I froze to death and have aching bones today.

So, they are playing next Friday night at The Alley. I really want to go, but part of me is shit scared and terribly embarrassed. I don't know what to do...

But yay for live music. Live music that stalks fans.