It's no secret that the night life during the Slamdance and Sundance Festivals is impressive.
Where else would you see a nightclub filled with as many tacky and loud people as in Park City during two major film festivals?Besides the major commercial names that appeared at the clubs, there were indie acts that were not only there to entertain but also to promote their newest CDs.
Ginny Owens is an artist whose Christian-based folk music CD "Without Condition" has crossed over into the mainstream and been played on the popular television shows "Felicity" and "Roswell."
I'm not a big fan of Owens' music.
Now, I have to say that this doesn't mean her work isn't good. All I'm saying is that I don't get into Christian-folk rock.
I was able to interview Owens before she came to Sundance to play an intimate concert in the BMG Sundance Film Festival Showcase.
Owens, who lost her sight at the age of 2, has been composing on her piano for as long as she can remember. She couldn't exactly pinpoint how she learned to play without her sight, but she did mention that she might have been able to memorize the keys and learn by depending on her hearing. In college, Owens majored in music education and learned theory, so she was exposed to the more technical aspects.
Her goal was to be a music teacher.
"Without Condition" is a tight compilation of songs that contain religious themes and that focus on her love for her Christian faith. She sings of how she found God, how he has changed her life and how important it is to serve him.
Her music falls into the Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant camp. Her sound is pop-folk, her voice is strong, her lyrics uncompromising and her message is positive.
A high moment in Owens' career was winning the Nashville "Lilith Fair '99 Talent Search," which garnered her a spot performing for the festival.
On a totally different note, I bring you Luna.
There's nothing religious, folksy, popish or even grungy about Luna.
This group, which has been around for a good part of the past decade, plays velvet rock. And I love it.
Luna played Cicero's on Tuesday night for the Slamdance Festival.
At this point, I do have to take issue with the choice of venue. Cicero's is too small a club to have a party. I believe I may be deaf, due to the really bad sound system the club has, and I may have broken a few ribs trying to find the door.
If you've never heard of Luna before, which is quite possible, its main musical influence is Velvet Underground. If that group doesn't help you with identifying Luna's sound, the Crash Test Dummies and Cowboy Junkies have a similar quality, although singer/guitarist Dean Wareham of Luna has been performing this plush style a bit longer. Ever heard of Galaxie 500? No? That's all right, neither had I. It was Wareham's earlier Velvet Rock group that predated these aforementioned groups.
Luna's story goes like this: The group was picked up by Elektra Records in '92 during the Nirvana frenzy, released four albums, was dropped by the industry label in the earlier part of 1999 before the big wigs even gave "Days of Our Nights" a chance (I'm sure Elektra is flogging itself for that one), then signed with indie Jericho Records and is now kicking the pants off of listeners with its killer CD.
What do I love about Luna? Its cover of the Gun's and Roses tune "Sweet Child of Mine." Little does the general public know that Luna decided to do it BEFORE dear Cheryl Crow did. Her version just got on the radio first. I think Luna's is much better.
If any of you readers are heading to Gray Whale or Salt City CD, I'm sure you can pick up Luna's newest work of art. For those of you who want to express your spiritual side, Owens' CD is available at most of the larger chains.
Have a good weekend, and if you haven't gone up to the festival, it's not too late to see some rather odd folks.
You've got until Sunday, so hurry, hurry, hurry.