blacksundae

It’s me, your old pal Non-Shannon, back after a long absence!

I’ve been keeping busy with The Invincible Czars for the past few months, and I’m happy to report that we’ve finally put the finishing touches on our Nutcracker Suite CD! I can only describe it in vague terms as a sort of rock/klezmer/polka-y madness. I’m on it as a guest musician, since they’d started recording the album long before I became a member of the band, but hey, it’s still awesome!

We’re doing a plethora of shows in Austin and Houston in December playing exclusively Nutcracker stuff. Recently, we’ve appeared on KUHF in Houston (the NPR/classical station) and on Fox 7 News in Austin, so I’m, you know, famous now. No autographs, please.

KUHF appearance

Fox 7 video (their website)

I’m doing my best to try and convince you all to move to Austin. Is it working yet?

You may not know it, but I am the resident musician here at blacksundae. In fact, I’m sure you didn’t know that, as I’ve never posted anything remotely music-related. Well, my friends, that is soon to change.

In college, I played multiple wind instruments, took opera lessons, and even attempted the viola at one point, but ever since graduating I’ve felt out of the loop (all washed up, pink-slipped, etc.). When I moved to Austin, things seemed to get even worse–I landed the squarest job I’ve yet had, as an analytical chemist, and even though Austin is known for its vibrant music scene, I just couldn’t find the right band for me. I guess it must have taken me exactly two years to settle in, folks, because suddenly, things are lookin’ up for Old Gil!

Meet my new band, The Invincible Czars:

Oh, I do love them so. This is the first non-school-related band I’ve ever really performed with, so I’m all giddy like a meddlin’ biddy.

Anyhoo, what this means is that now that I am much BUSIER, I’ll be more likely to post here, especially relating to music in all its various, wondrous forms. Don’t ask me how that makes any sense. Oh, and they have a MySpace, too. I mean, WE have a MySpace.

!