My reactions to local-to-me bands blowing up nationally is usually mixed; depends on the band, depends on the tenor and type of press. In some cases, like with Lost in the Trees, it’s intense pride with a tiny dollop of not wanting to share them because I’m selfish. In the case of American Aquarium, the first time I saw a blog not based in the NC write about them I fell off the couch and laughed until I cried. I was super proud of them, but I was also baffled: strangers are talking about my friends on the internet, what is going on?
Right now, in the case of the Love Language, my reaction is a mild bemusement, watching music bloggers go nuts for the first single off their sophomore effort. I adore the Love Language as a band, I can’t wait for Libraries, I’m thrilled they’re doing well, but I don’t have an emotional investment in them or their success like I do with other bands from the area. (And I saw Stu working the door at the Pour House Saturday, which makes for extra bemusement.)
And about a year ago, I told the internet that the Love Language was going to be huge, and hey, you know what? They’re going to be. Sometimes I do know what I’m talking about. (I still can’t stand most of their fans, and I’m still grateful that I got to shoot them in small venues as they take to the road with Camera Obscura this summer, in big venues.)
Do I get a prize for knowing that Stu and his band were going to explode? Merge, I’d settle for an advance of Libraries to review.
brand new kind of photography 