I Love Jones

Last night my best friend and I finally got to see Love Jones perform live, and we were not dissapointed! Seeing South African bands is a lot different than seeing international bands- it's a lot more intimate. Esjay (vocalist) touched my back as she was trying to get past me to the V.I.P room (ja, this time it was the bands that had the V.I.P room instead of us) and Mike Goddard (drummer) and Steve (guitarist) stood in front of me talking, laughing, and Mike did some funny things like, point his fingers down the side of his legs and hopped like a poggo stick. I know I sound a bit star-struck, but I was really excited to see them after only hearing them on the radio and watching them on tv. And when they performed I stood right in front, with my camera. And it was amazing. It was an acoustic performance, because that is the kind of club Zula Bar is, which is why I love it so much- it's different. While the band performed, and I know this is going to sound weird, Mike and Esjay looked into my eyes while they sang; and that is what I mean by intimate. I like the picture of Mike (the first one) because he's actually looking into the camera, with a sort of pose. There are way more pictures, but I couldn't put them all up. It was Love Jone's last day of tour (at Zula's!!! They are from Durban) so they decided to stay and "party" with us. I unfortunately didn't get to chat with any of them, but it would've been cool. Another guy from another of my favourite South African bands, "Bed on Bricks" (who I've been priviledged to see twice) was there. He actually spoke to me while I was waiting in line for the toilet, actually he just asked me if I was waiting in line. But he still spoke to me. And later when I was in the toilet, a guy asked me if there are lesbians in the 'spot' (he used that word to refer to the club), and I told him there were a few, it was Ladies' Night. I didn't care, as long as I got to see Love Jones, Karma (who was amazing as well, and is actually going to record an album in the States- that's where she's based now) and Just Sara, I couldn't care less. There were other guys there, we just had to pay a little more.

I love live music and it's always great to see my favourite bands. South African music is great, and I support it 100%. I just wish more South Africans (and the world) would appreciate our country's music. It's always sad to lose our bands and singers to the States, or Europe, but they have to follow their dreams and one cannot become big in a country like South Africa. I just think it's bad marketing and little exposure. They always come back though, even if it's not for long. You can check out Love Jone's MySpace profile: http://www.myspace.com/lovejonesband or their site: http://www.lovejonesband.com