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April 2010, Spotlight33
Another Great Night at the Nile
Powerful music and paradoxes at the Blue Nile.
After grabbing a beer and a bite to eat at Cally's, Harrisonburg's local brew-pub, Sherry and I meandered over to the Blue Nile where the opening band was setting up. The set was starting late because one of the groups, Arms & Sleepers, had van trouble and was stuck north of the Mason-Dixon line for the night.
After a few beers, the opening band started their sound check; a few extra-loud power chords and they were ready to go. The guitar let loose a screaming note that could've 
shattered glass: a call to the despondent death dance. The band fell into driving, heavy metal with unintelligible shouting and a feeling of rhythmic chaos. By the second song, my ears were ringing.
This was A Cosmonaut's Ruin. Although, admittedly, metal is not really my style, I have been trying to appreciate it more, and this Charlottesville-based group certainly got my attention. I caught myself vigorously nodding my head quite a few times. I definitely enjoyed their set. I may have been the only one who noticed, and a music geek like me might be the only one who would care, but their last song began in 5/4+7/4 meter, just proving that these metal-heads are true musicians. I look forward to hearing them again soon. 
After A Cosmonaut's Ruin tore down, the main event was up: Caspian. This Massachusetts band (along with their unlucky counterparts, Arms & Sleepers) are currently on their North American tour and we were lucky enough to have them stop by Harrisonburg. Caspian is made up of Calvis Joss (guitar), Philip Jamieson (guitar, programming, samples), Erin Burke-Moran (guitar), Joe Vickers (drums), and Chris Friedrich (bass). When asked what genre they considered their unique music, they said that, for the ease of classification, "If we're anything, we're post-rock," even though they consider themselves a straight-up rock band.
Caspian is continuing on with their North American tour for the rest of the spring and then embarking on a European tour. They hope to return to Virginia when they come back to the states. They mentioned that another tour with the Irish band, God is an Astronaut, is in the works and they hope to bring them back to Virginia with them in September.
Caspian's set opened with a recorded free-form poem, fading into their unique, ambient, driving rock. No lyrics, just music. 
Powerful music. It has been a long time since I've felt such a range of emotion while listening to a live band. The music was a cry for help, for love, but it had that soft, gentle undertone of hope. A quiet reassurance that everything will turn out okay. Caspian's show was the rock equivalent of Miles Davis' album "Kind of Blue." Despite the instrumental virtuosity, it gives you an overall feeling of calm and relaxation. It's quite a paradox: like being blown by a strong wind on top of a mountain. You are in peril because you could lose your balance at any second and fall to your death, but it is such a feeling of peace: a breath of fresh air if you will. And that is exactly what Caspian is to today's music scene - a breath of fresh air. I wish them the very best of luck with their career and can't wait until they return to Virginia.
The Harrisonburg-based band, Gifts from Enola closed the show. They are also strictly instrumental and much heavier than Caspian. It was the first time I had heard them, but they did not disappoint. They are definitely the crowd pleasers as well. At the end of their set the crowd began chanting "One more song . . .
Unfortunately, they didn't consent to the crowd's pleas, but we can rest assured that they will be back again soon.
Overall, another great show at the Blue Nile. This venue is quickly becoming my favorite in Virginia. I have yet to see anything but amazing bands there, and the bartenders and staff are really chill. If you are ever passing through the Burg, I highly suggest checking this place out.
Born into a musical family in middle-of-nowhere Pennsylvania, Adam began to actively pursue a career in music after he heard a high school pep band in fourth grade. He began studying classical clarinet, but quickly discovered his passion for jazz, and adopted the saxophone as his love. He has been blessed to pursue his art in the cultural hubs of New York City and Florence, Italy. Currently residing in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Adam continues to play jazz and classical gigs as a freelance musician as well as break out the keyboard for the occasional rock or indie project. When he is not playing music, Adam enjoys hanging with friends and family, traveling, and exploring good food, drink, and the culinary arts.