Hello from the Halo !

 

First and foremost, we hope you're planning to join us for one (or both) of our FREE shows Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27 at 7 PM in the ARTS CENTER at the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association.  These shows will mark Circle Like a Halo's one year anniversary and we'd love to celebrate the occasion with you and the rest of our friends.

 

As you may know, CLAH grew out of last year's NIGHT of the LIVING DEAD phenomenon at Blue Ridge Community Theater.  I thought it'd be fun to have some live music that, in some way, accompanied our little Zombie show, but I just didn't have the technology to make that happen.  Fortunately, Jason Smith did.  We were able to play a few shows last year around this time and thoroughly entertained ourselves (and others). 

 

After the "Nightmare Serenade" shows that followed NIGHT of the LIVING DEAD, Circle Like a Halo's future was uncertain.  Up to the Halloween shows in 2006, we'd been playing characters in a fictitious band.  But after the concerts, the band was "real".  What to do...what to do ?

 

Well...it's taken us some time to get here, but I think CLAH has "figured out" what we are and where we'd like to go.  And we hope that you'll continue to accompany us on our journey.

 

Circle Like a Halo is a three-piece band now...not counting the computers, of course.  We've been debating the pros and cons of adding a bass player, but for the time being, there are only three of us.

 

Jason's drums have become an exciting new component of CLAH's live sound.  Of course he's still singing, playing keyboards, engineering our sound and creating our sequencing.  In addition to all that, he's playing drums for most of our live music.

 

Shannon has taken on most of our lead vocals for our new list of songs.  She's also playing keyboards (and her Mom will be pleased...those piano lessons paid off !).  Our new set list perfectly compliments the power and tone of Shannon's voice.  She ROCKS !

 

I've become THE guitarist of the band.  It's been an interesting process attempting to condense and compress two guitar parts onto one fretboard.  To ease the pain, I bought me a few new guitars and some hi-tech signal processors that make the coolest sounds.

 

Technology has always been important to CLAH.  We love to make good music, interesting noise and the previously mentioned cool sounds...and we aren't afraid to use computers and any number of other technological gadgets to help us accomplish our goals.  Besides the stuff I've mentioned and the things you've already seen and heard from us, we have made a couple of recent MAJOR developmental break-throughs.

 

MAJOR Break-Through #1:

Circle Like a Halo's new sound system is AWESOME.  During the "WAITING for the NIGHT" shows at BRMAA, the master volume will likely be set somewhere around 1/2 (and it goes to 11).. That's right, our system is powerful enough to kill a guy...probably.  But you won't have to worry about that at the Oct. 26 & 27 shows.  We won't be "too loud"...even though we could be.  In all seriousness, the sound system we'll be using is one of the best I've ever heard...not just loud but GOOD.  Stop by and tell me your opinion.

 

MAJOR Break-Through #2:

Our "WAITING for the NIGHT" shows will introduce our new lighting and audio-visual systems.  We've always envisioned the "perfect" CLAH rock show...and those shows included lights and visuals that we didn't have before.  But now...we got 'em.  And don't be surprised if you see me projecting something somewhere (you know how I like to do that...).

 

So...CLAH has some idea now of where we're going.  But we haven't gotten there yet.  We think you'll notice some definite changes and improvements in CLAH as we celebrate being one-year old.  And you'll get an exciting glimpse into what the future holds for us as a band.

 

Speaking of the future, CLAH plans to "go on the road" very, very soon.  The possibility of plugging in my guitar and standing on the same stage in Athens, GA where I saw the Ramones, REM and the Replacements play "back in the day" is a moment I personally would consider one of my greatest accomplishments in life. 

 

We've also recently hired a marketing agency (because they contacted us) who has submitted one of our songs for consideration in a major motion picture soundtrack.  They're also helping us prepare a "professional" press kit and are advising us about other marketing and business opportunities.

 

This is an exciting time for Circle Like a Halo.  And we thank YOU for all your support and encouragement.  We hope to see you at the FREE SHOWS in a couple of weeks.  Until then, CLAH is "WAITING for the NIGHT".

 

clah