Glad to see she's back!

Toya Alexis that is! Who is she & why does her name sound familiar? If you're as much into those "singing" competitions as I am, you would remember that she was the finalist who was eliminated from the first Popstars, in which Sugar Jones was created, because she was better off as a solo singer (or perhaps the producers felt that comment was nicer than saying, you're too big to be in this grp of skinny girls). You may also remember her from Cdn Idol, in which she made the top 10, but for some gawd forsaken reason, was the 4th or 3rd one kicked out (you got me as to why that was!).

 

Anyway, a phenomenal singer who I had often wondered, "What happened to her?" So, you can imagine what a nice surprise it was when my brother & I walked into a club, Chop Suey in Seattle, and saw that she was opening for Esthero! Her album is dropping at the end of July and she did about a 1/2 hour set of some of her upcoming songs. Toya was hilarious & she does a pretty damn good impressions of Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle and Macy Gray. lol

 

So, just to back the bus up a bit here... my bro's favourite artist is Esthero - probably has been for the last seven yrs or so. I've heard her singles and I liked 'em & all, but I wouldn't go as far as saying that I'm a fan. The fact that I even know who she is, is impressive enough, if you ask me. ;) Anyway, Esthero had decided to hit up teh US before heading to her native land to do a tour and the first stop of the tour was going to be Seattle. So, being the fantabulous older sister that I am, I agreed to go to the show w/ my hermano.

 

We left the house at 9 a.m., had a 40 minute border wait & got into Seattle around 6:30 p.m. No... the traffic wasn't *that* bad. However, we did stop at every single outlet on the way down there. W/ that said, all I bought was a pair of shoes. Anyway, ran some errands, saw the most hideous plaid Nikes at Urban Outfitters for a big whopping $10. These shoes were so hideous that they were beautiful! I convinced my bro to get 'em & finally he agreed... but 10 min. later, we discovered they were a women's 9 &  not a men's, so that put a HUGE damper on our day. :(

 

Anyway, got to Chop Suey a lil past 9 p.m. & the place was small *&* DEAD! Well, busy to the point that there were no seats left in the area that wasn't designated as the "smoking room." My bro & I stood around waiting for Toya to show up. She was supposed to hit the stage around 10:15, she showed up fashionably late around 10:35 p.m. Quel surprise. About a 30 minute set & we had another 15-20 minute wait for Esthero.

 

The good thing was that it gave me time to set up the MD player... that's right kiddies, I am a horrible music stealing, bootlegging fiend. It also gave me a chance to ask my brother whether every single guy that walked out on the stage was J. Englishman, Esthero's brother. It had been a couple of yrs since his album was released & I couldn't totally remember what he looked like. Besides, I didn't really think he would be there... until I saw a dude that looked familiar. Lo & behold... it was him. He has been relegated to roadie & unfortunately, he wasn't necessarily a good one. But... I'll give him the benefit of a doubt -  it was his first night afterall!

 

So, Miss E came out to start her set & she was wearing the same "princess" outfit she wears in the Musical Revolution vid. I've gotta say, this was probably one of the best shows I've been to in a LONG time. It was just so refreshing to be in an audience where the ppl were honestly happy to be there, to be basking in the presense of an artist that they truly appreciated it and they were there just to enjoy the music. There was none of the bullshit pushing and screaming that you typically encounter. It doesn't hurt that the age limit is 21 in the US either. It was a fantastic show, Miss E is truly a fantastic live performer and she's made me into a fan (which I'm sure my brother is happy to hear).

 

My bro managed to film Miss E performing Musical Revolution & I believe someone is planning on hosting it. Once I get the link, I'll let ya know. Check it out! It's a beautiful, catching & smart song!

*NB* Here are dem Nikes that I was talking about. So hideous, but yet so awesome!