Repetition is the Way to Success

Posted by Ms. Babble

February 11, 2007

Ember Swift.Â I saw her 3-piece last night in Rockford.Â She was exciting and impressive as always.Â This will be the 4th time I’ve seen her over the years andÂ all of those times have been in a nice cosey small venue like last night.Â (VERY preferable.)

As she went through her set I realized that I recognized most of the songs and was nearly able to sing along to them.Â Well, let me clarify.Â Although I’ve seen her several times live, I have yet to actually purchase an album of hers.Â Shame on me!Â So, it was suprising to me that I could remember her set throughout the years without ever having owned an album.

This made me realize that she’s been playing most of these songs for at least 3 years.Â (Which is the first time I saw her live.)Â Then I considered that she tours at least 10 months out of the year…Â shows every other night…Â carry the two…Â holy crap!Â

Hundreds, maybe thousands, of times she’s played these songs?

I really don’t think I could do it year after year after year without feeling nauscious from the effort.Â I imagine it feels like someone tapping on your shoulder constantly… tap tap tap tap…Â until you just can’t handle it anymore and snap.

Most artists at least mix it up a little and change the words, the rhythm, the break, something!Â I know I would.Â I’d change the words at the most critical moment just to mess with the people singing it in the audience.

I found myself impressed at her ability to regurgitate these tunes that I’m sure she’s grown to despise.Â I love them equally as much as the first time I heard them but felt an ounce of pitty towards Ember and her coherts.Â She knows what her audience wants and she gives it to them.Â I think it’s great that she realizes this and plays the tunes that people will recognize.Â But it really makes you wonder if she’s gritting her teeth in the aftermath?

Popularity: 15% [?]