Music is great. I love it. I'll never admit it, but I like to sing along when I'm alone. Oh, I guess I just admitted it. ::shrug:: Anyway, there are some essential bands that I could never do without. That's what this page is for. So get yourself a musical edumacation!

Wanna see my current playlist? Click it!

Velvet Chain
I cannot imagine not knowing about this Californian group. I first saw them performing on Buffy the Vampire Slayer way back in season 1. They had - and still have - a very unique style that refuses to be pinned in a genre. Rock, pop, trip-hop- they're all that plus some. The next studio album, Asteroid Belt, is in the works, but in the meantime you can get your very own custom CD. Very cool. Oh yes, I have to mention that lead singer Erika Amato totally wiped the floor with Ben Stein on Win Ben Stein's Money. Woohoo!

Grant-Lee Philips (of Grant Lee Buffalo)
I remember hearing "Mockingbirds" on the radio many years ago, but I didn't become really interested until Grant-Lee performed songs on Witchblade for the character Conchobar. He'll be doing a Euro tour this April... hopefully back in time to record some more things for Witchblade.

Duncan Sheik
Very soulful and mellow music. The lyrics are wonderful and it's a shame that he doesn't get more radio play. There's a message board at the site Ducan occassionally posts to. That's cool, right? Hm.

Michelle Branch
You know why I like her? Because she's a young artist that writes her own music and plays her own guitar. She has a lovely voice and doesn't dress like a cheap hooker. *ahem* Young. Talented. Not afraid of her fanbase. Girl will go far.

Anthony Stewart Head
Can I just pull a *thud* and get it over with? Any fans of Sting will definitely love Tony. He played Giles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer for 5 seasons and it was during his latter 2 years that we fans were exposed to his wonderful voice. Tony has been a professional stage actor for many years (he was Frankenfurter in the London production of the "Rocky Horror Picture Show"). His debut CD, "Music for Elevators," features guest vocals by Amber Benson and Alyson Hannigan, as well as a secret track with James Marsters.

Utada Hikaru
Gotta have the J-Pop. Hikaru used to be very R&B, but lately she's taken on a more pop sound, and even techno with "Travelling." She's currently attending Columbia University and enjoying the whole anonimity thing.

Bibi Chao
Went to Taiwan over winter break and spent a lot of time watching Taiwanese MTV. She reminds me a lot of Michelle Branch, which is a good thing. There isn't a lot of info about her on the internet and what there is, is in Chinese. All of her songs are great and I wish there were translations. If I were any better at Chinese, maybe I could do that. Heh. She was actually performing about six blocks from where I was, two days before I left Taiwan. Big MTV X-Mas party or something.

Rasputina
Almost forgot these cello-wielding girls. Very goth-rock. Also a band I discovered on Buffy. A very distinct style and awesome cover versions of songs like "Brand New Key" and "Wish You were Here." Although, a few of their lyrics will leave you a bit squicked. Be sure to check out the new web-only EP.