Valerie

About me:

So, I was stabbed, and that sucked... read the blog if you want the details, there's not much to tell... here is the donation account a few of you were asking about, thank you so much from Tom for doing this, and Shawn for making the button work!

Now, I was saying... A recent-ish graduate of artbased academia I live a split conciousness between a ranting coffeeshop girl and a raving gypsy punk singing circus performer... of sorts.

I am an illustrator and a self proclaimed "guerilla operatist", and desperately trying to hone out a living through just that, failing delightfully, and most importantly: getting by somehow.

Once a ubiquitous part of Charlotte, North Carolina's failing "scene", I have put aside my nightlife in attempt to become an avid slave to a lowpaying workforce. I do however find time to enjoy myself through the late evening into the early hours of the morning, as the female vocalist, melodica and glockenspiel player, and accordion afficionado of one, the Hellblinki Sextet. In my maddening love affair with the gypsy punk cabaret vaudeville scene (oh and there is one!) I have discoverved the most beautiful object: an accordion I have fixed and have learned to play, (everyone needs a hobby). I also enjoy dancing, avoiding clusters of smoking people, being mistaken as "part of the show", and disturbing the peace- punk opera style -warming up on rooftops.

I have engulfed myself in a wave of external audible stimulous, crazy stuff from all over the place: Indian hip hop, South African jazz, most of which I find in the dusty barracks of the public library, or recieve on not so regulated discs, from my friends, or maybe just Ian... I am especially intrigued by Eastern European, or so inspired Gypsy Punk, collections I recieve from various friends who meet me in passing on my grand adventure, and the honed personal projects of the bands I meet on tours.
With no more direct and pressing ties to Charlotte, I am living a half-life in Asheville, failing that, you're bound to see me wandering through the streets of your fine town. ..