look at this journal entry, if it's the only thing you do today.
04/08/2004 03:31 p.m.

so, if you have ever read my journal before, you know that there is a band known as jump which i quote incessantly. that being the case, you might have deduced that they are my most beloved musical group. hear me out, now - jump is an independent band fighting to control their own music and careers while still putting their music out there. they are based in charleston, sc, but tour all over the country.

their instrumentation is incredible: guitar, drums, upright base, cello, harmonica, accordion, mandolin, tin whistle, all manner of flutes, and other "novelty instruments." [the last 5 are all played by one guy, matt bivins, who also plays a tiny guitar, does some vocals, and is generally captivating on stage.]

and if you want to hear some music, i've got two things for you. first, an old recording of an amazing song, dancing virginia: http://realserver.slicker.com:7070/ramgen/Jlc-ra/virginia.ra. second, a preview of their new album, between the dim and the dark; the song is called young america: http://www.jumphq.com/youngamerica/youngamerica.mp3

i have to warn you - with the possible exception of the new album, none of jump's music is of a regular or identifiable style or genre. that said, they are incredible. especially live. if you get the chance to see a show of theirs, it's worth it for any number of reasons. they have an incredible stage presence, for one. for another, music. a third, they will bring you to your knees.

http://www.jumphq.com/

this kind of promotion is not my usual thing, as you might know...but this is a special circumstance, in my opinion.