Voices from the Abyss

These old souls in college-aged bodies (scrawny legs and all) put a warm smile on my face. Richard Thompson’s 1952 Vincent Black Lightning:

Voices Collide in the Abyss

The Voices from the Abyss column began with the intention of celebrating those earnest folks who sing into the depths of the world wide web hoping for a reply—an ode to being scrappy enough to insert your voice into the performing arts despite any marketability issues. I imagine that it’s wonderful when these seekers do get a response, there’s many a comment on YouTube. But even better, sometimes an artist actually gets a volunteer from the audience, someone so moved, she sings along. . .and a duet is born.


Voices*: ccendana (aka Chris Candaña) is from Pennsylvania. tonjesmi (aka Meghan Tonjes) is from Michigan. Song written by OneRepublic.

*Note: Yeah, there are a few pitch issues, they’re never perfect (is anyone?), perhaps that's part of the beauty—no retouching. The collaboration is nonetheless poignant, a pretty meaningful statement, especially for those who feel that the internet is making us less human. I’ll feature the female singer again, on her own. She’s pretty talented.

Previously featured Voices from the Abyss:
• ju218
• mealat

Another Voice from the Abyss

Despite the fact that this young gal forgets the lyrics, she has such a strong grasp of her own identity, I just couldn’t resist her. A great (and albeit less painful) rendition of Dire Straits’ strikingly tender Romeo & Juliet:



Voice: meallat, age 20 from Ireland.

A Voice from the Abyss

When I was a lonely suburban adolescent hankering to be part of a creative tribe of sorts, I would have killed for this world called the internet. In my present day www meanderings, I occasionally come across a kindred soul with whom I would have loved to virtually know. This anonymous sweetie pie is one of them. Hooray for music. Hooray for the internet. Hooray for being able to call into the abyss. . . and actually be heard.

(Yes, you do sense the beginnings of a regular column.)



Voice: ju218, age 19 from Dijon, France. Song written by Death Cab for Cutie.