When I joined Antigone Rising in 1999 The Henderson’s and I had a plan. It was Springtime and I was in NYC playing a show with a band I had put together in Los Angeles of really cool, super talented people, (3 guys and one girl) who pretty much donated their time and talents to me. We played a gig in the East Village at a place I can’t remember. I wore short hair at the time with a denim hat shaped like an upside down tulip that covered the better part of my face. I was pierced everywhere and what you’d call “trippy”. The Henderson’s came to check me out because my manager at the time had sent them a cd of my stuff and Kristen really liked it, Cath did too, but they’ll both tell you that Kris was really into it.
They had been in NY doing music for a few years. They were smart, and educated, and not nearly as wayward as I was. Not to mention tremendously talented.
You could tell they liked what I was doing creatively but would never tolerate any nonsense from me, and if I was going to work with them I’d have to get serious. And I was cool with that because after traveling around a bunch singing for my supper, and playing in lots of bands I was ready for something permanent.
So we met at Gray Dog Cafe in the West Village and sussed each other out.
The conversation lasted an hour or so, and we could tell we were on to something even just sitting there. They had been through the ringer with the record industry already, and I had too, so we decided then and there to walk away from the pigeon hole and do our own thing. Make our own records, build a following, use the internet, which was really still just establishing itself as a place for unsigned bands at the time, and forget getting signed or being played on radio. Just forget it altogether.
I went back to LA after our meeting to gather my life which at the time fit inside a duffel bag, and moved into an apartment in Williamsburg that I found through a friend.
And so it goes..
we wrote some songs, bought a van, played some shows, gained some fans. I got my act together and The Henderson’s let go a little. It was good. Dena and I took a minute to speak the same language, I think she didn’t know what to make of me, and that was fair. But we figured it out and soon became sisters…brothers even.
Those were happy days. Hard days. Exhausting days. After touring 250 shows a year for a while, and doing it all ourselves, lugging gear in the snow from the van to the venue…driving through the night from Atlanta after a show to NY so we could play another one (yes, I’m serious). No health insurance, my voice was toast, but I kept singing. (If you listen to old bootlegs you’ll wish I hadn’t). 
Everyone was trashed, but kept playing every night, every night, every night….Because it was ours, it belonged to us. We did it for each other, ourselves, and for the people who showed up. If they could make it, we could make it…that was the deal. Not to mention Jude, and Brooksie, Knuckles and Leslie…all the people who did NOT get rich working for AR…and the fans who donated money so we could make records and gas cards so we could travel…and so much more. So so much more. I remember. I remember you, I remember it all.
To all of you within the sound of my voice. Those from before, those who joined us of late, all of you……we signed that record deal because we were promised the moon. We signed that deal because we were told that we were deserving of more. That he (Jason Flom) would help us get further. We were wooed, and sweet talked. We were so tired, and SO broke. We were weak I guess, and we got tricked. Now, we are trying to recover, and it’s a challenge. We can’t answer all of your questions though we want to. But we need you more than ever if we are to survive this. We are still here. And we still believe.
Say you do too.
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So I just got home from work and class and I check ‘the blog’ because my mom, who may just be one of your earliest fans (1980), is religious about her A.R., and I need to keep up; if only to see her through her techno-troubles. I see 1999, and I am suddenly reminded of a long ago New Years 1999 Millinium gathering at mom’s, 3 young musicians huddled on dinning room chairs, singing soft, melodic, acoustic, harmonies. Those were the days of acoustic trios and acoustic duos. Never knowing what to expect at a show, full band, half a band, it didn’t matter. The entertainment was raw, organic, and highly interactive. Us ‘early fans’ felt wooed and sweet talked, we believed in all of you. You girls made us! We felt like we were supporting friends and family. It didn’t matter that we weren’t friends or family, it felt like we were. I’m sure you girls can still cast that magic. You can still woo and sweet talk, just don’t ever lie or trick…..
P.S. Nice use of British slang! I love it!
Cass, you are beautiful, brilliant and captivating. Actually, that goes for all the AR women! The instant the music starts and the sound of your voice fills the room I am taken over by chills! Those who are your TRUE fans and race to their email lists and telephones when word hits that AR will be in town and tickets are on sale – they will spread the word and the sounds of AR.
One of my best friends is an extremely talented singer and musician. I told her she needed to work on her stage presence to get her message across, ease her mind and exude that confidence that is within her. I told her about AR and took her to her first show at The State Theater in VA. I could hardly contain myself and kept telling her about your incredible stage presence and the trance that transforms me when you sing and the music – oh my. I must have been right b/c the same thing happened to her that day. Going to see AR is one of things that brings us together!!!!
WE ARE LOYAL TO THE END!!!!
Hell Yes I Believe!!!
(now i can’t get that Thompson Twins song out of my head!)
I can say that I will stand behind you 100%…..I am a fairly new fan but a fan for life.
Hey Cassidy…
I’ve only been a fan since spring of ‘05, but you guys hooked me from the 1st hook I heard on FTGU
.
You guys (AR) are, for sure, the best rock band around (that happens to be girls) and I love your music, and each of you for your own unique things.
You can count on “us” fans and I’m sure those that have been around even longer than me are still lurking around somewhere.
We WILL be there for you and we know you guys will be there for us.
Oh..one more thingy…
“we still believe”
ROCK ON!
This post answers a lot of those questions fans speculate about, so thank you.
Keep believing… for those who wish we could do what you do but have planted different roots. But especially for yourselves. Although you may have been ‘taken’ in some respects, what you as individuals and as a band have accomplished is so great. Each of you have had experiences only few will ever have, all because you took that risk.
I still believe,
Millisa
keep on keeping on ladies…we are more than here and more than willing to get behind you anyway we can!!!
I must say from the first time I heard your voice back in Sparta when you sang at Tracy and Eric’s wedding (which I shed a tear or three at) you had me hooked. I new someday we would see you on the stage somewhere. How lucky we all are that you and the Hendersons found each other. I think you have the best music around. I got my sister in law hooked also when she heard DLB and she went out and bought the CD. You are captivating on stage and still have the energy that you had when you were just a little girl. Thanks to your dad who told me one day you were going to be singing at a. local hotel.. I went to hear you sing and I was blown away.. I tell everyone about AR and listen to your CD everyday going to curves. It gets me juiced up for the day… I love it!!!
Girl, your keeping me young, so don’t stop. We are here for you until I can’t hear or see. Thanks for the music. Keep it going. Love ya!
Mrs.O
You are too young to be nostalgic, but brilliant enough to be historic.
I believe. I believe in lyrics that are not nonsense or cute but touch my soul.
I believe in passion that wafts across the stage and into my soul
I believe in a band that assumes an archetype that communicates strength, brilliance, and wisdom.
Hey Cassidy…..you are an “old soul”–we LOVE you and AR. WE are here always. We believe-if we didn’t we wouldn’t be following you up and down the east coast…it is love love love and AR makes us happy. Who would let that go? Not us:)
Hey Cassidy
Sorry to hear you got “tricked” and that right now things are a bit challenging and I’m sure frutrating too. But – they say the best things in life are worth fighting for – so just imagine what is in store for AR – what will someday be right around the corner for all of you.
None of us are giving up – glad to hear that AR isn’t either.
I still believe in what you (AR) give.
years go by but the smile is still the same… there is an energy that woos us, that moves us… we’ll continue to be there to soak it up, sing along, throw our hands up in unison…
keep writing, keep playing, we’ll keep coming…
i believe.
I’ve been following you very talented ladies since the summer of 2000. A little show at Valentine’s in Albany, NY and I was hooked.
It’s been quite the journey to watch you all grow over the years.
Have a great show at Revolution Hall tonight (I can’t be there because of financial restrictions) but I’m sure it will be a blast!!
I will send some positive energy AR’s way, and I am sure that you will traverse this time and come out on the other side stronger than ever before.
Hey Cassidy.
Thanks so much for sharing your heart with us. That was beautiful. I really appreciate how much effort you put into really communicating with us. Your words (and music) has had my attention ever since I was drawn into your tent at Bonnaroo and they have kept my heart going ever since. Keep your head up. We will always be here for you guys.
Peace, Jenelle
(We need more Jersey girls in music!)
So I was dating this comedian/actor and all he wanted was to become famous. And I always use to think, does he love what he does or is he just looking for the fame and fortune. Because I don’t think he will ever be happy if it’s the latter. Even if the one in a million shot comes along and he makes it big, he will always want more and someone will always be more accomplished then him. And then there is the inevitable sitcom cancelation and comedy shows not selling out and he will be more depressed then ever that his 15 minutes are over.
And then I think, are there actors/artists out there that do actually love what they are doing and even though they would like to be famous, they could be happy the rest of their lives just having constant work at the craft they love, even if at times they are scraping by. Those are the artists I admire. The ones in it for the right reasons.
Antigone Rising is that artist! I’m sure you guys would love to be famous and not have to lug your equipment from gig to gig and ask your fans for gas money, but when you guys are on that stage, it shows in your performance that you are doing it for the love of the music and not for the millions.
Making it big doesn’t always happen to those who deserve it. Who knows exactly what right time and place it will happen, if it ever does, but if you can love what you are doing now, the fame and fortune that may someday come is just icing on the cake. And you will know you didn’t compromise yourselves to get there!
I know I speak for most of your fans when I say, I can’t imagine life without AR, so never give up!! We will come until we are 80 if that means you will keep playing! And I will tell everyone and anyone about you, because who knows where that break might come from.
hooked since walking in a Starbucks and hearing this “SOUND” now known to me as the AR sound… bought the CD immeadiately… YOU HAD at “hello”… literally…
you will survive you will do so “unbroken”, maybe tarnished and leery but unbroken, just the same… your fans will assure it…
Cassidy,
To me, the test that tells me if a thing is art or not is if it somehow transports me, or digs its hooks into me so that it takes over some of my time, becomes a part of my life… Hearing Stevie Nicks sing live about 1,000 years ago did that to me. There have been a few others, too, but far too few. And then there is AR, and the life that your voice gives to the lyrics, and the serious percussive excellence (do people understand just how much musicianship you guys bring to the party?) that drives the music…
So, I hear you, feel your frustration and anger about the situation. So, Cassidy, what do you guys need?
I am probably as out of place among your fans as anyone – middle aged, conservative, corporate… but there are those of us who are ‘mainstream’ who have soul and honor – more than you might think – and there are resources. So, what is it you guys need? Ask, and you just might receive. It is, after all, the season.
Wishing you peace, family and happiness for Christmas…
Jim N.
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