The Corey Feldman Experience
Let us start with the music...
The live show for Technology Analogy is an amazing journey through sight and sound, a treat for all of the senses. It is a spectacle to behold. From the primordial "Okay" to the care free and easy "Breezy Day", Technology Analogy is a fantastic concept album that should definitely be experienced live. Truth Movement is seamless and professional with each note being expertly played, never distracting from their message and the quality of the show. "Disconnected" is my favorite from this album, which is catchy but also poignant, pointing out the distance we create between ourselves while being constantly connected through technology. The sultry and sensuous "crossed the line" is fit for a high class burlesque show. The kickin' drums and intense vocals in "coming back around" are spot on and smooth, you can't help but dance to the pounding beat. Green is the Color has a beautiful lullaby melody and serves as an anthem for planet Earth, helping us to see the difficult but important message that we need to look at what we are doing to our planet and ourselves. You have to listen carefully, don’t let the easy melodies and catchy tunes fool you, there is definite meaning in these lyrics. This live show as well as the album it is based on has a really great progression that moves you effortlessly through the story
It is my opinion that good music should evoke emotion and make us question our own points of view. This album succeeds, with the added bonus of being thoroughly entertaining and easy to listen to. It is reminiscent of a time when musicians cared less about the top ten, and more about the integrity of their artwork. I appreciate the hard work, blood sweat and tears that went into bringing this production together, and am honored to have been able to be a tiny part of it. I challenge you to forget about Corey Feldman as an actor for a moment, and seriously consider him as a musician. He has a very talented and experienced voice, and it is a rare gift that he is willing to share with the world. A charismatic performer and a beautiful person, Corey will always remain in my ‘top of the top’. Getting the opportunity to meet him, and talk with him has only enamored me further. And Corey, if you ever need a belly dancer for your Techno Circus, I do hope you will give me a call.
And now the fan experience...
From the very first moment that I entered the contest, I felt welcomed and invited by Team Feldman. They were responsive and warm in their return emails, and kept me very well informed about the process and where they were at. The morning that I saw an email from “contest” in my inbox, I was actually a little disheartened. I had read in the contest description that the winners would be notified by phone, so I was sure this email was to tell me that I had lost. I nearly fainted when I opened the email and read “congratulations! You have won!” I opened this email at work, but fortunately it was before anyone else arrived. No one will ever know how loud and how long I screamed. Over the next couple of days, Anna from Team Feldman was an absolute gem. She kept me in the loop about venue changes, and times. I received a call late Saturday night, the night before the show. They were having a late rehearsal and wanted to know if I could join them! Much to my dismay, I live 2 hours away from the venue, and could not make it. Anna was understanding and kind, and assured me that she would call with show details on Sunday Morning. Well it’s Sunday morning, and guess who just called me? Anna of course! Thanks to her wonderful attitude and follow up I am feeling welcomed and well informed. My nervousness about meeting Corey and going on stage during this huge production is slowly melting away as I feel like I am being brought in to this very special, tight knit family. She took the time to chat with me about where the crew will be, where I should show up, and even invited me to introduce myself should I see someone from Team Feldman walking around Astoria! This is so amazing! So much more than a meet and greet, picture and then “get out!” I am so excited about meeting Mr. Feldman tonight, but also about being able to meet the amazing team that has helped keep this production together! I’m off to shower, get beautiful, pack my bathing suit, and head to Astoria for an amazing time!!!
So I guess I could chronicle every little happening, from meeting Corey and finally getting to shake his hand, to me getting a makeover from Daisy (thanks Daisy!), to meeting Scotty Page and Sean Astin, Richard Donner and Joey Pants, and the rest of the guys from the band (who I was too nervous to get all crazy fangirl over but OMG THERE’S RANDY, ROB AND CHUCK RIGHT THERE!!!). But those memories are mine to hold onto, and are too many and too great to write about. I had a truly monumental time, even if it was a little embarrassing (LOCK THE DOOR when you are changing in the bus bathroom!)
The most amazing part about last night, besides of course the show and the music, was watching Corey interact with his fans. It was so incredible bearing witness to the stories that came out with such intensity. Being able to watch people (myself included), that are waiting for just the right moment to share these tiny bits of information that they have been clinging to for indeterminate amounts of time. These stories that have been waiting for Corey to hear them, to acknowledge them, to affirm and validate them. Corey collected these stories one by one and listened to each fan that had something to share with him. He gave these stories, these experiences, the respect and compassion that they deserve. Like some mystical gate keeper who will guard them now and forevermore, and keep them safe for all of us. Something about the way he looks at you and the way he listens seems like he is really trying to connect, to reach out, to give us what we are looking for as fans. Each one of us walked away lighter knowing that our voices had been heard, that Corey himself understood what we had been through to get to him. To see his art, experience his music, and be able to tell him face to face about how he has touched us all. I watched him stop so many times last night, drop whatever he was doing, just for a moment, just for a picture, just for an autograph. No matter how tired or busy or preoccupied he was, Corey always took time to give his fans what they wanted. He seems to really care about us, which makes it so much easier to respect him. I can’t pretend to understand why we, as a culture, grow to feel so close to these celebrities. After all, we don’t know them, do we? You watch someone on the television or go see them play music, and for some reason you feel this connection, like they are this great friend you never had. I’ve been watching Corey my entire life and have wondered about what he must be like as a person, but last night was the first time I had ever met him, spoke to him, shook his hand. It was touching to see that he understands this weird celebrity connection, the way you can get to people without ever having known them. It was wonderful to see that Corey seems to respect that connection, and give it the attention it deserves.
Part of me thinks that I should have taken more pictures and pushed for more autographs. But the tangible evidence of my experience last night could not ever hold a candle to the memories that were made. I had great conversations, saw some very touching encounters, and was let into a very special family of people, even if it was only for a moment. Seeing these people who have so much history and experience with each other interact with the love and compassion that was exuding from everyone at the show last night was such an impactful experience. It really cannot be adequately described with words. Another part of me wanted to say more, to play around more, to try and connect with people, to try and be a part of their lives instead of just observing. But the truth of it is, no matter how I would have acted, or who I would have tried to be, it would not have been as satisfying as just sitting back and watching this world of events happen around me. (Okay, maybe Corey coming over to my house for dinner, or Joey Pants sending me a personal text message because he’s my new best friend would be satisfying, but we all know that would never have happened, no matter how charming I could have been.) This little Truth Movement all access pass gave me much more than just a place back stage. It gave me access to a moment in history, a place in time. It helped me to connect just a little bit more with people that have already touched my life. It gave me insight that I never imagined I would find. And it gave me one hell of a good time.
Thank you Corey Feldman and thank you Truth Movement! You rocked our faces off!
~Jen~
