Noelle Graney: Attorney / Bass Player, Vocalist, and Drummer / Sit-down Comedienne

Band: City of my Death (on bandcamp)
@cityofmydeath

The scene:
We are in SE Albuquerque New Mexico in Noelle’s “home office”, which is a cute apartment housing serious law things, a bass guitar, and a bunch of green plants. This is our first time meeting in person, after having only texted to arrange a time to meet. I feel so blessed to have been introduced to Noelle and that she agreed to meet with me on the fly. She is a true gem of a woman - humbly super intelligent, funnier than fuck, and inspiringly adventurous in her life pursuits.  Join us for unexpected agreeable surprises.

Highlights:
+ Learning to play the bass because you need a bassist
+ The doing of social media
+ New band: City of my Death
+ Listen to their music on bandcamp
+ Member of the “Mutual Admiration Society” (see Cynthia Cook’s interview)
+ OG drummer and vocalist, new bass player
+ Husband is a full-time musician
+ Moved to Albuquerque to go to law school
+ Represents tribes and tribal entities
+ Attended Cal Berkeley
+ Moved to NM from CA (bay area) 20 yrs ago
+ Intentionally moved away from “the city”
+ Originally from Ohio
+ The same qualities that bring success can also be a hindrance
+ Finishing things is important
+ Having a decent sense of humor is valuable
+ Noelle earns badges for: Persistence, Musicianship, and Humor
+ Arguably not too old to be playing rock and roll
+ Community has become more music-oriented
+ Making friends as a grown-up is challenging
+ Does anyone else have trouble watching a 2-hour movie these days? (us too)
+ Being an attorney can make one too comfortable with disagreement
+ Being perceived as “aggressive” when you don’t agree with others (as a woman)
+ Dear younger self: please don’t worry so much
+ The battle with self-consciousness

A taste:
“I think I just always had some confidence that I could do what I needed to do but to be fair I’ve had also all kinds of advantages in life so I know that that isn’t so much some inherent quality as probably whatever advantages I was lucky enough to have.”

Favorite saying:
“Expect agreeable surprises.”