Year Two Day 11 - March 20th 2010
6AM
Brian: Andre
Me (Groggy): Yeah
Brian: You hear that?
Me (Groggy): Yeah who's taking a shower
Brian opens the window
Brian: God is taking a shower.
Me: Damnit!
What I saw on the other end of the window were torrential downpours my mind immediately went to concerns about the show...who would come if anyone at all etc. etc.
Me: What time is it?
Brian: 6AM
Me: Screw it, I'll deal with this when I wake up.
I woke up, showered and we were on our way out when Aunt Martha asked if we had time fro breakfast. We said yes and then she whipped up some bomb ass french toast. It was nice to sit around a table and eat together. These guys are probably sick of me and each other but I'm pretty much in heaven right now...I love the road.
We cleaned everything up and proceeded to the venue, where the fleeting ends were waiting on us. They were playing in place of Gang who had to pull out last minute. We helped them set up their gear and quickly went to do some last minute flyering. Did I mention it's cold as a polar bear balls here right now, I mean geeze.
We started the show at noon and the Fleeting Ends started to play. Great sound, Good look, girls will like them, like the girls from Austrailia who came in to have a beer for breakfast. One of the few bands of it's kind that I actually like. They've got a bright future in the Philly Scence and a bright future in general.
Brady and The Bear would hit the stage next, well just Joe Brady cause they wouldn't let him bring the bear on the plane. His down home sound and energetic performance played well to the Austin crowd. Joe's a guy that I've been working with for less than a year, I often kick myself for not finding him sooner. Great musician and an even better person.
We were a little worried about the crowd until the sounds of good music, good food, and free beer started to resonate onto the street.
Dani Mari got there just as Da Rezarekt was about to hit the stage. It was nice to see someone from yesterday's show show up to support.
One of the first events I'd ever MCed was headlined by Da Rezarekt's frontman Supreeme (Well his old band), so it was awesome to bring him out again. Da Rezarekt freaking killed it. A high energy blend of hip hop, rock, funk, and jazz combined with Supreeme's stage presence make for a really good show. One of only two bands to get an encore today.
Katherine Mundy would bring the room to a simmer with her well crafted songs and sultry voice. I stood in on bass for her and wish I would have done a better job, but I love the way her voice sounds. She is going to be huge one of these days.
Then came my moment. I've had a lot of them the past 10 days. If one wishes to be anything more than just good it's about rising to the occassion when the opportunity arises. I wondered if we could conjure up some more of that New Orleans Magic, or some of that Magic we had yesterday. So the show starts and we reach for it...
Set list
Superhero
How Can This Be Love
Walking on The Moon
(Oh) I Wish I Loved You
Wasn't Supposed To Be This Way
Wasted
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Leavin
Encore
Body
...and it was there! It was there in spades My guys gave me everything they had and I felt like I could fly again. I messed up one chord as Sean and Alex walked into the room, I was sort of surpised to see them (even though Alex was playing later). We seemed to have found another gear and the crowd loved us
I sold some CD's and singed some autographs and handed out a few hugs to some really pretty girls...lol one even said she was gonna tell all of her friends about the band which would be awesome.
Township rocked it like beasts. It was cool to see Alex play guitar. I don't really know how long Camaro's gonna be on hiatus but Township seems to be a perfect fit for him. He was shredding like a manaic. We're gonna be doing quite a bit together in the future I hope.
After the show we said our final goodbyes and left like theives in the night. Most of the time we cracked jokes and slept. for fun and giggles I searched Boy Wonder SXSW on google on my phone and low and behold the pic that Jake and I were in appeared in several music blogs pertaining to SXSW all over the country.
By this time tomorrow We'll be home. I'll get a good night's sleep and then it's back to the grind for me. I have a shoot for a TV Pilot on Monday and possibly a show with Wyldlyfe Wed night that I'm not really prepared for.
Alright guys it's my turn to sleep so I'll holla at y'all tomorrow.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 253
Year Two Day 10 - March 19th 2010
Now Today is REALLY The Big Day...one of two in fact
Today would be the first of two Philadelphia Invasion Shows at 219 West in Austin Texas coinciding with the South By Southwest Music Festival and Conference.
I've been planning this since November of Last Year. I had my ups and downs, there were times where I wasn't sure how I was going to do this if it happened at all. What buisness has some kid from 60th and Osage got putting together an event in Austin Texas and saying this is the best Philadelphia has to offer. What do I know about anything?
What I do know is that we had something good, something unique, something that nobody else in Austin had this week, sure there were a smattering of Philadelphia acts involved in the festival but not to this degree. Just like Chicago Atlanta Finland and Sweeden (among others) Philadelphia had a show you could go to where you could see its vast array of talent.
I woke up early and made sure we were out of the house by 10, 10:30. We got there at 11 and started setting up. 219 West is a really nice place...upscale liek Sauceor Upstairs at World Cafe Live, the kind of rooms we're used to playing in. Mike set up the PA and by 12:10 we were ready to go. I wanted to start on time but this stuff happens and I was glad I had half an hour already built into the schedule.
Catherine Prewitt and the temperature were up first. The newest of us but just as good. Their music is a reflection of the people I'm getting to know, understated but beautiful. The harmonies are awesome and the attention to detail is impeccable. She's someone that will be involved with the HYPE! as soon as we get home. I throughly enjoyed their performance. They brought a nice crowd as well.
We kept the ball rolling with Dani Mari. Probably the person on the bill I know best, she's really found another gear these past few months, her performance was sensational. The only person of the afternoon performing completely by themselves. She also had a few friends that came out to the show.
Seth Glier came in as a last minute fill in. Seth although from Boston has become quite prominent back home, playing show after show with some amazing artists, not to mention he's flat out good, his soulful voice and immaculate songwriting fit in with the rest of the evening perfectly. He elevates the event because of the quality of his work and makes us all look better because he graced us with his presence.
I started to notice all of the people that were there at the show, some I recognized, some I didn't. Turns out we had quite a few thigns workign in our favor.
1) People were getting kicked out of nearby parties and our street team was there to bring them inside.
2) According to Mayte...Jake and I were in The Austin American Statesman ( A Local Newspaper) this morning. Funniest thing abotu that is I can't get arrested at home and here I'm in the paper
3) People heard the public radio interview I did yesterday while busking
Then the big moment, the one i'd been waiting for since I played int he streets of Austin One Year Ago. It's was time for me and the boys to go to work. I wondered if we could recapture the magic that we found in New Orleans or if that was just a one time thing. We set up, we plugged in and BOOM...Hello Austin Texas
Superhero
(Oh) I Wish I Loved You
The Way You make Me Feel
How Can This Be Love
Wasn't Supposed to be This Way
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Michelle
Leavin
The Set Was amazing. Jake and Rob were really really doing it. The nut on My Guitar needs to be replaced post haste, the strings kept moving. I was in fine voice though, soaring over the groove created by the bass drums and my guitar. I felt like I could fly. I know it sounds stupid but this whole experience was a big deal for me, I wanted us to play well and we did. It exceeded any expectations that I had.
I got a lot if positive feedback from the locals for the overall show as well as the performance itself. Which I was happy about. The owners/managers of the club said it was the best day show they'd ever had. I sold some CDs and some T-Shirts signed some autographs. People telling me I should move here. Truly Amazing.
The Vanguard would close the show, and they did a great job.
We spent the rest of the day going to shows (I caught Township last night and Big Bro (Alex) was on Fire) busking trying to promote for tommorrow's show, and just hanging out and having a good time. We met up withthe rest of Philly Invasion Crew and gave them flyers and I handed out the rest, my boys have done mroe than their fair share.
It's been a truly amazing experience and we still got one more day to go.
Now Today is REALLY The Big Day...one of two in fact
Today would be the first of two Philadelphia Invasion Shows at 219 West in Austin Texas coinciding with the South By Southwest Music Festival and Conference.
I've been planning this since November of Last Year. I had my ups and downs, there were times where I wasn't sure how I was going to do this if it happened at all. What buisness has some kid from 60th and Osage got putting together an event in Austin Texas and saying this is the best Philadelphia has to offer. What do I know about anything?
What I do know is that we had something good, something unique, something that nobody else in Austin had this week, sure there were a smattering of Philadelphia acts involved in the festival but not to this degree. Just like Chicago Atlanta Finland and Sweeden (among others) Philadelphia had a show you could go to where you could see its vast array of talent.
I woke up early and made sure we were out of the house by 10, 10:30. We got there at 11 and started setting up. 219 West is a really nice place...upscale liek Sauceor Upstairs at World Cafe Live, the kind of rooms we're used to playing in. Mike set up the PA and by 12:10 we were ready to go. I wanted to start on time but this stuff happens and I was glad I had half an hour already built into the schedule.
Catherine Prewitt and the temperature were up first. The newest of us but just as good. Their music is a reflection of the people I'm getting to know, understated but beautiful. The harmonies are awesome and the attention to detail is impeccable. She's someone that will be involved with the HYPE! as soon as we get home. I throughly enjoyed their performance. They brought a nice crowd as well.
We kept the ball rolling with Dani Mari. Probably the person on the bill I know best, she's really found another gear these past few months, her performance was sensational. The only person of the afternoon performing completely by themselves. She also had a few friends that came out to the show.
Seth Glier came in as a last minute fill in. Seth although from Boston has become quite prominent back home, playing show after show with some amazing artists, not to mention he's flat out good, his soulful voice and immaculate songwriting fit in with the rest of the evening perfectly. He elevates the event because of the quality of his work and makes us all look better because he graced us with his presence.
I started to notice all of the people that were there at the show, some I recognized, some I didn't. Turns out we had quite a few thigns workign in our favor.
1) People were getting kicked out of nearby parties and our street team was there to bring them inside.
2) According to Mayte...Jake and I were in The Austin American Statesman ( A Local Newspaper) this morning. Funniest thing abotu that is I can't get arrested at home and here I'm in the paper
3) People heard the public radio interview I did yesterday while busking
Then the big moment, the one i'd been waiting for since I played int he streets of Austin One Year Ago. It's was time for me and the boys to go to work. I wondered if we could recapture the magic that we found in New Orleans or if that was just a one time thing. We set up, we plugged in and BOOM...Hello Austin Texas
Superhero
(Oh) I Wish I Loved You
The Way You make Me Feel
How Can This Be Love
Wasn't Supposed to be This Way
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Michelle
Leavin
The Set Was amazing. Jake and Rob were really really doing it. The nut on My Guitar needs to be replaced post haste, the strings kept moving. I was in fine voice though, soaring over the groove created by the bass drums and my guitar. I felt like I could fly. I know it sounds stupid but this whole experience was a big deal for me, I wanted us to play well and we did. It exceeded any expectations that I had.
I got a lot if positive feedback from the locals for the overall show as well as the performance itself. Which I was happy about. The owners/managers of the club said it was the best day show they'd ever had. I sold some CDs and some T-Shirts signed some autographs. People telling me I should move here. Truly Amazing.
The Vanguard would close the show, and they did a great job.
We spent the rest of the day going to shows (I caught Township last night and Big Bro (Alex) was on Fire) busking trying to promote for tommorrow's show, and just hanging out and having a good time. We met up withthe rest of Philly Invasion Crew and gave them flyers and I handed out the rest, my boys have done mroe than their fair share.
It's been a truly amazing experience and we still got one more day to go.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 252
Year Two Day 9 - March 18th 2010
Today's the big day.
We'll there's a bigger day looming but today was significant. Today would be the first promo day for The Philadelphia Invasion Showcases. Most of the acts would be flying in today to help out.
From Philadelphia To Austin to Timbuktu promotion is important for any sort of entertainment event. People won't show if they don't know so you have to make sure you find a way to make yourself visible and appealing. Everybody and their mother has a day show at SXSW so we need to be bale to stand out. Walking up and down the street handing out flyers wasn't going to do the trick, not the way we needed it done so the solution was...busking. I didn it last year and made quite a bit of money, today we'd use it to grab attention for ourselves and pass out these flyers. We found a spot and started playing while rob handed out our flyers.
There are a few things you hope for doing something like this. One that people stop, Two that they take the flyer, three that they don;t throw them on the ground. I've got 2500 flyers I'd like ot get rid of, Joe Brady of Brady and The Bear fame met up with us, and we got to work. Trading off songs as people walked by. People stopping to talk to us, snapping pictures, I even got interviewed for Public Radio. Joe and I got got interviewed for a documentary about street musicians. People even threw money in the case. We ran into Catherine Prewitt's mom, for some reason I thought she was Katherine Mundy's mom. I was pretty psyched she had come ti support her daughter. I was even more psyched to see Catherine. I gave her some flyers and she faded off into the crowd.
Jake got word about a show featuring a bunch of New England Bands that ahd free pizza and beer. Two opportunites, one to eat free pizza and drink free beer, two an opportunity to really talk to some musicians and music lovers that live close to us followed by handing them a flyer. Nothign beats a conversation, my enthusiasm has a chance to rub off on people. We ended up staying for most of the show, the bands were awesome and we passed out a lot of flyers (fingers crossed) Dani Mari met us there, again good to see her.
I ended up seeing Sean who was running around reviewing bands for his blog, it was good to see him.There are certains points where I miss the Camaro guys, Sean lives in Philly and I don't see him nearly enough. Dani and I went to pee in a piano bar and ran into a guy with an accent, I recognized it as Doz's accent and figured he was from new Zealand. So amped up that I knew he bought me a drink...which sent me hurdling over a line I didn't want to cross tonight.
We met up with everyone else and headed over to Jakalope where Alex was. I see Alex as sort of a big brother. Growing up in a house under the protection of older siblings, I tend to seek that out when I'm in strange situations, he and I got really close, from the first gigs with Camaro, to the time I broke the house in Austin tothe time I broke the toilet in Kansas City. I learned a lot from him and Bryn last year. I say it often, but probably not often enough. Our conversation went a lot smoother than usual, we sort of always speak in spirts with silence in between, tonight it was flowin like the nile. He told me how proud he was of me, that meant a lot.
We were meeting Mayte but my phone was dead and Rob and I went to the van so that I could charge it enough to call her.We walked from 6th to 11th and I did just that. I close the door
Rob: Did you lock the door
Me: I didn't
I Lock the door
Rob: Arm the alarm
I search for the keys
Me: Shit!
Rob: What?
Me: I don't have them
Rob: Are you serious?
Me: Unfortunately yes.
Rob: Not again.
The not again referrs to an incident in Detroit where I locked the keys in the van. I'm absent minded and I do stuff like that. It's a high pressure situation, I've been drinking, and sometimes for no reason I do stuff that's stupid. I call home
Me: Mom
Mom (Groggy): Yes.
Me: Dad up?
Mom: What's wrong?
Me: Looks like I locked the keys in the car.
Mom (snickering) What? Again?
Me: Don't need this right now, can you call Allstate?
Mom (Laughing): Sure.
She calls back and says they'll be there in 30 minutes. Rob and I have a chance to bond. 28 minutes go by I look up and look towards the corner for the All State Agent I hear an all to familiar Woop Woop Sound
Rob: Andre
I turn around and there Rob is holding the keys. Apparently I had given them to him while still the car (cause hey I have a history) and he put them in his pocket, and somehow int he middle of all the excitement. I forgot I gave him the keys, and he forgot I gave them to him. We walked to the bar lamenting at how simple we both are. We met the crew and walked back to the van and went home and hit the bed.
The real big day is tommorrow
Today's the big day.
We'll there's a bigger day looming but today was significant. Today would be the first promo day for The Philadelphia Invasion Showcases. Most of the acts would be flying in today to help out.
From Philadelphia To Austin to Timbuktu promotion is important for any sort of entertainment event. People won't show if they don't know so you have to make sure you find a way to make yourself visible and appealing. Everybody and their mother has a day show at SXSW so we need to be bale to stand out. Walking up and down the street handing out flyers wasn't going to do the trick, not the way we needed it done so the solution was...busking. I didn it last year and made quite a bit of money, today we'd use it to grab attention for ourselves and pass out these flyers. We found a spot and started playing while rob handed out our flyers.
There are a few things you hope for doing something like this. One that people stop, Two that they take the flyer, three that they don;t throw them on the ground. I've got 2500 flyers I'd like ot get rid of, Joe Brady of Brady and The Bear fame met up with us, and we got to work. Trading off songs as people walked by. People stopping to talk to us, snapping pictures, I even got interviewed for Public Radio. Joe and I got got interviewed for a documentary about street musicians. People even threw money in the case. We ran into Catherine Prewitt's mom, for some reason I thought she was Katherine Mundy's mom. I was pretty psyched she had come ti support her daughter. I was even more psyched to see Catherine. I gave her some flyers and she faded off into the crowd.
Jake got word about a show featuring a bunch of New England Bands that ahd free pizza and beer. Two opportunites, one to eat free pizza and drink free beer, two an opportunity to really talk to some musicians and music lovers that live close to us followed by handing them a flyer. Nothign beats a conversation, my enthusiasm has a chance to rub off on people. We ended up staying for most of the show, the bands were awesome and we passed out a lot of flyers (fingers crossed) Dani Mari met us there, again good to see her.
I ended up seeing Sean who was running around reviewing bands for his blog, it was good to see him.There are certains points where I miss the Camaro guys, Sean lives in Philly and I don't see him nearly enough. Dani and I went to pee in a piano bar and ran into a guy with an accent, I recognized it as Doz's accent and figured he was from new Zealand. So amped up that I knew he bought me a drink...which sent me hurdling over a line I didn't want to cross tonight.
We met up with everyone else and headed over to Jakalope where Alex was. I see Alex as sort of a big brother. Growing up in a house under the protection of older siblings, I tend to seek that out when I'm in strange situations, he and I got really close, from the first gigs with Camaro, to the time I broke the house in Austin tothe time I broke the toilet in Kansas City. I learned a lot from him and Bryn last year. I say it often, but probably not often enough. Our conversation went a lot smoother than usual, we sort of always speak in spirts with silence in between, tonight it was flowin like the nile. He told me how proud he was of me, that meant a lot.
We were meeting Mayte but my phone was dead and Rob and I went to the van so that I could charge it enough to call her.We walked from 6th to 11th and I did just that. I close the door
Rob: Did you lock the door
Me: I didn't
I Lock the door
Rob: Arm the alarm
I search for the keys
Me: Shit!
Rob: What?
Me: I don't have them
Rob: Are you serious?
Me: Unfortunately yes.
Rob: Not again.
The not again referrs to an incident in Detroit where I locked the keys in the van. I'm absent minded and I do stuff like that. It's a high pressure situation, I've been drinking, and sometimes for no reason I do stuff that's stupid. I call home
Me: Mom
Mom (Groggy): Yes.
Me: Dad up?
Mom: What's wrong?
Me: Looks like I locked the keys in the car.
Mom (snickering) What? Again?
Me: Don't need this right now, can you call Allstate?
Mom (Laughing): Sure.
She calls back and says they'll be there in 30 minutes. Rob and I have a chance to bond. 28 minutes go by I look up and look towards the corner for the All State Agent I hear an all to familiar Woop Woop Sound
Rob: Andre
I turn around and there Rob is holding the keys. Apparently I had given them to him while still the car (cause hey I have a history) and he put them in his pocket, and somehow int he middle of all the excitement. I forgot I gave him the keys, and he forgot I gave them to him. We walked to the bar lamenting at how simple we both are. We met the crew and walked back to the van and went home and hit the bed.
The real big day is tommorrow
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 251
Year Two Day 8 - March 17th 2010
I don't know how people ever manage to leave New Orleans
Even though the hurricane caused them to lose a bit of it's luster it's spirit is one that pulls you in close and tells you it loves you. We played there and we played well and we were aksed back. So we'll see you again sometime soon, hopefully after the new record comes out.
We would begin the drive to Austin, Brian, Jake, Rob, and I have been out here for almost a week now, the longest we've ever been together Brian's as much a part of this now as any of us, he's developing into quite the solid tour manager which is great because I need the help, as soon as I show him some other stuff it will be a HUGE weight off of my shoulders as I'll only need to focus on my playing and singing.
I get a text to call her Mother Martha (as we'll be staying with her in Austin) when we're about an hour out, so I do that and make sure she knows when we're getting there and she said dinner would be waiting for us when we get there....awesome.
A short 8 hour drive later and there she was, the Austin Skyline. There aren't many sites more beautiful to me these days. Austin might as well be heaven, a place where music is not only tolerated, but appreciated, celebrated and once a year they roll out the red carpet for bands and artists from all over the world. It's a true Mecca, where all musicians shoud make a pilgrmaage.
We arrive at Martha's house, we talk for a minute and she says dinners ready. Truth be told it didn't really compute on the phone an hour earlier but we all sat and ate together. The Food was amazing, from the salad to the main course to the desert. You eat so bad on the road sometimes (I may have to resume my relationship with subway) it's nice to get a home cooked meal. I ate until the itis set in. Which was counterproductive because we were going to hit downtown later. We piled into the car and headed downtown, flyers in hand cause I'm ready to get to work.
Our first stop would be 219 West, the venue we're playing Friday and Saturday. I wanted to see it and get a feel for it. Really nice upscale place, this far away fromt he action I do have some concerns about whether or not we can get people to come out. But we wanted to come down and get a feel for the flow and see if there were some people who might be interested.
After 219 West we arrive on 6th Street. It was like I never left. The street bustling with musicians music lovers and really hot girls. People wearing badges and wristbands passing out flyers for shows, and just simply trying to get noticed. It's real now, the vision I had a year ago when I first arrived has materialized. I'm here, I'm here because I'm playing this week, and I'm playing my music.
We pass out some flyers rolling up and down. We've got quite a few asshole out here, mainly the St Patricks Day Crowd who are mixed in with people who actually care about music. Flyers are wasted on these fools. In their durnken state they envision having power over you by saying they're not coming to your show or taking the flyer and throwing it on the ground...are you kidding? I've got 2500 of these things.
We would end up at the blind pig pub for the Red Gorilla Shows. We caught The Elevators from LA, a really awesome Funk/Hip Hop band. We ran into some guys from Da Rezarekt and gave them some promo materials for the shows. We danced the night away and came home and got some rest. Tomorrow would be the first day of going hard and really promoting these shows. Learning to do this will be exciting because if there's a way to get people in Austin to come to an Unofficial showcase on 4th street featuring Philly bands I'm going to find it.
The Day is drawing nigh.
I don't know how people ever manage to leave New Orleans
Even though the hurricane caused them to lose a bit of it's luster it's spirit is one that pulls you in close and tells you it loves you. We played there and we played well and we were aksed back. So we'll see you again sometime soon, hopefully after the new record comes out.
We would begin the drive to Austin, Brian, Jake, Rob, and I have been out here for almost a week now, the longest we've ever been together Brian's as much a part of this now as any of us, he's developing into quite the solid tour manager which is great because I need the help, as soon as I show him some other stuff it will be a HUGE weight off of my shoulders as I'll only need to focus on my playing and singing.
I get a text to call her Mother Martha (as we'll be staying with her in Austin) when we're about an hour out, so I do that and make sure she knows when we're getting there and she said dinner would be waiting for us when we get there....awesome.
A short 8 hour drive later and there she was, the Austin Skyline. There aren't many sites more beautiful to me these days. Austin might as well be heaven, a place where music is not only tolerated, but appreciated, celebrated and once a year they roll out the red carpet for bands and artists from all over the world. It's a true Mecca, where all musicians shoud make a pilgrmaage.
We arrive at Martha's house, we talk for a minute and she says dinners ready. Truth be told it didn't really compute on the phone an hour earlier but we all sat and ate together. The Food was amazing, from the salad to the main course to the desert. You eat so bad on the road sometimes (I may have to resume my relationship with subway) it's nice to get a home cooked meal. I ate until the itis set in. Which was counterproductive because we were going to hit downtown later. We piled into the car and headed downtown, flyers in hand cause I'm ready to get to work.
Our first stop would be 219 West, the venue we're playing Friday and Saturday. I wanted to see it and get a feel for it. Really nice upscale place, this far away fromt he action I do have some concerns about whether or not we can get people to come out. But we wanted to come down and get a feel for the flow and see if there were some people who might be interested.
After 219 West we arrive on 6th Street. It was like I never left. The street bustling with musicians music lovers and really hot girls. People wearing badges and wristbands passing out flyers for shows, and just simply trying to get noticed. It's real now, the vision I had a year ago when I first arrived has materialized. I'm here, I'm here because I'm playing this week, and I'm playing my music.
We pass out some flyers rolling up and down. We've got quite a few asshole out here, mainly the St Patricks Day Crowd who are mixed in with people who actually care about music. Flyers are wasted on these fools. In their durnken state they envision having power over you by saying they're not coming to your show or taking the flyer and throwing it on the ground...are you kidding? I've got 2500 of these things.
We would end up at the blind pig pub for the Red Gorilla Shows. We caught The Elevators from LA, a really awesome Funk/Hip Hop band. We ran into some guys from Da Rezarekt and gave them some promo materials for the shows. We danced the night away and came home and got some rest. Tomorrow would be the first day of going hard and really promoting these shows. Learning to do this will be exciting because if there's a way to get people in Austin to come to an Unofficial showcase on 4th street featuring Philly bands I'm going to find it.
The Day is drawing nigh.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 250
Year Two Day 7 - March 16th 2010
A night on Burbon Street's gonna wear anybody out. We hada gig today so I wanted ot take it as easy as possible, knowing that from tomorrow on out it's gonna be about working and making sure that we have a really awesome couple of shows in Austin. I even looked into the possibility of playing somewhere Thursday as well, trying to do as much as we can while down there.
We finally got moving and went to Port of Call, a place a friend of Jake's recommedned that we hit for some really good burgers.
We hit up Burbon Street one more time to see it during the day and stop in some gift shops for nick nacks and things it was weird seeing it during the day. It was still pretty busy in terms of people being there but without the debauchery.
We rolled by the club to check it out. Looked pretty sketchy from the outside and it was closed, so we went in serch for gumbo and came back.
Tonight we would be the featured performers at the Hi Ho Lounge Tuesday Night open Jam hosted by Fat Sweat. Kind of strange being on the other side of something like this in another city no less. It's in it's infancy so the crowd wasn't quite where I would have liked it to be. But the point tonight was to play in front of people, and there are people here. Whether it's 5 or 500 you play a good show and you give them all you've got.
They played a set and then we were on. After the Dallas show I was a tad discouraged, I wasn't at my best, playing or singing. But tonight was more focused, we were going to be playing a set closer to the one's we'd be playing at SXSW.
Set List
Superhero
(Oh) I wish I Loved You
Walking on the Moon
How Can This Be Love
Wasn't Supposed to Be This Way
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Leavin
Sometimes you reach for it and it's not there. Other times there's waaay more there than you ever could have imagined. Rob's Powerhouse Drumming and Jakes Swooping Melodic Bass Lines laid in perfect with my guitar, as a singer you feel like you can do anything when the band sounds that good. We were rolling like a well oiled machine, which allowed me to soar over the music vocally, which is about all you can really ever hope for. We were tight, we were right, I didn't mess up lyrics, I even took a few risks vocally that I won't be taking Friday and Saturday. I'm probably gonna need a new guitar cable though.
We stuck around and enjoyed some of the music before getting out of dodge. We have an early drive tomorrow and we gotta make sure we get to Austin at a reasonable time.
A night on Burbon Street's gonna wear anybody out. We hada gig today so I wanted ot take it as easy as possible, knowing that from tomorrow on out it's gonna be about working and making sure that we have a really awesome couple of shows in Austin. I even looked into the possibility of playing somewhere Thursday as well, trying to do as much as we can while down there.
We finally got moving and went to Port of Call, a place a friend of Jake's recommedned that we hit for some really good burgers.
We hit up Burbon Street one more time to see it during the day and stop in some gift shops for nick nacks and things it was weird seeing it during the day. It was still pretty busy in terms of people being there but without the debauchery.
We rolled by the club to check it out. Looked pretty sketchy from the outside and it was closed, so we went in serch for gumbo and came back.
Tonight we would be the featured performers at the Hi Ho Lounge Tuesday Night open Jam hosted by Fat Sweat. Kind of strange being on the other side of something like this in another city no less. It's in it's infancy so the crowd wasn't quite where I would have liked it to be. But the point tonight was to play in front of people, and there are people here. Whether it's 5 or 500 you play a good show and you give them all you've got.
They played a set and then we were on. After the Dallas show I was a tad discouraged, I wasn't at my best, playing or singing. But tonight was more focused, we were going to be playing a set closer to the one's we'd be playing at SXSW.
Set List
Superhero
(Oh) I wish I Loved You
Walking on the Moon
How Can This Be Love
Wasn't Supposed to Be This Way
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Leavin
Sometimes you reach for it and it's not there. Other times there's waaay more there than you ever could have imagined. Rob's Powerhouse Drumming and Jakes Swooping Melodic Bass Lines laid in perfect with my guitar, as a singer you feel like you can do anything when the band sounds that good. We were rolling like a well oiled machine, which allowed me to soar over the music vocally, which is about all you can really ever hope for. We were tight, we were right, I didn't mess up lyrics, I even took a few risks vocally that I won't be taking Friday and Saturday. I'm probably gonna need a new guitar cable though.
We stuck around and enjoyed some of the music before getting out of dodge. We have an early drive tomorrow and we gotta make sure we get to Austin at a reasonable time.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 249
Year Two Day 6 - March 15th 2010
Dallas
Well rested and ready to roll
We'd be headed to New Orleans today...a city that I've heard so much about and have never been. We had some thigns to take care of like picking up the laptop, mailing some stuff off and finding some new DVDs for the van rides. We picked up the stuff and headed to Downtown Dallas.
I've never been that big a fan of seeing the sites, There's just never been that much time to do so before. My previous experience has been getting to the gig playing the gig and getting to the next one, but good thing for me I have these guys with me because I'm enjoying all this more. Actually seeing some of these places is a novel concept for me.
This was the easiest drive, the shortest by far. I spent most of it working on some lyrics for new songs. Wiritng has been a frustrating process because I have so many things to express and I don't know how to express them. I feel less self assured than I have in the past. I thought I knew a bunch of stuff about myself and the world in general but the more I learn the more I realize that I don't know squat.
My mind wandered back home Kelvin was hosting Philly Rising in my absence, aside from the Bang Camaro tour last year I've never missed a Philly Rising (I got off the plane from LA and went there immediately upon my return home) I felt at ease knowing that Kelvin was handling buisness in my place. He's talented, charismatic, and a little looser than me. So I wasn't surprised when i heard that everyone had a great time. Wyldlyfe was also playing a show that night downstairs, a lot of big names and what have you I'm sure they did a great job as well. Mind you I'm extremely happy where I am right now and these thoughts lasted all of 15 seconds.
We arrived around 9 and checked into the hotel, sketchy neighborhood (they lock the doors after 11 and you need a room key to get in) but they had a gym and a pool, not that into the pool but I've been craving a workout.
The mission was simple...go to Burbon Street and have as much fun as humanly possible. For me this would have to be the last night to cut loose a little. Tommorrow we play and then we hit Austin and I'll have ot be 100% focused on that.
This is where the story will stop...Cause I'm not gonna get into details. I will say I had a couple drinks, danced a little and had a good time.
Show's tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it, should be a blast.
Dallas
Well rested and ready to roll
We'd be headed to New Orleans today...a city that I've heard so much about and have never been. We had some thigns to take care of like picking up the laptop, mailing some stuff off and finding some new DVDs for the van rides. We picked up the stuff and headed to Downtown Dallas.
I've never been that big a fan of seeing the sites, There's just never been that much time to do so before. My previous experience has been getting to the gig playing the gig and getting to the next one, but good thing for me I have these guys with me because I'm enjoying all this more. Actually seeing some of these places is a novel concept for me.
This was the easiest drive, the shortest by far. I spent most of it working on some lyrics for new songs. Wiritng has been a frustrating process because I have so many things to express and I don't know how to express them. I feel less self assured than I have in the past. I thought I knew a bunch of stuff about myself and the world in general but the more I learn the more I realize that I don't know squat.
My mind wandered back home Kelvin was hosting Philly Rising in my absence, aside from the Bang Camaro tour last year I've never missed a Philly Rising (I got off the plane from LA and went there immediately upon my return home) I felt at ease knowing that Kelvin was handling buisness in my place. He's talented, charismatic, and a little looser than me. So I wasn't surprised when i heard that everyone had a great time. Wyldlyfe was also playing a show that night downstairs, a lot of big names and what have you I'm sure they did a great job as well. Mind you I'm extremely happy where I am right now and these thoughts lasted all of 15 seconds.
We arrived around 9 and checked into the hotel, sketchy neighborhood (they lock the doors after 11 and you need a room key to get in) but they had a gym and a pool, not that into the pool but I've been craving a workout.
The mission was simple...go to Burbon Street and have as much fun as humanly possible. For me this would have to be the last night to cut loose a little. Tommorrow we play and then we hit Austin and I'll have ot be 100% focused on that.
This is where the story will stop...Cause I'm not gonna get into details. I will say I had a couple drinks, danced a little and had a good time.
Show's tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it, should be a blast.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 248
Year Two Day 5 - Marh 14th 2009
Long drives
Hopefully when we're more well known we canplay more citites and the drives won't be as long. I don't do any of the driving that's left to Brian but sitting in a cramped vehicle for hours on end can be rough on anyone.
We pulled into the parking lot by the stage for the Rock and Roll Marathon in Dallas around 3 in the morning. We've played races for the same company in Philadelphia for years so when I was sure that we were gonna play in Austin i contacted them about doing their race in Dallas. We play in front of 14,000 people (I mean they're runnign by but they still hear us) and it pays so it's a win win. We slept in the van and waited for people to get there to set up. This would be the inagural run here in Dallas so we probably have more experience with these types of events than anyone else playing. Even though the sound people
We set up the gear and the first band played, your general bar band, some cool covers cooler than the Bon Jovi heavy cover bands that play back at home. A lot of blues and classic rock. We hit the stage around 10:30
Playing the marathons require a different approach, it's not about stringing a bunch of tunes togeher for maximum emotional effect, it's about keeping the runners motivated and with a lot of our songs being mid tempo and slow I didn't have much of a game plan going intot his gig. It's not like me, but I've been distracted.
Bad gigs are funny, because generally you know it at the outset. Something major will happen and everything will begin to unravel. Today it was my guitar's inability to stay in tune, I'd put new strings on before I left and hadn't really had the time to stretch them and what not. I used my backup strat but I couldn't get the sounds that I wanted out of it so it was a bit strange. I was I made way too many mistakes. We played for about two hours and didn't snap back into step until about the last 30 minutes.
I'll qualify this by saying that the term bad gig is relative at this point. I don't think we've played an actual bad gig in a while, I just know how good this band isand when we don't play as good as we normally do I'm dissapointed. The people around us thought it was great which is alwys a relief. We haven't really gotten a bad reaction anywhere we've played around the country. Often I feel like my music is taken for granted at home overshadowed by skill as a promoter and my position in the scene as a personality, when I felt that the quality of music that I make was key in being able to establish all these other things, I don't think any of my peers would have played shows with me if my music sucked.
I spent most of the afternoon frustrated mainly because I've been burning the candle at both ends for the past few days. I didn't feel like I was focused enough on the task at hand.
We pull into the best western, the owner of the place says the rooms would be ready in half an hour so we go get Mexican and return ot the hotel. As I run to use the bathroom I noticed that the top sheet wasn't on the bed straight but I thought nothing of it till Rob entered.
Rob: The bed isn't made, I don't think they changed the sheets
Me: I'm sure they did, they were just rushing to get the room cleaned on time.
Rob: Clean my ass! There's a condom wrapper ont he floor.
Me: What?!
Rob: Yeah.
I walk outside of the can and there it is...The Trogan Magnum wrapper standing stright up by the bed the sun's rays made it shine as if to say..."How the hell did you miss me standing here?!"
I immediately walk to the front desk
Me: Yeah um I'm gonna need a new room
Clerk: What is wrong my friend?
Me: Yeah uh the sheets weren't clean and there was a condom wrapper on the floor
Clerk: We will clean immediately
Me: I'd feel better if I had another room
Clerk: Right away sir.
We move into the new room and I turn on my laptop to find that the screen had been cracked, fortunately we found a guy that fixes them in town. His store was closed so we had to find him at the Traveler's Village a huge open air Bazarr outside of town. Not much there but a whole lot of Rim and Grille places, Sound System stores, DVD stands and Mexican people, took a while to find the guy but we did and would be ok to have the laptop back by tommorrow.
Upon our return we went to Arbees, watched South Park and I went to bead early. There's free in the hotel lobby tommorow morning so I'm gonna mke sure I'm up early. We've got to pick up the lap top then head to New Orleans tommorrow.
Long drives
Hopefully when we're more well known we canplay more citites and the drives won't be as long. I don't do any of the driving that's left to Brian but sitting in a cramped vehicle for hours on end can be rough on anyone.
We pulled into the parking lot by the stage for the Rock and Roll Marathon in Dallas around 3 in the morning. We've played races for the same company in Philadelphia for years so when I was sure that we were gonna play in Austin i contacted them about doing their race in Dallas. We play in front of 14,000 people (I mean they're runnign by but they still hear us) and it pays so it's a win win. We slept in the van and waited for people to get there to set up. This would be the inagural run here in Dallas so we probably have more experience with these types of events than anyone else playing. Even though the sound people
We set up the gear and the first band played, your general bar band, some cool covers cooler than the Bon Jovi heavy cover bands that play back at home. A lot of blues and classic rock. We hit the stage around 10:30
Playing the marathons require a different approach, it's not about stringing a bunch of tunes togeher for maximum emotional effect, it's about keeping the runners motivated and with a lot of our songs being mid tempo and slow I didn't have much of a game plan going intot his gig. It's not like me, but I've been distracted.
Bad gigs are funny, because generally you know it at the outset. Something major will happen and everything will begin to unravel. Today it was my guitar's inability to stay in tune, I'd put new strings on before I left and hadn't really had the time to stretch them and what not. I used my backup strat but I couldn't get the sounds that I wanted out of it so it was a bit strange. I was I made way too many mistakes. We played for about two hours and didn't snap back into step until about the last 30 minutes.
I'll qualify this by saying that the term bad gig is relative at this point. I don't think we've played an actual bad gig in a while, I just know how good this band isand when we don't play as good as we normally do I'm dissapointed. The people around us thought it was great which is alwys a relief. We haven't really gotten a bad reaction anywhere we've played around the country. Often I feel like my music is taken for granted at home overshadowed by skill as a promoter and my position in the scene as a personality, when I felt that the quality of music that I make was key in being able to establish all these other things, I don't think any of my peers would have played shows with me if my music sucked.
I spent most of the afternoon frustrated mainly because I've been burning the candle at both ends for the past few days. I didn't feel like I was focused enough on the task at hand.
We pull into the best western, the owner of the place says the rooms would be ready in half an hour so we go get Mexican and return ot the hotel. As I run to use the bathroom I noticed that the top sheet wasn't on the bed straight but I thought nothing of it till Rob entered.
Rob: The bed isn't made, I don't think they changed the sheets
Me: I'm sure they did, they were just rushing to get the room cleaned on time.
Rob: Clean my ass! There's a condom wrapper ont he floor.
Me: What?!
Rob: Yeah.
I walk outside of the can and there it is...The Trogan Magnum wrapper standing stright up by the bed the sun's rays made it shine as if to say..."How the hell did you miss me standing here?!"
I immediately walk to the front desk
Me: Yeah um I'm gonna need a new room
Clerk: What is wrong my friend?
Me: Yeah uh the sheets weren't clean and there was a condom wrapper on the floor
Clerk: We will clean immediately
Me: I'd feel better if I had another room
Clerk: Right away sir.
We move into the new room and I turn on my laptop to find that the screen had been cracked, fortunately we found a guy that fixes them in town. His store was closed so we had to find him at the Traveler's Village a huge open air Bazarr outside of town. Not much there but a whole lot of Rim and Grille places, Sound System stores, DVD stands and Mexican people, took a while to find the guy but we did and would be ok to have the laptop back by tommorrow.
Upon our return we went to Arbees, watched South Park and I went to bead early. There's free in the hotel lobby tommorow morning so I'm gonna mke sure I'm up early. We've got to pick up the lap top then head to New Orleans tommorrow.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 247
Year Two Day 4 - March 13th 2010
Nashville. A quick stop on our way to Dallas for the first warmup shows for SXSW. We would be staying with Brianne O'neill, a very good friend of mine and an extremely tlaneted singer/songwriter in her own right. I met her while booking bands at O.N.E. a couple of years back and worked with her right up until she left for Nashville. Her blend of melody and vulnerability won her quite the following up here, not to mention the fact that she's not pareticularly hard to look at.
When I told her that we were heading in her direction she offered her home for us to stay in so that we would have to drive 22 hours straight to Dallas.
We gave Brianne a call as we pulled into Nashville and she was there to meet us. It was a good day apparently because her roomates were out of town so there were beds to sleep in. So Brianne asks the inevitable question..."Do you guys wanna go out or are you ready to hit the sack?" We opt to go out. We go to a rather cool little spot.
The first thing we notice about Nashville is that the people are friendly it was like a bizzaro world where hipsters aren't douchebags. In my exhausted state (I hadn't really slept much the night before) two beers were deadly. I meet Joey from Anberlin, and like an ass I confuse his band with another. I'd definitely heard the name and some of the music before, he seemed a bit taken a back that I wasn't a 100% solid on who he was, the band does have songs in the charts. It's a testament to the state of the music industry, 10-20 years ago if a band had a hit song, even if you couldn't hum the tune you knew who they were, in 2010 you make an ass of yourself in a bar. Despite the speed bump, I manage to hold a pretty solid conversation with him, we talk about SXSW and he tells me about his experiences in the industry.
We catch up with Brianne mostly. I miss her presence. She was one of the artists that played a critical role in the HYPE! being successful. Not to mention that I met the Soulfatronic/Bam crew (who were her backing band at first) through her. I always knew if she was playing the show was going to be good.
Bar to the Kroger, Kroger to her apartment.We hang out till about 5 and hit the sack, but I don't sleep long. I'm up by 9 cause frankly I haven't showered in two days and it's starting to bother me. A quick breakfast followed by a trip to downtown Nashville. Pretty cool to see especially druing the SEC tournament. Most of the cute girls were wearing Kentucky blue, although there was enough foundation on their faces to build a house. There was a whole stretch of clubs with stages playing country music, which was pretty cool.
We eat some food and hit the road...three hours later we're in Memphis. It's a lot bigger than Nashivlle. The Gibson factory and the Staxx Museum were closed but we found a chill little spot and hung out for a while. It's a beautiful city. Even the cougars are hot.
Brian wants to see the Mississippi River, so we check it out and are currently headed towards Dallas. Dad calls, I mention my concerns about the weight we're carrying, he suggests springs, I suggest a trailer, I never know where the money for any of this is going to come from lol.
Best part of this stretch of highway is that you get to see the stars and vibe out on some music. You're often surprised what or should I say who you're thinking about when the stars are out at night. It's usually someone beautiful.
By the time I wake up we should be in Dallas Texas, I'm itching to play, far too much leisure time on this trip for me, not that I'm against fun, but I raring to get to work. I want us to be at our very very best.
Nashville. A quick stop on our way to Dallas for the first warmup shows for SXSW. We would be staying with Brianne O'neill, a very good friend of mine and an extremely tlaneted singer/songwriter in her own right. I met her while booking bands at O.N.E. a couple of years back and worked with her right up until she left for Nashville. Her blend of melody and vulnerability won her quite the following up here, not to mention the fact that she's not pareticularly hard to look at.
When I told her that we were heading in her direction she offered her home for us to stay in so that we would have to drive 22 hours straight to Dallas.
We gave Brianne a call as we pulled into Nashville and she was there to meet us. It was a good day apparently because her roomates were out of town so there were beds to sleep in. So Brianne asks the inevitable question..."Do you guys wanna go out or are you ready to hit the sack?" We opt to go out. We go to a rather cool little spot.
The first thing we notice about Nashville is that the people are friendly it was like a bizzaro world where hipsters aren't douchebags. In my exhausted state (I hadn't really slept much the night before) two beers were deadly. I meet Joey from Anberlin, and like an ass I confuse his band with another. I'd definitely heard the name and some of the music before, he seemed a bit taken a back that I wasn't a 100% solid on who he was, the band does have songs in the charts. It's a testament to the state of the music industry, 10-20 years ago if a band had a hit song, even if you couldn't hum the tune you knew who they were, in 2010 you make an ass of yourself in a bar. Despite the speed bump, I manage to hold a pretty solid conversation with him, we talk about SXSW and he tells me about his experiences in the industry.
We catch up with Brianne mostly. I miss her presence. She was one of the artists that played a critical role in the HYPE! being successful. Not to mention that I met the Soulfatronic/Bam crew (who were her backing band at first) through her. I always knew if she was playing the show was going to be good.
Bar to the Kroger, Kroger to her apartment.We hang out till about 5 and hit the sack, but I don't sleep long. I'm up by 9 cause frankly I haven't showered in two days and it's starting to bother me. A quick breakfast followed by a trip to downtown Nashville. Pretty cool to see especially druing the SEC tournament. Most of the cute girls were wearing Kentucky blue, although there was enough foundation on their faces to build a house. There was a whole stretch of clubs with stages playing country music, which was pretty cool.
We eat some food and hit the road...three hours later we're in Memphis. It's a lot bigger than Nashivlle. The Gibson factory and the Staxx Museum were closed but we found a chill little spot and hung out for a while. It's a beautiful city. Even the cougars are hot.
Brian wants to see the Mississippi River, so we check it out and are currently headed towards Dallas. Dad calls, I mention my concerns about the weight we're carrying, he suggests springs, I suggest a trailer, I never know where the money for any of this is going to come from lol.
Best part of this stretch of highway is that you get to see the stars and vibe out on some music. You're often surprised what or should I say who you're thinking about when the stars are out at night. It's usually someone beautiful.
By the time I wake up we should be in Dallas Texas, I'm itching to play, far too much leisure time on this trip for me, not that I'm against fun, but I raring to get to work. I want us to be at our very very best.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 246
Year Two Day 3 - March 12, 2010
Leaving to tour isn't as hard as it was a year ago. I remember a lot of long goodbyes last time around. Now everyone (including me) is used to it I guess.
Zach's surprise birthday party was last night. It was awesome to see a lot of my friends, I can' think of a better reason for all of us to come together, Zach is a good man, one of the best. His Birthday is actually today but we had a long ride ahead of us.
I was up at 4AM, a Hangover will do that to you. I went over just about everything that I had in the basement, even taking a PA in case I needed it. I didn't want to overpack but all my bases need to be covered. I go over the checklist a thousand times in my miond and I still don't think I have everything.
We left my place and headed to Rob's, did a fresh pack of the van and went to get Jake. After a few stops there it was again...The Road. Touring is the one time that I feel like I'm 150% focused on my own music. It's just me and the crew. I'm not a promoter, or an open mic host, or a show runner. I can worry about what time I'm going on and not have toi zoom out and worry about the big picture. It's a true test to how good in fact this stuff is, we're playing in front of strangers again. I'm anxious to prove myself in one of the greatest music cities in the world at one of the biggest music ocnferences in the world. As the crumbling music industustry seems to have no real interest in me at the moment, I do things the old fashioned way, I bring the music to the people. I believe in what I'm doing, it's a truly enpowering feeling.
It's good to be with the guys again, we laugh most of the time...well I do anyway. But I think the laughter is more of a byproduct of the joy I feel (as conry as that sounds) taking this unit far away from home to play this music. We watch movies, we listen to tunes, we shoot the shit. I am relaxed not worried for now about the enormity of what's to come. I'll worry about that later. Now I worry about getting to Nashivlle in one piece.
There is a show at Lickety tonight. I'm not a big fan of not being at least in city while the show is going on, I run the music portion pretty much by myself so I worry when I'm not there, especially when there's a band from out of town coming to play. But usually things go well.
Most of the guys are asleep now as Brian gets us ever closer to a bed (or floor) for the night. As we were driving we passed a 15 passenger van and a trailer...a reminder of a time that seems like so long ago. I think of the Camaro/Leslie Crew quite often when I look up at the night sky. I'll get to see some of them hoepfully while I'm down there.
Before the night is out I will retrive my notepad from the guitar case and work on some material. As a new chapter comes into focus I'm gettign excited about making music again. I'm hungry to be better than I've ever been, to write new songs, to have new experiences musically.
It's roughly 7:30 and we've driven past the rain thats followed us since we've left. It's too dark to see the scenery now so I'll focus straight ahead. i need to be doing that anayway.
Leaving to tour isn't as hard as it was a year ago. I remember a lot of long goodbyes last time around. Now everyone (including me) is used to it I guess.
Zach's surprise birthday party was last night. It was awesome to see a lot of my friends, I can' think of a better reason for all of us to come together, Zach is a good man, one of the best. His Birthday is actually today but we had a long ride ahead of us.
I was up at 4AM, a Hangover will do that to you. I went over just about everything that I had in the basement, even taking a PA in case I needed it. I didn't want to overpack but all my bases need to be covered. I go over the checklist a thousand times in my miond and I still don't think I have everything.
We left my place and headed to Rob's, did a fresh pack of the van and went to get Jake. After a few stops there it was again...The Road. Touring is the one time that I feel like I'm 150% focused on my own music. It's just me and the crew. I'm not a promoter, or an open mic host, or a show runner. I can worry about what time I'm going on and not have toi zoom out and worry about the big picture. It's a true test to how good in fact this stuff is, we're playing in front of strangers again. I'm anxious to prove myself in one of the greatest music cities in the world at one of the biggest music ocnferences in the world. As the crumbling music industustry seems to have no real interest in me at the moment, I do things the old fashioned way, I bring the music to the people. I believe in what I'm doing, it's a truly enpowering feeling.
It's good to be with the guys again, we laugh most of the time...well I do anyway. But I think the laughter is more of a byproduct of the joy I feel (as conry as that sounds) taking this unit far away from home to play this music. We watch movies, we listen to tunes, we shoot the shit. I am relaxed not worried for now about the enormity of what's to come. I'll worry about that later. Now I worry about getting to Nashivlle in one piece.
There is a show at Lickety tonight. I'm not a big fan of not being at least in city while the show is going on, I run the music portion pretty much by myself so I worry when I'm not there, especially when there's a band from out of town coming to play. But usually things go well.
Most of the guys are asleep now as Brian gets us ever closer to a bed (or floor) for the night. As we were driving we passed a 15 passenger van and a trailer...a reminder of a time that seems like so long ago. I think of the Camaro/Leslie Crew quite often when I look up at the night sky. I'll get to see some of them hoepfully while I'm down there.
Before the night is out I will retrive my notepad from the guitar case and work on some material. As a new chapter comes into focus I'm gettign excited about making music again. I'm hungry to be better than I've ever been, to write new songs, to have new experiences musically.
It's roughly 7:30 and we've driven past the rain thats followed us since we've left. It's too dark to see the scenery now so I'll focus straight ahead. i need to be doing that anayway.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 245
Year 2 Day 1 - March 10th 2010
Today has been...interesting.
The day started with a workout as I try to get in some sort of shape for the trip and the shows, it started off as a mission to be able to take my shirt off in the Austin sun and not be ashamed but now it's just like a health thing, eatign as right as possible as well.
It would continue with a rehearsal with Katherine Mundy, a very talented singer, songwriter and guitarist. Wanting a band sound on some of her tunes She's got her boyfriend Kent on Drums and Me on...Bass. It was kinda funny when she first asked because I don't play bass. I own one, I've recorded bass on the first two Boy Wonder Albums and my buddy Claire's album but I've never played bass in a live gig type setting.
They came to the crib and we got to work. I wanted to make sure I simplified things for myself, doing things that sound good that are out of the way. I'm not sure if I've done that but we were able to put something together that Katherine's Happy with (at least I think so) there's a cool cover in the set that I'm looking forward to playing.
The rest of the day would be about the politics and deal making that goes along with being in the music buisness at any level. With the back biting and the shit talking and the strong arming truthfully I often wonder if I have the stomach for the actual buisness side of things. Saying no is as much a part of the job as saying yes, pleasing everyone is impossible and I have to learn that and keep what's best for me and those I work with in mind as I move through these mind fields. The main difference between what's up now with me and what was up when I first started is that this is how I eat now, this isn't a game to me (not like it ever was) I don't have time for the games grownups play.
I hit bluebond for some odds and ends (strings, a new strap picks etc.) and I ran into a fellow Philly Musician and we talked about some of our mutual experiences and the inflated sense of self that has permeated certain sections of the Philadelphia Music Scene. Seems to be troubling more than just me.
Slow night at lickety, which sometimes is a good thing. Physically I wasn't feeling much up to being the life of the party. Good acts though. Wild Rompit has quite a bit of potential I think, hopefully we'll be hearing from them more in the future. The Open Jam was a big hit and is growing by the week. Lickety Split is such a cool place to see a band and I like that fact that it's slowly but surely turning around.
Throughout the day I managed to work on a song that I'm really excited about. I've been really intrigued mixing dark subject matter and sweet melodies and harmonies. I asked about studio time and I have about 4 to 6 new songs so we'll see what happens after SXSW.
Tommorow is the last day, I can't wait to go. It's gonna be amazing
Today has been...interesting.
The day started with a workout as I try to get in some sort of shape for the trip and the shows, it started off as a mission to be able to take my shirt off in the Austin sun and not be ashamed but now it's just like a health thing, eatign as right as possible as well.
It would continue with a rehearsal with Katherine Mundy, a very talented singer, songwriter and guitarist. Wanting a band sound on some of her tunes She's got her boyfriend Kent on Drums and Me on...Bass. It was kinda funny when she first asked because I don't play bass. I own one, I've recorded bass on the first two Boy Wonder Albums and my buddy Claire's album but I've never played bass in a live gig type setting.
They came to the crib and we got to work. I wanted to make sure I simplified things for myself, doing things that sound good that are out of the way. I'm not sure if I've done that but we were able to put something together that Katherine's Happy with (at least I think so) there's a cool cover in the set that I'm looking forward to playing.
The rest of the day would be about the politics and deal making that goes along with being in the music buisness at any level. With the back biting and the shit talking and the strong arming truthfully I often wonder if I have the stomach for the actual buisness side of things. Saying no is as much a part of the job as saying yes, pleasing everyone is impossible and I have to learn that and keep what's best for me and those I work with in mind as I move through these mind fields. The main difference between what's up now with me and what was up when I first started is that this is how I eat now, this isn't a game to me (not like it ever was) I don't have time for the games grownups play.
I hit bluebond for some odds and ends (strings, a new strap picks etc.) and I ran into a fellow Philly Musician and we talked about some of our mutual experiences and the inflated sense of self that has permeated certain sections of the Philadelphia Music Scene. Seems to be troubling more than just me.
Slow night at lickety, which sometimes is a good thing. Physically I wasn't feeling much up to being the life of the party. Good acts though. Wild Rompit has quite a bit of potential I think, hopefully we'll be hearing from them more in the future. The Open Jam was a big hit and is growing by the week. Lickety Split is such a cool place to see a band and I like that fact that it's slowly but surely turning around.
Throughout the day I managed to work on a song that I'm really excited about. I've been really intrigued mixing dark subject matter and sweet melodies and harmonies. I asked about studio time and I have about 4 to 6 new songs so we'll see what happens after SXSW.
Tommorow is the last day, I can't wait to go. It's gonna be amazing
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 244
Day 365 - March 9th 2010
Today marks the end of a full year on this strange and wonderful journey that I've been on. Doing music and music related things instead of working in an office.
In the past 365 days I've been all over the country, seen some sights, been on national tv, the radio, rode in vans, and met some awesome people. It's been a wild ride filled with ups and downs but I'm a better person because of it.
Today also marks the 13th anniversary of the Death of The Notorious B.I.G. arguably the greatest rapper that ever lived. I often think what the music landscape would be like if he were still alive and making music. That whole period was crazy with him and 2Pac passing away.
As we bring today into focus I woke up this morning with a raging cold...perfect. We leave for Austin in a few days and I can barely breathe through my nose...fantastic
One problem don't stop the show and I had two issues. Issue one was that I had two groups drop out of the Saturday Philly Invasion show at SXSW last night. I would need to replace them post haste. That would come pretty swifly ad Da Rezarekt and Gang will be taking over for Ami Verrill and Govt Cheaze respectively. We lose a couple of great acts but we gain a couple of great acts so the universe balances itself out
The second task for the day would be rehearsing with the band for the SXSW shows as well as some extra dates we have on the way down. Going back to a three piece is weird after the last few shows with the horn section and strings. That's why we needed to work really hard today so that I can be comofrtable with the arrangements and what not. As I write for the new album I'm weighing whether or not I want to add the other pieces or just explore what a good 3 piece band can do. The band sounds tight, the music's a lot tougher sounding with just guitar bass and drums. Two spereate sets for two days in Austin I'm very excited.
We discussed how and when excatly we planned on leaving town on Friday, when we'd get to where we're going and all that stuff. Planning's something that I'm good at.
I looked up at my guys as we discussed the matters and I couldn't believe that I was at this place in my development. I'm actually talking to my band about playing a show at one of the biggest music festival/conferences in the world. This is amazing.
Well it's good to be talking to everyone on a regular basis now back to work...gotta be a rockstar in a few days lol.
Today marks the end of a full year on this strange and wonderful journey that I've been on. Doing music and music related things instead of working in an office.
In the past 365 days I've been all over the country, seen some sights, been on national tv, the radio, rode in vans, and met some awesome people. It's been a wild ride filled with ups and downs but I'm a better person because of it.
Today also marks the 13th anniversary of the Death of The Notorious B.I.G. arguably the greatest rapper that ever lived. I often think what the music landscape would be like if he were still alive and making music. That whole period was crazy with him and 2Pac passing away.
As we bring today into focus I woke up this morning with a raging cold...perfect. We leave for Austin in a few days and I can barely breathe through my nose...fantastic
One problem don't stop the show and I had two issues. Issue one was that I had two groups drop out of the Saturday Philly Invasion show at SXSW last night. I would need to replace them post haste. That would come pretty swifly ad Da Rezarekt and Gang will be taking over for Ami Verrill and Govt Cheaze respectively. We lose a couple of great acts but we gain a couple of great acts so the universe balances itself out
The second task for the day would be rehearsing with the band for the SXSW shows as well as some extra dates we have on the way down. Going back to a three piece is weird after the last few shows with the horn section and strings. That's why we needed to work really hard today so that I can be comofrtable with the arrangements and what not. As I write for the new album I'm weighing whether or not I want to add the other pieces or just explore what a good 3 piece band can do. The band sounds tight, the music's a lot tougher sounding with just guitar bass and drums. Two spereate sets for two days in Austin I'm very excited.
We discussed how and when excatly we planned on leaving town on Friday, when we'd get to where we're going and all that stuff. Planning's something that I'm good at.
I looked up at my guys as we discussed the matters and I couldn't believe that I was at this place in my development. I'm actually talking to my band about playing a show at one of the biggest music festival/conferences in the world. This is amazing.
Well it's good to be talking to everyone on a regular basis now back to work...gotta be a rockstar in a few days lol.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 243
Day 364 - March 8, 2010
What's up everyone
Aside from the John Mayer comments I made a month ago I've been pretty silent about all of the things happening in the Boy Wonder Universe. There's a reason for that. I had been working on something that I had to keep close to the vest simply because...I didn't want to jinx it and talk a whole lot about it until I was absolutely certain that it would come to pass.
That project was the Philadelphia Invasion in Austin Texas during the South by Southwest Music Conference.
I am a very proud resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sure it's the home of the cheese steak, and Rocky, and The Eagles, and throwing snowballs at Santa Claus. Murder and Mayhem and Sports Riots. But those who watch those stories exclusively on the news miss what this place is really about.
The Philadelphia I live in is a no nonsense place. A city with a blue collar work ethic. We're a little rough around the edges, but we always say exactly what we think, and we do not suffer fools gladly. If you want something you have to fight and scratch to get it. We're often overlooked because of our proximity to New York City, thought of as inferior, which sometimes gives us a chip on our shoulder which also feeds our identity.
As far as the music scene goes, it's splintered. If you go around the country and say Philly Music you might get a bunch of different answers if you get any at all. It's a city of cliques and circles. It's a lot like high school, you have kids that float in and out of certain cliques but for the most part people stay in their circles. That being said there are some quality music being made in this city made by quality musicians. If we all ever did mess around and unify ourselves we'd be a force to be reckoned with.
The seeds for this project were sewn almost one year ago walking the streets of Austin Texas noticing many cities and countries showcasing their very best talent. New York, Boston, Australia, China, The UK etc. I didn't see any shows showcasing talent from my hometown. I remember making a call to one of my fellow Philly scenesters saying that we needed to make this happen.
The idea exploded in my head when I discovered that there were no bands from Philadelphia selected to be official bands in the initial selection for the festival (I haven't seen the list since and it may have changed since then). I was enraged, passed over again. I could understand me not being picked, but everyone from Philly that applied didn't get in. I've been all over the country and our bands are as good as anyone Else's. I had to do something.
I remembered that Bang Camaro wasn't an official band, yet we played two shows at South by, so there was a way around the establishment, a back door if you will. The plan became, organize a few events close to the action during the festival and (in a sense) crash the party. As usual I don't get invited to the party so I throw my own.
I presented it to potential sponsors and backers who thought that I had a solid idea that would benefit me and them. I was to raise the necessary funds so that in January I could put a choke hold on each room because the name of the game at SXSW is speed, you wait till Feb to book a room and there won't be a room to book. I felt like I had it in the palm of my hand. I called so many clubs in Austin until finding one who was ready to go in January once the clubs in Austin were ready to talk to potential bookers for showcases. I knew I had to act fast, as I spent most of November and December booking showcases so that I had a package together as soon as the rooms were booked. We had a couple of really awesome bills and we were ready to go before Christmas.
The holiday was a relaxing one, it was in the bag or so I thought
When January rolled around it all fell apart fairly quickly. A lot of bands and sponsors alike decided that this time wasn't the right time to do something like that and I don't blame them, it's a risky game, this has the potential to fail miserably thus a lot of money would go down the tubes. It didn't change the fact that I had two days at an Austin club reserved, I didn't want to get rid of them, but I didn't know where the money was going to come from. Thankfully some new sponsors came through a short while later (There is a God) and we were able to do these shows. Problem was I didn't have any bands but two weeks ago everything was finalized. I'm very excited to tell everyone about these shows that we have.
The Philadelphia Invasion is about coming to one of the biggest music festival/conferences in the world and showing them what we've got...whether they like it or not. We're crashing the party with a megaphone and a case of Yuengling and a bottle of Fury.
Both shows (On March 19th and 20th) will take place at 219 West on 4th Street in Austin Texas
Both shows will start at Noon
Both Shows are Cover Free and will have FREE (until the kegs I bought run dry)
Day 1 - Friday March 19th - 12PM
On Friday March 19th we've got an extremely talented line up
Boy Wonder - Funk/Rock
Allison Polans (of Papertrees) - Folk
Dani Mari - Singer/Songwriter/Rock
Catherine Prewitt - Folk/Pop
And our special guests New York City's The Vanguard of Rethink Pop Music
I'm a big fan of Allison's work, I believe this is the first time I'm playing a show with her so I'm very excited about that. Catherine's new to the fold but she's pretty amazing this will be the first time I'm playing a show with her as well. Dani Mari will bring the fire as usual and The Vanguard will help me bring testosterone to the occasion.
Day 2 - Saturday March 20th - 12PM
Saturday March 20th is just as good
Boy Wonder - Funk/Rock
Katherine Mundy - Blues/Pop
Ami Verrill - Singer/Songwriter
Brady and The Bear - Folk/Rock
And Our Special Guests Boston Rockers Township
I can't think of Katherine Mundy without thinking of John Mayer's Room For Squares (which is one of my favorite albums) her music calls back to the breezy blues influenced pop music abandoned all to quickly by the Mayers and Mrazs of the World. Brady and The Bear is just the business, well crafted folks songs with catchy hooks and by far the best beard in the music business. Ami Verrill sings and plays with a conviction rarely found amongst other artists, every performance brings you to her living room playing her songs by a roaring fire.
Aside from being the coolest Rock band I've heard in a long time, Township also features guitarist Alejandro Necochea whom you might know from Bang Camaro who I toured with as a vocalist last spring. I got a lot of flack for being in that band when I came home from musicians and people who thought that Camaro wasn't cool enough, but fact is without them giving me the opportunity to see SXSW up close and personal and learn the ropes none of what I'm doing would be possible...period.
And Me...hell I just hope I can keep up with everyone else.
We've got two amazing shows. I wanna thank everyone that helped, that encouraged me in the times I felt like giving up. This is a truly amazing and humbling thing. This is the biggest festival in the world and I get to sneak in the back door and play...twice.
When I look at both bills I am humbled to be in such company...it's going to be an amazing week.
Well it's 4:15AM and I have stuff to do, put together set lists and tour intineraries and all that and I dunno...maybe catch some sleep.
What's up everyone
Aside from the John Mayer comments I made a month ago I've been pretty silent about all of the things happening in the Boy Wonder Universe. There's a reason for that. I had been working on something that I had to keep close to the vest simply because...I didn't want to jinx it and talk a whole lot about it until I was absolutely certain that it would come to pass.
That project was the Philadelphia Invasion in Austin Texas during the South by Southwest Music Conference.
I am a very proud resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sure it's the home of the cheese steak, and Rocky, and The Eagles, and throwing snowballs at Santa Claus. Murder and Mayhem and Sports Riots. But those who watch those stories exclusively on the news miss what this place is really about.
The Philadelphia I live in is a no nonsense place. A city with a blue collar work ethic. We're a little rough around the edges, but we always say exactly what we think, and we do not suffer fools gladly. If you want something you have to fight and scratch to get it. We're often overlooked because of our proximity to New York City, thought of as inferior, which sometimes gives us a chip on our shoulder which also feeds our identity.
As far as the music scene goes, it's splintered. If you go around the country and say Philly Music you might get a bunch of different answers if you get any at all. It's a city of cliques and circles. It's a lot like high school, you have kids that float in and out of certain cliques but for the most part people stay in their circles. That being said there are some quality music being made in this city made by quality musicians. If we all ever did mess around and unify ourselves we'd be a force to be reckoned with.
The seeds for this project were sewn almost one year ago walking the streets of Austin Texas noticing many cities and countries showcasing their very best talent. New York, Boston, Australia, China, The UK etc. I didn't see any shows showcasing talent from my hometown. I remember making a call to one of my fellow Philly scenesters saying that we needed to make this happen.
The idea exploded in my head when I discovered that there were no bands from Philadelphia selected to be official bands in the initial selection for the festival (I haven't seen the list since and it may have changed since then). I was enraged, passed over again. I could understand me not being picked, but everyone from Philly that applied didn't get in. I've been all over the country and our bands are as good as anyone Else's. I had to do something.
I remembered that Bang Camaro wasn't an official band, yet we played two shows at South by, so there was a way around the establishment, a back door if you will. The plan became, organize a few events close to the action during the festival and (in a sense) crash the party. As usual I don't get invited to the party so I throw my own.
I presented it to potential sponsors and backers who thought that I had a solid idea that would benefit me and them. I was to raise the necessary funds so that in January I could put a choke hold on each room because the name of the game at SXSW is speed, you wait till Feb to book a room and there won't be a room to book. I felt like I had it in the palm of my hand. I called so many clubs in Austin until finding one who was ready to go in January once the clubs in Austin were ready to talk to potential bookers for showcases. I knew I had to act fast, as I spent most of November and December booking showcases so that I had a package together as soon as the rooms were booked. We had a couple of really awesome bills and we were ready to go before Christmas.
The holiday was a relaxing one, it was in the bag or so I thought
When January rolled around it all fell apart fairly quickly. A lot of bands and sponsors alike decided that this time wasn't the right time to do something like that and I don't blame them, it's a risky game, this has the potential to fail miserably thus a lot of money would go down the tubes. It didn't change the fact that I had two days at an Austin club reserved, I didn't want to get rid of them, but I didn't know where the money was going to come from. Thankfully some new sponsors came through a short while later (There is a God) and we were able to do these shows. Problem was I didn't have any bands but two weeks ago everything was finalized. I'm very excited to tell everyone about these shows that we have.
The Philadelphia Invasion is about coming to one of the biggest music festival/conferences in the world and showing them what we've got...whether they like it or not. We're crashing the party with a megaphone and a case of Yuengling and a bottle of Fury.
Both shows (On March 19th and 20th) will take place at 219 West on 4th Street in Austin Texas
Both shows will start at Noon
Both Shows are Cover Free and will have FREE (until the kegs I bought run dry)
Day 1 - Friday March 19th - 12PM
On Friday March 19th we've got an extremely talented line up
Boy Wonder - Funk/Rock
Allison Polans (of Papertrees) - Folk
Dani Mari - Singer/Songwriter/Rock
Catherine Prewitt - Folk/Pop
And our special guests New York City's The Vanguard of Rethink Pop Music
I'm a big fan of Allison's work, I believe this is the first time I'm playing a show with her so I'm very excited about that. Catherine's new to the fold but she's pretty amazing this will be the first time I'm playing a show with her as well. Dani Mari will bring the fire as usual and The Vanguard will help me bring testosterone to the occasion.
Day 2 - Saturday March 20th - 12PM
Saturday March 20th is just as good
Boy Wonder - Funk/Rock
Katherine Mundy - Blues/Pop
Ami Verrill - Singer/Songwriter
Brady and The Bear - Folk/Rock
And Our Special Guests Boston Rockers Township
I can't think of Katherine Mundy without thinking of John Mayer's Room For Squares (which is one of my favorite albums) her music calls back to the breezy blues influenced pop music abandoned all to quickly by the Mayers and Mrazs of the World. Brady and The Bear is just the business, well crafted folks songs with catchy hooks and by far the best beard in the music business. Ami Verrill sings and plays with a conviction rarely found amongst other artists, every performance brings you to her living room playing her songs by a roaring fire.
Aside from being the coolest Rock band I've heard in a long time, Township also features guitarist Alejandro Necochea whom you might know from Bang Camaro who I toured with as a vocalist last spring. I got a lot of flack for being in that band when I came home from musicians and people who thought that Camaro wasn't cool enough, but fact is without them giving me the opportunity to see SXSW up close and personal and learn the ropes none of what I'm doing would be possible...period.
And Me...hell I just hope I can keep up with everyone else.
We've got two amazing shows. I wanna thank everyone that helped, that encouraged me in the times I felt like giving up. This is a truly amazing and humbling thing. This is the biggest festival in the world and I get to sneak in the back door and play...twice.
When I look at both bills I am humbled to be in such company...it's going to be an amazing week.
Well it's 4:15AM and I have stuff to do, put together set lists and tour intineraries and all that and I dunno...maybe catch some sleep.
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