Year Three – Day 165 – August 20th 2011
Boston, Massachusetts
I wake up in the morning and I'm pretty pumped. Why? Cause tonight we're gonna play in Boston.
If you've been reading this blog over the past two plus years you'd know how important this particular city is to me. From the concert tour I didn't get to do in 8th Grade to ending up there as a singer for Bang Camaro, to our first show there a few months back. I have a special relationship with this particular place, mainly because it has treated us so well since I've started playing there.
Kyle's behind the wheel we go pick up Jake and off we go. I had some concerns about leaving so late but at this point I;m figuring as long as we get there on time to play none of the other stuff matters. The ride up was quiet, peaceful. Being able to deal with silence is such an important thing out here especially with solitude in such short supply.
According to Steve Marchion, the plans for Boston were drawn by a Drunken Toddler with Crayons on an Applebee's place mat. I'm startign tot hink he's right. When we got to the street that the club is on we drove around in circles for like half an hour before finding out it was actually down an alley.
The alley way had several bars lined up inside of it. It sort of reminded me of a mini olde city. Lots of scantly clad women out looking for some dancing and a good time. Something that I full intend to provide. We load into the bar and I run into an old friend Allie Carroll. She's someone that I flat out dig but I rarely see. It's her birthday today and she spends a lot of time up here, I didn't put two and two together to figure out that she would be up here this weekend. She had a bunch of friends with her...score.
Alex (Bang Camaro/Township) was the next person I saw, that dude can't really escape his rock starness, he has that intangible, that rock and roll spirit most of us wish we had. Star quality exudes from him even when he's sitting on a stool. I'm always happy to see him, my memories of him from Camaro and beyond always come rushing back, it's a relationship I'm glad I've maintained.
Mayte would be the last (but definitely not least) we're pretty tight and I'm glad she lives in Boston and not San Diego. That girls like 15 kinds of awesome. She's one of those people that if she says she's comin...she'll be there. Something that is always appreciated.
Danielle Ashley was playing when we arrived. It was hard to hear her over the noise but I can think of a few rooms at home she'd go over pretty well in. She does a good job at drawing you in once you start to pay attention, her cover of blackbird was especially striking. She stopped around 11 and it was time for us to set up. By 11:15 we were on
Set List
Slowdance
Get Me To California
Body
Baby One More Time
Ex-Girlfriend
Wasted
Private School Girl
Happy Birthday
Never Gonna Give You Up
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
Billie Jean
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Hoochie Coochie Man
Psycho
By the time we hit the Funk part of the set the bar was PACKED and I was seeing Dance Moves from people I had never seen before. People were into it, I was a little afraid but a bunch of girl shakin their asses never hurt any one...especially the one who grabbed my mic stand, bent down and popped her but...this was very comical. For a moment in time we had whipped the crowd into a frenzy. When we were done being Funky a lot of the crowd left and we finished the set.
Then we were given shots by the bar tender and asked to play a few more songs...Sure.
Encore
The Way You Make Me Feel
Walking on The Moon
300 Miles Away
Everyone at the club seemed to like us a lot, they want us to come back and play regularly, which is awesome. There was an attempt to go to Bryn's birthday but that attempt failed epically.
Our adventures on the road are really giving me a sense of what people like and don't like depending on what we're playing. Suggesting a musical direction that I had not yet thought about. We've got one more run before I shut the caravan down for a month or two to write new songs. We've got some heat so I would love to use that creatively in the studio. I'll keep you posted.
I have two downstairs shows at World Cafe Live this week so I have to gear up and get ready for them should be an interesting close to the summer .
Monday, August 29, 2011
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 281
Year Three – Day 163 – Thursday August 18th 2011
New York
Man we've been on the road a lot this summer. Tonight is New York and it's just like old times. Rob's behind the wheel and we're traveling three hours to get to a gig.
New York's always been tough. I have friends but historically hadn't been able to get them out but this year has seen a change of fortunes, finding venues and bookers that like us, pay us, and promote our shows. But New York is a major market and I can't completely ignore it. Playing regularly in New York if nothing else helps with perception.
Tonight's the Shrine in Harlem. We've played here before, we like it and generally there's a built in crowd to supplement the draw that we have here. So going up there and rocking is usually no problem. I look around the big blue van and marvel at how this has become old hat in the past few years. We've toured enough period and have toured enough together where every one's used to gettign in the car and going somewhere, playing great, and then going home.
We arrived and kicked it with the clientele. There was a girl next to me at the bar, Anya, not bad looking but I was completely turned off once she started talking. She was an actor you see, one of the bitter ones, New York does that to folks of the thespian persuasion. New York's and acting mecca and there just isn't enough work out there and that would make a person bitter.
Soundcheck, which didn't help, happened about five minutes before the show started. We played about an Hour
Slowdance
Get Me To California
How Can This Be Love
Ex-Girlfriend
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
Hoochie Coochie Man
Psycho
We had a nice little crowd at the front by the time we were done, the last show was better but The Shrine is still one of my favorite places to play in New York other than Santo's which I'm dying to get into.
We drove home shortly after and all I can think about is the Saturday show in Boston, who would be there and how hard I intend to rock it.
New York
Man we've been on the road a lot this summer. Tonight is New York and it's just like old times. Rob's behind the wheel and we're traveling three hours to get to a gig.
New York's always been tough. I have friends but historically hadn't been able to get them out but this year has seen a change of fortunes, finding venues and bookers that like us, pay us, and promote our shows. But New York is a major market and I can't completely ignore it. Playing regularly in New York if nothing else helps with perception.
Tonight's the Shrine in Harlem. We've played here before, we like it and generally there's a built in crowd to supplement the draw that we have here. So going up there and rocking is usually no problem. I look around the big blue van and marvel at how this has become old hat in the past few years. We've toured enough period and have toured enough together where every one's used to gettign in the car and going somewhere, playing great, and then going home.
We arrived and kicked it with the clientele. There was a girl next to me at the bar, Anya, not bad looking but I was completely turned off once she started talking. She was an actor you see, one of the bitter ones, New York does that to folks of the thespian persuasion. New York's and acting mecca and there just isn't enough work out there and that would make a person bitter.
Soundcheck, which didn't help, happened about five minutes before the show started. We played about an Hour
Slowdance
Get Me To California
How Can This Be Love
Ex-Girlfriend
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
Hoochie Coochie Man
Psycho
We had a nice little crowd at the front by the time we were done, the last show was better but The Shrine is still one of my favorite places to play in New York other than Santo's which I'm dying to get into.
We drove home shortly after and all I can think about is the Saturday show in Boston, who would be there and how hard I intend to rock it.
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 280
Year Three Day 150 – August 5th 2011
It's 4 am and I must be lonely...I think that's right...the time at least. This reminds me of our first tour through the mid west; get up early, drive 9 hours, play a show, find a hotel room, sleep, get up, and do it all over again.
10 Hours to DC. The most focused Drive ever, constantly looking at Tom Tom hoping that the arrival time is the actual arrival time. I'd panic everytime one of us had to pee.
We got there around 5 and went up one flight of stairs...this place is too small for us to do a full on show. I remember back to the emails exchanged with the booker for the room asking if there was room for a band of my size and her responding oh yes of course. I immediately decided we'd play a quieter Set tonight.
Steve Marchion Got a Chance to Open...Dude's getting better and better and if I have anything to do with that I'm glad.
Set List
SlowDance
How Can This Be Love
Get Me To California
Surrender
Ex-Girlfriend
Wasn't Supposed to Be This Way
(I Think We Should) Breakup
We Definitely Cut the Set Short as to not wear out our welcome...all the people at the venue were super cool and we wanted to get out of their way. Casey was there, He and Julie just moved to DC it was like we still lived in the same city. A few hours later we left headed towards home.
As we drove we realized the headlights were out, the first real problem we've had with the van since we started using it for the tours. I'm aware that it isn't exactly the lap of luxury, but it runs, I'm thankful to have it. Someday maybe we'll get a sweet vehicle with a trailer which would be amazing.
Steve decided to drive with the blinkers on, we hit a bump and the lights come back on.
As Steve and I are talking in the car approaching Philly I settle into my seat and reflect. This particular tour was hard. I've grown comfortable touring the midwest, people like us there and come see us when we're in town or at least people are out when we go places and we can win them over and it just wasn't as strong in any of the three cities we played. I need to do a better job of getting us in front of people.
I laugh to myself because I look around and all of this is as routine as getting up and pooping in the morning. I started this journey almost three years ago and the question then was “Do I have what it takes?” and once I answered that question so many more popped up some stupid like “ Should I get a pair of red jeans?” and more profound stuff like “Will I ever get that break or opportunity that would really put me and the boys over the hump?”
One thing's for sure, I'm dying to write new songs.
It's 4 am and I must be lonely...I think that's right...the time at least. This reminds me of our first tour through the mid west; get up early, drive 9 hours, play a show, find a hotel room, sleep, get up, and do it all over again.
10 Hours to DC. The most focused Drive ever, constantly looking at Tom Tom hoping that the arrival time is the actual arrival time. I'd panic everytime one of us had to pee.
We got there around 5 and went up one flight of stairs...this place is too small for us to do a full on show. I remember back to the emails exchanged with the booker for the room asking if there was room for a band of my size and her responding oh yes of course. I immediately decided we'd play a quieter Set tonight.
Steve Marchion Got a Chance to Open...Dude's getting better and better and if I have anything to do with that I'm glad.
Set List
SlowDance
How Can This Be Love
Get Me To California
Surrender
Ex-Girlfriend
Wasn't Supposed to Be This Way
(I Think We Should) Breakup
We Definitely Cut the Set Short as to not wear out our welcome...all the people at the venue were super cool and we wanted to get out of their way. Casey was there, He and Julie just moved to DC it was like we still lived in the same city. A few hours later we left headed towards home.
As we drove we realized the headlights were out, the first real problem we've had with the van since we started using it for the tours. I'm aware that it isn't exactly the lap of luxury, but it runs, I'm thankful to have it. Someday maybe we'll get a sweet vehicle with a trailer which would be amazing.
Steve decided to drive with the blinkers on, we hit a bump and the lights come back on.
As Steve and I are talking in the car approaching Philly I settle into my seat and reflect. This particular tour was hard. I've grown comfortable touring the midwest, people like us there and come see us when we're in town or at least people are out when we go places and we can win them over and it just wasn't as strong in any of the three cities we played. I need to do a better job of getting us in front of people.
I laugh to myself because I look around and all of this is as routine as getting up and pooping in the morning. I started this journey almost three years ago and the question then was “Do I have what it takes?” and once I answered that question so many more popped up some stupid like “ Should I get a pair of red jeans?” and more profound stuff like “Will I ever get that break or opportunity that would really put me and the boys over the hump?”
One thing's for sure, I'm dying to write new songs.
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 279
Year Three – Day 149 – August 4th 2011
I woke up in a car
I look around
Steve's to my left awake and driving (Good Thing) Jake and Rob are asleep in the back. Laughter is abound as we wake up and head to a Waffle House in the Carolinas for breakfast. One of the things that I've always thought was essential to making this thing work is that we have a core group of people that genuinely like each other.
I'm still blown away by the owner of Mojo Main's reception to our show, not because he thought we we're good (cause I think we're good) but that he would walk through the rain to tell us that. That's a place we might play again.
After a meal and several off color jokes we head toward Atlanta a place I haven't seen in over two years. The last time was with Camaro, and it wasn't pretty, Tequila, Cougars, Old Strippers, and the like. I remember feeling off about the city itself, but I also remember Atlanta as a musical hotbed, at least it was ten years ago. This is where John Mayer came to make it among so many others that used to call Atlanta home. I was happy that my friend Elizabeth lives down here, finally a connection.
We arrived at the Masters Inn around 3 and truthfully it looks a little sketchy but as long as the rooms are clean and I don't see anyone carrying out a corpse in a trash bag I'm cool. I need rest and I can feel my voice slipping away from me. I turn on pardon the interruption and I let those guys put me to sleep for an hour at least.
I wake up around 7 and shower, my phone is ringing off the hook because along with the pressure of performing in a new market for the first time the HYPE! has a show at World Cafe Live Tonight and for the first time I'm not there to run the show. As far as booking and hosting go it's probably my favorite venue to do shows at. But I left Man Wonder (The Nickname That Someone Gave My Father) in charge of the proceedings. It's the closest thing to me being there, we are definitely similar people and most of the things I learned about managing people and performances I learned from him. But as many parents can tell you, you can leave the best babysitter in the world with your child and you are still gonna worry, but once I got the call from Chris telling me the show was running on schedule I was able to shift focus to the work here in the ATL.
We arrived at The Music Room at Vesuvius around 7:30, loaded in, ate pizza and sat around for a bit waiting on word when to start. I hugged Elizabeth cause she got me the gig and she rules pretty hard on a 24/7 basis. Jake suggests we tune to E flat (he's been especially good with the ideas on this tour) so that's what happens. When we're given the cue we start
Set List
Ex-Girlfriend
Superhero
Get Me To California
Slowdance
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Baby One More Time
Psycho
I spend most of the show lost at sea, there's no monitor so I can't hear if I'm singing properly, the guitar was out of tune most of the time and to tell you the truth I spent most of the gig just not really being all that comfortable on-stage. The boys were amazing and the last three songs I had finally gotten my bearings. I was greeted by the few of the members of the audience, good show I was told. It's almost harder to be gracious when someone tells you you've done well when you think you haven't than the other way around.
After the show we were treated to a set by The Swear. I can't say enough about Elizabeth Elkins as a vocalist and songwriter. To do Folk/Coutnry and then turn around and hit you with the Heavy Rock, it's not an easy thing to do. I really love her and Vanessa (Olivarez) a lot, the fact that musicians and songwriters of that caliber have anything to do with me is pretty awesome. During the set I got a phone call basically sayign that The World Cafe Live show was a smashing success so good feelings all around.
As we get in the car and head for the hotel I reassess. The crowds haven't been great like they are in the Midwest but that's to be expected. This is my first trip through and I have to start somewhere. Next time things will be better and we'll find some cities to play in that work and add them to the ATL where we'll build off of what we had last night.
Next time I'll take the boys to Claremont
I woke up in a car
I look around
Steve's to my left awake and driving (Good Thing) Jake and Rob are asleep in the back. Laughter is abound as we wake up and head to a Waffle House in the Carolinas for breakfast. One of the things that I've always thought was essential to making this thing work is that we have a core group of people that genuinely like each other.
I'm still blown away by the owner of Mojo Main's reception to our show, not because he thought we we're good (cause I think we're good) but that he would walk through the rain to tell us that. That's a place we might play again.
After a meal and several off color jokes we head toward Atlanta a place I haven't seen in over two years. The last time was with Camaro, and it wasn't pretty, Tequila, Cougars, Old Strippers, and the like. I remember feeling off about the city itself, but I also remember Atlanta as a musical hotbed, at least it was ten years ago. This is where John Mayer came to make it among so many others that used to call Atlanta home. I was happy that my friend Elizabeth lives down here, finally a connection.
We arrived at the Masters Inn around 3 and truthfully it looks a little sketchy but as long as the rooms are clean and I don't see anyone carrying out a corpse in a trash bag I'm cool. I need rest and I can feel my voice slipping away from me. I turn on pardon the interruption and I let those guys put me to sleep for an hour at least.
I wake up around 7 and shower, my phone is ringing off the hook because along with the pressure of performing in a new market for the first time the HYPE! has a show at World Cafe Live Tonight and for the first time I'm not there to run the show. As far as booking and hosting go it's probably my favorite venue to do shows at. But I left Man Wonder (The Nickname That Someone Gave My Father) in charge of the proceedings. It's the closest thing to me being there, we are definitely similar people and most of the things I learned about managing people and performances I learned from him. But as many parents can tell you, you can leave the best babysitter in the world with your child and you are still gonna worry, but once I got the call from Chris telling me the show was running on schedule I was able to shift focus to the work here in the ATL.
We arrived at The Music Room at Vesuvius around 7:30, loaded in, ate pizza and sat around for a bit waiting on word when to start. I hugged Elizabeth cause she got me the gig and she rules pretty hard on a 24/7 basis. Jake suggests we tune to E flat (he's been especially good with the ideas on this tour) so that's what happens. When we're given the cue we start
Set List
Ex-Girlfriend
Superhero
Get Me To California
Slowdance
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Baby One More Time
Psycho
I spend most of the show lost at sea, there's no monitor so I can't hear if I'm singing properly, the guitar was out of tune most of the time and to tell you the truth I spent most of the gig just not really being all that comfortable on-stage. The boys were amazing and the last three songs I had finally gotten my bearings. I was greeted by the few of the members of the audience, good show I was told. It's almost harder to be gracious when someone tells you you've done well when you think you haven't than the other way around.
After the show we were treated to a set by The Swear. I can't say enough about Elizabeth Elkins as a vocalist and songwriter. To do Folk/Coutnry and then turn around and hit you with the Heavy Rock, it's not an easy thing to do. I really love her and Vanessa (Olivarez) a lot, the fact that musicians and songwriters of that caliber have anything to do with me is pretty awesome. During the set I got a phone call basically sayign that The World Cafe Live show was a smashing success so good feelings all around.
As we get in the car and head for the hotel I reassess. The crowds haven't been great like they are in the Midwest but that's to be expected. This is my first trip through and I have to start somewhere. Next time things will be better and we'll find some cities to play in that work and add them to the ATL where we'll build off of what we had last night.
Next time I'll take the boys to Claremont
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 278
Year 3 Day 148 – August 3rd 2011
Back on the Road Again...The First Tour of The South...Second If You Count The SXSW Tour in 2010.
It's a Four Day run with the big show happening in Atlanta and it seems that leaving Philadelphia is (logistically) the hardest thing to do when I'm trying to hit the road. There are so many things to take care of before leaving that I often forget something, this time it was toll money and the AC Converter for the Laptop. Oy!
Jake, Rob, Steve (Marchion), and I left around 9:30 on our way to Mojo Main In Newark Delaware. With the Van working we got there, albeit a lot later than we would normally arrive someplace. I bolt into the venue and look frantically for the sound guy. I find him.
Me: Hello I'm in the last band...I'm just wondering where we would load in at
Sound Guy: Excuse Me?
Me: Hello -
Sound Guy: First Introduce Yourself
Me: Hello I'm in Boy Wonder...
I Shake his Hand
Me: I'm just wondering where we would load in at
Sound Guy: Oh just go in the middle door
Me: Sorry we're late
Sound Guy: Oh don't worry about it.
We waited about an hour and we played.
Set List
Ex-Girlfriend
Wasn't Supposed To Be This Way
The Way You Make Me Feel
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Psycho
I could feel a cold coming on. The room was practically empty and dwindling by the minute, we were left with an older gentlemen who thought we were the bees knees. Although we were killer I chalked the gig up to a loss and was ready to pack up and leave Newark with the little confidence I had left.
As we were pulling out a gentlemen in a green shirt walks through the rain and I rolled down the window. Turns out he owned the place. Said he loved the set and how we put on a good show despite the fact that no one was there, he was gushing, I was floored. It was a good thing Jake was quick enough to hand the guy a CD...I was too busy being shocked. He wants to bring us back during the school year for a paying gig with a crowd. So the show's not a total loss.
We leave under the cover of night on our way to ATL, when we get to the hotel I plan on taking a bunch of Cold Medicine and going to bed, the rocking out with The Swear
Back on the Road Again...The First Tour of The South...Second If You Count The SXSW Tour in 2010.
It's a Four Day run with the big show happening in Atlanta and it seems that leaving Philadelphia is (logistically) the hardest thing to do when I'm trying to hit the road. There are so many things to take care of before leaving that I often forget something, this time it was toll money and the AC Converter for the Laptop. Oy!
Jake, Rob, Steve (Marchion), and I left around 9:30 on our way to Mojo Main In Newark Delaware. With the Van working we got there, albeit a lot later than we would normally arrive someplace. I bolt into the venue and look frantically for the sound guy. I find him.
Me: Hello I'm in the last band...I'm just wondering where we would load in at
Sound Guy: Excuse Me?
Me: Hello -
Sound Guy: First Introduce Yourself
Me: Hello I'm in Boy Wonder...
I Shake his Hand
Me: I'm just wondering where we would load in at
Sound Guy: Oh just go in the middle door
Me: Sorry we're late
Sound Guy: Oh don't worry about it.
We waited about an hour and we played.
Set List
Ex-Girlfriend
Wasn't Supposed To Be This Way
The Way You Make Me Feel
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Psycho
I could feel a cold coming on. The room was practically empty and dwindling by the minute, we were left with an older gentlemen who thought we were the bees knees. Although we were killer I chalked the gig up to a loss and was ready to pack up and leave Newark with the little confidence I had left.
As we were pulling out a gentlemen in a green shirt walks through the rain and I rolled down the window. Turns out he owned the place. Said he loved the set and how we put on a good show despite the fact that no one was there, he was gushing, I was floored. It was a good thing Jake was quick enough to hand the guy a CD...I was too busy being shocked. He wants to bring us back during the school year for a paying gig with a crowd. So the show's not a total loss.
We leave under the cover of night on our way to ATL, when we get to the hotel I plan on taking a bunch of Cold Medicine and going to bed, the rocking out with The Swear
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