Year Three - Day 304 – January 4th 2012
New York, New York
I don't feel very professional today.
I woke up coming off what I felt like was a B+ (at best) performance in Northampton and was ecited for another crack at it in New York. Then I got the email, the one saying that I had gotten the dates wrong, that the show was January 5th (Tomorrow) and not January 4th (Today) the day that I would be arriving in NewYork. Tomorrow I have a show at World Cafe Live, meaning I can't play at Vivaldi. People are pissed, but no more pissed than I am at myself for doing something like this.
Professionalism is something that I value. Everybody can't be talented, everybody can't be proficient musically, everybody can't draw huge crowds, but everybody can be professional. All it means is showing up on time and doing what you were brought in to do. It's not pro to forget the date you're playing. I mean who does that? Fumble, Fail, Epic Fail, etc. This shit matters to me. I wanted to play this show, I was excited about it. I won't get to do it...probably ever now and I have no one to blame but myself.
As I beat myself up with one hand, on the other I realize I am a man with two choices. I can either go home or try to make the best of a night in New York City, a city that I count the good experiences I've had in it on one hand. I was able to find a fe places that would have me...Thank God for the internet.
First up R Bar
We park in a lot, we roll around the corner, R Bar is Closed.
Let's try this again shall we.
First up Paddy Reilly's Music Bar.
I hit the stage at 7 or so.
Set List
Wasn't Supposed to Be This Way
How Can This Be Love
Take on Me
Surrender
(I Think We Should) Breakup
It was a lot better than last night. I felt stronger, better, etc.
Well received in that New York kind of way. People pat you on the back and let you go about your buisness. A friend from Philly, Michelle, managed to find us where we were.
We met What The Fuck Man (yes that's his name) and he knew where to find the next spot.
Second Stop Artica Bar
What The Fuck Man, the superhero of rock, donned with a yellow hoodie, a utility belt armed with a light saber, phone, and capo, a guitar and sick songs, showed us an open mic at the Artica Bar nearby. I'm like why not. This would mean technically I'd play here twice tonight. The four of us had dinner first. The crowd's a scoach more upper crust then at Paddy's. It's two songs but I feel like I can do it
Set List
Slowdance
Never Gonna Give You Up
Crowd was good. I noticed that no one seems to have the contempt for open mics here like they do in Philly. New Yorkers just seem to ignore shit they don't like.
Bottom line, a bonehead move by me could have tanked an entire evening but it turned out to be cool. Hopefully this sin will be forgiven and I can return to rock New York the right way. I'll be a taste tester on Fear Factor before I ever let something like this happen again
I still have fire, I'm hungry to succeed, these are all good things.
Philly Tomorrow
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 290
Year Three – Day 303 – January 3, 2012
Northampton, Massachusetts
Getting out of here seems to be the craziest part of being on the road. I knew we had a long drive so I was able to get Philly business done in the car.
Tonight was the first night of my first real acoustic run. I'm giving it a shot because it's a new challenge, something I've never really done, I can tour more if I can do both, and ultimately it will make me a better performer when I play with the band. I'm still not as comfortable alone on stage as I'd like to be. So this would ultimately be a good experience for me. Just me, Andrew and The Road.
I love being on the road, just watching the trees go by fills me with a joy that I rarely get doing anything else. Home is home but I feel like I'm actually doing this for real more often when I'm out here.
After about six hours we pulled into Bishops Lounge , it took us about 30 minutes to find it, mainly cause it was stacked on top of two other restaurants. The security guard was pretty awesome as I rolled into the room. The lights were dimmed you could only see the bandstand. It was a little on the small side but you could feel the energy. I felt more comfortable when the house band played. It was vibey, I could tell when Jamie (Kent) walked in and several musicians walked in after...that this was a place musicians came out to hang.
About half an hour goes by and they ask me to stroll up. As usual I didn't know what I was gonna play. If I'm lucky I know the first three tunes in any give solo acoustic set. I'm not as disciplined alone as I am with the boys , which is probably why I'm not as good by myself as I am with them. I walk up to the mic and say hello
Set List
Slowdance
Get Me To Califronia
Wasn't Supposed to Be This Way
Never Gonna Give You Up
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Hangover
Psycho
I was well received, people either dug it or were just being polite. Just in case it's the former I rarely dig deeper. Generally people don't like it when you argue with them when they give you a compliment so I just smile and say thank you. I simply think in my mind that I'll have another shot at Vivaldi. I'll be good tomorrow.
Did I mention it's UnGodly Cold outside. I mean these New Englanders are tough, don;t think I could function in 13 degrees on a daily basis. It pretty much sucks lol.
Jamie Kent of Jamie Kent and The Options was kind enough to give us a place to stay. The hosue was awesome and after a phone call or two I would sleep like a baby and dream of new york.
Northampton, Massachusetts
Getting out of here seems to be the craziest part of being on the road. I knew we had a long drive so I was able to get Philly business done in the car.
Tonight was the first night of my first real acoustic run. I'm giving it a shot because it's a new challenge, something I've never really done, I can tour more if I can do both, and ultimately it will make me a better performer when I play with the band. I'm still not as comfortable alone on stage as I'd like to be. So this would ultimately be a good experience for me. Just me, Andrew and The Road.
I love being on the road, just watching the trees go by fills me with a joy that I rarely get doing anything else. Home is home but I feel like I'm actually doing this for real more often when I'm out here.
After about six hours we pulled into Bishops Lounge , it took us about 30 minutes to find it, mainly cause it was stacked on top of two other restaurants. The security guard was pretty awesome as I rolled into the room. The lights were dimmed you could only see the bandstand. It was a little on the small side but you could feel the energy. I felt more comfortable when the house band played. It was vibey, I could tell when Jamie (Kent) walked in and several musicians walked in after...that this was a place musicians came out to hang.
About half an hour goes by and they ask me to stroll up. As usual I didn't know what I was gonna play. If I'm lucky I know the first three tunes in any give solo acoustic set. I'm not as disciplined alone as I am with the boys , which is probably why I'm not as good by myself as I am with them. I walk up to the mic and say hello
Set List
Slowdance
Get Me To Califronia
Wasn't Supposed to Be This Way
Never Gonna Give You Up
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Hangover
Psycho
I was well received, people either dug it or were just being polite. Just in case it's the former I rarely dig deeper. Generally people don't like it when you argue with them when they give you a compliment so I just smile and say thank you. I simply think in my mind that I'll have another shot at Vivaldi. I'll be good tomorrow.
Did I mention it's UnGodly Cold outside. I mean these New Englanders are tough, don;t think I could function in 13 degrees on a daily basis. It pretty much sucks lol.
Jamie Kent of Jamie Kent and The Options was kind enough to give us a place to stay. The hosue was awesome and after a phone call or two I would sleep like a baby and dream of new york.
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 289
Year Three – Day 233 – October 26th 2011
Philadelphia, PA
I rarely blog about shows at home these days but here we go
Today was a big day, (I've been having a lot of those lately which is probably a good thing) we're opening for Electric Six at Johnny Brenda's capping off a year where the boys and I have opened for bands and artists that are on major and independent labels. It's been a super crazy summer and fall I remember at this point last year thinking things couldn't get any better but the progression that my career has taken is definitely awesome, maybe I'm delusional, but I'm happy so shut up...lol
For those of you who haven't been reading my blog the past few years electric Six was the band Bang Camaro opened up for during my tour with them. We spent two weeks on the road with those guys and I learned just about everything I currently know by watching those dudes night after night. It was the best two weeks of the tour and we really got to know those guys well. They are by far the most professional band I've ever been around. So last year when an opportunity for me to open for them at Johnny Brenda's came along I jumped at the chance. We had so much fun that we asked again and they obliged us.
I didn't feel we put our best foot forward last year, Jake had food poisoning and by the end of the night I was trashed and way too focused on all the beautiful women, so I was glad to get another opportunity. Things would be different this time, primarily cause I'd have background singers. Graneville Automatic were kind enough to join me on stage for this particular show. I was nervous about it, I've never had much luck with background singers, but their pedigree is unparalleled, both those girls can sing just about anything.
Sound Check was awesome. They are one of the most sought after rooms in town for a reason. I left my shirt in the van and when I got it I realized it was the shirt that needed cufflinks, luckily my other had safety pins...why? Cause she's the best mom in the world that's why.
I like these 30 minute sets...less is more. We can rock solid and be on point. Nerves are always a part of the game
Slowdance
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
The band played great, those five days on the road really helped I think. As usual Electric Six was very nice and complimentary as were their fans. I was treated to a good set by Kitten and an excellent set By Electric Six.
We sold some merch, chatted some people up and left.
Saturday is my last scheduled travel gig for a while...looking forward to being home for a lil bit and writing new songs.
Philadelphia, PA
I rarely blog about shows at home these days but here we go
Today was a big day, (I've been having a lot of those lately which is probably a good thing) we're opening for Electric Six at Johnny Brenda's capping off a year where the boys and I have opened for bands and artists that are on major and independent labels. It's been a super crazy summer and fall I remember at this point last year thinking things couldn't get any better but the progression that my career has taken is definitely awesome, maybe I'm delusional, but I'm happy so shut up...lol
For those of you who haven't been reading my blog the past few years electric Six was the band Bang Camaro opened up for during my tour with them. We spent two weeks on the road with those guys and I learned just about everything I currently know by watching those dudes night after night. It was the best two weeks of the tour and we really got to know those guys well. They are by far the most professional band I've ever been around. So last year when an opportunity for me to open for them at Johnny Brenda's came along I jumped at the chance. We had so much fun that we asked again and they obliged us.
I didn't feel we put our best foot forward last year, Jake had food poisoning and by the end of the night I was trashed and way too focused on all the beautiful women, so I was glad to get another opportunity. Things would be different this time, primarily cause I'd have background singers. Graneville Automatic were kind enough to join me on stage for this particular show. I was nervous about it, I've never had much luck with background singers, but their pedigree is unparalleled, both those girls can sing just about anything.
Sound Check was awesome. They are one of the most sought after rooms in town for a reason. I left my shirt in the van and when I got it I realized it was the shirt that needed cufflinks, luckily my other had safety pins...why? Cause she's the best mom in the world that's why.
I like these 30 minute sets...less is more. We can rock solid and be on point. Nerves are always a part of the game
Slowdance
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
The band played great, those five days on the road really helped I think. As usual Electric Six was very nice and complimentary as were their fans. I was treated to a good set by Kitten and an excellent set By Electric Six.
We sold some merch, chatted some people up and left.
Saturday is my last scheduled travel gig for a while...looking forward to being home for a lil bit and writing new songs.
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 288
Year Three - Day 229 – October 23rd 2011
As I write this we're in Pennsylvania. The van's quiet other than a few sentences between the three of us. Room for Squares is on and we should be back in Philadelphia in a matter of hours.
Overall I'm happy with the experience this time around. We played two solid shows in markets that want us back. I'm excited about the possibilities. I wanna see my mom and dad, I guess this is what going away to college would have been like had I opted to go to USC or NYU instead of Temple. I'm excited to go to Triumph tonight and World Cafe tomorrow and Johnny Brenda's Wednesday. Going out makes being home that much sweeter.
I am also gross and in need of a shower...seriously.
If you're not doing anything on Wednesday Night you should come see me and the boys open for Electric Six and Kitten at Johnny Brenda's. It's gonna be a sweet show and we're pulling out all the stops. I'm really excited about it and can't wait to see everyone.
Lastly I wanna thank My Dad, Andy, Rob, Jake, Zach, John, Kibra, Lori, Kristin, Rachel, Roque, Brue, Flip, and all the other people we connected with on this run. It's your tireless support that makes all this worth it and I can safely speak for the band when I say we can't wait to see you all again.
That's all for now
See you soon
As I write this we're in Pennsylvania. The van's quiet other than a few sentences between the three of us. Room for Squares is on and we should be back in Philadelphia in a matter of hours.
Overall I'm happy with the experience this time around. We played two solid shows in markets that want us back. I'm excited about the possibilities. I wanna see my mom and dad, I guess this is what going away to college would have been like had I opted to go to USC or NYU instead of Temple. I'm excited to go to Triumph tonight and World Cafe tomorrow and Johnny Brenda's Wednesday. Going out makes being home that much sweeter.
I am also gross and in need of a shower...seriously.
If you're not doing anything on Wednesday Night you should come see me and the boys open for Electric Six and Kitten at Johnny Brenda's. It's gonna be a sweet show and we're pulling out all the stops. I'm really excited about it and can't wait to see everyone.
Lastly I wanna thank My Dad, Andy, Rob, Jake, Zach, John, Kibra, Lori, Kristin, Rachel, Roque, Brue, Flip, and all the other people we connected with on this run. It's your tireless support that makes all this worth it and I can safely speak for the band when I say we can't wait to see you all again.
That's all for now
See you soon
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