Year Three - Day 226 – October 20th 2011
Fairfeild, Iowa
Rob Saved My Life Tonight....But let's go back to the beginning
I awaken to the sounds of Watch The Throne Blaring in my ears, must have had it on while I was sleeping. Jake's mouthing words but I (obviously) don't know what he's saying. I take my ear buds out and the words are “Hey there's a Denny's. You wanna go there or do you wanna wait for Bob Evans?” I opt to wait for Bob Evans. When we see one we stop to get our grub on. The banter has already begun.
As we get back in the car I look around, mostly out of the window, I've always liked the scenery here. It's especially beautiful in the fall and summer (I won't come here in the winter to compare it...too f'n cold) We're not too far away from Fairfield I get a call from Zach, he's not home yet so we're gonna go to the Grocery Store and get some stuff to make Chicken Vegetable soup. I'm still sick and Andy (Tour Manager is Too) coughing up Lung Butter For Days, it's a s gross as it sounds. We stock up on food and meds and head towards Zach's.
One of the many benefits in having a band that can tour is that I see my friends who have (in the past couple of years) scattered across the country, Casey's in DC and Zach's in Fairfield, and they're a lot like crack...need a fix everyone in a while. I made soup and I got a phone call from Kruu FM, the solar powered radio station in Fairfield. Apparently the booker at Red Rock Tavern, the venue we're playing tonight set up some time for us to come in for an interview...awesome. Me and the boys finished our soup and rolled down.
I like to bring the guys with me on stuff like this. I could do the interviews myself but it's more fun with three people that can answer questions. Those guys are quick witted and they keep me on my toes . The interview is going along nicely I play a song on my guitar and it's winding down with no problem and then I'm asked a question about my band mates. Along the lines of what excatly they bring to the table I start off by saying;
“It's my vision and my songs but the other guys bring so much to the sound of the band and that I wouldn't be much without them”
Now the appropriate thing to say after a statement like that is...nothing. At least that's what someone with class would have done. What came out of my mouth was
“...Cause music is a lot like sex. Sure you can get the job done by yourself but it's better with at least two other people.”
Yeah...I know. I dropped that little gem on the radio...In Iowa. They'll probably never have me on again.
Everyone was really nice and we loaded into the venue shortly after. The task tonight is simple, play four sets in the hours between 9PM and 1AM, which is fine...we do that on a regular basis. We'd tune to e flat to make the songs easier to sing. I feel worse than I did yesterday as the aches set in. After aggressively combining several different cold medications together to combat different symptoms I said a silent prayer
“Dear God if you can keep me upright for the next four hours I promise I will take my black ass back to Zach's house and go to sleep!”
The dropped tuning seems to be working as I'm getting through the songs no problem. The people are packing in this place (Which I wasn't totally sure about, small towns are hard to judge) and they're dancing, mostly the girls, who are super cute, this brings a smile to my face. I like it when people are having a good time.
I can't begin to tell you how amazing this place was, the people were friendly, the people that worked there were Johnny on the spot with everything, and everything was handled in a professional manner. I recommend any band that is coming through the area to make a stop there.
People had nothing but good things to say and we were invited to a post show party at someone's house ...we oblige...so much for going to bed early lol.
I'm not used to places without streetlights, it was dark as hell going to this lady's house, like something out of a horror movie. We got lost and a cop followed us for a while, he left then we figured out how to get to the party spot.
The stars were out though...and they were beautiful.
We enjoyed the company of some of Fairfield's finest. Most of these guys are into Transcendental Meditation, so they think differently than me, it's refreshing. They live in a world where just about anything's possible and often we as musicians are bound by the shackles of the “Real World” we forget about all the possibilities that can come from just deciding to live your life a certain way, there's much to learn from people like that.
After chillin for a bit the host, a lovely Scottish woman begins passing out glasses of Red Wine, I love red wine so I reach for a glass
Rob: Andre...do NOT Drink that.
Andre: Why? I like Red Wine.
Rob: It's got Mushroom Tea in it.
Andre: Like...Magic Mushrooms?
Rob: Yes
I quickly give the glass to someone who wants it.
And that friends is how Rob saved my life. Me tripping face off mushrooms, something I don't need to experience and the world doesn't need to see.
Soon, Zach's followed by jokes and bed. Minneapolis tomorrow...can't wait!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 283
Year Three - Day 225 – October 19th, 2011
Philadelphia PA
Leaving for any kind of a tour run is always that hardest part. Not emotionally, this is old hat, I'm used to leaving, the guys I tour with are used to leaving and the people around us are used to us being gone. I mean it's hard from a logistical standpoint. Doing something like this always requires uprooting your life and in my case putting things in place so that things will be taken care of while I'm gone. We have always been grownups in the sense that we have responsibilities at home that need to be taken care of before we leave.
Before we do anything Rob and Andrew have to meet me at my house. We have to pack the van, pick up my guitars from the repair shop, grab Jake, re-pack the van (with his bass amp in the car) and head to Triumph.
I decided to do a tune up gig at Triumph Brewery, I figure since we're playing two very important shows this week why not start at home. We packed the car and headed down. We pick everyone up and pull into Triumph. As I walk inside I notice that I'm sick, the kind of sick I hate the most, congestion cough, runny nose, lungs (seemingly) covered with that green and yellow buttery stuff. I feel like crap, this presents a problem.
Set List
Slowdance
Get Me To California
Never Gonna Give You Up
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Psycho
I struggle to sing, my guitar refuses to stay in tune, I'm sluggish, it isn't pretty. The Most you can do at that point is hope that things end better than they started.
We end the night driving towards Farfield, Iowa I dream of terrain that is both foreign and familiar with the stars shining bright I go over the tour plans in my head one more time.
-Get To Fairfield
-Get Some Rest
-Radio Interview
-Play
-Sleep
-Wake Up
-Get To Minneapolis
-Rest
-Play
-Get Jake To The Airport
-Sleep
-Drive Home
If I can get all of these things done without my head exploding I'll consider it a successful week.
Philadelphia PA
Leaving for any kind of a tour run is always that hardest part. Not emotionally, this is old hat, I'm used to leaving, the guys I tour with are used to leaving and the people around us are used to us being gone. I mean it's hard from a logistical standpoint. Doing something like this always requires uprooting your life and in my case putting things in place so that things will be taken care of while I'm gone. We have always been grownups in the sense that we have responsibilities at home that need to be taken care of before we leave.
Before we do anything Rob and Andrew have to meet me at my house. We have to pack the van, pick up my guitars from the repair shop, grab Jake, re-pack the van (with his bass amp in the car) and head to Triumph.
I decided to do a tune up gig at Triumph Brewery, I figure since we're playing two very important shows this week why not start at home. We packed the car and headed down. We pick everyone up and pull into Triumph. As I walk inside I notice that I'm sick, the kind of sick I hate the most, congestion cough, runny nose, lungs (seemingly) covered with that green and yellow buttery stuff. I feel like crap, this presents a problem.
Set List
Slowdance
Get Me To California
Never Gonna Give You Up
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Psycho
I struggle to sing, my guitar refuses to stay in tune, I'm sluggish, it isn't pretty. The Most you can do at that point is hope that things end better than they started.
We end the night driving towards Farfield, Iowa I dream of terrain that is both foreign and familiar with the stars shining bright I go over the tour plans in my head one more time.
-Get To Fairfield
-Get Some Rest
-Radio Interview
-Play
-Sleep
-Wake Up
-Get To Minneapolis
-Rest
-Play
-Get Jake To The Airport
-Sleep
-Drive Home
If I can get all of these things done without my head exploding I'll consider it a successful week.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 282
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 .
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 .
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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