Day 200 - September 28th 2009
200 Days since I turned my life upside down so to speak. I’ll spare you the retracing of my steps from AV Tech to bang Camaro Vocalist to Full Time Musician.
On the way to Philly Rising I confirmed with Bryn that I’d be performing with Bang Camaro on October 15th at Santos Party House, the first place in NYC I Played with them. This’ll be a hoot especially considering I have to get back the next day to play a show at Lickety Split and the Boy Wonder Road Trip is the following week.
I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my 200th Day than at Philly Rising. My anxieties were heightened a tad since the line was low. One could blame the rain, but the line didn’t used to be effected by that. When I was an open micer there I made sure I went when it rained to increase my chances of winning. Problem was a crap load of people were thinking the same thing. This was and still is the biggest open mic in town with people crawling to get in. I don’t want that to change on my watch. We were the thinnest we’ve been since I got back from tour. But as we started the open mic the list filled up.
As the night wore on I was sitting with someone that comes quite frequently. As they were leaving I made a crack about them leaving and they responded with this tirade about the rappers and about how they need to be more “original.” Original is a word that really gets under my skin.
The 90’s and 00’s have given way to a thought that things like “originality” and being unique are the most important thing when it comes to music. Giving something that they’ve never seen or heard before is the battle cry from the music snobs that I run into on a constant basis. Even industry people that I’ve run into put a premium on being “different” I hear it all the time. “I like this, it’s different” I’m quick to defend anyone on the stage with the guts to get up there and perform against someone who only seems to have the guts to talk smack while they’re performing. But as I listened I came to a realization and asked myself a question. Whatever happened to just being good/great? What happened to that being enough?
Nothing great I’ve ever seen is truly unique or original. Sure it might look a little different, it might sound a little different but you can track anything anybody’s playing back to something else if you look far enough. Pop music allows you to take some tried and true forms, put a little you in them and make them work. There are only so many notes in a scale, so many chords that fit, and so many words that sound good together, so to ask someone to be truly musically original is pretty much impossible. I think the focus should be on being good, someone honing their craft and being the best them they can be. You can basically come out singing and dancing Like Michael Jackson (Usher, Justin Timberlake) or playing like The Beatles (Oasis and Everyone else) or SRV (John Mayer) and if you’re good at it no one really cares because at the end of the day people really just want good music.
The originality is going to come from the artist themselves, their perspective, their personality coming through in the music. When I play No Such Thing it’s going to be different from when John Mayer plays it, I bring different tools to the table, my experiences will inform the lyrics in a different way. If I’m truly being myself my music will be my own. That’s all that needs to be done…period. We should worry about people being good and foster growth so people can be as good as they can be.
I will step off my soapbox for just one second and get back to Philly Rising. A slow night turned into a pretty good one in terms of talent. Our winners were The Dropout Plan from Jersey. A Great acoustic act that may do well at the monthly competition which is quite the mixed bag this time around. Apparently they’re friends with Rae, a girls who’s friends with Liat a young singer/songwriter I book.
I’m gonna be putting my head down and promoting Phiilly Rising even harder than normal. I want to get attendance back up to ridiculous levels.
I came home to some band news that I’m not really ready or sure I’m gonna blog about. It will keep me up tonight.
200 days gone. Living the dream? Not even close. I’m just getting started.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Boy Wonder: Professional Musiciain 200
Day 199 - September 27th 2009
Lazy Sunday
After all the fun I had this weekend I decided to kick back and spend some time at the crib. Mostly with Pop Dukes As mom had to go sing somewhere with the chorus. We watched The Eagles Kill Kansas City, then watched Cadillac Records and then I made Dinner.
I laughed so hard at The Clevland Show and Family Guy and slightly less harder at the Simpsons.
200 days tomorrow and a pretty crazy week ahead.
Lazy Sunday
After all the fun I had this weekend I decided to kick back and spend some time at the crib. Mostly with Pop Dukes As mom had to go sing somewhere with the chorus. We watched The Eagles Kill Kansas City, then watched Cadillac Records and then I made Dinner.
I laughed so hard at The Clevland Show and Family Guy and slightly less harder at the Simpsons.
200 days tomorrow and a pretty crazy week ahead.
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 199
Day 198 - September 26th 2009
I had a great time tonight.
I started my evening at Comedy Sports. My buddy Casey had been taking lessons there and was giving his second performance. He’s very funny. So many of my high school friends were fellow aspiring actors, so it’s nice to see one of them actually act. I was mad entertained by what I saw and will be going to see it again as often as possible.
My night would continue with an Absolute Zeros show, they were awesome as always. I hung out for a little while after they were done and then I traveled over to Lickety to handle business. I was a bit concerned that the rain would keep attendance low tonight but I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was the party packed it was poppin. Well dressed people drinking booze and grinding on each other.
I got home at around 2 and hit the sack.
I had a great time tonight.
I started my evening at Comedy Sports. My buddy Casey had been taking lessons there and was giving his second performance. He’s very funny. So many of my high school friends were fellow aspiring actors, so it’s nice to see one of them actually act. I was mad entertained by what I saw and will be going to see it again as often as possible.
My night would continue with an Absolute Zeros show, they were awesome as always. I hung out for a little while after they were done and then I traveled over to Lickety to handle business. I was a bit concerned that the rain would keep attendance low tonight but I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was the party packed it was poppin. Well dressed people drinking booze and grinding on each other.
I got home at around 2 and hit the sack.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 198
Day 197 - September 25th 2009
Here’s how a day kinda completely falls through
My friends Wyldlyfe were playing a late night show tonight at 11 and I really wanted to go, that was the plan at least. I’d hang out here at the house all day then move on over to WCL and enjoy myself. I get a call from a band at noon telling me they were all set for tonight’s show, problem is I was pretty sure that I had them scheduled for tomorrow’s show. Luckily we had an opening from 8-10 tonight for them to play. I don’t know how stuff like this happens. What this means is that I’m going to have to go over to Lickety Split before I go to World Café Live, should be done by 10 I should be able to make it over there.
Then I get a text around 5:30, the person had obviously sent it earlier but because my cell phone was forged in the fires of hell by satan himself I didn’t get it until then. It said be at the Whole Foods on the parkway for a 5:45 set. I had completely forgotten about this gig not to mention I was already super late.
I got on the Train and got to the whole foods around 6, 6:15 in time enough to play a 30 minute set. My allergies are acting up thus making my voice not as good as normal.
Set List
Michelle
How Can This Be Love
Bed’s Too Big Without You
(Oh) I Wish I Loved You
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Feels So Good
Supermarket shows are probably the weirdest. Mainly cause people have little to no interest in being there, let alone being there to see you. So you just kinda close your eyes and go, try to make eye contact if people look at you, and maybe they stop before and after they get their organic beet juice or their apple pecan pound cake (I had a sample…very good) maybe they ask you your name before they put their stuff in the car to go home.
After I was done I got a call and had to head over to Lickety Split. To get the band up and running. They played for a few hours and then Tommy wanted to talk to me about a corporate band show that he wants to put on in December by the time I got out it was a little after 10:30. My phone rings again my friends are in town and they want to hang out. I haven’t really hung out with them in a couple of weeks. So I decided to go and meet with them. By the time they scooped me it was around 11.
We got to Oscar’s and kicked it for a while and it was pretty clear that I wasn’t gonna make this show. I felt really bad about it as I wanted to go support them. It’s hard to balance supporting the local scene with your own personal life sometimes. I kicked back and relaxed and had a beer with my buds. Then I got a text letting me know the Menya Crew was at the Medusa Lounge so we went over there and danced the night away.
Tomorrow I just found out The Absolute Zeros are playing at Doc Watson’s opening for Bong hits for Jesus hopefully I will successfully make it over there. Hopefully the next time Wyldlyfe plays some place I’ll be able to go see them.
Here’s how a day kinda completely falls through
My friends Wyldlyfe were playing a late night show tonight at 11 and I really wanted to go, that was the plan at least. I’d hang out here at the house all day then move on over to WCL and enjoy myself. I get a call from a band at noon telling me they were all set for tonight’s show, problem is I was pretty sure that I had them scheduled for tomorrow’s show. Luckily we had an opening from 8-10 tonight for them to play. I don’t know how stuff like this happens. What this means is that I’m going to have to go over to Lickety Split before I go to World Café Live, should be done by 10 I should be able to make it over there.
Then I get a text around 5:30, the person had obviously sent it earlier but because my cell phone was forged in the fires of hell by satan himself I didn’t get it until then. It said be at the Whole Foods on the parkway for a 5:45 set. I had completely forgotten about this gig not to mention I was already super late.
I got on the Train and got to the whole foods around 6, 6:15 in time enough to play a 30 minute set. My allergies are acting up thus making my voice not as good as normal.
Set List
Michelle
How Can This Be Love
Bed’s Too Big Without You
(Oh) I Wish I Loved You
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Feels So Good
Supermarket shows are probably the weirdest. Mainly cause people have little to no interest in being there, let alone being there to see you. So you just kinda close your eyes and go, try to make eye contact if people look at you, and maybe they stop before and after they get their organic beet juice or their apple pecan pound cake (I had a sample…very good) maybe they ask you your name before they put their stuff in the car to go home.
After I was done I got a call and had to head over to Lickety Split. To get the band up and running. They played for a few hours and then Tommy wanted to talk to me about a corporate band show that he wants to put on in December by the time I got out it was a little after 10:30. My phone rings again my friends are in town and they want to hang out. I haven’t really hung out with them in a couple of weeks. So I decided to go and meet with them. By the time they scooped me it was around 11.
We got to Oscar’s and kicked it for a while and it was pretty clear that I wasn’t gonna make this show. I felt really bad about it as I wanted to go support them. It’s hard to balance supporting the local scene with your own personal life sometimes. I kicked back and relaxed and had a beer with my buds. Then I got a text letting me know the Menya Crew was at the Medusa Lounge so we went over there and danced the night away.
Tomorrow I just found out The Absolute Zeros are playing at Doc Watson’s opening for Bong hits for Jesus hopefully I will successfully make it over there. Hopefully the next time Wyldlyfe plays some place I’ll be able to go see them.
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 197
Day 196 - September 24th 2009
I wake up ferociously on days like this. This time a year ago I was practically begging for a show Downstairs at the World Famous World Café Live either opening for a major act or on a show with another local. Now this is show number four. I’ve gotten the opportunity to put on some really awesome shows and work with some of the city’s best.
I was hoping not to be late tonight but the TV Repair people would make that happen. I wasn’t able to get free from that until about 4:30. Which wouldn’t get me to World Café Live until about 5:30 half an hour before doors were slated to open. Great. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) none of the bands or fans had shown up…I’m shitting bricks at this point because usually there’s a flock of people outside the door waiting to get inside. Perhaps my luck had run out with these shows. I only had 3 weeks to put together a show and promote it…hardly enough time for something to become a massive success at the same time though, I want everything I do to be a massive success. I put more pressure on myself than probably the venue does. “Do the best you can” they said to me.
Fortunately around 7 people started to climb on inside and the room started to fill up and Mary Scholz kicked off the festivities. I’ve yet to find acoustic acts that can rally draw a substantial crowd in this town but they act as great buffers in between the bigger bands. The Infadolls would hit the stage next followed by Tophers Bossa Nova Brigade. They have a new fancy French name that I’m not gonna even bother with right now. Once they were done it was time for us to play. We played early, a rare occurrence but I was actually fine with it. One they were done me and the crew went to work.
Set List
Superhero
(Oh) I Wish I loved You
The Way You Make Me Feel
How Can This Be Love
Feels So Good
Baby One More Time
Leavin
I don’t know what it was tonight. It’s like everything slowed down. I didn’t really feel a whole lot of nervous energy, I wasn’t so intimidated by the big stage, but it was more than that. I was like subconsciously I knew that I wasn’t gonna sing or play a bad note. The bands playing everything right. I don’t even have to look at Jake and Rob tonight. We’re super super super tight. I’m more concerned with the girls in on the dance floor, movin to the music. Might be something to this funk thing after all…lol. It was one of the more energetic shows. I’m movin around on stage a little bit more tonight since I’m super confident about my playing. It’s like the level on the video game got switched over to easy.
I left the stage quite pleased with myself. Often times I have no clue if it’s good or not. But tonight I knew. If I could hit it like that or better every time I’m in good shape. Lots of smile and waves from cute girls doesn’t hurt. I’ve finally felt that floating on air feeling that musicians talk about, I’ve felt similar feelings but they’ve always been negated by the dread that the show wasn’t good. Not tonight though. I feel like I could fly.
The rest of the night belonged to City Line, Phunkyman, Jason Min, and Phil Murphy who was releasing his CD tonight. It was an awesome feeling watching Phil have his moment. His album is great and you should pick it up if you don’t have it. There were so many people there from the good ol days. A lot of Outset fans, Laura Shay, Mark Rogers from WSTW (Who‘s been playing me quite a bit on his Hometown Heroes show), among others. Truly great night.
I went to sleep with nothing to do tomorrow but catch the Wyldlyfe show.
I wake up ferociously on days like this. This time a year ago I was practically begging for a show Downstairs at the World Famous World Café Live either opening for a major act or on a show with another local. Now this is show number four. I’ve gotten the opportunity to put on some really awesome shows and work with some of the city’s best.
I was hoping not to be late tonight but the TV Repair people would make that happen. I wasn’t able to get free from that until about 4:30. Which wouldn’t get me to World Café Live until about 5:30 half an hour before doors were slated to open. Great. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) none of the bands or fans had shown up…I’m shitting bricks at this point because usually there’s a flock of people outside the door waiting to get inside. Perhaps my luck had run out with these shows. I only had 3 weeks to put together a show and promote it…hardly enough time for something to become a massive success at the same time though, I want everything I do to be a massive success. I put more pressure on myself than probably the venue does. “Do the best you can” they said to me.
Fortunately around 7 people started to climb on inside and the room started to fill up and Mary Scholz kicked off the festivities. I’ve yet to find acoustic acts that can rally draw a substantial crowd in this town but they act as great buffers in between the bigger bands. The Infadolls would hit the stage next followed by Tophers Bossa Nova Brigade. They have a new fancy French name that I’m not gonna even bother with right now. Once they were done it was time for us to play. We played early, a rare occurrence but I was actually fine with it. One they were done me and the crew went to work.
Set List
Superhero
(Oh) I Wish I loved You
The Way You Make Me Feel
How Can This Be Love
Feels So Good
Baby One More Time
Leavin
I don’t know what it was tonight. It’s like everything slowed down. I didn’t really feel a whole lot of nervous energy, I wasn’t so intimidated by the big stage, but it was more than that. I was like subconsciously I knew that I wasn’t gonna sing or play a bad note. The bands playing everything right. I don’t even have to look at Jake and Rob tonight. We’re super super super tight. I’m more concerned with the girls in on the dance floor, movin to the music. Might be something to this funk thing after all…lol. It was one of the more energetic shows. I’m movin around on stage a little bit more tonight since I’m super confident about my playing. It’s like the level on the video game got switched over to easy.
I left the stage quite pleased with myself. Often times I have no clue if it’s good or not. But tonight I knew. If I could hit it like that or better every time I’m in good shape. Lots of smile and waves from cute girls doesn’t hurt. I’ve finally felt that floating on air feeling that musicians talk about, I’ve felt similar feelings but they’ve always been negated by the dread that the show wasn’t good. Not tonight though. I feel like I could fly.
The rest of the night belonged to City Line, Phunkyman, Jason Min, and Phil Murphy who was releasing his CD tonight. It was an awesome feeling watching Phil have his moment. His album is great and you should pick it up if you don’t have it. There were so many people there from the good ol days. A lot of Outset fans, Laura Shay, Mark Rogers from WSTW (Who‘s been playing me quite a bit on his Hometown Heroes show), among others. Truly great night.
I went to sleep with nothing to do tomorrow but catch the Wyldlyfe show.
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 196
Day 195 - September 23rd 2009
Lickety was a bit strange tonight. One of the bartender was having her birthday party after the show was over. I was for cancelling it especially with the World Café Live show looming on the horizon. But they insisted it would be fine so we went ahead with it.
Only two of the four bands showed up. They both drew decent crowds and I’ll probably have them back on a better night.
After the bands were done I was there for the birthday party for bit before I left.
Big show tomorrow…the World Café live Shows always are.
Lickety was a bit strange tonight. One of the bartender was having her birthday party after the show was over. I was for cancelling it especially with the World Café Live show looming on the horizon. But they insisted it would be fine so we went ahead with it.
Only two of the four bands showed up. They both drew decent crowds and I’ll probably have them back on a better night.
After the bands were done I was there for the birthday party for bit before I left.
Big show tomorrow…the World Café live Shows always are.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 195
Day 194 - September 22nd 2009
All I had were guitar lessons today. Still tired, still hoarse, so it was good I didn’t have a whole lot to do.
My student had a bad week, she seemed to regress which wasn’t good. Hopefully I can figure out a way to get her back on track.
I went home and curled up on the couch and watched heroes…before falling asleep…at 8PM.
The downstairs show at World Café Live is 2 days away I hope that I’m ready and healthy for it.
All I had were guitar lessons today. Still tired, still hoarse, so it was good I didn’t have a whole lot to do.
My student had a bad week, she seemed to regress which wasn’t good. Hopefully I can figure out a way to get her back on track.
I went home and curled up on the couch and watched heroes…before falling asleep…at 8PM.
The downstairs show at World Café Live is 2 days away I hope that I’m ready and healthy for it.
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