I thought I should fill you all in on what happened with us this past weekend, because it was half good, half bad and certainly exciting in all regards.
We played at Spilln the Beans coffeehouse in Troy on Friday. It was quite good to return to troy and play in such a nice place. Until they cut back on music, the best Cafe to play in the collar city was, by far, the Daily Grind, but seeing as they don't really have music besides the open mike there anymore, there was a great gap to be filled. Spilln the Beans has stepped up quite nicely. They have a large area they clear out for a stage, a separated sitting area that works quite well as a sort of listening room where people there specifically for the music can sit, and the blender is of a medium volume (compared to some so loud all music is drowned out while smoothies are being smoothed). Everyone there (which wasn't very many: apparently summer is slow for these sorts of things) seemed to like us a lot, including our good friend Megan and my parents. I don't know about Dave, but I personally had a lot of fun! Also, the staff is really great, and Nick, the owner, watched attentively for the entire show. Most places the booker isn't even there, and the owner doesn't watch. That's not a criticism of other venues, as I have no problem with that arrangement, it was just a happy surprise when this wasn't the case on friday.
After the show, all of us (Myself, Dave, Megan and my Parents) attended the Harry Potter book release party at the amazing Market Blcok books, next to Spilln the Beans and also on third street (roughly across from the atrium) I won't go into details about the event, but i should go into details about Market Block, because it's pretty much my favorite bookstore in the world, although i do like Lyrical Ballad in Saratoga, since the books are so old and pretty, and another place in Saratoga whose name i forget, but has an excellent tarot card selection. Anyway, they sell our CDs at Market Block, along with many bestsellers and lesser known books that the staff thinks are particularly good. There are lots of hand written staff book reviews and reccommendations around the store, and all of the booksellers are quite knowledgable and ready to help or have a lively conversation with you about whatever you or they are reading. They also have many local authors works, books concerning the area, and self-published titles from area writers. All this promoting of the store itself aside, you should also come to see us play there on the last friday of September......
Anyway, i read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on saturday, and Dave attended the bachelor party of a friend of ours who also happens to be a local musician. He lost his keys while there (falsly claims to have been wasted, really just deposited his keys on a store counter and found them today) and had to get a ride home with our other local musician friend, Maurizio. Needless to say, without the car or the PA which was in it, we were unable to play the Cambridge farmers market. It was sad!
The end.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
This is a very large screen
I don't think i've ever put a link in the link section before, so there it is. I have done it. I've crossed the great barrier that is link-putting.
This is a very large screen though, as the title suggests. It's my dad's computer screen. And you are reading a blog.
Ha! I caught you red handed.
Tomorrow Dave and I are playing at Spillin the Beans, as previously noted, and I expect you to be there, because it's good for your health, and you are, undoubltedly a Harry Potter fan, since all our songs contain backward masking in which you are brainwashed to read young adult fantasy novels in a ravenous manner. So, given that, and given that you are also an adult, we can presume you are attending the Harry Potter book release party next-door at Market Block Books and are popping in for a coffee or tea before the fun begins. We'll be there from 7pm to 10pm...after which we're headed to the party. Much to Dave's (possible) dismay, i shall be in costume for the entirety of the evening.
And, given that you have listened to our albums a sufficient number of times, so will you.
*poof*
C
This is a very large screen though, as the title suggests. It's my dad's computer screen. And you are reading a blog.
Ha! I caught you red handed.
Tomorrow Dave and I are playing at Spillin the Beans, as previously noted, and I expect you to be there, because it's good for your health, and you are, undoubltedly a Harry Potter fan, since all our songs contain backward masking in which you are brainwashed to read young adult fantasy novels in a ravenous manner. So, given that, and given that you are also an adult, we can presume you are attending the Harry Potter book release party next-door at Market Block Books and are popping in for a coffee or tea before the fun begins. We'll be there from 7pm to 10pm...after which we're headed to the party. Much to Dave's (possible) dismay, i shall be in costume for the entirety of the evening.
And, given that you have listened to our albums a sufficient number of times, so will you.
*poof*
C
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Rochester is Rochester-like
We were in Rochester for less than 24 hours, about 20 hours, actually, and about one hour of that was spent in Henrietta, if you want to nitpick.
The show went well, although it was much more passive audience-wise since there were few University of Rochester students around to be recruited into attendance. About 4 people specifically came to watch us, all the same, and a number of other heads turned. We also did not run into the problem of free vs. paid granola, or me ingesting banana chips hidden in granola this time. My ears did hurt to the point of Dave suggesting we give up Almost Awake altogether, but not to fear, this notion has passed for the time being.
The drive to the Flour/Flower city seems to short now. Just one 2-hour shift each. Since the 14-hour-not-including-stops Asheville venutre, anywhere less than 8 hours is pretty much nothing.
We recorded vocals for Alive yesterday and Also worked a bit on Tuesday. I'll be recording lead vocals for that one either tomorrow or Thursday.
Friday we are playing at Spillin the Beans in Troy at 7pm, and heading over to the Adults-only Harry Potter book release party at Market Block Books. I'm going in costume, which is quite exciting. Now all I have to do is manufacture it and secure some interestingly colored hair dye.
I sign off with a headache, from a cold library, with little left to say.
Oh yes, we're playing at the Cambridge farmer's market on Sunday. That's Cambridge NY, not Mass. I hope i don't end up with my microphone stuck inside a speaker this time.
Goodbye.
Casey
The show went well, although it was much more passive audience-wise since there were few University of Rochester students around to be recruited into attendance. About 4 people specifically came to watch us, all the same, and a number of other heads turned. We also did not run into the problem of free vs. paid granola, or me ingesting banana chips hidden in granola this time. My ears did hurt to the point of Dave suggesting we give up Almost Awake altogether, but not to fear, this notion has passed for the time being.
The drive to the Flour/Flower city seems to short now. Just one 2-hour shift each. Since the 14-hour-not-including-stops Asheville venutre, anywhere less than 8 hours is pretty much nothing.
We recorded vocals for Alive yesterday and Also worked a bit on Tuesday. I'll be recording lead vocals for that one either tomorrow or Thursday.
Friday we are playing at Spillin the Beans in Troy at 7pm, and heading over to the Adults-only Harry Potter book release party at Market Block Books. I'm going in costume, which is quite exciting. Now all I have to do is manufacture it and secure some interestingly colored hair dye.
I sign off with a headache, from a cold library, with little left to say.
Oh yes, we're playing at the Cambridge farmer's market on Sunday. That's Cambridge NY, not Mass. I hope i don't end up with my microphone stuck inside a speaker this time.
Goodbye.
Casey
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
I know i'm alive...
so, my cheezy post title is a self-serving lyric quote from the Almost Awake song "Alive".
We are though, Alive, that is, after weathering yesterdays dangerous weather from the Normanskill Farm. No trees or lightning hit Casey or Dave and none of us were blown away. Dave's sister and her dog were also present and are also uninjured and fully accounted for.
With that in mind, we are staying close to home this evening, only venturing out to Uncommon Grounds in Albany for a relaxing and vexing game of Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot. This is an event of note for Almost Awake fans due to the fact that Dave taught me that game the night before we became a band (see bio for more details). It really should be checked out though. Bunnies is a cult favorite as far as deranged card/dice games are concerned. We here at Almost Awake would like to spread the gospel of the Magic Carrot to you all however, as you've been deprived for far too long. Learn more about it here.
If you are wondering, we are playing two out-of-the-area shows this weekend...
Thursday 3pm-6pm at the Manchester, VT Farmer's Market and
Sunday 8pm-10pm at Spot Coffee in Rochetster, NY.
Also, AA headquarters has recently been attacked by a militant band of fascist fruitflies. They must be defeated with the power of love, so please meditate on the image of fruitflies perishing in mass quanities if you are able and so choose. We appreciate your support.
With qualitiative analysis...
C
We are though, Alive, that is, after weathering yesterdays dangerous weather from the Normanskill Farm. No trees or lightning hit Casey or Dave and none of us were blown away. Dave's sister and her dog were also present and are also uninjured and fully accounted for.
With that in mind, we are staying close to home this evening, only venturing out to Uncommon Grounds in Albany for a relaxing and vexing game of Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot. This is an event of note for Almost Awake fans due to the fact that Dave taught me that game the night before we became a band (see bio for more details). It really should be checked out though. Bunnies is a cult favorite as far as deranged card/dice games are concerned. We here at Almost Awake would like to spread the gospel of the Magic Carrot to you all however, as you've been deprived for far too long. Learn more about it here.
If you are wondering, we are playing two out-of-the-area shows this weekend...
Thursday 3pm-6pm at the Manchester, VT Farmer's Market and
Sunday 8pm-10pm at Spot Coffee in Rochetster, NY.
Also, AA headquarters has recently been attacked by a militant band of fascist fruitflies. They must be defeated with the power of love, so please meditate on the image of fruitflies perishing in mass quanities if you are able and so choose. We appreciate your support.
With qualitiative analysis...
C
Friday, July 06, 2007
I am ranting like a fool
Ladies and Gentlemen, Don't forget to brush your teeth. And don't forget to come see Almost Awake at Red Square TONIGHT! 5pm! We're playing for happy hour. We haven't played at red square in about 20 hundred ages, so we're quite excited. Also, we can walk to the show!! How awesome is that? You should come, because we love you, but not in a sexual way, unless you buy us gifts and become our groupies. ::cough:: anyway.
Tomorrow we're playing in Spencertown, NY for the hidden garden tours which benefit Spencertown Academy. They have a little craft and local goods market for the event, which is where you can find us, because we are, afterall, the farmer's market band. Dave and I wonder how this happened, but then we remember that we went on a 31 town farmer's market tour, and the wondering is quickly extiguished.
Oh, you should come to that show too.
We're not recording on monday because our engineer/co-producer is being swallowed by a bubbling tar-pit of corporate beauracratic poo, in which he is forced to be on call 24 hours a day in a quite undesirable manner so that some higher-up somewhere can relax on a Carribean beach, i'm sure. So, there you are. He's being crushed under the clown-shoe of Capitalism to the point that he is powerless even to stick it to the man (like Jesus did).
Think about that while you eat your tobacco-comapny-owned morningstar black-bean veggie burger in the name of degreasing your carbon footprint.
Why is it now cool to be eco-friendly? It's like when you buy a band's CD and a song is your favorite and then it becomes a single and then you feel as if it was stolen from you, and you're now just part of the mainstream with no claim to the fact that you were there first. That's how I feel about the recent 'being green' development in this country. i should be glad that my favorite song is popular, but instead i'm sulking over the fact that it's no longer special, just a flavor of the week on the top 40 station.
Apparently i have things to talk about that are un-related to music, and you are reading this because you want to know about Almost Awake's shows and general activities as musicians...so I'll try to get back to that.
We sat in with Sirsy on te 4th of july at Christies on the Lake in Lake George (don't try to park in lake George on the 4th of july if you have to lug equiptment, because Guatemala will seem like a short stroll away compared to the distance you'll have to walk from your car to your destination). It was pretty much a dream come true. I don't have much to say because i'll just gush, and i don't want to gush. The summary is that Dave and I played three songs with Melanie and Rich: Sirsy's "Waiting for Rain", "Round Here" by the Counting Crows, and "Wonderwall" by Oasis. I got to sing leads on "Waiting for Rain", which was pretty intimidating with Melanie right next to me playing drums, and I goofed the ending, but everyone in the audience was really drunk and really enjoying themselves, so it was ok, and you wouldn't have known unless you knew the song. "Round Here" and "Wonderwall" were both interesting because Dave played drums and Mel's kit for acoustic shows is really minimal, there aren't any toms, and almost all of the fills dave expected to include in the songs involve the toms, so he had to think on his feet and be creative. It was definately a cool experience to figure out how to play the songs together was we went, seeing as none of us had practiced them in advance. It was entirely a team effort, and the first time i'd played with a full band in a just singing type of arrangement. I'm still not really over it. Also, Rich showed me how to play the bridge to "Waiting for Rain", so in theory Dave and I are going to resume working on covering it.
In othe news, I'm seeing fireworks three times this week. And playing Bocce. And Sirsy rocks. And you should come to our shows. And rain can't spoil the fun unless the fun is in the form of an outdoor sugar sculpture.
Twinkle.
C
Tomorrow we're playing in Spencertown, NY for the hidden garden tours which benefit Spencertown Academy. They have a little craft and local goods market for the event, which is where you can find us, because we are, afterall, the farmer's market band. Dave and I wonder how this happened, but then we remember that we went on a 31 town farmer's market tour, and the wondering is quickly extiguished.
Oh, you should come to that show too.
We're not recording on monday because our engineer/co-producer is being swallowed by a bubbling tar-pit of corporate beauracratic poo, in which he is forced to be on call 24 hours a day in a quite undesirable manner so that some higher-up somewhere can relax on a Carribean beach, i'm sure. So, there you are. He's being crushed under the clown-shoe of Capitalism to the point that he is powerless even to stick it to the man (like Jesus did).
Think about that while you eat your tobacco-comapny-owned morningstar black-bean veggie burger in the name of degreasing your carbon footprint.
Why is it now cool to be eco-friendly? It's like when you buy a band's CD and a song is your favorite and then it becomes a single and then you feel as if it was stolen from you, and you're now just part of the mainstream with no claim to the fact that you were there first. That's how I feel about the recent 'being green' development in this country. i should be glad that my favorite song is popular, but instead i'm sulking over the fact that it's no longer special, just a flavor of the week on the top 40 station.
Apparently i have things to talk about that are un-related to music, and you are reading this because you want to know about Almost Awake's shows and general activities as musicians...so I'll try to get back to that.
We sat in with Sirsy on te 4th of july at Christies on the Lake in Lake George (don't try to park in lake George on the 4th of july if you have to lug equiptment, because Guatemala will seem like a short stroll away compared to the distance you'll have to walk from your car to your destination). It was pretty much a dream come true. I don't have much to say because i'll just gush, and i don't want to gush. The summary is that Dave and I played three songs with Melanie and Rich: Sirsy's "Waiting for Rain", "Round Here" by the Counting Crows, and "Wonderwall" by Oasis. I got to sing leads on "Waiting for Rain", which was pretty intimidating with Melanie right next to me playing drums, and I goofed the ending, but everyone in the audience was really drunk and really enjoying themselves, so it was ok, and you wouldn't have known unless you knew the song. "Round Here" and "Wonderwall" were both interesting because Dave played drums and Mel's kit for acoustic shows is really minimal, there aren't any toms, and almost all of the fills dave expected to include in the songs involve the toms, so he had to think on his feet and be creative. It was definately a cool experience to figure out how to play the songs together was we went, seeing as none of us had practiced them in advance. It was entirely a team effort, and the first time i'd played with a full band in a just singing type of arrangement. I'm still not really over it. Also, Rich showed me how to play the bridge to "Waiting for Rain", so in theory Dave and I are going to resume working on covering it.
In othe news, I'm seeing fireworks three times this week. And playing Bocce. And Sirsy rocks. And you should come to our shows. And rain can't spoil the fun unless the fun is in the form of an outdoor sugar sculpture.
Twinkle.
C
Friday, June 29, 2007
More Ashe
Ah, Friday in Asheville. I'm at the public Library once again, with much to report. I can't remember exactly what i said last time, however.
Thursday, which was yesterday, Dave and I went out to breakfast with our good friend Amanda Platt, who i've been mentioning quite frequently, because she's amazing. Her band, Bee's Knees, played somewhere last night...no one knows where though. She didn't even know at the time we last saw her. But breakfast was great. We got to meet her guitar, Birdie (which she made herself!!) and talked about our plans to fineagle (sp) a show at the Dripolator tonight. To help in that process Dave and i attended and performed at the Dripolator open mike and brought the house down (tore it down according to dave). We talked to the host and he talked to the owner and as of this morning, we have a show. 8pm tonight. Angela and I are going to Handbill the area while dave, prospectively, plays a bit at the drum circle (6pm). We still have to go to the UNC-Asheville computer lab to print out our flyers, but we can do that when Ang is released from the bonds of employment.
Also yesterday, I discovered that Bamboo grows along the Swananoa river. I also swam in said river. If you search the depths of the internet I'm sure you'll find a video of myself and three other young ladies attempting to wave at Dave (filming) while we are swimming. it looks a bit like we are calling for help and drowning in a very friendly manner.
Tomorrow morning we are driving home. I don't want to talk about that. In fact, even bringing up the subject has caused my soul to wither as a flower in times of drought. So i must bid you farewell, and bid myself good luck...i shall need it.
*poof*
C
Thursday, which was yesterday, Dave and I went out to breakfast with our good friend Amanda Platt, who i've been mentioning quite frequently, because she's amazing. Her band, Bee's Knees, played somewhere last night...no one knows where though. She didn't even know at the time we last saw her. But breakfast was great. We got to meet her guitar, Birdie (which she made herself!!) and talked about our plans to fineagle (sp) a show at the Dripolator tonight. To help in that process Dave and i attended and performed at the Dripolator open mike and brought the house down (tore it down according to dave). We talked to the host and he talked to the owner and as of this morning, we have a show. 8pm tonight. Angela and I are going to Handbill the area while dave, prospectively, plays a bit at the drum circle (6pm). We still have to go to the UNC-Asheville computer lab to print out our flyers, but we can do that when Ang is released from the bonds of employment.
Also yesterday, I discovered that Bamboo grows along the Swananoa river. I also swam in said river. If you search the depths of the internet I'm sure you'll find a video of myself and three other young ladies attempting to wave at Dave (filming) while we are swimming. it looks a bit like we are calling for help and drowning in a very friendly manner.
Tomorrow morning we are driving home. I don't want to talk about that. In fact, even bringing up the subject has caused my soul to wither as a flower in times of drought. So i must bid you farewell, and bid myself good luck...i shall need it.
*poof*
C
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
At the Library
Right now, I'm sitting at internet computer number five at the Asheville, NC public library. I was, just a moment ago, reprimaded for having my nalgene in here, but that is beside the point.
It's our third day here (unless you count sunday night, which was mostly a haze of post-travel delirium), and it's been our most fun/relaxing day so far.
Monday we wandered around downtown to get ourselves aquianted and also went to Ingles (the supermarket) and the farmer's market. Unfortunately, the latter was rather official and didn't seem like it would be a good fit for a few troubadors from the great white north. So we haven't visited again. I was good as far as buying produce goes, however. That night was our performance at the Root Bar #1, which looks a bit like a shanty driving up, but is actually very cozy and neat inside. Our show was very good, lots of people made the point of listening, and amanda (platt) showed up to see us! In theory we are playing somewhere with her on friday. Perhaps the Dripolator coffeehouse, perhaps not.
Tuesday, yesterday, we tried to play on the street, but only made 26 cents. All the good spots had been taken by the time we arrived. Apparently busking is a big deal down here, so you have to get out there early to get the best places. Today's street musicianing went much better, probably because we got to our pre-planned and confirmed location at about 9:45am. Playing on the street is never a big money-maker, but by comparison to our attempt in Albany, Asheville is a goldmine. We haven't had half-bad luck in Canandaigua or Ithaca as far as that is concerned either. But back to the present...we played in front of Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe, and sat on some sort of sculpture. It was shady, which was very nice, compared to the the two spots we occupied yesterday (by a climbing wall and on a random bench).
The plan is to go to an open mike in Weaverville tonight, take tommorow off to do some fun things with Angela (our host and my super-amazing friend) and go to another open mike tomorrow night. Then there is the possible show with Amanda Platt on friday. We shall see about that. I'm sure i'll be back to tell you more about the gritty (ha) details of the trip as well as our New Paltz adventure.
Until then, keep your hopes up for a better and more equitable future (?)
C
It's our third day here (unless you count sunday night, which was mostly a haze of post-travel delirium), and it's been our most fun/relaxing day so far.
Monday we wandered around downtown to get ourselves aquianted and also went to Ingles (the supermarket) and the farmer's market. Unfortunately, the latter was rather official and didn't seem like it would be a good fit for a few troubadors from the great white north. So we haven't visited again. I was good as far as buying produce goes, however. That night was our performance at the Root Bar #1, which looks a bit like a shanty driving up, but is actually very cozy and neat inside. Our show was very good, lots of people made the point of listening, and amanda (platt) showed up to see us! In theory we are playing somewhere with her on friday. Perhaps the Dripolator coffeehouse, perhaps not.
Tuesday, yesterday, we tried to play on the street, but only made 26 cents. All the good spots had been taken by the time we arrived. Apparently busking is a big deal down here, so you have to get out there early to get the best places. Today's street musicianing went much better, probably because we got to our pre-planned and confirmed location at about 9:45am. Playing on the street is never a big money-maker, but by comparison to our attempt in Albany, Asheville is a goldmine. We haven't had half-bad luck in Canandaigua or Ithaca as far as that is concerned either. But back to the present...we played in front of Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe, and sat on some sort of sculpture. It was shady, which was very nice, compared to the the two spots we occupied yesterday (by a climbing wall and on a random bench).
The plan is to go to an open mike in Weaverville tonight, take tommorow off to do some fun things with Angela (our host and my super-amazing friend) and go to another open mike tomorrow night. Then there is the possible show with Amanda Platt on friday. We shall see about that. I'm sure i'll be back to tell you more about the gritty (ha) details of the trip as well as our New Paltz adventure.
Until then, keep your hopes up for a better and more equitable future (?)
C
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
sleep is an illusive beast which must be caught in preparation for travel
Hey! I thought I'd let you know what was going on for Almost Awake this weekend! First, I have to remember though. Dave is better at remembering these things than me, because he is brains behind the operation and I am the fickle artist who drifts with the whims of her inspiration...or something stupid like that...
Ok, lets see....
Friday we are playing at Slow Jed's Mudhouse with the amazing Erin Hobson. It's going to be a three hour show, because two hours just can't contain the awesomeness. Afterward we're going to have a fire out back to kick off our "Ashes to Asheville" tour. Then we are going to sleep as much as possible.
Saturday AA heads down to New Paltz to play with Jeremy James at 60 main, a sweet cafe/performance space that also serves as the nexus of activity for the New Paltz Cultural Collective. Then we will camp, or stay with a friend of Daves, and hopefully sleep as much as possible...
Because Sunday we drive all day to North Carolina....
For more info on our exact itinerary while in NC, check back tomorrow when i'm not at the public library being distracted by the strange and diverse slew of slightly distressing/distressed people coming through, sitting and loitering.
drop it like it's hot
C
Ok, lets see....
Friday we are playing at Slow Jed's Mudhouse with the amazing Erin Hobson. It's going to be a three hour show, because two hours just can't contain the awesomeness. Afterward we're going to have a fire out back to kick off our "Ashes to Asheville" tour. Then we are going to sleep as much as possible.
Saturday AA heads down to New Paltz to play with Jeremy James at 60 main, a sweet cafe/performance space that also serves as the nexus of activity for the New Paltz Cultural Collective. Then we will camp, or stay with a friend of Daves, and hopefully sleep as much as possible...
Because Sunday we drive all day to North Carolina....
For more info on our exact itinerary while in NC, check back tomorrow when i'm not at the public library being distracted by the strange and diverse slew of slightly distressing/distressed people coming through, sitting and loitering.
drop it like it's hot
C
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Lazy
So, the fact that i'm sitting in my living room on a perfectly good Sunday night watching TV and using the computer is pretty disgusting. I never watch TV, but i'm by myself on a Sunday night, so what else am i really supposed to do. Something like reading or playing solitaire or playing the guitar, I guess, but I'm not. I also can't concentrate because the TV is on.
Dave is celebrating fathers day, not because he's a father, because that would be a development even I was unaware of, but because he has a father...so he isn't here.
I am posting this because i am dissapointed that no one has left any comments, even though I plastered our website with notes and links about this blog. Well, you all stink a little, but more like sandwiches than like trash, so it's not too bad.
That's it ... i'm leaving.
Dave is celebrating fathers day, not because he's a father, because that would be a development even I was unaware of, but because he has a father...so he isn't here.
I am posting this because i am dissapointed that no one has left any comments, even though I plastered our website with notes and links about this blog. Well, you all stink a little, but more like sandwiches than like trash, so it's not too bad.
That's it ... i'm leaving.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Crazy Weekend
So, this past weekend Dave and I had four shows in the span of two days. We were going to have 5, but we had to cancel one in order to pick up our house guests and get them settled in here at the AA albany outpost.
Yes, besides 4 shows, there were also two houseguests (amazing houseguests) from the UK. Bex and Em. Bex being a friend of mine from college, and Em being her girlfriend. So they served as our roadies for the weekend, and our excuse to actually have a homelife and have fun in between the madness.
Saturday we played at Art on Lark, a last minute gig we got through our good friend Erin Harkes. She's always looking out for us and getting us all the exposure she can. It's more than one can ask for in a musician/friend that is further along in their career than you, but it's also the norm in the capital region music scene. Everyone supports each other. I say it all the time, but it's much more familial than competitive. We applaud eachothers successed and lament eachothers misfortunes, and we help eachother out whenever we can.
Anyway, Art on Lark is a festival, you guessed it, on Lark Street in Albany, NY. Lark is six blocks (albeit a long six blocks) from our house, so with the help of our roadies, we were able to walk to the gig. It also helped that it was an entirely acoustic venture. I don't think the PA could have been carried there so well. We played on the corner of Lark and Lancaster, across the street from Shining Star, which is the local hippie store of choice. We were also right next to the sidewalk chalking contest taking place on Lancaster between Lark and Willett. A number of people stopped to listen and seemed to enjoy themselves, but it was hard to hear due to the large amount of busses and fire trucks that overtook Lark for what seemed like only the 3:00-4:00 hour. The next day, at the Pride festival, i was stopped by a few people who had seen us the day before. They just wanted to say that they liked what they heard and that we did a nice job. So, I guess the traffic didn't overtake everything after all.
Saturday night brought AA to Troy to play at the Ale House. In general, it was a fun show, as it always is when we split one with Maurizio. He had a hat with a rooster on it, and somehow that became the theme for his entire set. As for us, were very happy with Maurizio's role as sound man for the night. He brought a new, massive system, and after a few technical difficulties at the beginning, mixed us cleanly and beautifully. Despite the lack of monitor I could hear everything I needed to, and I think both of us performed better as a result.
On Sunday we played at the Cambridge farmer's market. We've been touting it as a place you can play and get so much produce as tips that you don't need to go to the market for three weeks. So, of course, all of our tips were monetary. No apples for AA this time. It also rained for about half the time we were there, causing us to take a very long break between the first and second sets. The people at Cambridge are fantastically friendly and helpful however. For example, the man next to us, who runs the tent for Something's Brewing (a coffeehouse in Greenwich) always gives us free coffee, and two people offered to lend their chairs to Dave, who left his at home. The two picnic tables near our tent were continually filled with people watching and listening, even during the rainy bits. The only real downside to the market was that Em somehow managed to drop my vocal mike into the speaker. My dad, who also sat in with us that day (and it was great fun) got it out though.
Sunday night was Jeremy James' CD release party. We were asked to open because we recorded a track for it with him. I sang backing vocals, as did Dave, who also played Djembe. The other band that was meant to open was forced to cancel at the last minute due to illness, so we played a longer set and started later in order to make it work. Gemma from the Bookdrop Bees, who is the one who was sick, sang on another track on Jeremy's album, and the Bees are also good friends of AA.
Valentines, where the show was held, was empty when we got there, but by the time we got to our last song there were around 30 people there. Our sound man was also quite good that night. I thanked him after we performed. On the business front, it was a dissapointing show, just because the way Valentines works isn't a way that usually works out for small, acoustic two-act shows on Sunday nights, but on the musical front it was one of the best shows i've participated in in a great while. I think everyone in the place was listening the entire time, clapping and cheering and charging the performers with energy that translated into stellar performances for us and for Jeremy. We sat in on "Home", the song we recorded together, which was a blast. Becky and Em also quite enjoyed Jeremy and ended up buying one of his CDs (and getting it signed) and talking to him for a while.
It was a ridiculously busy weekend, but a good one nonetheless. All i want to do now, however, is stay at home, write waltz songs on my ovation, sleep and read the newspaper.
C
Yes, besides 4 shows, there were also two houseguests (amazing houseguests) from the UK. Bex and Em. Bex being a friend of mine from college, and Em being her girlfriend. So they served as our roadies for the weekend, and our excuse to actually have a homelife and have fun in between the madness.
Saturday we played at Art on Lark, a last minute gig we got through our good friend Erin Harkes. She's always looking out for us and getting us all the exposure she can. It's more than one can ask for in a musician/friend that is further along in their career than you, but it's also the norm in the capital region music scene. Everyone supports each other. I say it all the time, but it's much more familial than competitive. We applaud eachothers successed and lament eachothers misfortunes, and we help eachother out whenever we can.
Anyway, Art on Lark is a festival, you guessed it, on Lark Street in Albany, NY. Lark is six blocks (albeit a long six blocks) from our house, so with the help of our roadies, we were able to walk to the gig. It also helped that it was an entirely acoustic venture. I don't think the PA could have been carried there so well. We played on the corner of Lark and Lancaster, across the street from Shining Star, which is the local hippie store of choice. We were also right next to the sidewalk chalking contest taking place on Lancaster between Lark and Willett. A number of people stopped to listen and seemed to enjoy themselves, but it was hard to hear due to the large amount of busses and fire trucks that overtook Lark for what seemed like only the 3:00-4:00 hour. The next day, at the Pride festival, i was stopped by a few people who had seen us the day before. They just wanted to say that they liked what they heard and that we did a nice job. So, I guess the traffic didn't overtake everything after all.
Saturday night brought AA to Troy to play at the Ale House. In general, it was a fun show, as it always is when we split one with Maurizio. He had a hat with a rooster on it, and somehow that became the theme for his entire set. As for us, were very happy with Maurizio's role as sound man for the night. He brought a new, massive system, and after a few technical difficulties at the beginning, mixed us cleanly and beautifully. Despite the lack of monitor I could hear everything I needed to, and I think both of us performed better as a result.
On Sunday we played at the Cambridge farmer's market. We've been touting it as a place you can play and get so much produce as tips that you don't need to go to the market for three weeks. So, of course, all of our tips were monetary. No apples for AA this time. It also rained for about half the time we were there, causing us to take a very long break between the first and second sets. The people at Cambridge are fantastically friendly and helpful however. For example, the man next to us, who runs the tent for Something's Brewing (a coffeehouse in Greenwich) always gives us free coffee, and two people offered to lend their chairs to Dave, who left his at home. The two picnic tables near our tent were continually filled with people watching and listening, even during the rainy bits. The only real downside to the market was that Em somehow managed to drop my vocal mike into the speaker. My dad, who also sat in with us that day (and it was great fun) got it out though.
Sunday night was Jeremy James' CD release party. We were asked to open because we recorded a track for it with him. I sang backing vocals, as did Dave, who also played Djembe. The other band that was meant to open was forced to cancel at the last minute due to illness, so we played a longer set and started later in order to make it work. Gemma from the Bookdrop Bees, who is the one who was sick, sang on another track on Jeremy's album, and the Bees are also good friends of AA.
Valentines, where the show was held, was empty when we got there, but by the time we got to our last song there were around 30 people there. Our sound man was also quite good that night. I thanked him after we performed. On the business front, it was a dissapointing show, just because the way Valentines works isn't a way that usually works out for small, acoustic two-act shows on Sunday nights, but on the musical front it was one of the best shows i've participated in in a great while. I think everyone in the place was listening the entire time, clapping and cheering and charging the performers with energy that translated into stellar performances for us and for Jeremy. We sat in on "Home", the song we recorded together, which was a blast. Becky and Em also quite enjoyed Jeremy and ended up buying one of his CDs (and getting it signed) and talking to him for a while.
It was a ridiculously busy weekend, but a good one nonetheless. All i want to do now, however, is stay at home, write waltz songs on my ovation, sleep and read the newspaper.
C
Monday, June 04, 2007
Recording
So, we're not recording this week. The reason is that my dad, who is our engineed/co-producer, is on-call with is day-job this week. So today, instead of going to mechanicville to work on the album, I went to Borders and looked at books about plant identification and then to dinner with Dave and some of his co-workers.
We are spending this whole week cleaning in preparation for house-guests, so whether we get to rehearse is rather up in the air also. I'd like to debut a few songs at the Cambridge Farmer's Market on sunday, but we shall see.
No open mikes this week either. Perhaps one or two will be attended. I don't know.
I'm going to sleep now though.
Signing out.
C
We are spending this whole week cleaning in preparation for house-guests, so whether we get to rehearse is rather up in the air also. I'd like to debut a few songs at the Cambridge Farmer's Market on sunday, but we shall see.
No open mikes this week either. Perhaps one or two will be attended. I don't know.
I'm going to sleep now though.
Signing out.
C
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Asheville
I rediscovered the fact that I had a blog a few days ago and then rediscovered my username and password and then managed to get into the blog to post things! So, let the information begin, I suppose.
It's less than a month now until Dave and I go on our "Ashes to Asheville" tour. As mentioned on our website, we're starting it out at Slow Jed's Mud House in Averill Park, NY, where we're splitting a show with the very talented Erin Hobson. She has even suggested that we collaborate on a few songs. This will probably be fun for Dave and intimidating as all heck for me. You see, erin is probably one of the best guitarists i've ever seen out of the expansive field of singer-songwriters that exists around here. I, for one, am not such a guitarist...therefore i may opt to play the tambourine or claves when we collaborate. The performance will be three hours long rather than two in order to accomodate all the rays of awesomeness that will be emanating from the general vicinity of 3028 route 43.
Aterward we are going to burn things suitable for burning in a fire behind the shop. You will not be one of those things, because burning flesh is not something i want as my last memory before I begin my first non-camping-the-whole-time tour.
On the 23rd we are going to play at 60 Main, which is a project of the New Paltz Cultural Collective. We're splitting that show with Jeremy James (Who we're also playing with on June 10th at Valentines see: http://www.almostawake.net/dates or http://www.almostawake.net/stories for more information.) We are going to camp at the multi-use area near new paltz where all the climbers at the Shawangunks sleep.
The next day, Sunday, is all driving. Dave and I had a very close call recently while driving to the Bob Dylan B-Day Tribute at Union College (Tire blow-out, 360 off NYS thruway...etc.) so we are a little wary of driving on highways, but we'll make it work. We're going to take 81 I think.
Our gigs down in NC are a little up-in-the-air. We definately have three, which is the number we wanted, but I'm going to keep calling places right up until the days we leave, just because the more the better. Besides our three real gigs, we're probably going to go to a couple of open mics down there in order to let more people hear our music and make contacts for the next time we travel south.
Gig 1: Monday: The Root Bar #1: Swannannanoanoanona, NC (This show is the reason we have to bring out whole PA down to NC. They have one we could have used, but who wants to give their door money to the sound guys when you've never been to Asheville and have no idea if anyone at all will show up?)
Gig 2: Wednesday: Malaprops Bookstore/Cafe: Asheville, NC (We're playing in front of the store, because they don't have music inside anymore, but we, in theory, can only play out front for an hour because of a municipal limitation on street performance. I guess you have to switch locations every once and i while. So, perhaps we will find another shop willing to host us that day as well...In any case, a place I can't remember has an open mic that night also.
Gig 3: Friday: Show with Amanda Platt at yet-to-be-determined venue. It might be at a cafe, it might be a house-party, no one knows. What we do know is that Amanda is a smashing Banjo-wielding singer/songwriter. Perhaps we can collaborate on something. This is yet to be discussed.
Somewhere that i forget the name of also has an open mic on thursday, and apparently there is a weekly drum circle that happens somewhere in Asheville. We are also planning on playing at the Farmers Market (Which is massive and daily and state-sponsored in A-ville) although we don't know on what day. Tuesday or Thursday i'd assume.
Oh my, i have to go and use the bathroom. Yes, musicians have bodily functions too. Now, run along and play with your tinker-toys or whatever it is you kids do these days. I think it has something to do with electronic music or digital games or something...I don't know...i was lost after the audio cassette and original nintendo.
It's less than a month now until Dave and I go on our "Ashes to Asheville" tour. As mentioned on our website, we're starting it out at Slow Jed's Mud House in Averill Park, NY, where we're splitting a show with the very talented Erin Hobson. She has even suggested that we collaborate on a few songs. This will probably be fun for Dave and intimidating as all heck for me. You see, erin is probably one of the best guitarists i've ever seen out of the expansive field of singer-songwriters that exists around here. I, for one, am not such a guitarist...therefore i may opt to play the tambourine or claves when we collaborate. The performance will be three hours long rather than two in order to accomodate all the rays of awesomeness that will be emanating from the general vicinity of 3028 route 43.
Aterward we are going to burn things suitable for burning in a fire behind the shop. You will not be one of those things, because burning flesh is not something i want as my last memory before I begin my first non-camping-the-whole-time tour.
On the 23rd we are going to play at 60 Main, which is a project of the New Paltz Cultural Collective. We're splitting that show with Jeremy James (Who we're also playing with on June 10th at Valentines see: http://www.almostawake.net/dates or http://www.almostawake.net/stories for more information.) We are going to camp at the multi-use area near new paltz where all the climbers at the Shawangunks sleep.
The next day, Sunday, is all driving. Dave and I had a very close call recently while driving to the Bob Dylan B-Day Tribute at Union College (Tire blow-out, 360 off NYS thruway...etc.) so we are a little wary of driving on highways, but we'll make it work. We're going to take 81 I think.
Our gigs down in NC are a little up-in-the-air. We definately have three, which is the number we wanted, but I'm going to keep calling places right up until the days we leave, just because the more the better. Besides our three real gigs, we're probably going to go to a couple of open mics down there in order to let more people hear our music and make contacts for the next time we travel south.
Gig 1: Monday: The Root Bar #1: Swannannanoanoanona, NC (This show is the reason we have to bring out whole PA down to NC. They have one we could have used, but who wants to give their door money to the sound guys when you've never been to Asheville and have no idea if anyone at all will show up?)
Gig 2: Wednesday: Malaprops Bookstore/Cafe: Asheville, NC (We're playing in front of the store, because they don't have music inside anymore, but we, in theory, can only play out front for an hour because of a municipal limitation on street performance. I guess you have to switch locations every once and i while. So, perhaps we will find another shop willing to host us that day as well...In any case, a place I can't remember has an open mic that night also.
Gig 3: Friday: Show with Amanda Platt at yet-to-be-determined venue. It might be at a cafe, it might be a house-party, no one knows. What we do know is that Amanda is a smashing Banjo-wielding singer/songwriter. Perhaps we can collaborate on something. This is yet to be discussed.
Somewhere that i forget the name of also has an open mic on thursday, and apparently there is a weekly drum circle that happens somewhere in Asheville. We are also planning on playing at the Farmers Market (Which is massive and daily and state-sponsored in A-ville) although we don't know on what day. Tuesday or Thursday i'd assume.
Oh my, i have to go and use the bathroom. Yes, musicians have bodily functions too. Now, run along and play with your tinker-toys or whatever it is you kids do these days. I think it has something to do with electronic music or digital games or something...I don't know...i was lost after the audio cassette and original nintendo.
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