Courting Cortland (or trying. . .)

Dave just did his booking magic again and booked us a show at the Blue Frog Coffeehouse in the big C (Cortland) for Friday April 3rd. It will be our second weekend show there (we also did a featured-act deal at the O.M.).

Hopefully some delightful folk from the city will come out and learn how much Almost Awake can improve their lives. We're really going to have to make an effort to woo the people of Cortland. We don't have the years of living here and the contacts that builds up that we had in Albany.

So We're going to have to work.

Especially when you are playing a tips show in a town where you don't have any sort of 'following' yet, you have to work.

I'm thinking newspaper event listings, 1/4 sheet flyers, all that. It will be fun! But then again, I'm feeling motivated today ;)

The least we can do is go to Lucky's and Blue Frog for open mic. that week.

It's not like it will kill us, our wallets or our spirits if there aren't many people in attendance at the show, but it sure would be nice to get a crowd.

When it comes down to it, I'm not nearly as self-assured and egotistical as I portray myself on stage. I really want people to like me, and even more so, my songs. So, I'd like people to come. Even if they don't like us, I'd like them to hear us. To give us a chance.

I want Cortland to see what Almost Awake has to offer. People may know Dave from the bank. They may know me from seeing me pushing around the twins in the double-stroller, but they don't really know either of us at all until they've seen us play music.

Musician. Artist. That's what I really am . . .how I want to be known.
I think it's how Dave wants to be known too.

So, I hope people come. I think we can make their night better. I'm going to promote the show.

The end.

*C*

AA in ITHACA this SUNDAY 3/15

Hello all! I hope you liked the last two blogs! I liked writing them!

I want to tell everyone that Almost Awake will be making our return to Ithaca after over two years away from their fabulous music scene! We'll be bringing our acousical sounds back to the Commons at the Owl Cafe at Autumn Leaves Books. Our show will be this Sunday (3/15-- the Ides of March! Ominous. . .) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Autumn Leaves is located at 115 The Commons. The cafe is on the second floor. The second floor is mostly open to the main level, so you'll be able to browse their full selection of new and used books without sacrificing a good, long AA listen. The cafe offers an array of organic, fair trade teas and coffees as well as baked goods, soups, sandwiches and many vegetarian and vegan options. Click on the Autumn Leaves link above and scroll down to see a picture.

If you're not familiar with Ithaca, the Commons is an outdoor pedestrian-only street similar to Church Street in Burlington, VT. There's no parking there, obviously, since there's no driving, but street parking is free on weekends and all City parking garages (one is extra close) are free for the first hour and one dollar per hour thereafter. (Don't tell anyone I let you in on this, but I've never had to pay in the garages on the weekend. Even though I take a ticket when I go in, there is no attendant and the gate always opens when I try to leave. . .take that as you will.)

Anyway, it is bound to be a fun show. We will be selling CD's as always, and will gladly give you small stake in our souls if you give us a hefty tip. Small-bill-tippers only get an IOU for a cookie. I may play the mandolin if Dave can find his egg-shaker.

The end.

*C*

Ithaca, here we come

This Saturday (Tomorrow!), Dave and I are headed to Ithaca to drop off some press kits. The winter, early sunset and our distorted perception of the distance between C-town and I-town led us to wait until now to make this much-needed step toward Almost Awake Ithaca Domination.

But now, it is time.

Sure, we are going to be there anyway, picking up my injured and healed Larrivee, but. . .

It is time.

I'll be printing out the press kits tonight I hope. Unless I print them out tomorrow.

As it happens, Green Both Ways only has one thing left to be recorded (suspended cymbal on a track) and a special effect has been added to one of the songs, so it's practically in post-production.

We've just got to get to NYC to take a cover photo!

Also, I've written a butt-load (yep, i said butt-load) of new songs. Listen for them at shows this spring.

The gears of genius involving a possible future open mic in the Cortland-Tompkins County area are turning in the heads of we at the headquarters, too.

And I lost my Capo somewhere in my house.

The end.

*C*

I'm not Thankful for stairs

Oh my, it's been a horrid four days.
I injured myself falling down the stairs on Friday night and sprained my ankle. This the same weekend my local ski mountain opened. This on the weekend my childcare clients had their phone service shut off. And this a week before Almost Awake's shows in Albany and Ballson Spa.

I guess I will be sitting on a stool. I guess that counts out the short skirt.

Oh well, It could be worse, I could have broken a finger.

Anyway, I'll be sending out an e-mail to the list tonight telling them about the shows this weekend, and also to let everyone know they can subscribe to this blog via RSS now. I'm also going to be updating the AASS Facebook group and creating an Almost Awake page on Facebook so you can become our fan!

I mean, if you can be a fan of Tim Horton's, why not Almost Awake?

I have written some new songs, but they are all finger picked, and dave claims djembe doesn't go well with finger picking . . . so we'll see if they get played this weekend. Maybe I can work out arrangements for them with my Dad-o.

He'll be our special guest at 74 State on Saturday. Richard Dean Chapman and he's formally known. My Dad-o is the guy behind Dick's Digital, and many other fantastic musical projects, such as the band Shameless and a new three-piece coming to a bar or private party near you.

I'd like to tell you a little bit about Almost Awake's new headquarters in Cortland, NY, but I'm going to save that for another post. For now, I just wanted to let you know that I'm back in the state I was six months ago.

Honestly, I may have done this six months to the day after the last time I sprained my ankle. . .
It is the same ankle if you are wondering. I'm icing it now, and it's cold.

So, if only because you feel bad for me, and because I have to spend my birthday on crutches, please come to our shows this weekend!

AA Loves you all the time

Keep rocking like a stocking (That's a Christmas reference. . .see? I'm hilarious)

*C*