It’s hard to describe how good it felt when Laila and Ashley approached me saying they wanted to be groupies and wanted T-shirts last night at the Make-Out Room. I have said it many times, but grateful is the greatest emotion. I feel those ladies, the Glicksohns, Doug, Woody, Tim, Owen and everyone else made the energy. You all made the show. Octavio, Jenny, Nick and Frances had the charisma to dance. Bill and Carmen were sweet to come early and catch up. Dennis was supportive in taking a chance on us. Brittany Shane was genuine and generous (so priceless in woman to woman contact!) and Vanessa and Ian were loving and real to be around. We are all striving- Vanessa was working on moving around on the stage and I have never seen her so at ease up there. I was so happy to have Joe back from his trip home. This was a good show and I’m glad I can enjoy it now that I have washed the make-up off and taken the pins out of my hair. I will go sit on our couch and ask Whitney to tell me all about the Warriors. I will carry the whispers of my new song in my head. I will thank you countless times for creating the positive space in which we played tonight. I will learn even more from you and who knows where we’ll go!
It’s 2 minutes past midnight and I have refilled my loose leaf tea thermos for the 4th time. I don’t seem to notice the flavor diluting; I’m too into the ritual. I am excited to read some more Orson Scott Card and work my way around the many boxes of CDs now filling our studio apartment. The second they arrived today, the extras were put in press release and review packets and sent off- hopefully in time for our fantastic CD Release at Anna’s Jazz Island at 8pm on Sunday January 27th. And no, it’s not a football Sunday. And speaking of Sundays, we play this Sunday at the Make-Out Room at 8:40pm between Vanessa Van Spall and Brittany Shane. We will stick to just t-shirts for this event, and I can’t wait to show them to you! Denaya and Joanne blew bubbles today marvelously for the music video still yet to be edited. Luckily we have Tim Norberg the talented videographer on our side. This band is truly a family and a village. You, the one reading this post and the one taking an interest, got us here and I thank you sincerely.
Grace writing this one. I continue to be astounded by the number of pity parties I throw and many times I expect others to want to come. I feel I have oscillated between allergies and bronchial colds the last two months, and the whole world is having a field day with my health. But everyone is sick. Everyone is wishing something. Everyone is with me connecting to that alone feeling that is actually a childish self-righteousness. Today is going fast with so much to do and so much to look back on. I ran into an old friend from Sevilla, Therese in Walnut Creek. I uploaded our album to iTUNES, Amazon, Rhapsody and others (no it’s not available- this is how far in advance they need it). I am going to an eco-shic party tonight to celebrate my brother’s organic beer at a high profile, fair trade event. In my humility I realize I haven’t a thing to wear that didn’t put pesticides in ground water in it’s production, and a I can count my fair trade garments on one hand. I am a kid at this and eager to learn the very important business of eco-farming. I am madly practicing Nina Simone and am determined to play the guitar songs myself at a show, despite the skepticism of my loving band. The release is so close! And we were just offered a last minute SF show I could not refuse. Sunday December 30th at the Make-Out Room in the Mission with Brittany Shane of KFOG fame and our dear friend Vanessa Van Spall. I hope this gives some folks a little taste of the full band before the huge deal that is January 27th at Anna’s Jazz Island. I can’t wait to hang out with people. And I am moved by the holiday well wishes I have gotten from our friends! And I appreciate those who have agreed with me not to buy gifts for each other but to spend time together instead. Let’s reject consumerism and consume our anxieties in the comfort of each other’s company. In light of that statement I also turn to the steady confidence of my cousin Ellen who alone can quench her anxiousness without the company of others. I labor to do this as well. And what are you doing these days?
Dr. Joe Funkmore in the house… I just felt like sharing a funny thing that happened, especially in light of the weekend of shows we played that stressed some of our new cover tunes.
This Sunday night, after the show at Nomad and a bilingual pot luck dinner (giggity), I was in bed watching an episode of “Family Guy” while drifting off to sleep. I think Peter broke his leg in the episode or something, and there was a montage of all the struggles he was having with being in a wheelchair, set to a tune that sounded familiar even though I was pretty sure I’d never actually heard it. After a few bars of intro, I heard a very familiar voice — that of Sir Elton — come in with the words, “Don’t wish it away… don’t look at it liiiiike it’s forever”. I almost jumped out of bed!
So yeah, now I’ve actually heard at least part of “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” by Elton John, which we’ve been covering for two months, now. Little cheesier than our version, I think, but still good. It was the ’80s, after all… I’m willing to cut a little slack :)
Joe’s, the Bubble Lounge and then Nomad Cafe. What a weekend. Thanks to Chris for having us at the Cafe. Thanks to Tara and Ricardo for helping us out. Thanks to Tia and Dana for your support! Check out the pics in our photos section. Got to get a smoothie and give you a better update later!
Grace here- I am sitting at the computer, Whitney in the other room catching up on sports (as if he wasn’t texting espn in between songs tonight), waiting for the special call from Jacob. We had a great show at Joe’s, though it was cut short by their Christmas party and I am grateful to Jennifer, Christine, Judy, Philae and Jessica for taking a chance on us. It was also great to see some high school and even junior high school friends there! And now I sit awaiting the call. Jacob has been in Toad Studio for 5 hours with the masterer of our CD. Yes, his name is Tardon Feathered. And yes I didn’t get the joke until yesterday. And our album art, the mastered CD and everything will be in discmakers by morning and arrive here before New Year’s. The shirts are waiting, ready to be worn. The red and green of us is ready to show- darn you Christmas for stealing our color combination! For your information Joe and Jacob, that is why I hate Christmas, not because the loathesome taste of dill reminds me of it. And I don’t actually hate it, because it gives me more to be thankful for. And I think thankful is the best place to be.
And I am grateful to present to you a full album of 13 songs on January 27th at Anna’s Jazz Island in Berkeley ( next to Jupiter across from BART). Your coming will make it a memorable event. Your encouragement has already made the album a breathing, vulnerable project. I can’t wait to show you how it has turned out! Mark your calendars, because we will have guest players, music video and more. Thanks for making this happen!
Many thanks to the East Bay Express writer Rachel Swan and FM Recorders owner Sep Valizadeh for judging our WCS open mic at the Freight and Salvage last night. They made many helpful comments and I look forward to hearing more from them! Congrats again to Sep on his baby girl Mariam and I can’t wait to read Rachel’s story on Berkley High! I played, though as manager I don’t compete. I spoke to cool people though- Ryan Grandfield, Woody Sunshine, Guy Smith, Steve Edmunds, Gracie Coates (good luck getting into Berklee School of Music!), Sean Tabor, Kevin Beadles, Sky Nelson (cheers to not “playing small!”), Amber Lee Baker, Steve Key (nice to meet you in person finally!) and Nina Jo Smith among others. I was so happy to meet musicians who wanted to help each other in any way possible. I look forward to announcing the date and location of our CD Release- I will do so at Joe’s of Lafayette this Thursday the 6th at 8pm!
