The alley is covered in a foot of slush. Snow and half-ice-half-rain coming down in sheets, and I wore boots with no traction. So naturally, when I reach through the cold and dark for the equipment we are loading into The Vogue, I slip and about 200 of my oh-so-brand-new butterfly cards fall to the wet pavement. At the same moment the mic stand decides cooperating is overrated and the bottom part slides all the way out, tripping me again as I try to save the cards.
A four letter word may have escaped my lips. This is not how I saw this show starting.
Almost two hours later, after a rough go of working with a PA system that wouldn't stop squealing and project sound that didn't involve making people go deaf, the amount of stress and anxiety I had about this show seemed to be overflowing. I stepped into the back kitchen where a coworker of mine was washing dishes (btw I work here at the Vogue, what an incredible place!) and said "I'm frustrated! Help! How do I fix this?!"
It's a funny thing...that even while doing something you can love so much, sometimes you feel like taking a step back and letting out a shout of WHY IS THIS SO STRESSFUL?! Thankfully she understood, and encouraged me with the pep talk I needed. We may even have let loose a couple hippie dance moves and arm waves. The owner may have even seen this display of ridiculousness--Next time we will get him to join in ;)
Even though this show felt like it had a bumpy start, I left feeling so incredibly grateful. Some of the most important people in my life showed up to support this gig, and they always remind me of the real reasons I'm pursuing music...it moves people. In the end, that is what matters to me. I want to move people, make them feel better when they leave then when they walked through the door.
Connect. Share. Uplift. Give Joy.
Beyond that, everything else is cool but extra, you know? That is the bare bones of what I do.
One of the coolest parts of this show was my surprise guest. His name is Josh Baumann. He's amazing. He lives in New Orleans. And his guitar playing will knock your socks off. Josh and I played music years ago, I mean at least 4 now, and this was the first time since then we have had a chance to play. I can't tell you how good it feels to share the same stage again.
So anyways, off to get ready for the next two shows today...
Here's a little video my roomie took of Josh and I. This is a cover of Oh Henry, by The Civil Wars. If you don't know them, familiarize yourself promptly. You won't regret it.
A four letter word may have escaped my lips. This is not how I saw this show starting.
Almost two hours later, after a rough go of working with a PA system that wouldn't stop squealing and project sound that didn't involve making people go deaf, the amount of stress and anxiety I had about this show seemed to be overflowing. I stepped into the back kitchen where a coworker of mine was washing dishes (btw I work here at the Vogue, what an incredible place!) and said "I'm frustrated! Help! How do I fix this?!"
It's a funny thing...that even while doing something you can love so much, sometimes you feel like taking a step back and letting out a shout of WHY IS THIS SO STRESSFUL?! Thankfully she understood, and encouraged me with the pep talk I needed. We may even have let loose a couple hippie dance moves and arm waves. The owner may have even seen this display of ridiculousness--Next time we will get him to join in ;)
Even though this show felt like it had a bumpy start, I left feeling so incredibly grateful. Some of the most important people in my life showed up to support this gig, and they always remind me of the real reasons I'm pursuing music...it moves people. In the end, that is what matters to me. I want to move people, make them feel better when they leave then when they walked through the door.
Connect. Share. Uplift. Give Joy.
Beyond that, everything else is cool but extra, you know? That is the bare bones of what I do.
One of the coolest parts of this show was my surprise guest. His name is Josh Baumann. He's amazing. He lives in New Orleans. And his guitar playing will knock your socks off. Josh and I played music years ago, I mean at least 4 now, and this was the first time since then we have had a chance to play. I can't tell you how good it feels to share the same stage again.
So anyways, off to get ready for the next two shows today...
Here's a little video my roomie took of Josh and I. This is a cover of Oh Henry, by The Civil Wars. If you don't know them, familiarize yourself promptly. You won't regret it.