LC Show and Review Journal

Jason Soudah at Rockwood Music Hall

2006-04-20T09:44:00.000-04:00

After hearing Jason perform at both Bar4 and Matchless, I was prepared for great things at Rockwood Music Hall, and I was not disappointed. Rockwood is perhaps the best music listening room in New York City, with flawless sound and a gorgeous grand piano. On one side a brick wall, on the other floor to ceiling windows. Being an audience member is always a very special experience.

On this particular evening, Jason's energy, excitement, and quirky personality immediately captured everyone's heart. As he started to play and sing, I was watching the reaction of those around me, and it was apparent that everyone in the room was enjoying his performance immensely. Perhaps Jason's greatest gift is his ability to craft melodies that persistently stick in your head. I can't count the number of times I've caught myself singing his songs. Joined to this melodic ability are a strong vocal presence and great skill at both piano and guitar.

But even if all that musical talent were to fall on deaf ears, by the end of his performance everyone loves Jason Soudah. Who can resist a man who pulls off a Jackson 5 cover on a grand piano in a foreign country? Think about it.

JF Robitaille, Bryan Dunn, Andy Mac, Joe Wilson, & Andy Badac

2006-01-12T12:27:00.001-05:00

i have been a bad, bad local correspondent by not keeping up this blog. but last night inspired me to write. it was an absolutely extraordinary LC show!

JF Robitaille
i met JF at a bar4 open mic and immediately asked him to play a set. during open mic it's crazy in bar4, and loud, and i tend to get a little drunk. the caliber of musicians playing the open mic is just ridiculous, so for someone to stand out amidst all that noise, drinking, and talent... well, it takes a lot.

last night i got to hear JF play a whole set in a room that was considerably less distracting. what immediately struck me was his subtle use of language and quiet, confident delivery. while i listened i felt that each song was focused, like a camera lens allowing me to get a glimpse of the world as seen through his eyes- for a moment. and it was beautiful.

i am now a devoted fan...

Andy Mac
it is always a pleasure to see andy play. he was sick last night, but he has one bad (in the good way) set of pipes. i WISH i could sound that good when i'm sick. his songs always make me smile and i was bopping right along with him. also lusting after his gorgeous, gorgeous guitar. i have a thing about jumbos... ok, maybe i wanna rephrase that.

at this point some of Joe and Andy's fans from Pennsylvania rolled in. they'd come out all that way to hang at bar4 and listen to the boys play. we bought 'em a round on the bar. they were the most ENTHUSIASTIC audience members i have ever witnessed and it was so freaking sweet. the energy coming from those 3 was just setting the whole room off.

Bryan Dunn
quick second for jessi to brag. i booked bryan and andy on an LC show awhile back. they met, hit it off, and now i try to bill them together whenever possible. bryan has such a great voice. the first time i heard him on myspace i started begging him to come play shows for me. his whole set was awesome. i couldn't help but sing along.

things really started gettting crazy though, when andy jumped up on a mic and began beatboxing. it was OVER THE TOP!!! the PA crew was going nuts. after that it was yells of "andy, more beatbox! more beatbox!" just when i thought things couldn't possibly get any more outta control, bryan and andy busted out a cover of "kiss" by prince. that was it! it was so crazy i almost fell off my chair. everyone in the whole place was going nuts! many calls of "sweet jesus" from me.

Joe Wilson and Andy Badac
i keep telling joe and andy i wake up with "steady hands" in my head in the morning. it's such a killer song. this was andy's first time playing at bar4 and the first time these two have played "steady hands" live. so that alone made it a landmark night. the blend between joe and andy's voices is just incredible. i could hardly keep still. meanwhile one of the PA guys was going into some kind of ecstatic frenzy, screaming, knee-slapping, falling all over the couch, calling joe and andy's names, calling for a cover of "hallelujah." calling so loud that the cops came. sweet jesus! a regular walked by and said, "is it ok that i'm a little bit in love with joe right now?" and i said, "of course it is. EVERYONE in here is a little bit in love with joe."

andy writes these incredibly singable, catchy tunes. especially "steady hands." i've listened to that song way too many times. it just makes me happy.

joe is in every way an inspiration to me to work harder and do more. he has built a strong, loyal fan base all on his own with a combination of talent, brains, and hard work. meanwhile, he's getting ready to go out on a tour of the US and completing a new album. i'd be completely and totally jealous if he didn't so completely deserve it. his voice/playing/songs are freaking awesome and he will rock your face (ha!).

last thoughts
last night made me almost too happy! it was so much fun. i even managed to avoid doing shots. (well, ok, i had one shot of jameson. it's good for a sore throat.) and eventually the rain stopped. at 1:30 i put on my headphones and danced down the street alone. not drunk. just high on the Local Correspondents experience.

Tanya Buziak, Pete's Candy Store

2005-11-02T19:45:00.000-05:00

So, everyone knows Tanya Buziak is quite the amazing musician (and if you don't know that, I'm gonna slap you with a tire). She rocked out the tiny little room at Pete's on Halloween, along with Tarrah Reynolds on violin --beautiful, beautiful violin (who had the best halloween costume, don't even know how to describe that, Tarrah!), AND Tanya brought candy. Her voice is always beautiful and her guitar melodies are just plain gorgeous. The violin works so well with the guitar. Her lyrics are always stuck in my head, I find myself humming her songs on the street and when I remember it's her song, I stop for a moment in the middle of my walk and laugh. I'm lovin' "Dancing in the Rain" and the song where she sings "Reaching out to me" (Title?) and "Homeward Bound" ya know... I pretty much love every song she plays. There's a mellow tide to her songs, but they are still provoking & powerful.

Keith Varick at Bar4

2005-10-27T18:46:00.000-04:00

I got to Bar4 late last night, after navigating from Fresh Meadows, Queens to Brooklyn by car (bah! a difficult task, I say!) so I only got to see Keith Varick play. I walked in and felt so good to be greeted by my friends. Greg, the man, at the bar, always with a huge grin on his face (check out his band, seems so bright) Larry, the man at the sound who never stops running from wall to wall, his head spinning, and Jessi whose hat I missed from the previous night. Keith was sensational as always. His haunting vocals and guitar patterns resonated through Bar4, and made the walls feel like they were stretching in on us. He makes me feel my bones, if you know what I mean, my heart behind my ribs...Keith Varick's songs are beautiful, the most comparison I've heard is of his vocals to the lead singer of Radiohead, though his music is very different, in a very hard-to-describe-and-pinpoint way. Lovely, lovely night.

Michael Flis, Sarsaparilla

2005-10-22T11:24:00.000-04:00

4 showcases in a row! Yikes! By night 3 I have to admit I am feeling the edges of exhaustion. Walk in the bar and start having a chat with Tanya, a chat & some very much needed red bull. But suddenly she has some news that makes me fully awake.

start scene:
Tanya - The phone has been ringing off the hook, about some guy, Devendra Ban-something?

Me - (more than mildly FREAKING OUT!) You mean, DEVENDRA BANHART???

Tanya - Oh yeah, that's the one.
end scene.

So apparently Devendra knows the Sarsaparillas one way or another, long story. But anyway, they went to see him at Webster Hall on Thursday and Devendra tells everyone to go to BAR4 and see the Sarsaparillas! Sweet Jesus!

Michael Flis is playing first. Brandon (lead singer Sarsaparilla) met him at the Matchless open mic and requested me to book a show for them together. So we got it hooked up. Michael is fabulous and made the best of working in a somewhat confined space, as the Sarsaparillas have a number of instruments crowded onto the stage. Michael also brought in a generous crowd, but the place was soon packed to the walls. And it stayed that way.

Sarsaparilla did not disappoint. In fact, I think they found many new local fans that night. Their music is an eclectic blend of styles and instruments, setting-off Brandon's raw, emotive vocals perfectly. These boys will be at Matchless with Via Volenta & Philpot on November 3rd and look for frequent Bar4 appearances soon!

MaryEllen DeVaux, Tanya Buziak and Tarrah Reynolds, Pete Salvato, Stereobus

2005-10-20T11:15:00.000-04:00

Musicians: MaryEllen DeVaux, Tanya Buziak and Tarrah Reynolds, Pete Salvato, Stereobus
Photographer: Marlo Clemente

No, wait. This was my favorite LC ever! I finally got to meet Melissa, the other half of the collaborative team behind See & Be Scene. MaryEllen is both community-maker extraordinaire and talented singer/songwriter. The "Right Track" crew was there and I was having a great time.

Tarrah Reynolds came to accompany Tanya again and they sounded angelic. Everyone was blown away by the sounds produced when these two ladies get together. Tanya let me come sing on one of her songs- I believe it's called Not Anymore. I'm a big cheeseball, but I had a great time. Pete played a great set as he always does, and had me and Tanya dancing around as usual. Then Stereobus played a set so compelling it even distracted a couple renegade foosball players in the back. Every member of Stereobus is so ridiculously talented, I almost can't stand it.

And how do all these nights end? After three straight weeks out every night, I really couldn't tell you the who what where or when of how it wraps up. Only that I have to be lame and try to drag myself away at a reasonable hour, even when I'd rather watch the sun come up.

Grace Church, Red Orange Morning, Joe Wilson, Rich Cohen

2005-10-20T10:25:00.001-04:00

Grace Church is Brian. Brian is amazing. His first Local Correspondents show and I am so proud and excited to introduce my friends to his music. Bar4 is such a chill lounge-y room, the artwork is cool, the red walls and candles and dim lighting give it a warm, inviting feeling.

Grace Church is subtle and his performance commands a quiet and attentive audience. So then the circus begins. First there's some girl setting on the end of the bar closest to the stage just jabbering away. See, I am not a violent person but this is when I start imagining various blood-letting scenarios. But luckily, she is saved from certain death by Greg, who has the tact and authority to gently encourage the girl to shut her face. She later displayed her advancing state of inebriation by knocking over two bottles of wine she had gotten earlier that evening. Besides the whole jarring tinkling glass sound, she actually managed to BREAK the bottles which began saturating the floor with a flood of wine.

Ah, breathe a sigh of relief, no longer distracted, will listen to wonderful Grace Church now- but no. Stupid girl in a red tank top is sitting on a couch right beside the stage and obviously on a date or anyway trying to impress some bone-headed guy and I am seething because how can anyone be that entirely bereft of sense and social aptitude? Completely disruptive with this inane hee-haw laugh like nails on a chalkboard. I try giving her expressive dirty looks, but she is too busy tossing her mane of blonde hair to pay any attention. What I should have done, and wanted to do was tell her that I could hear every word of her conversation from across the room, and that she might consider moving further away from the stage or lowering her voice. I should have said it, I wanted to say it, but I was worried about causing a scene. Next time, I'm saying it. And I'm also gonna tell the stupid chic that no one is really that interested in hearing what she has to say. Ok, enough rant.

Grace Church was as brilliant as always and although he acknowledged the disruptive quality of certain patrons, he was kind enough to agree to come back and play again. (Side note- he's playing at CBGB's Gallery on Tuesday, Novemeber 1.)

Next was K9 Photography. I love I love I love these guys. They played a new song with a strange rhythm and dissonant chords that may be my new favorite, although I'm a big fan of everything K9, especially Ceramic Doll Brain. From what I hear they met some new fans and sold some CDs... Hooray! I can't hear them play often enough.

And I will definitely say the same of Red Orange Morning. Cyndi and Ryan are two of the coolest, sweetests people I know and their music is a secret addiction of mine. Marlo Clemente was our guest photographer and took some really gorgeous shots of ROM and Bar4. Actually, I am listening to their song Anemone right now as I write this. Thankfully the blonde chic had long ago disappeared, no longer to plauge my existence with her worthless chatter.

Joe Wilson played a great set as always. He really engaged the audience and complimented the other performers music well. That night I thought was my favorite Local Correspondents night, except I've been thinking that about every LC night lately, because now that I'm really getting the hang of things, they are all fantastic.

Rich Cohen played last. A man with an impressive talent and intimidating list of credentials. He rocked the blues and it was awesome to see his parents at the bar, lending their support. I don't think my parents have ever seen me play a gig. They were so cute. I think I find parents so adorable, the same way some people tumble over babies and puppies. Moms and dads are cool.

Many of the performers got to stay and hang out all night and talk and get to know one another and I just sit their and glow because that is what community is about. And we definitely have a community here. Jon drew some cool pics for me on a bar napkin. I promised to scan them into my computer and put them on the site, but honestly, I forgot and can't find them now.

Eventually I thought, I must go sleep so I can work tomorrow and make it through another night. It was hard to tear myself away. But I decided to be lazy and call a car because I was cold and exhausted and lately some weird men have been camping on my block, so walking around there late at night might not be such a good idea.

In the car, contemplated the night and was completely and totally satisfied.

Tanya Buziak with Tarrah Reynolds, Ellie Lawson, The Picture

2005-10-15T10:54:00.001-04:00

Musicians: Tanya Buziak with Tarrah Reynolds, Ellie Lawson, The Picture (acoustic)

Tarrah is an amazing violin player and singer-songwriter we met at Bar4 open mic (or was it matchless?). Regardless, she is incredibly talented. Without any rehearsal she added violin parts to Tanya's set. There are some musicians that can ad lib, but I've never heard anyone play anything so beautiful and complimentary in a situation like that. What made it even more special, was watching Tanya's reaction. Tanya gives so much of her time and energy to hosting the open mic nights at Matchless at Bar4. People sometimes take her and her talent for granted. I know how disappointing and discouraging that feels. But having Tarrah accompany her made Tanya so excited and probably more open and free than I'd ever scene before. If anyone deserves to have a great night, she does and I was so excited because I could tell how much she was enjoying the set.

Next Ellie Lawson played accompanied by Dave Harewood. Ellie has star quality, ability, and charisma- yet she is one of the most down-to-earth people I have ever met. Everyone always wants to draw a comparison- one person thinks she sounds celtic, another says she sounds like innocence mission, still another says alanis. All the confusion arises because Ellie has a unique sound that is hard to place in a category. Because women are still in the minority as far as performing artists go, we cannot escape being compared to just about any other woman musician, no matter how much of a stretch it is (case in point, someone once tried to convince me I sound like Belinda Carlisle. YIKES!).

Finally, the Picture (acoustic) played an amazing set. I can't get enough of these guys. For you P. Slope natives, Rob & Chris are spinning at the Bar4 Halloween Party on Saturday night (October 29). It was so cool to be at a showcase and not have to go to work the next day or worry about anything. It was so cool to be surrounded by so many talented people. I think this may have been my favorite LC night yet.

Penfold, The Volunteers

2005-10-14T10:05:00.000-04:00

Belated show journal...

Larry called me to let me know that Roger was going to miss his set, but with a valid excuse. I was already at Matchless with no guitar- so, we'd just get a little later start. Penfold arrived with a cool guitar I'd never seen before. As the clock starts to creep past 9 I begin to get a bit nervous. I'd never met Spider before, and besides being very anxious for her to play, I was just anxious in general with the first two musicians MIA.

The clock headed straight for 10pm, then Penfold started to play. A few minutes later Spider walked in with a friend. She'd tried to call the bar and didn't have my number. Only later did I find out from one of the owners that the bar phone was broken. If nothing else the night was a learning experience. There is always some detail or emergency or contingency I didn't plan for.

At this point though, I didn't know what to do. I wasn't sure how long Penfold's set would last, and I wasn't sure how anxious the Volunteers would be to get going with their set. Penfold generously offered to play for 30 minutes, giving Spider a 30 minute window to play. Of course, tear-down and set-up are my old nemesis time-eaters and the 30 minutes was quickly melting to 15 or 20.

All the guys from the Volunteers were so easy-going. Dan came up and said that they didn't mind waiting, and they'd like for Spider to play a longer set. She has a very distinctive voice, and a whisper-quiet delivery that captivates an audience.

After Spider, it was the Volunteers giving their first-ever acoustic performance. They are indescribably good. Dan is a truly gifted singer and every song has an irresistable hook. All these boys can PLAY! Don't miss any opportunity to see these guys in action.

Night wraps itself up and I can't remember falling into bed like I always do, but it was the sleep of angels.

Justin Marx, Matt Cranstoun, Mikey Die, Paul Cortes with Pete Salvato

2005-10-13T19:52:00.001-04:00

Musicians: Justin Marx, Matt Cranstoun, Mikey Die, Paul Cortes with Pete Salvato

Can't remember ever getting so soaked for so long, but am sure it must have happened before. Endless outpouring of rain, damp chill, soggy shoes, and my mind in upheaval. I called up Matt Cranstoun and asked if he could fill in for one of the performers, and if he maybe wouldn't mind hosting for me. The way I felt... just needed a night off. Also, Pete was playing in Manhattan, he always plays on Wednesdays and I can never make it, so I thought I should sneak out and catch his set.

Justin and crew did a wonderful job, somehow working some kinda voodoo to get a crowd into the bar on a wretched night. Had a quick smoke in the rain and tried to avoid an incoherent drunk. Mikey Die was stuck in traffic, but he made it and it all worked out.

Meanwhile Matt Cranstoun (the tropicrana, mancrans, too much cran-dle to handle, crantankerous) started to play and it was amazing as always, but I decided to hop in a cab with Sam and catch Pete's set.

Unfortunately, over at Village Ma there were a buncha kids fronting like they were Bob Dylan. However, Pete gave an excellent performance. There was this very, very strange old man sorta bobbing his head in the front and yelling loudly between songs. What he was yelling I don't really know, but he was quite entertaining. I also realized that there were some songs of Pete's I hadn't heard all the words to before. Barfly especially was cracking me up, but both Winter and I agreed that he's the only person we know of who can get away with using the word "homeboy" in a song.

Ride back to Bar4 and I am in an excess of spirits and spouting the most ridiculously unbelievable crap, and now Noel's here so I will finish this later...

... well, later never really came. I got to catch the end of Mikey Die's awesome set, and then Paul and Pete played and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I am very behind on this blog. Sorry kids.

~Jessi

The Undisputed Heavyweights @ Piano's

2005-10-11T16:15:00.000-04:00

On October 7th, The Undisputed Heavyweights played at Piano's (of Ludlow Street) to a wild audience, full of dance club members, thank the Lord. I joined full-on dance club, though I wasn't as good as the swing dancing people. It shames me.

Two guys asked me and Jessi if he could throw our "panties" (panties?!) onstage. Thankfully Jessi handed him her jacket to keep him distracted. Casey Shea went all out, the perfect Jessi Robertson/Gareth description as a mix between James Brown and Mick Jagger, dancing all over the stage, acting dark and moody during "Casey" calling for AMENs, and Sweet Jesuses, flailing his pink arms about and kicking the blue light. I saw some old men dancing. That was pretty cool. I don't really see a lot of old men dance. Maybe they were the founders of the dance club. Wait no, those are the panty-throwers.

The Heavyweights fuse all different types of music and are insanely talented on their instruments, they get 30 gold stars (School of Rock, thank you Jack Black).

There should be a ton of photographs up somewhere soon. But for now, bow in the presence of the almighty heavyweights and check them out, every Friday night in October, 10 pm, Piano's.

- SAM

Bryan Dunn, Matt Cranstoun, Mark Right

2005-10-07T14:08:00.001-04:00

Sylenus Pym, he stood me up. Not even a phone call or an email or anything. And I understand why people run late, because I, who used to be the most extremely punctual person, seem to always, always be running late for everything.

Had to stay late at work, got home, threw some clothes on and called a car service hoping it would be quicker than walking four avenues. Silly girl. 20 minutes later I'm stressing and listening to this older gentleman and lady bicker on the sidewalk. "You better be bringing in that melon. I ain't bringing in that melon. And you better be bringing in that milk now too. How many times do I have to tell you..." I leave the rest to your imagination.

So at this point I'm late, could've walked to Bar4, and am stuck listening to a conversation I'd much rather have missed. And want a cigarette. "Dammit." I don't realize I've said it out loud until the older lady looks over at me and asks me what kind of instrument I have. To make a long story short, and believe me, it was much longer than I wanted it to be- they ended up driving me over to Bar4 which was very kind of them.

Only, Sylenus Pym stood me up. But Bryan Dunn was there and I love his voice and playing. He met Andy Mac at his last show and apparently they've become friends and they sang a song together... and (too many ands) that's what Local Correspondents is supposed to be about!

After Bryan, Matt Cranstoun came up to do a set with his old (nudge, nudge, wink, wink) teacher on keys and sax. The "cran" jokes were flying like mad, among them were cranny cakes, cranalicious, crandaddy, mancrastic, cranberry, nooks n' crannies, mancranny, tropicranna- ok, i can't go on, this is just utterly ridiculous. but matt was so good. seems to get better every time i hear him. i might have started to get a bit tipsy from lack of dinner around this point. i know that i'm getting tipsy whenever i start secretly making idle threats against the other bar patrons to my friends. i try SO HARD to be patient, but it's also really hard for me to hold it in when i get annoyed. oh and i've lapsed into all lower case- bad habits die hard.

the night ended with mark right of the young unknowns, who hosts the spring street sessions, a night for performers at sly bar in soho. whenever i see mark i feel like i wanna get a mohawk, just cuz his is so damn cool. despite breaking a string, mark continued his set valiantly and played my favorite song, sleep. it was such a great night. good friends, good music, and i avoided getting pooped on, which is always a good thing. a word of advice, if you are smoking stand UNDER the awning. these birds have serious digestive issues. it is not a joking matter!

~jessi

LOCAL / a l l o y Night at Matchless: Paula Valstein, Machines Aren't Loud, The Undisputed Heavyweights

2005-10-03T19:00:00.001-04:00

Local / a l l o y is a collaboration between the Local Correspondents series and Alloy Radio.

Host: Jeff Schram of Alloy Radio

Featured Musicians: Paula Valstein, Machines Aren't Loud, The Undisputed Heavyweights

Stalled in traffic on the BQE and can't be angry looking across the river at the sparkling jungle- manhattan skyline. Still arrived in time, Jeff Schram is there with everything under control & Niko's behind the sound board so I have nothing much to do but hand out drink tickets and sip my jack on the rocks.

This is my first time seeing Paula, and she blew every single one of us away with her performance. Metropolis is projected in the background and seems to coincide visually with every emotional and aural climax in the songs. The band is very tight and sound amazing despite sound limitations. Paula's voice is strong and passionate and still pitch-perfect. Even managed to win over the pool players, who came up and sat in the front to watch attentively for the rest of her performance.

Two of the guys in Machines Aren't Loud are from K9 Photography, which has rapidly become one of my favorite new acoustic groups. I know Dan going back even further to Iggy's Keltic Lounge, the queen of Irish dives on the lower east side. Despite it being a pit, I met both Tanya and Dan there. Sorta makes you want to stop believing in coincidence. Machines Aren't Loud is a very different project from K9. I loved hearing a new side to Dan's music, and the collaboration between all three members was spot-on. One song in particular had some really funky bass and drum parts. I gotta learn the words so I can sing along next time. Dr. Strangelove was on the projector, and I got to catch up with Boxwood for a little bit.

Finally, the Undisputed Heavyweights! My admiration for these guys is endless. Casey Shea can sing like an angel, or scream like James Brown. There were sound issues from the start, but the Heavyweights took it all in stride. Casey's mic chord kept coming loose, so he just grabbed Jeff's mic and wouldn't allow anything to stop the song. This was the first time I heard these boys with a drummer, and it was excellent. In fact, I enjoyed myself so much I almost felt guilty. But the "Amen"s and "Sweet Jesus"es were flowing like wine, the band was tight, and I couldn't help singing along to 'Bitches Be Trippin'.

In the midst of all this, Jeff Schram was a tip jar god, convincing patrons to part with their money for the sacred cause of music. He also recorded the performance to podcast. Oh, and did I mention how he did all the hard work and I just had fun all night?

Ok, so I did have to defend myself and my friend from a couple drunk polish men, "you like to dance? you like to dance?" and "tee-hee-hee. polish boys, polish boys. hee-he-heee." Don't even ask. But other than that, it was just about as perfect as a night can be.

Later back on the BQE, can see the outline of my face in the window, painted phantom on the manhattan skyline, going home, satisfied.

~jessi

Justin Durazzo, Keith Varick, Sabina, Bill Konig. Art by Akso

2005-09-30T19:57:00.001-04:00

Featured Musicians: Justin Durazzo, Keith Varick, Sabina, Bill Konig
Featured Video Art: Akso

Got to Matchless an hour early, stuck LC cards everywhere and ordered some delicious Thai food from Amarin (yum, chicken with chili and black bean sauce). Tanya and I walked over to the deli in search of the always-in-demand sugar-free red bull. Got a call from Dan, little miscommunication and he thought he was playing at 11pm. All sleepy-voiced and just woken up. I know how that is and it isn't fun. Dan is so talented and overly apologetic. We're disappointed not to hear him, but nobody's mad.

Back to Matchless, Keith and Renee arrive. Justin plays his set accompanied by Steve Tatowicz on percussion. Justin's set was fantastic- he's developed incredibly since I first met him, as both a writer and a singer. Despite having to shut off the in-progress baseball game, we avoided a mutiny from the regulars, who seemed to have a great time and really enjoy the music as well. I asked George (our bartender) to put on this hysterical driver's ed dvd with the old reel-to-reel stuff they used to force kids to watch in school. Funniest thing is seeing all the (inaccurate) alcohol warnings while we're sitting around drinking in a bar.

Gareth shows up to take photos and I am freaking out b/c the September 1st photos were so beautiful. Just in time to capture Keith's performance. I get so excited some times, at the way things come together, I worry that I'll short circuit myself. But somehow I manage not to.

Keith's first performance was brilliant and stunning, accompanied by the gorgeous photographic video art created by Akso. I remember my first gig, how I shook like a leaf, and even these days I can't look my audience in the eyes most of the time- but there is Keith so poised, looking out at us with the red & blue lights reflected on his face. In music, a whisper is almost always more effective than a shout and he holds us there with his strong, quiet presence. And I'm thinking, this one is going to be a star.

Steve comes up again to accompany Sabina this time. I've missed her voice so much. There's a movie with sun and sand and surfboards in the background, maybe Endless Summer? Ginger comes up to sing a few. Love hearing people sing harmony live. Love having friends there, Tanya & Larry & Sam &amp; Noel & Gareth & Pete & Nik.

Lastly, Bill played and it's nice to hear a new voice. He knows Sabina and Ginger too and does a great job despite some of the most obnoxious people I've ever scene having an orgasmic reunion scene in front of the stage, accompanied by high-pitched yipping and screeching, half-hearted pawing. I'm giving them my classic, fear-instilling "look of death." But they fail to notice, as their brains have atrophied from the pernicious combination of reality television and self-indulgence. So, despite much temptation, I do not walk over in my giant platforms and stomp on their faces. And I do not reach over with my very capable hands to throttle their little necks.

Then the music's over and I'm exhausted, with the spectre of work shimmering like a heat-haze illusion on the horizon of my night. Niko & Pete drive me home (thank you darlings), and maybe, just maybe I shouldn't have had that last beer... but to bed, to bed- the sun beckons in the blink of an eye.

~jessi