Like a Cozy House Concert - 318 Cafe

Thursday, Mar. 25 - 318 Cafe, Excelsior, Mn
Americana Showcase featuring Me, Martin Devaney, Sally Barris and Brandon Sampson, the "ring leader" of the Americana Showcase.

It was a night of really good songs.

I've known Martin for 9yrs and he just gets better and cooler as the years go by. I said the one thing I like about him is that he's always been honest, but he's also one of the hardest working people I know and a great songwriter to boot.

I've never met Sally before, but I was introduced to her songs one night driving back from N. Mn via Radio Heartland. She is an amazing writer and singer, so easy to listen to. She's written some hits for top country artists and the fact that she doesn't make you feel small in comparison is truly remarkable in this day & age of ego and one-upmanship. They say "if you got it, flaunt it" but I think if you got it you don't need to flaunt it cause everyone knows you got it and Sally proves my point. I was also impressed with her ability to play with a flat pick and finger pick at the same time...that's hard to do.

I've known Brandon for about 4yrs. He amazes me, you hear lots of people talking about community and unity and whathaveyou but Brandon is one of the few who actually works to create said "community". If you get a chance to make it to one of his Americana Showcases, do it. Your missing out if you don't.

Tonight Brandon brought us together to the 318 in Excelsior for about as intimate of a setting as you can find in local music. Those sitting at the front tables can actually touch the mic stands!!

It's been a long time since I played the 318 but it's a great space because it is so intimate. Like a cozy house concert.

Alls I can say is that it was an honor to share the stage with these wonderful people and it was fun to hear their new songs as well as introduce a few new ones myself. All in all it was truly a grand time!

A lover not a fighter - E Squared Cafe

The last time I was in Brainerd I kinda figured it being my last. Jed Staack (drums) and I went up to do a duo gig at the Eclectic Café, which was a nice enough place. The owner was super nice, the staff very kind, but the town was engulfed in an Ultimate Fighting event that was going on that weekend and we should’ve stayed home.

Nothing against Ultimate Fighting, although I get sick to my stomach watching people beat the tar out of each other, I just didn’t see a crazed Ultimate Fighting town being a fit for us.

But I’ve noticed that some folks have been playing this new place called the E Squared Café, so I thought I’d give it another go. I’m very glad I did.

Oddly enough it turned out to be the same owner as the Eclectic Café, just a new location. But with a new location brings a completely different atmosphere. It’s more of a bistro/laid back bar with a listener friendly crowd rather than a Ultimate Fighting hang out with music on the side.

Matt Taylor has left the TV’s behind and brought music to the forefront and in doing so created a decent live music venue for Brainerd/area. I know I’m looking forward to going back.

I had a rough night as a crippling cough settled in earlier in the week, allergies, and I had to cough between verses, between songs, basically any chance I could get. I felt great, but sounded like I felt terrible. Maybe it was sympathy, but I walked out with double than I was guaranteed.

I'll be back on these dates:
Frday, May 28 - 8p
Friday, July 23 - 8p
esquaredcafe.com

Tribute CD Recording Log

In case you haven’t heard, we are recording a new CD.

I’ve been playing music for 14yrs and thought it was time to take a break from my own compositions and do a tribute to the blues artists that have influenced me over the years.

The plan was as follows:
Thursday - scratch guitar/vocals
Friday - drums/bass
Saturday - guitar/vocals
Sunday - pedal steel

Day 1 – 3/11

Day 1 was scratch tracking. I recorded guitar and vocals for all the songs which are used as the blueprint for the rest of the guys to work from and than I go back and do the guitar and vocals for real after the drums and bass are done.

All went smooth. Arrived at 7p, was out by 11:30. Most of that time was spent clearing our old record off the tape, dumping it to Protools for storage, and than erasing the tape.

Paul had to wait outside for 25min cause I didn’t have my phone on while tracking…

Day 2 – 3/12

 Jed arrived at 1p. It was rumored Paul was arriving at 1:30 but showed up at 3:30. Which was good cause in that time Jed nailed the majority of the tracks. Mark and I were impressed to say the least. He recorded his 7 songs in under 4hrs allowing for 1hr of set up time. It used to take us a few sessions to get the drums completed.

Paul started around 5ish. Also an impressive run, he was finished by 9!

It was my turn to wait outside…I went for pizza. At least I could eat while I waited!!

Day 3 – 3/13

My optimism outran my ability. The plan was to record guitar/vocal for all 10 songs on Day 3.

I record guitar and vocals separate only because we’ve had to re-record entire albums in the past where I recorded both at the same time. It makes it is way easier to adjust volume if the tracks are separate.

We auditioned a few different mics, which took about an hour and than dove right in. I was going strong for the first 4 songs, 1 takes each, but than we hit a snag. 1 song just didn’t sit right. It felt like everyone was driving in a different direction and after about 5 takes Mark and I decided that a re-work for the guitar part was the only solution. So I spent the next 3hrs coming up with a new guitar part!!!

The rest of the tracks went smooth but it was 10p and I spent 8hrs-playing guitar and it was time to be done. Vocals would have to wait until Day 4.

Day 4 – 3/14

I had a tickle in my throat, was a bit nervous that I wouldn’t be able to sing. But I went to church as usual on a Sunday AM sang through praise and worship just fine so I gave myself the green light to record.

I never thought that my voice would be the easiest instrument for me to play on this record. I’ve sung these songs for 2yrs so it was super easy to get the tracks done. I usually take days to record my vocals, and than re-record them, and sometimes re-record them. But we had all the vocals done in 5hrs.

I can definitely say it’s my best vocal effort and I’m super proud of what was accomplished.

Closing

Jed Germond has to lay down pedal steel for 3-4 songs and than Mark and I will begin mixing.

We came super close to the original plan and I’m super proud of the guys and the work we did. I’m also super proud to say that this is my tribute to the blues artists that inspired me.

I’m exited for people to hear it because even though it’s other people’s songs we ran it through our filter and I think you’ll be pleased.

2nd Closing...

We recorded at Underwood Studios in Minneapolis run by Mark Stockert and I’ve worked with Mark for 7years now and I really can’t tell you how much I enjoy working with him…heck just hanging out with him.

Looking at late May for possible release.  Stay tuned....

Basement---Thirsty Pagan---Attentive Listeners

I may seem like I deserve your pity as I sit alone on my corner stage at the Thirsty Pagan, playing to an audience that is seemingly trying to out do me in the volume department and no one claps at the end of songs. I'm like a jukebox; It's on, everyone knows it's on, but no one came to listen to the jukebox.

And I love it.

I can remember when I was just learning to play the guitar, I wanted to play for some people to get used to the idea of playing for people, so I drove to a nearby park that had heavy traffic. I would sit on the bench for hours, many days a week, and just play. Some people stopped, most people didn't, but I wasn't there to get them to stop, I was there to get myself comfortable playing outside of my basement.

14yrs later, I still need a place where I can just play and not worry about people listening. The Pagan has become a wonderful spot for me to work out new songs, new techniques, etc.,  I don't mean that every song is a train wreck, I bring in 1 to 2 new songs to test out, but you get the idea.

I think you need a place between the basement or practice space and attentive listeners. A place to see if you got down what you've been working on, to see if that song really is completed.  A place to forget your lyrics or mess up the guitar part, a place to experiment.

I can safely say that the Thirsty Pagan is the most comfortable place I play.  People do enjoy the music from what I can gather based on tips and CD sales and mostly from the waitresses...if no one complains, if no one notices, than you've done a great job.

I've also learned 1 other thing: It's tricky to get people to leave when you want them to.

I play form 6-9p and I get paid from a percentage of the restaurant/bar, so I want people to pay their bill before 9p. I don't have a solution to this just yet, but I'm working on some theories. Do I play a bunch of slow songs, or play a bit sloppier, or do I get real loud, or maybe all of the above? Either way I do have a new appreciation for that server who comes up and says, "my shift is over, can you give me my tip".

Here's to the Pagan!

Every last Saturday of the month.