December 20, 2008 – 11:21 pm
Last week at practice we spent some time finding new ways to play some old songs. This is something we like to do - all of our songs have been through some changes as we’ve gone from solo or duo open mike performers to a five-piece rock band to the current power folk trio. And even within the trio, I play “Losing Streak” on hard-driving mandolin, tango-esque accordion, or slightly loopy piano, and Tom and Dave come along with me on whatever instruments they have.
Anyway, I’m excited about some of the new old songs we’ll have at shows this winter. Tom’s song “Build a Bridge” has already been through two versions - the reggae-tinged one we have on the record, and a sort of funky folk version we usually play live - and as of next year I may be playing Tom’s banjo on it, with Tom and Dave both playing guitar. And we worked hard on a new version - I don’t want to spoil the surprise, so I’ll leave it at that - of a song from my solo CD. Can’t wait for January!
December 14, 2008 – 12:56 am
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who came out to Red Rock tonight for our last show of the year (unless you invite us to your holiday party). Playing with our friend Colin Carthen was totally fun - we’re hoping to do it again - and playing for you guys was a great way to close out 2008.
Next show isn’t listed anywhere yet, but I think it’s January 24 at Cava Wine Bar in Capitola. See you next year!
December 4, 2008 – 2:14 am
Well, not everything, but check out all this good stuff:
Anyway, but like at least three awesome things to go to, right? Plus I’m sure there’s others. What am I missing?
Update: Inventive jazz trio Panthelion at the Blank Club, with David Knight and Ambience.
Update: Claudia Russell and the Folk Unlimited Orchestra at Mission City in Santa Clara.
November 23, 2008 – 1:06 am
We played a two hour set at the Palo Alto Art League this past Thursday. They’ve had Tin Cat at their annual meeting the past 3 years, and we get to play in their historic (1921) building. Great place to take art classes! I had a small setback: during a run through “I Want You Back”, I took a kinda long bass solo, which was fun, but my fretting wrist is strained and I haven’t played since then. So, I’m looking at my Telecaster in anticipation of playing again. I foresee playing acoustic again in time for our show at Wine Affairs Wednesday, December 3. Address: 1435 The Alameda, San Jose CA 95126. They have a relaxed atmosphere, fine beer and wine, and some food too. We’re on 7:30 to 10PM.
November 10, 2008 – 11:37 pm
We’ll be at the Blue Rock Shoot in Saratoga Saturday night with our friends The Toes, come by if you can!
November 9, 2008 – 12:26 am
These guys are really good. Funky bass, tight sibling harmonies, guitar and banjo, creative covers… very tasty. The MySpace doesn’t do them justice - fortunately they’re recording more this week - but try “I See You” or this Afro-pop-styled live video on YouTube. This one’s pretty good too.
They’ve got a weekly gig, noon Saturdays at Red Rock Coffee in Mountain View. If you can, catch them tomorrow - they’ve got a drummer visiting from Boston who really adds to the dynamic.
October 28, 2008 – 1:30 pm
We’re back from the Folk Alliance Region West conference in Mesa, AZ, where two floors of the Marriott were transformed into a miniature Sixth Street, beds shoved aside to make every room its own little unplugged concert venue. (Lots of other important stuff happened, like panels and workshops, but it’s the “guerrilla showcases” that are really striking.) I’m sure to snub someone here by forgetting them, but I can’t help mentioning a few of our favorite musicians from the conference, like Sarah Sample, Driftwood Fire, Dayan Kai, Rachel Garlin, and our friends Michael Morales and Bev and Greg. And the best time I had all weekend, hanging out and playing bass (and a little mandolin) at the Joni Mitchell song circle.
August 14, 2008 – 5:21 pm
Our friend Geoff from orchestra6 just posted videos of our own Dave Allender singing From Galway to Graceland and The Galway Girl, with Geoff on Dobro, at the Red Rock Coffee open mike.
I’ve been collecting live videos of us and our friends over on YouTube. All the ones I know about are here. Let me know if I missed anything.
1. In Bellingham I had the best coffee of the tour, at The Black Drop. Tom bought records at Aladdin’s Lamp - we had to drag him out. Dave looked for a belt, but left unfulfilled. The show at the Green Frog might have been the first time on the tour that people we didn’t already know came to see us, on purpose. Bellingham gets the Tin Cat seal of approval. Here’s an old cafe:
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1. The window’s not… fixed, exactly. There’s a part we couldn’t get. It’s fine as long as Dave doesn’t roll the window down. Which he keeps doing.
2. We didn’t have a show in Portland. The show’s coming up on Saturday. Tuesday night we played an open mike at Albina Green, a restaurant with a great lawn:
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