Ok, so the first very momentous musical thing has happened on my tour. I went to Chicago, somewhat unexpectedly, as I explained in my last blog... I performed my 2 songs at the Uncommon Ground Shure-sponsored open mic, which unbeknownst to me was a competition. And... I won!
What does this mean, you say? Well, since you asked...☺
First of all, it means that I am very happy. The night was a complete blast - with some very talented musicians in the room. So, I was super excited to be chosen! In fact, you have to hear these guys... I missed their first song, but this is Raul and Derek playing Autumn Leaves. They were super loved by the audience!
Winning on Monday also means that I have the opportunity to compete in the final round in January. Uncommon Ground has two locations that both have open mic nights, and so the finals are a three day ordeal. They start on Monday at the location I competed at, then Tuesday at the other location. And, on Wednesday, the 7 artists chosen from each venue will compete against each other. The winner gets $1000!
This is too cool... who would'a thunk that playing an off night at an open mic in a city I didn't intend to go to would be so successful?!
Here's me singing Emily's Song...
And, not to sound silly, but I even had a lot of fun on my bus ride from Chicago to Minneapolis! The bus was packed, so we all had to share seats. I sat next to another musician, who was on his way home from recording in Mississippi. We had a really great chat - and even started conversing with the woman in front of us and the two men behind us.
Now, I'm sitting in my friend Beth's house in Minneapolis, waiting for her to come home from work. I'm fighting off a cold, and if I'm feeling up to it, I'll be playing at the open mic at the Riverview in Minneapolis, tonight. Then, I go onto Seattle, Portland, and down the Left Coast.
Hope this finds you well!
Jess
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Memphis
So, by now I feel like a greyhound pro. The trip from New Bern to Memphis was 27 long hours... the worst of which were spent from 2:00AM to 5:30AM in the Atlanta Greyhound station. It's been very interesting to be the only white person at most times... role reversal from having lived in predominantly white states for the last 16 years. But, I like being out of my racial comfort zone. It reminds of the summers I spent working at the Mariana Bracetti summer camp run by La Alianza Hispana in Roxbury, MA... I think it's very important to get out of your bubble once in a while, though it's especially fascinating to do so during election time. Although, I have to say at 2:00 in the morning, I wanted to throw something sharp and heavy into the TVs that were BLARING CNN news coverage of the election on a roll of tape that repeated about every 45 minutes. Kill me now.
I’ve added a stop to my tour in Chicago, in part to avoid going through another overnight bus trip! And, break up the Memphis to Minneapolis route. But, also so that I can play at the Uncommon Ground open mic. But, I’m currently riding past fields and fields of cotton in Arkansas. It’s so cool. I guess there had to be cotton fields somewhere with all the cotton clothing and textiles we use on a daily basis. But, it’s just one of those things that I don’t think of actually growing somewhere.
I left this morning on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning, and snapped this shot of the Mississippi River as we were pulling out of town.
This stop was a lesson in motherhood. I stayed with my best friend from childhood, Teresa Simpson, published author, and mother to James and Maya. As you may or may not know, I have a very strong desire to be a mother – and if all goes according to plan, I will be before too many more years pass. Though, I have to say listening to the squealing 2 year old currently behind me on the bus after 3 restless nights of early morning feedings, coughing fits, and an instrumental twinkle twinkle little star played on repeat all night so that James could sleep… I have a new appreciation for what I’m getting myself into.
Teresa and her husband, Michael, seem to think I have a knack for motherhood. They said that standing and rocking Maya, I looked very natural. I certainly hope they’re right. I’m going to try to get a lot of sleep between now motherhood, though!
I have such a strange relationship with Memphis. It is such a familiar place – I find myself so comforted by it. And, yet, I know I don’t belong there anymore. My family moved to Kalamazoo, MI when I was 15 – and since I wasn’t quite old enough to drive before we left Memphis, my perspective is so skewed. If it wasn’t church, home, school, or Teresa’s house – I didn’t know it existed. Things that seemed so big then, are much smaller now. Neighborhoods have names I never knew about. People I knew have come and gone and returned – most married and some with kids, now.
But, mostly it’s the history, my personal history, which has inspired many of my songs, that feels so palpable there. It was almost too difficult to sing Emily’s Song there…
How appropriate, Dave Matthews’ song Dancing Nancies just came on my itunes… “Could I have been anyone other than me?” Definitely a question I’ve been asking myself bussing around the South. And, particularly in Memphis. Who would I have become had I finished high school here?
I was scheduled to sing a house concert at Teresa and Michael’s, but the morning of the show, Teresa found out she had strep throat! We decided to cancel to be better safe than sorry… But, I wanted to still sing! So, I just decided to call a coffeehouse in mid-town that regularly hosts music and see if by any chance they had room for me that night. And, with 4 hours notice, I booked myself a gig!
A serious thank you is owed to the Java Cabana and Steve Lockwood who I “opened” for and then let me play during his break!
It turned out to be a great night, and I had a wonderful time playing there. For some reason, I decided not to record the show last night. I was feeling insecure because there were only 3 people there, including the barista when I started! But, by the end, about 10 people wandered in. I met a couple of men who’d been playing in the music scene in Memphis for over 30 years. And, was so honored when they offered to play with me the next time I come in town!
I also had a great conversation with the headliner, Steve, about everything music and progressive in Memphis. He happens to be the excecutive director of a Community Development Corporation in Memphis... not to mention he was living only a few blocks away from where I lived before we moved to Michigan! I thought that was pretty cool...
The highlight of the show for me – well, there were two big ones – was the attendance of the show by an old friend from junior high school, Kim Jones. I reconnected with her via Facebook, and I am not kidding when I say she looks exactly the same! It was so cool to talk politics and education and motherhood advice with her. We fell back into conversation easier than I do with some people I see every day! The second highlight of the show was little James coming up to me after the show and practically jumping into my arms and giving me a big kiss! I have a new fan.
I also got to see another old friend from elementary school, Blaire, and had dinner my aunt and uncle who still live in the area. Everyone was so generous, and took such good care of me! I’m looking forward to seeing another Memphis connection in Chicago. My sister, Emily’s best friend from high school, who will be housing me.
I can’t wait to hit Minneapolis and Bozeman… I’ve never been there before!
I’ll leave you with a clip about " home" from my North Carolina show.
Take good care of yourself in this cold and flu and strep season! And, I’ll do the same. ☺
Jess
I’ve added a stop to my tour in Chicago, in part to avoid going through another overnight bus trip! And, break up the Memphis to Minneapolis route. But, also so that I can play at the Uncommon Ground open mic. But, I’m currently riding past fields and fields of cotton in Arkansas. It’s so cool. I guess there had to be cotton fields somewhere with all the cotton clothing and textiles we use on a daily basis. But, it’s just one of those things that I don’t think of actually growing somewhere.
I left this morning on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning, and snapped this shot of the Mississippi River as we were pulling out of town.
This stop was a lesson in motherhood. I stayed with my best friend from childhood, Teresa Simpson, published author, and mother to James and Maya. As you may or may not know, I have a very strong desire to be a mother – and if all goes according to plan, I will be before too many more years pass. Though, I have to say listening to the squealing 2 year old currently behind me on the bus after 3 restless nights of early morning feedings, coughing fits, and an instrumental twinkle twinkle little star played on repeat all night so that James could sleep… I have a new appreciation for what I’m getting myself into.
Teresa and her husband, Michael, seem to think I have a knack for motherhood. They said that standing and rocking Maya, I looked very natural. I certainly hope they’re right. I’m going to try to get a lot of sleep between now motherhood, though!
I have such a strange relationship with Memphis. It is such a familiar place – I find myself so comforted by it. And, yet, I know I don’t belong there anymore. My family moved to Kalamazoo, MI when I was 15 – and since I wasn’t quite old enough to drive before we left Memphis, my perspective is so skewed. If it wasn’t church, home, school, or Teresa’s house – I didn’t know it existed. Things that seemed so big then, are much smaller now. Neighborhoods have names I never knew about. People I knew have come and gone and returned – most married and some with kids, now.
But, mostly it’s the history, my personal history, which has inspired many of my songs, that feels so palpable there. It was almost too difficult to sing Emily’s Song there…
How appropriate, Dave Matthews’ song Dancing Nancies just came on my itunes… “Could I have been anyone other than me?” Definitely a question I’ve been asking myself bussing around the South. And, particularly in Memphis. Who would I have become had I finished high school here?
I was scheduled to sing a house concert at Teresa and Michael’s, but the morning of the show, Teresa found out she had strep throat! We decided to cancel to be better safe than sorry… But, I wanted to still sing! So, I just decided to call a coffeehouse in mid-town that regularly hosts music and see if by any chance they had room for me that night. And, with 4 hours notice, I booked myself a gig!
A serious thank you is owed to the Java Cabana and Steve Lockwood who I “opened” for and then let me play during his break!
It turned out to be a great night, and I had a wonderful time playing there. For some reason, I decided not to record the show last night. I was feeling insecure because there were only 3 people there, including the barista when I started! But, by the end, about 10 people wandered in. I met a couple of men who’d been playing in the music scene in Memphis for over 30 years. And, was so honored when they offered to play with me the next time I come in town!
I also had a great conversation with the headliner, Steve, about everything music and progressive in Memphis. He happens to be the excecutive director of a Community Development Corporation in Memphis... not to mention he was living only a few blocks away from where I lived before we moved to Michigan! I thought that was pretty cool...
The highlight of the show for me – well, there were two big ones – was the attendance of the show by an old friend from junior high school, Kim Jones. I reconnected with her via Facebook, and I am not kidding when I say she looks exactly the same! It was so cool to talk politics and education and motherhood advice with her. We fell back into conversation easier than I do with some people I see every day! The second highlight of the show was little James coming up to me after the show and practically jumping into my arms and giving me a big kiss! I have a new fan.
I also got to see another old friend from elementary school, Blaire, and had dinner my aunt and uncle who still live in the area. Everyone was so generous, and took such good care of me! I’m looking forward to seeing another Memphis connection in Chicago. My sister, Emily’s best friend from high school, who will be housing me.
I can’t wait to hit Minneapolis and Bozeman… I’ve never been there before!
I’ll leave you with a clip about " home" from my North Carolina show.
Take good care of yourself in this cold and flu and strep season! And, I’ll do the same. ☺
Jess
Friday, October 24, 2008
New Bern, NC
One of my 2 transfer points on the 12-hour bus ride from Philadelphia to New Bern was in Goldsboro, NC. We arrived at 5:20 in the morning for our 40 minute layover, after having traveled since 8PM from Philly. Much to my surprise, and that of the other 10 or 12 passengers catching a connection there, the station was not open. This sign struck me as so amusing that I had to take a picture. Check out the hours of operation...
New Bern, at first sight struck me as a stretch of highway you pass – an exit with strip mall after strip mall. It never occurred to me that there are homes in places like that. But, back behind the Books A Million, IHOP, and crab pots store, stands my cousin’s neighborhood. And, a very long bath was waiting for me inside...
Meet Luke, aka, luke-igi, aka the wonder schnauzer. Unfortunately for me, he is a rescue puppy and very, very skiddish! So, he only warmed up to me a few hours before I left. However, he is my first pet on the road. So, I wanted to give him a shout out!
My days in New Bern were quiet and restful. I stayed home to practice and plan while my cousin, Marsha, and her husband, Jeremy, (who she affectionately refers to as “husband”) worked. I had lots of time in the evenings to chat with Marsha, catch up on our childhood myths and set records straight and to re-connect about goings on in our lives. One of my favorite moments was our walk with Luke by the beautiful Neuse River.
I also had the opportunity to visit a military base for the first time in my life. Marsha works on base in a medical department, and Jeremy was a chaplain on base until recently. I was struck by the formality and respect of the saluting ritual. I was also struck by how developed the whole compound was. The base is like it’s on world! Much bigger than the surrounding town, or, at least more densely populated.
There was a whole neighborhood of condemned houses behind which they're building new houses. And, of course there were the barracks where the younger enlistees live. I guess people stay here, typically for a couple of years before moving on. I also saw the tarmac full of jets, including a jet of soldiers returning from Iraq! Crazy...
I was struck by how contained everything was - work, doctor, church, home, even grocery and video stores - all behind closed gates and a salute.
I don't really know for sure how it all works, but I thought to myself, no wonder we spend so much money on the military. This whole city (and there must be many more like it) must be funded by tax dollars, right?!
But, I digress...
My show was a great Tuesday-night success – an intimate audience of mostly neighbors, each very attentive and sincerely encouraging of my music. After the show, Jeremy (husband) started a bonfire in their fire pit, and we roasted hot dogs and chatted in the cool night air before the last guests left, and we went inside to call it a night.
I’ve spent all of today on the bus driving through the beautiful back woods of North Carolina. And, despite all this beauty, I can't shake the feeling that I’m “passing” for someone. Someone more Christian, more Southern, more straight. It occurred to me that if my bus driver and fellow passengers knew that I was an Obama-voting northerner, married to a woman, I wouldn’t get the courtesy that I am afforded now. But, I figure we all have our battles to pick, and I just want to get to Memphis safely. So, I keep my eyes out the window, and my conversations to a friendly doddle about nothing much at all.
Not to mention that when I arrived to New Bern, one of the first things Marsha told me was about a murder that had recently happened there. From my understanding, a young naval officer was out with another soldier and two girls. He and his “friend” couldn’t get into the club because they weren’t dressed well enough, or something. They ended up being kidnapped – one beaten to death, the other still in critical condition. Though it hasn’t been explicitly stated in the media she read somewhere that they led an “alternative” lifestyle, and she suspected it was a hate crime against them because they were gay. All 4 suspects had been caught by the time I got there.
Because of this, I did struggle a bit with making my set list for this concert. How do I pour my heart out and be the “me” I always am on stage, and still be safe? It’s funny, I didn’t announce that I’m married to a woman, as I often do in northern cities… but this concert actually felt much more intimate. Almost every member of the audience commented on a song they loved, or a lyric that touched them. One woman told me that I was brave, that she couldn’t see herself doing this because she’d feel so exposed. She said that she and many others have these stories, but, “we just don’t talk about it.” She told me that it really hit her in the gut. In a good way, I hope!
I think she was referring mostly to the song I sing for my sister, Emily’s song… though many of my songs are stripped down, exposed underbelly parts of me and my psyche. I guess that’s the way I like it.
I also got to try out the brand new song I wrote in Philadelphia (which I think will be titled These Coming Miles), and, it went relatively well. Though, I think I'll try it a few more times before posting a video of it. But, JJ took these really fun photos of me in the writing process (now, how lucky do you have to be to write a song in a photographer's office??!) I can't wait for you to hear it! ☺
I’m on the road to Memphis, now… just another 17 hours left. ☺
Talk to you soon,
Jess
New Bern, at first sight struck me as a stretch of highway you pass – an exit with strip mall after strip mall. It never occurred to me that there are homes in places like that. But, back behind the Books A Million, IHOP, and crab pots store, stands my cousin’s neighborhood. And, a very long bath was waiting for me inside...
Meet Luke, aka, luke-igi, aka the wonder schnauzer. Unfortunately for me, he is a rescue puppy and very, very skiddish! So, he only warmed up to me a few hours before I left. However, he is my first pet on the road. So, I wanted to give him a shout out!
My days in New Bern were quiet and restful. I stayed home to practice and plan while my cousin, Marsha, and her husband, Jeremy, (who she affectionately refers to as “husband”) worked. I had lots of time in the evenings to chat with Marsha, catch up on our childhood myths and set records straight and to re-connect about goings on in our lives. One of my favorite moments was our walk with Luke by the beautiful Neuse River.
I also had the opportunity to visit a military base for the first time in my life. Marsha works on base in a medical department, and Jeremy was a chaplain on base until recently. I was struck by the formality and respect of the saluting ritual. I was also struck by how developed the whole compound was. The base is like it’s on world! Much bigger than the surrounding town, or, at least more densely populated.
There was a whole neighborhood of condemned houses behind which they're building new houses. And, of course there were the barracks where the younger enlistees live. I guess people stay here, typically for a couple of years before moving on. I also saw the tarmac full of jets, including a jet of soldiers returning from Iraq! Crazy...
I was struck by how contained everything was - work, doctor, church, home, even grocery and video stores - all behind closed gates and a salute.
I don't really know for sure how it all works, but I thought to myself, no wonder we spend so much money on the military. This whole city (and there must be many more like it) must be funded by tax dollars, right?!
But, I digress...
My show was a great Tuesday-night success – an intimate audience of mostly neighbors, each very attentive and sincerely encouraging of my music. After the show, Jeremy (husband) started a bonfire in their fire pit, and we roasted hot dogs and chatted in the cool night air before the last guests left, and we went inside to call it a night.
I’ve spent all of today on the bus driving through the beautiful back woods of North Carolina. And, despite all this beauty, I can't shake the feeling that I’m “passing” for someone. Someone more Christian, more Southern, more straight. It occurred to me that if my bus driver and fellow passengers knew that I was an Obama-voting northerner, married to a woman, I wouldn’t get the courtesy that I am afforded now. But, I figure we all have our battles to pick, and I just want to get to Memphis safely. So, I keep my eyes out the window, and my conversations to a friendly doddle about nothing much at all.
Not to mention that when I arrived to New Bern, one of the first things Marsha told me was about a murder that had recently happened there. From my understanding, a young naval officer was out with another soldier and two girls. He and his “friend” couldn’t get into the club because they weren’t dressed well enough, or something. They ended up being kidnapped – one beaten to death, the other still in critical condition. Though it hasn’t been explicitly stated in the media she read somewhere that they led an “alternative” lifestyle, and she suspected it was a hate crime against them because they were gay. All 4 suspects had been caught by the time I got there.
Because of this, I did struggle a bit with making my set list for this concert. How do I pour my heart out and be the “me” I always am on stage, and still be safe? It’s funny, I didn’t announce that I’m married to a woman, as I often do in northern cities… but this concert actually felt much more intimate. Almost every member of the audience commented on a song they loved, or a lyric that touched them. One woman told me that I was brave, that she couldn’t see herself doing this because she’d feel so exposed. She said that she and many others have these stories, but, “we just don’t talk about it.” She told me that it really hit her in the gut. In a good way, I hope!
I think she was referring mostly to the song I sing for my sister, Emily’s song… though many of my songs are stripped down, exposed underbelly parts of me and my psyche. I guess that’s the way I like it.
I also got to try out the brand new song I wrote in Philadelphia (which I think will be titled These Coming Miles), and, it went relatively well. Though, I think I'll try it a few more times before posting a video of it. But, JJ took these really fun photos of me in the writing process (now, how lucky do you have to be to write a song in a photographer's office??!) I can't wait for you to hear it! ☺
I’m on the road to Memphis, now… just another 17 hours left. ☺
Talk to you soon,
Jess
Saturday, October 18, 2008
On the road
Hi all,
So, I've played three shows in three different cities since I last wrote!
First, was the Java Room in Chelmsford, MA on Saturday, October 11th. Even though this was a tiny audience, it offered me the opportunity to play the piano in front of people for the first time. A bit unnerving, but a great night all in all! It also gave me a chance to test out my camera, which, unfortunately we placed way too close to the speakers! So, most of the audio is clipped and pretty unbearable to listen to... However, I did salvage a clip of the last song that night, Breathe Child.
I left Boston on Wednesday, October 15th headed to New York. I was so emotional the morning I left... getting sentimental at every touch from Andrea, and every tuft of fur from Cornelius. I was quite sure I was going to leak tears all the way to New York. But, much to my surprise, I pulled it together standing in line at the Greyhound terminal where I picked up my Discovery Pass, and my first ticket.
Then, I was off. And, elation and a sense of spaciousness and freedom began to set in as I rolled past the buildings on I-90. It was beginning to sink in, and I got really excited...
I was headed down to play at Googie's Lounge in the Lower East Side of New York on Thursday night, October 17th. But, first I got to visit with my gorgeous and genius 2-year old nephew, Henry. His tv viewing so far in life has been limited to the show, Maisy, which I must admit is new to me... but, I just about died when he said in his tiny, and somewhat British sounding accent "can I watch a little bit of Maisy?" A little bit of Maisy was followed by some reading of Maisy, and then some Dr. Seuss, and several other books and rocking, before bed time. That was probably the highlight of my NYC trip. I was psyched. : )
I also visited in New York with a dear and long-lost friend, Amalie, who despite her broken wrist, helped me into the city to set up for my show at Googie's on Thursday night. Again a small, but very attentive audience. : ) I wasn't allowed to shoot video there, so I have no photographic evidence of my performance. But, I really enjoyed catching up with friends in New York... and was thrilled to have a few folks in the audience who've heard me perform for many years and commented on how my voice and songs have matured over time. Never a bad thing to hear! I think songs are like wine... better when aged.
I woke up Friday and was off to Philly. From whence I write you now. I played a shared bill show here last, with two other groups at the Osage Ave concert series. If you're ever in or near Philly, you need to get connected with these folks. There is a magical vibe in this house! And, if you are looking for an amazing photographer for any arts or commercial projects, look no further than JJ Tiziou, my humble host.
It was a great, great night for music - with a turn out of probably 100 people or more! So far, this is my favorite new place in the whole wide world. : ) Plugs for Casino-Free Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Complaints Choir were interspersed between the musical acts. Wine and micro brews were poured, and people took seats (on the floor, behind the stage, in the kitchen, and all up and down the stairs) to watch! So much fun... I'll post more video later once I've had a chance to look at it tonight on the bus to North Carolina!
I feel so free now! I began writing a song about this state (of mind, not the state of Pennsylvania) this morning. I finally feel for the first time in as long as I can remember, like I'm doing exactly what I'm "supposed" to be doing. Like I belong where I am. Like there's no where else I'd rather be.
This is good. This is very, very good.
I'm off to the Greyhound!
Jess
So, I've played three shows in three different cities since I last wrote!
First, was the Java Room in Chelmsford, MA on Saturday, October 11th. Even though this was a tiny audience, it offered me the opportunity to play the piano in front of people for the first time. A bit unnerving, but a great night all in all! It also gave me a chance to test out my camera, which, unfortunately we placed way too close to the speakers! So, most of the audio is clipped and pretty unbearable to listen to... However, I did salvage a clip of the last song that night, Breathe Child.
I left Boston on Wednesday, October 15th headed to New York. I was so emotional the morning I left... getting sentimental at every touch from Andrea, and every tuft of fur from Cornelius. I was quite sure I was going to leak tears all the way to New York. But, much to my surprise, I pulled it together standing in line at the Greyhound terminal where I picked up my Discovery Pass, and my first ticket.
Then, I was off. And, elation and a sense of spaciousness and freedom began to set in as I rolled past the buildings on I-90. It was beginning to sink in, and I got really excited...
I was headed down to play at Googie's Lounge in the Lower East Side of New York on Thursday night, October 17th. But, first I got to visit with my gorgeous and genius 2-year old nephew, Henry. His tv viewing so far in life has been limited to the show, Maisy, which I must admit is new to me... but, I just about died when he said in his tiny, and somewhat British sounding accent "can I watch a little bit of Maisy?" A little bit of Maisy was followed by some reading of Maisy, and then some Dr. Seuss, and several other books and rocking, before bed time. That was probably the highlight of my NYC trip. I was psyched. : )
I also visited in New York with a dear and long-lost friend, Amalie, who despite her broken wrist, helped me into the city to set up for my show at Googie's on Thursday night. Again a small, but very attentive audience. : ) I wasn't allowed to shoot video there, so I have no photographic evidence of my performance. But, I really enjoyed catching up with friends in New York... and was thrilled to have a few folks in the audience who've heard me perform for many years and commented on how my voice and songs have matured over time. Never a bad thing to hear! I think songs are like wine... better when aged.
I woke up Friday and was off to Philly. From whence I write you now. I played a shared bill show here last, with two other groups at the Osage Ave concert series. If you're ever in or near Philly, you need to get connected with these folks. There is a magical vibe in this house! And, if you are looking for an amazing photographer for any arts or commercial projects, look no further than JJ Tiziou, my humble host.
It was a great, great night for music - with a turn out of probably 100 people or more! So far, this is my favorite new place in the whole wide world. : ) Plugs for Casino-Free Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Complaints Choir were interspersed between the musical acts. Wine and micro brews were poured, and people took seats (on the floor, behind the stage, in the kitchen, and all up and down the stairs) to watch! So much fun... I'll post more video later once I've had a chance to look at it tonight on the bus to North Carolina!
I feel so free now! I began writing a song about this state (of mind, not the state of Pennsylvania) this morning. I finally feel for the first time in as long as I can remember, like I'm doing exactly what I'm "supposed" to be doing. Like I belong where I am. Like there's no where else I'd rather be.
This is good. This is very, very good.
I'm off to the Greyhound!
Jess
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