March 30, 2006
Showtime
This is quickly becoming my standard performance shot...
About a half an hour before the performance last night at the Concert Hall I had a real Spinal Tap Moment. A few of us went out in search of programs for the show and in the process of winding down a seemingly endless series of hallways and twists and turns, we inevitably went through a door from which we could not return. Suddenly the new challenge became: How do we get back to the stage?. And even more importantly: How do we prove that we are in the show?. Flash forward to several weird and surreal encounters with security and ushers and we were finally escorted to a door that brought us back to the green room. This was a bit more tension and confusion than I needed right before we went on, but maybe it provided a little edge to my performance.
The show was amazing. Although from the stage it is an entirely different perspective than from the audience. In fact, it's hard to tell how it's going over from the stage until the end - when the lights come up and you see that the audience is actually still there. Then you can take out your earplugs and realize that they are clapping.
Last night it went over very well. It was such a rush to perform this piece again that I am already hoping that another performance is scheduled soon. I have heard rumors, but I will be patient and see how it goes.
March 29, 2006
Hallucination City: Los Angeles
Rehearsal: Day 2. Burbank, CA
Sound check is at 2:30 today and the performance is at 8. I borrowed a Peavey amp from a friend of a friend and it is serving me well. The rehearsals have also been going very very well and everyone is really excited about tonight. Our run throughs on Monday and Tuesday seemed to come together very quickly and everyone is playing amazingly well. I am cautiously optimistic.
Meanwhile, I am really looking forward to seeing the theatre. Everyone I have talked to has been raving about it. I will take many photos. Don't you worry.
Oh, and I didn't mention it before, but my guitar survived the trip from JFK. I did end up having to check it, but at the gate so it didn't have to go into the black void. I picked it up at the plane door on the way out; opened it up to make sure it was still one one piece and was all set to go. I almost got it into the cabin, but the flight was sold out and the crew was watching for oversized luggage. It's hard to make a guitar case look small.
March 27, 2006
Hi, he's Hollywood Steve.
I went to the Channel 101 screening and voting tonight at Cinespace with my friends Chandler and Catherine. I am so psyched that I got the opportunity to do this while I am here in LA. At the screening I was able to meet and talk a little bit with "Hollywood" Steve and JD Ryznar and be among the first to view the new Yacht Rock episode (I thought it was great and voted accordingly). I was also really impressed with several of the shows that premiered tonight. I really want to produce one of my own now. So cool. So cool.
Tomorrow is our first rehearsal for the Hallucination City performance so I have to go over the music, makes some notes and get to sleep. Hopefully I'll be able to write some more soon.
March 25, 2006
LA
I'm heading out to LA to do the second Glenn Branca show. The opportunity was too tempting... and after all, I'm hooked on the adrenaline now.
My biggest concern at this point is getting my guitar on the plane unmolested. After all the trouble with my luggage from my last trip (officially lost now) I am more than a little concerned about my guitar. The goal is to get it to the gate. If I can get that far then there's a chance I will be allowed to stow it in the overhead. If I fail here, then at least I can do a 'gate check' and it will be hand placed into the hold and then returned to me as soon as I get off the plane. Worst case is that I am forced to check it and it disappears into the black void where anything might happen to it. And from the stories I have heard, I don't even want to dwell on that possibility.
I will remain positive however and maintain a cheerful countenance in my steadfast effort to take my guitar onboard with me. I have read a number of posts on the subject and thus armed with knowledge I shall go forth and employ my best Jedi mind tricks to bend the will of the weak and slow-witted.
This will easily fit in the overhead bin...
These are not the droids you are looking for...
Wish me luck.
March 17, 2006
My Pretty Lobster
"You can comb her beautiful hair"
I made this for a co-worker last week based on a photo of the 'furry lobster' or 'yeti-crab' recently found in the deep pacific.
But to make it even better, I was just sent this link with a pattern to make your own plush version (thanks Geoff). As soon as I get some time I am going to make the 'My Pretty Lobster' prototype a reality. Yes. Yes, indeed.
March 11, 2006
WFMU
I just got back from volunteering at WFMU for the day. There's is only one marathon day left and they still need that final push to make their goal. If you love freedom and freeform radio, you should send a little cash their way. You'll feel good and accumulate valuable good karma. They have great premiums too.
And then..
In an unrelated story, Mel Gibson has a bad dose of the crazies.
This photo actually comes from a BBC story regarding the Academy Awards so it's been kicking around for about a week. It still continues to disturb me, however. So, in an effort to dilute it's mysterious and disturbing power, I have decided to post it here. Gaze upon him. If you dare.
Look at those eyes. Yeah. Totally nuts.
March 10, 2006
Review of the Montclair Performance
Here's a review of the Hallucination City performance at Montclair State University. I am set to play at the Los Angeles performance also. So if you're in the area.... You know, check it out.
