I had a good night hanging out in Tucson. I played the open mic at The Sky Bar - which really is a cool place - it had a lot of open space - pool tables in the back - a big long bar. It had a decent beer selection and served mixed drinks, but also had a coffeehouse selection of beverages too. They were connected to the pizza place next store which looked pretty good. An interesting point is that both places were run on solar power. Hopefully next time I can get in there to play a night.
That night I got a room at a cheap motel and rested for the night. I recorded a song after getting in - a somewhat fitting song since it's about driving to Tucson. It felt good to get to bed at a decent hour - which doesn't always happen on the road.
The next day I had plans to meet my friend for lunch - and I drove around town before - watching storm clouds roll in from the west and spread across the sky. The wind was blowing hard - dust drifting across the streets, leaves and trees bending and rolling around the city. I was waiting for rain to come - but it never did.
After lunch I headed up to Flagstaff where I was to play at the Flagstaff Brewing Company - a place I know well and also where I have played at several times over the past two years. I met up with my friend Kate, who I was going to be staying with, and who was having some beers downtown with friends. It was chilly in Flagstaff - it had snowed a bit earlier in the day - and I was glad that I hadn't taken my winter coat out of my car.
I made my way to FBC and got set up to play for the night. I had a couple people say that they were looking forward to hearing me play which I thought was a good thing. I feel like I've been building up a decent fan base there in town - which I am very glad about. It's one of my favorite towns so it's cool to get paid to go to one of my favorites spots in the country.
The brewery is a great spot right on Route 66 and right across from the train station. If you like watching trains roll by, this is the bar to do it in. You can sit by the front window and watch all day long - and they come by all day and all night - the train whistle rings out through the town - which can be annoying if you're trying to sleep in a motel/hotel by the train tracks - or you just try to block it out. But I've spent afternoons there at the end of the bar enjoying a fresh brew and watching the cars and trains pass by, meeting people, talking about various travels.
That Thursday night was a good one. It was busy for almost the whole night. I sold several CDs, made a good amount in tips, and met some new people. I'm looking forward to going back - hopefully in August.
The next day, after a stop at Macy's for some great coffee, I drove back down the mountain to meet up with my friend Eddie Elliott in Scottsdale. Eddie was visiting Arizona for the first time since moving to North Carolina last June. He was playing that night out in Cave Creek at Janey's Coffeehouse and Bodega - where I had played the Friday before. Eddie asked me to play that night - both an opening set and with him during his set for a few songs - like we used to do a while back. I was looking forward to it - but not looking forward to having to wake up early the next morning and drive back to LA and to work in the afternoon - just like I had done the previous week.
That night the weather was perfect - cool and mellow - perfect for an outdoor gig setting. Lights hung in the trees and people slowly filled in the seats. My first set went well - I thought anyway - and after a short break Eddie got started. I joined him at the end of his first set for a few songs and it all felt good and fun.
The night ended well - the rest of the playing was cool - and ended up meeting some new people and seeing some ones from a while back and my friend Judah and I enjoyed some beers and talked about her becoming a beekeeper - she has two hives so far. Eddie and I then headed back to Scottsdale and I got to sleep finally.
The alarm went off at 6 and I reluctantly got up and got ready for my drive back to California. I was tired since I had slept on the floor - and actually it wasn't too comfortable - but I said goodbye to Eddie who woke up also with the alarm and I headed out on the road. It was a smooth drive and I made my way easily back to my house and got ready for work - which I wasn't looking forward to - but knew it had to be done.
That night I was glad to get back to my bed and lay down - and sleep.
Right now I have no plans to do any road trips or play out of town for the next month and a half. I'm saving my money for my trip in June to the UK and Europe. I have two shows lined up so far - both in Brighton for June 20th and June 29th. I'll keep you posted on further plans and more shows - which I hope to get lined up soon.
yours truly,
Jeremiah,
Flagstaff on a chilly evening in April
The taps at FBC - I spent most of the night drinking the porter which is really good and smooth and I recommend it if you happen to stop by. In the winter months they have a great stout called the Sasquatch which nice, dark, and rich.
Here's a shot of the bar. My set up is down towards the end of the bar and to little area to the right.
They not only do they have good beers on tap - but they have an amazing Scotch and whiskey selection
A shot of the San Francisco Peaks from right across the tracks
The crowd at Janey's in Cave Creek - relaxing before the show
My friends Eddie and Judah - post show
On the road to AZ - out in the California desert
Here's the video of the song from Tucson
