Thursday, October 6, 2011

Fall...

This week, with the rain and the cooler temperatures, it's definitely a sign that summer is over. Fall, with its crisp morning air, cool evenings, and a new fire season right around the corner, is here. This year it reminds me of when school begins, since I will be going back to the day job starting next week. After an extended break, I'm ready to get back to work.

It's a bit of an odd feeling because I'm giving up my limited freedom: no more waking up when ever I feel like it, going out to wander around town, eating on my own schedule - I guess sort of just bumming around - although there was other work to be done: booking shows, writing and recording songs, rehearsing, and I guess cooking can be added to that list. But now of course I'll have a steady flow of money to contribute more to the economy, I'll be able to purchase music gear again, not scramble every month (so much) for money to pay bills, and save up for more tours for the new year - I really want to make it to Europe next year.

Like I've said, it has been an interesting time traveling and playing music across the country. I feel lucky and fortunate that I was able to go out and do that and I have many, many fond memories about it all - most of which can be read on earlier blogs. I've had so much support from numerous people in various cities and it couldn't have been possible without them.

Since getting back to Southern California in mid July I've been living down in Orange County, where I grew up, in Garden Grove - which isn't too exciting. In the evenings, sometimes I'll head up to the Long Beach area, where I used to hang out long ago right out of high school. It has a good feel to it, not so uptight as Orange County. Lately I've been playing more down here, which is where I started playing. There's a couple coffeehouses that have started booking me a little more regularly again, so I think that's a good thing. But still I miss being out on the road - although I don't want a repeat of the last tour.

In August I made a trip up to Paso Robles which is in Central California close to the coast - it's wine country. There's a place I've played several times called the Pour House. It's just south of town and is a good room - a great selection of beers on tap and I was glad to head back up there - not only for playing but for the amazing drive. To get there you have to take the 101 and go along the coast for a while - through Ventura and through Santa Barbara and the view is spectacular. There are vineyards all along the drive and on that mid August day the weather was incredibly perfect.

My drummer Matt and his friend Tommy were going to be meeting me there. They were headed further north for a party that weekend and I was glad that they were going to be able to join me. The previous times I've played up there, I've just done it solo, so I was looking forward to having some support. The owner is a great guy named Shawn and this time he got out the word and there were more people there than I've had before. Overall the night was a success, and then the next day I took my time driving back so I could enjoy the views.

My next road trip is going to be November - the first weekend and Matt and I are going to be doing a few shows in Arizona - Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson. I'm already looking forward to it - I feel like I'm definitely needing a road trip and to get out of town for a few days - and by then, after doing the day job thing, I'll be even more ready.

So happy Fall and thanks for reading,
Yours truly,
Jeremiah Photobucket On the drive there south of Santa Barbara Photobucket Our gear set up at The Pour House, Paso Robles Photobucket Pismo Beach Photobucket Just above Santa Barbara