The Weekend Through Arizona

On Monday evening, we slowly made our way back to LA after several days of touring through Arizona. This time of the year is the perfect time to be there - the weather cools down so much - which is usually to biggest reason to stay out of Arizona - since from May to October it can easily hit the 100 degree mark. This trip we almost got snow in Flagstaff, Phoenix was nice, and Tucson, was incredible - I almost didn't want to come home.
As mentioned in the previous blog, the show in Flagstaff went well, and the next day after breakfast in downtown we hit the road south for Phoenix. It's an awesome drive that displays some amazing Arizona scenery - you can catch a glimpse of the red rocks of Sedona and the valley where Cottonwood lays, and the old mining town of Jerome that overlooks it off to the west on the side of the mountain. It was a good drive and we stopped off in Cave Creek before heading into the city which was beneath grey skies - rain was on its way.
While we were hanging out, relaxing at Janey's, we heard that a dust storm, a haboob, was on its way through Phoenix. It missed us since we were so far north but as we drove into town, the dingy haze of dust lingered throughout the air. We got to the gig, the North 51 Grill - on the north side of Phoenix and got ready for our set that evening. We saw Rick, the now former owner of the bar, who has been very cool over the years - booking me whenever I've needed a break from LA - and so it gave the night a bittersweet feeling. Overall, though, it went well and afterwards we went out to my friend Jim's place where we were going to be staying that night.
Jim is an old friend that I met through Eddie and he and his wife bought a house not too long ago. When we got there, Jim and his friend's were having a jam session in the front room. The place was nice and big and he now has a big music room that's filled with guitars, basses, a banjo, a mandolin, a drum set, amps, and footpedals - and that night we stayed up late switching around instruments and having fun.
In the morning we all went out to breakfast and Matt and I got our stuff ready for the drive down to Tucson. Before that I had heard about a party in Tempe - not too far from the campus of ASU, and a band I know from Austin, SHURMAN, were going to be playing. Unfortunately they were going on at 5pm, and we had to be down by Tucson by then. But I figured we'd stop by and check out the scene. It was a pretty awesome set up - in one of the off-campus housing spots. It took some time getting in because at first we couldn't find the proper entrance and then you had to register through a website, and the ID check - but once in it was cool. There was a good size stage set up, food cooking, beers flowing, and people just slowly pouring in. We stayed and watched a band for a bit and then hit the road.
I was looking forward to Tucson - I guess it's a feeling similar to how I feel about Flagstaff - it feels familiar - and the town is active and laid back. I've already been there several times this year and even in the summer I felt good there. Tucson also has a good music scene. One of my favorite bands is from there: Calexico - and Neko Case, who is one of my favorites does a lot of her recording at a studio there. The last time we played there in early June it went well - we had a good crowd, enjoyed the beers out at the Nimbus Brewery, and Matt introduced me to some good people.
We were set to play from 7 to 10 on Saturday night out at Nimbus again. We pulled into town and made our way there - which is south of town in an industrial area - generally saying, in the middle of nowhere - and briefly we got lost on the way. But soon we found the right street and got our stuff in and set up and got ready to play. The beers are pretty good there - although I wasn't too impressed with the IPA, but everything else was cool. A few of my friends came out, including the family that we were going to be staying with during our time there. The music and the sets went along like they should've and the people that were there liked us, and before I knew it, we were done. Also what was done was the kitchen - and we didn't get anything to eat beforehand. So we headed downtown after our goodbyes.
Downtown was busy that Saturday night. We walked by the Congress Hotel where we stayed the last time we played in town. The Congress is a cool old hotel that has a venue where bands play and they have a DJ too some nights. Things were jumping there, but we walked down to the The Grill which has a venue attached to it called the Red Room. It was crowded but we found a place at the counter and ordered. There was a punk band playing next door and they were pretty good. After we finished eating (can't remember what it was) we looked over and caught them finishing up - a three piece that had a tight sound - and a crowd of people were gathered around. I should have gotten the name.
We made the drive out to where we were staying - which was on the north east part of town - just outside the Tucson city limits, close to the mountains. It's a bit of drive from downtown that winds through the hills and during the daylight you can see some amazing views. Some friends that I met through my good friend Eddie Elliott have a house out there and a little trailer that they keep on the side. I stayed there with Eddie in June when he played a house concert there and it's pretty nice. I was looking forward to the morning to see the view of the mountains.
Rain falling on the trailer roof was what woke me up the next day. Outside, clouds were moving across the sky - and inside the house there was a cup of coffee calling my name. The family was up and we talked about the show last night and also the Day of the Dead parade that was happening in town that evening - All Souls Procession which Matt had said we needed to stick around for. I was intrigued and couldn't wait to see what it was all about. Thankfully the rain moved on and we headed out to check out the town before we had to go downtown.
We stopped off at a Bookman's, which is a big used book store - and it also sells CDs and DVDs, video games, music instruments - a little bit of everything. I picked up a few CDs and then a few doors down picked up some new cowboy boots from a Buffalo Exchange which is a used clothing store. The boots called to me and after I put them on I knew I had to have them. From there were hit the Barrio Brewing Company for lunch - decent chicken quesadilla and a good IPA - hoppy like an IPA should be.
By then it was about time to head downtown and get ready for the night out on the street. Down on 4th Street lots of people were walking around with their faces painted - dressed in black. Matt went looking for makeup and as the sun kept going down we made our way to the Congress Hotel to meet up with friends, including my friend Tricia, who's teaches at the U of A. While waiting at the Congress we saw some very interestingly dressed people. The costumes were impressive and I was really looking to seeing everyone in the parade. Before the procession, Tricia and I got a little snack at Maynards which is where the old Tucson train station is and it's across the street from the Hotel Congress. It's nice inside there and we hung out and caught up over some food and drinks.
By the time we got out, the parade was going. We walked over and stood watched everyone go by. There were many amazing costumes and so many people. I guess it's the largest Day of Dead parade in North America - I think that's what I heard. Something like 20,000 people were there watching and taking part. I was so glad that we had decided to come at that time so I could see it all. Our night ended up at a bar down the street playing pool - 9 ball since the 12 ball was missing, and playing darts and later made my way back to the trailer out by the mountains.
In the morning I wasn't looking forward to heading back home. I wanted to stick around for at least another day - and driving 8 hours back to LA didn't sound all that great. Still, after breakfast back at the Congress, we were ready for the drive. We said goodbye to that great desert town and headed northwest on the 10, back towards California and our final gig of this little run - at The Cinema Bar.
After a long drive where we got stuck in traffic right at the border for no good reason, and typical Southern California traffic as we got closer to home, I was dropped off and I got ready to head up for the gig. To tell the truth, I wasn't really feeling it. The night before had been fun, but it had also been a late one, and I was beat, and I also had to be at work the following morning at 10 - so I really couldn't wait until the night was over and back in bed. Our show at The Cinema Bar wasn't the best but it went all right and we played only one set before we packed everything up and I headed home to sleep.
So overall it was a fabulous trip. We were able to see some amazing scenery, we missed some bad weather (rain really isn't that bad), we were able to see lots of good people, stay with some very cool friends, and of course play some music. The food was good and decent, the beers awesome - and then the parade - which was truly spectacular. I'm hoping to head back in February - which I'm also hoping to head to Memphis later that month too, and then Austin in March for SXSW.
Can't wait for the new year - although there's plenty to do with the rest of this year
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Flagstaff Brewing Co. - Thursday night
Matt on the left and our friend Kate, who we stayed with up there
On the road from Flagstaff to Phoenix
Matt and I in Tempe
Outside of the party in Tempe - before going down to Tucson
Set up at the Nimbus Brewery
The view from the house in Tucson - looking up to Mt. Lemon
The new boots - right before putting them on and wearing them for the rest of the day
A store front window on 4th Street
the patio of the Congress Hotel
People on the patio - ready for the parade
All Souls Procession
The parade
A snake in the parade
In front of the Rialto Theater
Video from the parade (which for some reason repeats itself - I'll get it fixed)

Arizona trip

Greetings from the road. Right now we're in Cave Creek, Arizona - one of my favorite spots in the state of Arizona. Last night we were up in Flagstaff which is definitely my favorite spot in this state. We played at the Flagstaff Brewing Company which is one of my favorite bars in the country - just a relaxed feel - good beers, friendly people - both patrons and employees.
It's a good feeling when people are expecting you when you show up - and that's how it was last night when we came in. I had sent flyers and I saw them posted on a few of the windows. I've played there several times and I've been building up a fan base which I'm happy about. We set up our gear, got a few beers, and ready to play. We set up in the front window area - where right across Route 66 is the old train station and visitors center. It was chilly outside, but it felt good - not freezing and luckily I had the right clothes.
We slept in today since we got in late - and after the day of driving I know I needed the rest. I could hear the wind blowing hard and there was talk of a storm with snow that was supposed to hit the town sometime today. After we got some breakfast, and gassed up, we head out of town down the 17, passing lots of old memories for me - from when I had a girlfriend there years ago.
We drove by the exit where we she used to live and I looked to see if I could catch a glimpse of her house - the house that I helped put a metal roof way back when - that was such a crazy experience - especially since the hardware store where she ordered the supplies from got the order wrong. So we didn't have enough of some things and the screws were the wrong size, and it became a struggle to get it finished. Overall they are good memories. Her name is Ellen Winter and she's a writer and she has a great book of short stories called The Price You Pay which can be found on Amazon.
Tonight Matthew and I are playing at the North 51 Grill which used to be called the Dirty Drummer and a place that I've been playing for years - ever since my friend Eddie Elliott recommended me to the owner. This might be the last time I play there though since the owner is in the process of selling the bar. I've some good memories of that place too - some strange ones too as you can imagine. So I'm looking forward to this set this evening.
Tomorrow we head down to Tucson for the end of this run, and then head back to LA to play at The Cinema Bar - my home stage. I'm happy to be back on the road again - and going through some of my favorite cities.
I'll write more later,
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Flagstaff Brewing Co. - in between sets The Monte Vista - midday in Flagstaff Sedona off in the distance

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 On the drive there south of Santa Barbara Our gear set up at The Pour House, Paso Robles Pismo Beach Just above Santa Barbara

August [from September] Part 1

So here we are in August once again [well now September]. August for me, has always been somewhat of an eventful month - not only because I was born on the 20th in the early seventies - but it usually has been a time of change: My family has moved several times during this month (from and back to California); when I was 13 I found a new path at my local record store; I've fallen in love and traveled across state lines - and have searched and found new directions - and now, I always wonder what each new August will bring.
The first eventful August I remember was back right before I turned 6 year old. We were living in Huntington Beach, California - not too far from the beach - and soon we were giving that up and moving to Illinois, close to the St. Louis area. My mom had grown up in Wood River, IL and my parents decided to move to nearby Alton, Il. - which is right on the Mississippi River about 45 minutes north from St. Louis. We had lots of family in the area, on both sides of the river - and two of my aunt's and their families lived on our soon-to-be street. It seemed to be all right to me, but I still can remember being sad that we were leaving California - I think I was just old enough to realize that something big was about to happen.
What I do remember quite well is the trip across the country to Illinois. My parents, my new baby brother and I were going to be driving all our belongings down along old Route 66 while my sister's were going to be flying with our two dogs. We had a motor-home which would be towing a little Mazda, and a U-haul moving truck which would be towing our yellow van. I was looking forward to it and took keep me occupied along the way my parents bought a little cassette player and a bunch of kids books on tape. I remember everything loaded up and we said goodbye to our neighbors and I rode first with my dad in the truck.
We took around 5 days to cross the country. We stopped in the KOA campsites along I-40 to sleep at night. We also stopped at the different trading posts along the way - and in the Southwest there are a bunch of them - and by the end I had a whole bag of loot from all the stops. I remember watching the desert landscape roll by, and then the flatlands of the Texas panhandle, and then into the hilly country of Oklahoma, and finally into Missouri - with its green trees, hills, cliffs, and fireworks stands.
What I remember most of all was the last day - when the drive was almost over. We had passed around St. Louis, crossed over the Missouri River, and then had the more difficult crossing over the Mississippi. The bridge over the Mississippi River that lead directly into downtown Alton was an old, narrow two lane bridge that looked like it could use some restoration - it was a little rusty - or so it seemed (it has since been replaced). My mom was driving the motor home and we were leading the way for the moving truck - it was in the afternoon - and my mom was nervous about crossing the bridge with this huge vehicle. I remember being told to stay quiet so she could concentrate on navigating in the narrow lane - and it took up just about the whole space. Finally, though, after moving slowly across the bridge for several tense minutes, we made it safely across, and with a sigh of relief made our way through town to our new house.
It was August 16th as we drove down our new street and down this good size hill where our house was at the bottom of, and pulled into our new driveway. We noticed that our new neighbor was outside her house in the driveway crying. My Aunt who was with us for the trip and who lived at the top of the street and knew the neighbor went and talked to her and found out that Elvis had died.
A few years later, in August, we moved to Ohio - just outside of Cleveland. We stayed there for a year and the following August we packed up our stuff again and moved back to California. On the way back we were on the road for my birthday and we stopped off in Amarillo at the Big Texan - which is a famous place - mostly because they have signs all up and down I-40 for hundreds of miles trying to get people in for their steak challenge - which is if you can eat a 72 ounce steak and the baked potato and vegetables within an hour, you get it for free. The steak is supposedly a good one (as seen on the Travel Channel) but I just can't imagine eating that much meat. When we stopped off that time for my birthday I had steak and lobster which was my favorite meal at the time - and I remember it being good. A couple days later we rolled up to our new house back in Huntington Beach.
By the beginning of the following year we moved a little further inland, still in Huntington Beach, and close to that first house that we moved from when we left California in 1977. There was a lot close by: grocery stores, pizza places, Mexican restaurants, a donut store - and, as I would soon discover, a record store. Camel Records was up the hill and not too far away - it was an easy bike ride through an undeveloped part of town called the "Green Hills" where we would ride our bikes through the trails. It was right next to a Round Table Pizza where a lot of school events would take place and so I started venturing over when I was about 12.
Camel Records was a unique record store. It was independent first of all, and they only sold new wave, punk, experimental, and stuff outside the mainstream - no classic rock, no metal - and I loved it. I started heading up there a lot on my bike and check things out. This one time I went in there, a couple weeks before my 13th birthday and I heard the clerk playing In The Flat Field by Bauhaus from the live, Press The Eject And Give me The Tape Album. It was a sound I really hadn't heard before: I heard the feedback guitar, the primal drums, and Peter Murphy's voice - and I was hooked. At a time when I wasn't all that comfortable about asking questions to store clerks, I went up asked just what was being played. He told me and I noted it down, and I knew that I had to have it.
A couple weeks later I went up there to buy the tape with the money I had saved from my weekly seven dollar allowance, and asked to buy it. The cassette ended up being a little more than I expected since it was a double album tape and an import from the UK, and I ended up not having enough to get it. But luckily, one of my older sister's friends was in the store, and he loaned me the two dollars or so - and I took the tape home and blasted that thing for days.
Following that, I would make weekly trips to Camel, spending almost all of my allowance money for the better part of a year. Discovering that store kept me on the look out for new music, music that wasn't played on the radio or on TV (although 120 Minutes on MTV did introduce me to several bands - but that was when MTV played music videos and that show was a good one) and it started a shift away from the mainstream influences.
Soon I started reading the music magazines and looking things up in the library. I enjoyed researching bands, finding out what they were about and where they were from - who they were influenced by. It became sort of like an investigative game - which is definitely easier now because of the internet. All of that information greatly expanded my music collection - and, I guess, my music knowledge too.
Unfortunately, the owner sold Camel Records and it became more of a typical record store. The stock expanded - and maybe a little too much. It ended up lasting only a couple years more and then closed down, and I head to go search for records elsewhere. I miss that place - I picked up a lot from there.

[So as you can see, I'm not too good about writing on a monthly basis, when there's lots of time to pass, and it's hard for me to stay focused and get all the thoughts down. It's a lot easier said than done - for me anyway. So hopefully I'll get another entry up here soon.]

Thanks for reading,
yours truly,
Jeremiah

New Blog...

Hey there -
just a quick note to say that a new blog is coming soon. I've been thinking about what to write - and August has always been a transitional month - so I just have to get figured out what I want to put down.
Also this week I get to do a short road trip up the coast to Paso Robles, CA for a gig on Thursday night, then Saturday down in Orange County in Santa Ana at The Gypsy Den in the Artist village - which is also my birthday - and then back to the Cinema Bar on Sunday night where I'll be joined by my friend Dan Janisch - it's going to be a good week - or at least I hope so.
yours truly,
Jeremiah

Tour Wrap up and thank you's

It's been two weeks since I've made it back to Southern California - and it feels good to be home. The weather has been pretty perfect - warm - in the 80's, a little breezy at times - a mellow summer full of sunshine. It does make me feel a little bad for those out in the middle of the country where they have been experiencing a major heat wave - I was out in it last summer as I traveled from LA to Phoenix to Denver to Nashville and Austin. This is actually my first summer in California in about two years - and I'm happy to be here.
This recent trip was a pretty good one overall. I did hit many of the same cities, and did some audience building. Flagstaff was awesome as always - it's an amazing city up there in the Arizona mountains where my soul feels at home - and hopefully I can get back up there soon. Austin was fun. I stayed there for a week with my friend's Mikaela Dewar, who played a couple shows with me out at some farmer's markets, and Jackie Bristow - both who are from New Zealand and I left town with a kiwi accent in my head.
The Emmy awards in North San Diego county were a good time - would have been better if I had won - but oh well - next time. My friend Kristie came with me - along with my parents who met us down there. It was quite an extravagant event - quite a few people were wearing tuxedos - and I'm happy to report that we all looked good. I'm glad that I made it back for it, but would have enjoyed a few more days back in town - but I was due in Nashville so the next day I caught the train back to Albuquerque where I had left my car and then took off east down the road to Tennessee.
I enjoy visiting Nashville and seeing my friends there - especially my close friend and musical partner Lauren Austin. We've been working together for over 5 years now and I look forward to seeing her always. She has a cool dog named Nando who comes over and jumps on my bed in the morning and will just hang out. Our late show at The Basement went well - and I look forward to getting back there - well after the summer heat has passed.
On this trip several big storms passed my way. When I was in St. Louis for a week we had some good ones roll through. It didn't stop my cousin Mike and me from getting the grill going. On the Fourth of July it rained but cleared up enough by the evening so that we could see fireworks off in the distance downtown by the Arch.
I was able to play with a band there in town - Mike on drums and his friend Dan on bass who are both in a band called the Homewreckers and I've played shows with them earlier in the year. I would like to get something regular like that back here in LA - and I have been building things up a little bit. Since January I have my friend Matthew playing drums and that's been a good thing. I'm hoping we can get back out to Arizona and do a run from Flagstaff down to Tucson.
One place that I'm really looking forward to getting back to is Newport, Kentucky which is right across the river from Cincinnati. There's a place called the Southgate House and this trip is the second time I've played there. It's a venue that draws people in - so there's always a decent and supportive crowd. People showed up who had seen my videos on You Tube and who had read the description on the website calendar page and decided to come down and check it out. I had a good time playing there and like I said, I'm looking forward to going back.
By the time I reached Denver on this trip which was at about week 5 out of 6, I was feeling exhausted. Sleeping hadn't been easy for a lot of the traveling on the road. It was a combination of uncomfortable sleeping places, late nights and early mornings, long drives - and they all just built up and built up. So Denver was a place where I was able to crash - I had my own room on the 3rd floor and that allowed to do some catching up.
Denver was a good stop overall. My cousin Chris and I played at the little coffeehouse KJ's again and had a decent crowd for a Friday night. Again, storms came rolling in one after another, but we we're still able to get in barbecuing a pork shoulder - which came out great - it was even better the next day.
This trip I didn't really hit up that many awesome food places - well there were a few. But food wasn't really the focus this time like it had been in the past trips. Although my friend Arthi took me to a great breakfast place outside of Chicago in the suburbs close to her house - I can't remember the name right now. I also did get to go to Cooper's BBQ in Junction, Texas on my way to El Paso from Austin which was pretty good. And I did go to a good diner in Albuquerque right on Route 66 but I also can't remember the name right now.
I guess a lot of the better food I had was stuff that was made at home. I made burgers, steak, and smoked a pork shoulder in St. Louis while I was there. I made pizza in Nashville, a couple chicken dishes in both Austin and St. Louis. I know I cooked some fish somewhere - and it didn't turn out all that good. I did have some bad stuff on the road, but I really don't need to write about that.
After Denver I drove to Tucson through several awesome storms along the way - and then the following morning drove home to California. I was happy when I crossed over the Colorado River - knowing I had just about 3 hours to go. I was grounded for several days, trying to recover from the all the traveling and catch up on my sleep and rest. Finally when I was able to get out of the house it felt good - felt good to exercise and move and head up to LA to see my friends - and overall it just feels good to be home again.
Right now I don't have any plans to do any major traveling for a while. There was a slight chance earlier about getting into the Americana Music Association conference and showcase in Nashville in October, but they passed over us again this year. So I'm not thinking about traveling until January at least. Just this week I started looking at cities and the map to try to get things sorted in my head for the next trip. There are some blanks to fill in between cities - like between Austin and St. Louis - Kansas City would be cool or somewhere in Arkansas - so I have my work cut out for me. I'll keep you posted on it all.
So I have people that I would like to thank:
First off my parents who have helped me tremendously, my brother and sisters: Bridget, Jennifer, and Will - and their families, Susan Barth, Lauren Austin for both of their continued, undying support, Lori Boland Sutton and Paul Sutton for asking me to be a part of their documentary, Prison through Tomorrow's Eyes (which can be seen online at Vimeo.com), Eddie Elliott and his family, Matthew Magener for meeting me out in Tucson and bringing his crew, Mikaela Dewar and Jackie Bristow for letting me crash at their place, Mark Gonzales for helping me set up the show at Momo's, Kristie Puls for coming with me to the Emmy awards, Arthi Meera and Tyler Beech for coming out to the show in Chicago and for introducing me to your families and also to Arthi and her family for putting me up while I was in town, Moira Alter for telling me about the Southgate House, Mike Evans for taking care of me while I was in St. Louis, Dan Niewoehner for playing bass, Chris Evans and his family for taking care of me in Denver, Tracy Huffman and his family for putting me up for the night out in Cosby, MO, and Dafni and Pete for coming out to see me in Chicago - a pleasant surprise.
And also for all my Kickstarter supporters: Vadim Gordin, Adam Mackintosh, Birte Howdle, Richard Haxton, Anna Sacks, Penelope Sevier, RA Allman, Erica Legum, Tim Hammer, Karen Broome, Tricia Rice, Ellen Winter, Ian and Becky Dodge, Andrew McMaster, Jennifer Bork, Bridget Driscoll, Annie Nelson.
I'm sorry if I've forgotten any names - I will make amends as soon as possible

yours truly,
Jeremiah

Back in LA - Sunday night at The Echo for the GOE

On Sunday - after I had fully recovered from being out on the road - I finally made my way up to LA. My friends in the band Old Californio were having a CD release party at The Echo - which was also the weekly Grand Ole Echo show that my friends Kim Grant and Julie Richmond put on. It's an early show that begins at 5:30 and is over by 9pm - it's also free - so I always do my best to support the show when I can. It's always a good gathering of friends - and Sunday's show was packed.
The Echo is in Echo Park which is just north of downtown LA about 2 miles or so on Sunset Blvd. It has a good size stage and they have good bands on a regular basis. I've played the Grand Ole Echo several times since it began in '06 and it's always been a good time. Echo Park has been changing over the years. It was a rough neighborhood for a long time - and there's still some of that element there - but there have been a series of new stores and restaurants that have opened up in the area over the past 5 years.
Now in the neighborhood there's a book store, a record store, a restaurant called Masa that has some great food and does a decent deep dish Chicago style pizza, another pizza place, a great dark bar that has beer and wine called El Prado - they also have a great record collection that they puill from and spin through out the night. My favorite taco truck is on one of the streets close by so normally I'll stop there for a couple of tacos after the show - and it's not uncommon to see others from the GOE stop by too.
Sunday's show was a good one. Old Californio is a great band - that now has 2 records out - sort of cross between country-ish rock and Grateful Dead-ish jam band rock - but also with a Beach Boys-esque harmony quality to them also - I would also throw a Moby Grape reference in there when describing the sound. They had recently been on the road and it showed - they were tight and in control and the songs flowed easily - and most of the people were grooving to the sounds.
They played the new album from beginning to end - Sundrunk Angels which I highly recommend picking up. It's still pretty new to me, but I recognized a lot. Also, I've seen them play quite a bit so I'm familiar with a lot of their material by now. I was happy that I was back in town for the show - since I knew it was going to be a good one.
Dan Janisch was also on the bill - he picked up the middle slot after someone had to back out. I've known Dan for a while now and he's a great, amazing guy. He writes some incredible songs and plays them with such a special energy. He's a awesome showman too and makes sure everyone is having a good time - without being phony about it at all. On Sunday he had a wonderful band - and they rocked and rolled through the set.
Before I moved to Nashville - almost two years ago now - Dan joined me at The Cinema Bar for my farewell to LA gig. It was a fun night that was originally going to be my CD release party - but things changed over the summer and I decided to move. Dan was also there when I booked my first night at the Cinema Bar - he did the opening set - and next month he's going to be joining me again for another gig - my LA birthday gig on the 21st (my actual birthday is on the 20th but I already have that booked down n Santa Ana at the Gypsy Den). It's going to be a fun time I know already - so it's definitely something to look forward to.
It feels good to be back in California, especially since I've heard the reports about the crazy heatwave that's been hitting the midwest. I'm glad I made it out of there before that rolled in. It's been warm here, but not hot - not like Texas or Arizona hot - or that midwest/southern humidity heat - and I am so thankful for that.
On Monday I'll be playing back at my home stage at The Cinema Bar with Rod Melancon starting off the night. I'm really looking forward to playing again since it's been over a week since I've hit the stage. I've gotten my rest and ready to go back to work.
This week I also plan on working on some new songs that I wrote while out on the road - we'll see how they fit in with everything else - or if they're too similar to others - you never know.
yours truly,
Jeremiah