THE YIPPIE MUSEUM

Thanks to everyone who came to the the Yippie Museum show last night! It was certainly an entertaining evening of music, featuring myself, Galt Line Workers, and the Dead River Company. I'm also playing with Galt Line Workers next month on the 5th at Stain Bar in Brooklyn. So that's, you know, nice.

Here are a few pictures Brooke took during my performance...

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PAST IS PROLOGUE

I played at the Bitter End this past Sunday as part of the NY Singer Songwriter Sessions. It was the first show in New York City that I'd actually booked all by myself. So that certainly felt all warm and fuzzy for me. Overall, I thought it went very well - a fitting prelude to future performances.

And I just want to say thanks to everyone who came out to see the show. You made the evening spectacular for me. Thanks!

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OPEN MICROPHONE 17

I performed at Penny's Open Mike again last night, the first time I'd done so in about a month. It was definitely nice to be back. I love the diversity and artistic triumph that occurs there on a weekly basis. And I missed it. I had planned to take a video of my set, but I got too caught up in the night's festivities to bother.

My favorite part of the evening came when the performance artist "satan" expounded on the significance of craft versus art. There's no way I could possibly describe it here. Well, there's probably a way, but not one that would ever do it justice.

Thanks again for an awesome night Penny!

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I know I haven't posted in almost two weeks, but not getting things done is a central tenet of the holiday season, right? It's been an eventful few days lately. On New Years Eve, I performed with some friends at the Kraine Theatre in the East Village. I was invited to do so by the spectacular Mike Milazzo. We played some blues standards and a couple Velvet Underground tunes, plus I got to sing an old gospel song called This Train. It felt great to be onstage and collaborating with other musicians again. I forget how much I miss it until it's actually happening. I'm going to put a band together soon, so hopefully those feelings will be present more often. But aside from that, there's something utterly liberating about just playing rhythm guitar, not having to worry about being married to the microphone. Sometimes I really wish I were a drummer.

By the way, Brooke took an absolutely amazing photo of the countdown that night. Here it is below. Can you find me?

A VERY YOGA CHRISTMAS

I went to the Joe Yoga Christmas Show tonight at Stain Bar in Brooklyn. I met Joe at Under St. Mark's Theatre. He's a great songwriter with insightful lyrics and a passionate delivery. There were several other acts on the bill, including Alabaster Rhumb and Nick Courage. I also had the excuse of checking out Stain Bar because I'm playing there in February. I give it a thumbs up for certain. It's a nice setting for a performance.

Thanks for a great show Joe!

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DEMONSTRATION

Sorry to be out of touch the past few days. I've been working on a demo. It's designed to present to various venues in lieu of the fully produced album. Since I've been playing solo the majority of the time here in New York, I thought it would be good idea to create something representative of my current sound. I recorded 3 new songs and 4 old songs. Even though I doubt anyone interested in booking me will want to listen to all of them, I thought it would be good to have a variety of different songs to submit.

Several of these newly recorded songs will be available in the Member Section of the website as soon as its finished. We hope to have it available for use sometime next month, complete with videos, photos, other song ideas, and a message board. I'll be sending out a newsletter to let everyone know when it's ready.

On another note, I went over to Queens on Monday night to hang out with some people I met at Penny's Open Mike. There's a rehearsal space they use in a large complex off Broadway with a full setup, including a drum kit. Well, I couldn't resist asking to play said drum kit for a few songs with my new friends David, Michelle, and Joe Yoga. Graciously, they said yes. I really wish I had a drum kit. I love playing the drums. One day, I reckon. Anyway, it was nice to be with some fellow musicians for an evening and play some tunes together.

Ok, back to the demo now. Have a nice weekend everyone.

A FOREST THROUGH THE TREES

LUMINOSITY

MY DARLING YOU ARE THE SEA

AND I AM THE LAND UNDER THEE

WHERE ARE THE ANSWERS TO LIFE ?

ARE THEY BETWEEN YOU AND I?

CURVED IS THE EARTH

STRAIGHT IS THE LINE

I WILL RETURN WHEN THE PLANETS ALIGN

THIS IS A NIGHT FOR THE YOUNG

BLIND AND DESCRIBING THE SUN

STAND UP AND STEP TO THE FORE

DEFEND THE THINGS YOU ADORE

CURVED IS THE EARTH

STRAIGHT IS THE LINE

I WILL RETURN WHEN THE PLANETS ALIGN…

…LUMINOSITY!

VIDEO MOTION

ALL YOUR BONES ARE CONNECTED TO YOUR MUSCLES

YOUR OBJECTIVE IS TO CRACK THE CODES

YOU CAN DO IT BUT YOU’VE REALLY GOT TO HUSTLE

YOU’VE GOT SEVEN HOURS LEFT UNTIL THE BOMB EXPLODES

HOW MUCH CAN YOU SUSTAIN?

HOW MUCH CAN YOU RECALL?

YOU WANT TO KEEP IT STEADY

YOU WANT CONTROL THIS TIME

‘CAUSE YOU’RE IN VIDEOMOTION

CONCENTRATION AS YOU’RE PUNCHING ON THE CABLES

INTERRUPTION FROM THE DINNER FOLK

FIGHTING DIRTY LIKE YOUR SCRUPLES WERE DISABLED

AND THE THOUGHT OF CONVERSATION WANTS TO MAKE YOU CHOKE

HOW MUCH CAN YOU FRUSTRATE?

HOW MUCH CAN YOU DENY?

YOU WANT TO KEEP IT STEADY

YOU’RE ON A ROLL THIS TIME

‘CAUSE YOU’RE IN VIDEOMOTION

YOU WANT TO KEEP IT STEADY

YOU WANT CONTROL THIS TIME

I SEE YOUR HANDS ARE SWEATY NOW

YOU’RE ON A ROLL THIS TIME

‘CAUSE YOU’RE IN VIDEOMOTION

THE IDEAL CITIZEN

I RIDE THE BULLET TRAIN

I RIDE THE BULLET TRAIN

I RIDE THE BULLET TRAIN ALL DAY FOR YOU

I STACK THE MONEY TALL

I STACK THE MONEY TALL

I STACK THE MONEY TALL ALL NIGHT FOR YOU

I FOUND THE REAL AND FAUX

BETWEEN THE NEW AND OLD

I FOUND THE DOR TO THE GOLDEN EPOCH

NO NEED TO HEM AND HAW

COMMENCE THE COUP DE GRACE

WE’RE STEPPING OUT FROM THE AULD LAND SYNE

PRAISE TO ALL THIS ARTISTRY

PRAISE TO SHARP AWARENESS

CAN’T SEEM TO LET IT GO

BETWEEN THE EBB AND FLOW

THE PROGRESS MADE IS ILLUMINATION

OUR MOTION IS ALIGNED

OUR THOUGHTS OUR INTERTWINED

WE’RE STEPPING OUT FROM THE AULD LAND SYNE

WE’RE STEPPING OUT FROM THE AULD LAND SYNE

SHRIEKS OF APATHY

CHOSEN VOICES THROW ME FORWARD

EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE!

EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE!

MOTION FORCES CHANGE IN COURSES

EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE!

EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE!

WON’T YOU HELP ME KEEP THIS MOTOR RUNNING?

WON’T YOU HELP ME KEEP THIS MOTOR RUNNING?

WON’T YOU HELP ME KEEP THIS MOTOR RUNNING?

WE HAVE TO KEEP THIS MOTOR RUNNING!

WAS THE WORRYING WORTH THE FANTASY?

WAS THE BAND YOU LOVED A NOVELTY?

WAS THE LIFE YOU LIVED A LIE?

EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE!

EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE!

CAN’T YOU FEEL THAT SOLIDARITY?

HEY TAKE IT EASY PAL

I DREAMT THAT I WAS MAKE BELIEVE

WITH NO DESIGN FOR SOUL DISMAY

NO LIMITS TO WHAT I COULD ACHIEVE

SO I ESCAPED THE HELL TO PAY

NO NEED TO DEFEND MY DOSSIER

OR PURIFY WHAT I PERCEIVE

SINCE EVERYTHING TURNS OUT OKAY

IN THE LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE

TRICKY AUTONOMY

TRICKY AUTONOMY

TRICKY AUTONOMY

TRICKY AUTONOMY

PSYCHOACOUSTIC

WILL YOU KNOW WHAT TO DECIDE

WHEN YOU’RE RUNNING FROM NO ONE?

WILL YOU STAND ON TRUE AND TRIED

WHEN YOU’RE RUNNING FROM EVERYONE?

DON’T FEAR THE DEMISE OF THE REAL

ANALYZE THE SURREAL

WHEN YOU LEARN YOU’RE STILL ALIVE

THOUGH YOUR PROMISE IS BROKEN

YOU WILL GORW TO CALL THIS JIVE

AND YOU’LL SHINE ON FOREVER HERE

SO DON’T FEAR THE DEMISE OF THE REAL

ANALYZE THE SURREAL

LIEUTENANT SPINS

DON’T POINT THE GUN AT ME

I AM THE LEADER HERE

YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES

TO VANQUISH WHAT YOU FEAR

I HAVE A DEEP RESOLVE

YOU ARE JUST A PAWN

BUT YOU CAN BRING YOUR PROTEST

WHEN THE ENEMY IS GONE

HEAD BACK TO CENTRAL COMMAND

WHERE THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO

‘CAUSE THEY’VE GOT THE LAY OF THE LAND

AND WHAT THEY SAY IS TRUE

‘CAUSE THEY ARE THE ONLY ANSWER

GO AND GET THE TRUCK

DON’T WANT TO LOSE THE FIGHT

COWARDS CAME AND KILLED US

WITH A MISSILE IN THE NIGHT

SOME SORT OF FAKE REVOLT

GRIPPED THE BEST OF YOU

BUT INSUBORDINATION SPELLS

THAT YOUR TIME IS NEARLY THROUGH

HEAD BACK TO CENTRAL COMMAND

WHERE THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO

‘CAUSE THEY’VE GOT THE LAY OF THE LAND

AND WHAT THEY SAY IS TRUE

‘CAUSE THEY ARE THE ONLY ANSWER

HEAD BACK TO CENTRAL COMMAND

WHERE THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO

‘CAUSE THEY’VE GOT THE LAY OF THE LAND

AND WHAT THEY SAY IS TRUE

‘CAUSE THEY ARE THE ONLY ANSWER

THEY ARE THE ONLY ANSWER

THEY ARE THE ONLY ANSWER

THEY ARE THE ONLY ANSWER

SYMMETRY PURSUIT X

LOST ARE THE DAYS OF THE LONESOME UNKNOWN

SCRAWLED IN ARRAYS ON THE ROSETTA STONE

FREE FOR THE SOUNDS

KNOW WHAT SURROUNDS

FEEL MY WAY THROUGH SPACE AND TIME

BREATHE FOR THE TAO

THESE SONGS ARE ABLAZE ON THE WANDERING ROAD

OUR PSALMS AND CLICHES WILL DECIPHER THE CODE

FREE FOR THE SOUNDS

KNOW WHAT SURROUNDS

FEEL MY WAY THROUGH SPACE AND TIME

BREATHE FOR THE TAO

FREE FOR THE SOUNDS

KNOW WHAT SURROUNDS

FEEL MY WAY THROUGH SPACE AND TIME

BREATHE FOR THE TAO

AN ALIEN COMMUNIQUE

I WAS AN ALIEN

CAUGHT IN THE MAKER’S EYE

ALL THAT I COULD’VE BEEN

WAS ALL THAT YOU COULD DENY

I WATCHED THE FIRES BURN

AND LOST ALL THAT I HAD KEPT

ALL THAT I EVER SPURNED

IS ALL I WILL NOW ACCEPT

NIGHT FOLLOWS DAY

THOUGH THE LIGHT NEVER FADES

SOON I’LL BE HOME!

MARCH DOWN THE OPEN PATH

WHERE ALL OF THE SPACE IS NEW

ALL THAT I WANT TO GRASP

IS ALL THAT YOU KNOW IS TRUE

NIGHT FOLLOWS DAY

THOUGH THE LIGHT NEVER FADES

SOON I’LL BE HOME…

COLLECTIONS

Yesterday Brooke and I went to Queens to visit my friend Lane and his family for dinner. Lane used to play guitar in one on my favorite bands from Louisville called Ennui. Now he works as a lighting director at CNN. A few weeks ago, he gave me a tour of the facilities inside the Time Warner building up on Columbus Circle. I'd never been in a television studio before and was very impressed (from a technological standpoint).

When we arrived at Lane's house, his wife Jolyn and daughter Jordana entertained Brooke while Lane showed me several of his guitars in the basement. Lane is an accomplished luthier who also rebuilds amps in his spare time. Every single guitar he showed me played great and sounded amazing. Because Lane has his own house, it was also great to be able to play loudly for a while.

I came away from the evening feeling like I need to take more interest in collecting instruments of quality instead of simply using an instrument as a writing tool. On the road, I've usually been concerned about the practicality of my guitars rather than their price or pure acoustic sound. Since they were all being sent through an amplifier, it wasn't imperative that they possess superior acoustic quality. But I know that these things matter. So I'm starting a new collection as soon as I can.

CLUCKITTY-CLUCK-CLUCK-CLUCK

On Thursday, I played a short set at Under St. Mark's Theatre as part of the show God Tastes Like Chicken. I was invited by Brother John Murdock, whom I met during Penny's Open Mike, to play a few songs following the performance. This improv group is filled with a variety of hilarious people. I highly recommend it if you're searching for something of quality to do on any odd Thursday of the month. Brother John was also gracious enough to invite me to perform again next month on the 18th. So that's exciting, right? Praise to the Chicken!

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OPEN MICROPHONES 14 & 15

Out of control. That's how I played last night. I played two songs a piece at Caffe Vivaldi and Kenny's Castaways. I thought I brought a lot of energy to each song without being entirely in command. Perhaps running amuck arises from the very nature of these open mikes. One sits around for hours, listening to other performers, craving those few minutes on stage. And when those minutes arrive, it's easy to become distracted by the excitement. I have no qualms concerning the execution what I did last night. Actually, I thought it was quite good. The dilemma is allowing my enthusiasm to detract from my performance. Perhaps knowing when to let loose comes from knowing how to use restraint. I'll work on it...

OPEN MICROPHONE 13

I performed at the open mike at Under St. Mark's Theatre again this past Tuesday. There was a lot of talk this week about the prior week's celebration following the election results. It sounded like a lot of fun and made me wish I could have been there. Also, I couldn't get that Gershwin song from my anniversary out of my head, so I decided to play it plus a new song I finished a couple weeks ago. Brooke was also nice enough to bring our Uncle Nick and Cousin Morgan to watch my performance.

The new website is also up and running, if you hadn't already noticed by reading this. Again, I must thank my friend Jim Rice for putting it all together. There is absolutely no way I could have ever done this without him. He is a wonderfully gracious person. So thanks for everything Jim. Reckon.