(no subject)

[jfb]

Every time I visit Santa Cruz, it seems completely obvious that I belong there. It's not that I'd "fit in"--I'm insufficiently young at heart for that. But when I'm there I'm constantly aware of how happy I am to be there. It makes sense: leftist politics, lots of vegetarian food, and the sun glittering in over the ocean. It's the distilled essence of what I love about California.

Then I go home and I forget.

Anyway, tonight I finally made it to an open mike in Santa Cruz. (It's hard to get down there on weeknights when you have a job.) It was fun--people were nice, listeners were receptive, and I met a bunch of friendly musicians. I hope to do some more performing there, although I have a lot to do before the big trip, so it might have to wait until fall.

Comments

what about cambridge!?

[marm0t.livejournal.com]

leftist politics: check
lots of vegetarian food: check
sun glittering in over the ocean: dammit!

Re: what about cambridge!?

[jfb.livejournal.com]

I'll tell you what I miss about living in Boston: Not driving.

Biking seems very common in Santa Cruz, and I met someone who rollerblades to work (last night she was carrying a guitar!), but neither one has the range of a good public transit system.

OTOH sun, ocean. What can you do.

Sounds like Portland!

[greyaenigma.livejournal.com]

Change "ocean" to "rivers" and you've got Portland!

And you can still swim to the ocean.

Or drive.

Re: Sounds like Portland!

[copperqueen.livejournal.com]

Swim to the ocean? But you can't do much swimming in the ocean up here.

I've never been to Santa Cruz, but the highways of California set me on edge. Portland is great, but the driving situation is getting silly and we really need a better art museum than the PAM (http://www.pam.org). But that's just me complaining. I like it for now.

Re: Sounds like Portland!

[greyaenigma.livejournal.com]

I could swim to the ocean if I could only get to it. It was supposed to get easier when I got my own car, now I just don't have the time free, alas.

And PAM seems pretty nice, but I've only been to art museums in a few other cities.

[michaelpop.livejournal.com]

hey erik, i got your cd in the post the other day. i've given it a few spins, but i feel like i need to live with it a little more before i can give you any sort of an insightful critique.

but after saying that, i really do like it. the third song especially. too quiet? psha!

[jfb.livejournal.com]

Don't feel like you're obligated to give an insightful critique! But I'm glad to hear you like it.

Tunes in Santa Cruz

[rutemple.livejournal.com]

I spent a very happy seven years in S'Cruz, and can vouch it's good for all ages of folks - and does keep you light-if-not-downright-young hearted. it is a little jewelbox and distillation of many good things...
marm0t pointed me to some of your tunes, on finding out that I'm a Michael Hedges fan. Yum! I've added you to my pals list...

Re: Tunes in Santa Cruz

[jfb.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I just need to figure out a way to make a living in Santa Cruz, without destroying the good mood.

Glad you enjoyed the songs! I'm not sure what the Michael Hedges thing is about--not that I don't like him, I was just surprised recently to hear a couple of comparisons.

I see you live in San Francisco now--I'm keeping a pretty low profile right now, but I'm hoping to play some gigs in SF this fall.