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open mike report
Caffe Verona, 2002-04-10
Such a good night.
As I was packing up to go out, I noticed my mandola, untouched for months, and thought, "Hm." Took it out, figured out I could play some of my guitar songs would work on the mandola, so I brought it for a change of pace, along with some sideman instruments--I knew Russell would be there and figured he might let me join his set.
As it turned out, I didn't get a slot, so no mandola. And Russell didn't get a slot, so no mandolin or lap steel. Nor Scott Andrew LePera, who I just wanted to listen to. He played a really good set last time, we talked briefly after the show, and it turns out he has a blog, some records, and lots of mp3s, which I recommend if you like "lo-fi, DIY urban acoustic pop", and I know you do. I also recommend his cover of Saturday Night, because I love the Blue Nile and he does a bang-up job. Bang. Up.
But among the people who did get to play were old favorites Hank (who kindly allowed me to accompany him on melodica) and K.C. (whose solo harmonica melodies I love). And I got to sit around talking with Russell and his friend Katherine (whose name may not be spelled that way). And:
Someone named Pamela, who was in a singing class with me at Gryphon some time ago, made her public performing debut, and oh my God. Nailed a Kate Wolf song like a pro, and then a song of her own. You know that feeling you get when you're an early witness to something really good? I got that feeling.
Afterwards I chatted a little with people about local coffeehouse gigs and general performance tips. I realized there's a whole circle of local acoustic performers that I don't know, simply disjoint from the crowd I see at all the south bay open mikes. I suspect it's a Palo Alto axis, which I never encounter except at Caffe Verona. So that'll be something to explore.
Such a good night.
As I was packing up to go out, I noticed my mandola, untouched for months, and thought, "Hm." Took it out, figured out I could play some of my guitar songs would work on the mandola, so I brought it for a change of pace, along with some sideman instruments--I knew Russell would be there and figured he might let me join his set.
As it turned out, I didn't get a slot, so no mandola. And Russell didn't get a slot, so no mandolin or lap steel. Nor Scott Andrew LePera, who I just wanted to listen to. He played a really good set last time, we talked briefly after the show, and it turns out he has a blog, some records, and lots of mp3s, which I recommend if you like "lo-fi, DIY urban acoustic pop", and I know you do. I also recommend his cover of Saturday Night, because I love the Blue Nile and he does a bang-up job. Bang. Up.
But among the people who did get to play were old favorites Hank (who kindly allowed me to accompany him on melodica) and K.C. (whose solo harmonica melodies I love). And I got to sit around talking with Russell and his friend Katherine (whose name may not be spelled that way). And:
Someone named Pamela, who was in a singing class with me at Gryphon some time ago, made her public performing debut, and oh my God. Nailed a Kate Wolf song like a pro, and then a song of her own. You know that feeling you get when you're an early witness to something really good? I got that feeling.
Afterwards I chatted a little with people about local coffeehouse gigs and general performance tips. I realized there's a whole circle of local acoustic performers that I don't know, simply disjoint from the crowd I see at all the south bay open mikes. I suspect it's a Palo Alto axis, which I never encounter except at Caffe Verona. So that'll be something to explore.