My first show out of town (during this tour) was a huge success. I played at A’roma Roasters in Santa Rosa a couple hours ago. It was one of the best coffeeshops I’ve ever played in. The crew that worked there was extremely cool. When I first walked in, I was a little shocked by how many people were in the venue. Tonight was my first show in Santa Rosa, and the place was packed solid. A few good friends from Sonoma State came out and sat up front. They were really involved in the show.
The set started a little weird (as normal). I’m always trying to get a good vibe of the sound in the room. Last night, I played in a hard-floored building with brick walls. Tonight the area I played on was carpeted which absorbed sound, so the first few songs felt a little different.
I noticed my tendency of being somewhat shy in the beginning of a set while I try to feel out the crowd and the sound. I am making a vow NOW to cut that shit out. I want the very beginning of my set to be EN FUEGO! I just have to fight through the bullshit in the beginning of a set and control the room and sound quickly.
It’s a learning process… And I’m learning quickly how to overcome these things. By the end of the set, everybody was involved. I even got a friend to take the mic and do the “bass guy in boyz ll men“‘s vocal speeches during the bridge of a song. It was hilarious. It feels AMAZING to have a crowd with you 100%. They were with me tonight.
Also, it’s apparently celebrity doppleganger week on facebook… Well I swear I saw lady gaga tonight in the venue. She ordered tea (in case you wanted to know… She’s not a coffee girl).
I’ll definitely book that venue again. There were probably about 60 people in there tonight (for that place, that’s packed). There may have been more. It’s hard to tell because some came and went… And more arrived during the 2 1/2 hour set. It was always pretty packed in though.
Great venue, solid set, cool crowd.
I’m determined to get some pictures and video on tour. I’ll post them as they come. I’ve gotta make sure I’m getting my angle just right in pictures so I don’t look like an ogre or a dufus… Could take a while. But I’ll get it right. It might be time to take a cue from Heidi Montag and get this mug traded in for a new one. Maybe not. Seems like too much work. Plus, that could ruin my authentic singer/songwriter vibe.
Speaking of that, I’m about to be way more honest on this blog. I’ve been way too… unlike me because I’ve been worried about what people think. Well there’s a new dude rolling into town. I don’t have a cowboy hat on either. But I can get one if that’s more intimidating. I’m about stop giving a fuck. As a singer/songwriter… I owe my art and persona a little more honesty. I also need to click with a certain niche of people that get me. I’ll never do that until I get real. Also, it’s easier to write what’s actually going through my mind than trying to figure out ways to censor myself. And I think you’ll all appreciate the uncensored version (well, not all of you).
There, I said it. Hi Mom!
I have tomorrow off, and then I’m back to the bay area for a show at Elbo Room on Monday night. Let’s rumble momma.
