Countdown to 100: 2 - Backroads
Chronicling the final 10 out of 100 Open Mic and Showcase performances I have done since June 2011. This is #99.
Raul writes awesome songs and can play killer mashups.
All right, I admit the first time I walked into Backroads earlier this summer with Amy Z, I was a little nervous about the place, especially because there were pool tables on a raised area behind the stage. Would I get knocked in the head with a pool cue while singing? Plus we got offered drinks basically just for walking in, because we got there late and the open mic had already shut down. Not being too experienced with people buying me drinks, the offer usually puts me on guard when it’s from someone I don’t know. We later found out it was the owner, probably just wanting us to stay and hang out!
A few weeks later, Ana Bee brought me over for their Tuesday night karaoke. I hadn’t done karaoke in years, and I spent a long time trying to figure out what few songs in the book I thought I’d actually be able to sing entirely, not just the choruses. It was a weird experience to sing without my guitar in front of me, but we had a great time.
When I finally made it to the open mic, I also had a great time. Raul was very welcoming, the sound system was great and I got to do two rounds, one of six songs and one of five. There was hardly anyone there, musicians or audience, but in some ways I felt like it was one of my better performances. I gave it my all and felt like I had shown up and done my job right.
Word has gotten out and the list has built up a bit since my first time there, but so far I’ve still gotten to do at least five songs every time I’ve gone. Last night Jeff and Ana Bee showed up again and did a set together, and then I asked Jeff to join me for my second set because we went around again. Fun fun!
Ana Bee & Honey Bear (according to Ana. Jeff is still warming up to it! :-) )
Songs:
Round 1: Keep Telling Me, Winter Time, Jonah, Sister’s Prayer, Shoreline of Alaska
Round 2: Rain Song, Wings, The Way I Am (Cover), Anchor
Host:
Raul Adrian Ochoa
Location:
Backroads
2200 S Interstate 35
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 448-9711
Wednesdays - Sign up at 7:45, Music at 8-till close. 5 songs (sometimes more if the list is short). Free drink for playing.
Favorite Backroads eats: Actually the only food I have had there were things people shared with me - a jalepeno popper and some salad. The popper was tasty and the salad was huge!
Other things I like about Backroads: Getting to play lots of songs, nice sound system.
Countdown to 100: 3 - OPA! Coffee & Wine Bar
Chronicling the final 10 out of 100 Open Mic and Showcase performances I have done since June 2011. This is #98.
I’ve been telling the Texans all Autumn long that they don’t actually know what cold is. Back in Iowa, they’ve had snow already and have been wearing winter coats for a while. Tuesday night was actually, definitely cold here in Austin though. There was frost on the car windows when I came home. When I posted something to that effect on Facebook, I got teased for growing soft, but hey, 28 degrees is 28 degrees, no matter what state you’re in!
Anyhoo, it was a cold night of bus rides, but OPA! was nice and warm. Ana Bee, the host, kicked things off with my guitar and a couple of her awesome tunes backed by an awesome lead guitarist named Jeff. He’s got a good ear and a good sense of respect for each song he plays along with, even if it’s the first time. Now that the secret is out, he’s got a few people wanting him to jump in on their songs!
I think the colder weather does keep folks inside more, because the list was short, which meant we each got to do four songs. I had Ana jump in with me for some harmonies on Jonah, it’s fun that I’ve been around long enough to have folks know my songs and add something extra!
Songs: Keep Telling Me, Sister’s Prayer, Winter Time, Jonah’s Whale
Host:
Ana Bee
Location:
OPA! Wine & Coffee Bar
2050 South Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 326-8742
Tuesdays - Sign up at 6:30, Music at 7-till 9 or “whenever”. 3 songs.
OPA! on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/austinopa
Favorite OPA! eats: Hummus plate, cheese & spinach triangles, steamed milk, iced Americano.
Other things I like about OPA!: Beautiful courtyard with a huge tree, bench swings and fountains. The bathroom is amazing! White stone tiles, beautiful glass bowl sink, candles and fragrances a rocking chair and artwork. I almost just want to hang out in there, hehe.
