Countdown to 100: 9 - Baker Street Pub
Chronicling the final 10 out of 100 Open Mic and Showcase performances I have done since June 2011. This is #92
I bundled up in layers when heading out to Baker Street Pub because it was actually cold, (not the slight temperature dip that seems to freak many Texans out), and the open mic is usually outside. I was quite relieved when they decided at the last minute to do it inside, because really, it was cold enough that no one was outside to listen. Even the musicians were likely to wait inside till it was their turn to play, which would mean you’d be performing to nobody at all, not even other musicians!
So we headed inside which is quite charming, filled with chunky wooden tables, leather chairs, and big shelves of books and other London and Sherlock Holmes themed decor. Usually they are broadcasting a football game on a big screen with a projector on the stage area, but luckily there are also several other big TVs around, so it’s not like we were completely robbing the football fans of the game but taking over the stage.
One pretty funny thing about the stage area outside is that it is directly under a couple of TV’s, so I’ve had it happen more than once that the crowd goes wild during my set, but I quickly realize the cheers and hollering are actually because the team above my head scored a goal. A significant portion of the crowd is also actually listening to the music, so thus far I just find it amusing rather than take it personally when I figure out what percentage of the attention is actually going toward the game vs. me.
The list fills up fast, so I was glad I got there on time and got to play second. The sound is great, Justin really pays attention and tweaks as needed throughout your set. Tiffany is bubbly and friendly and also keeps things moving along well.
I had some great conversations with other songwriters tonight about showing up, performing, and writing positive songs that add to the good energy of the world rather than bringing things down. It’s fun that now I’ve made some connections with people who know and like each others songs to the point we can help each other pick what to play or make requests of what we want to hear from the others, or give that extra little push of encouragement to try something new!
Songs:
The Way I Am (Cover), Rain Song, Winter Time, Shoreline of Alaska
Hosts:
Justin & Tiffany of Justif
Location:
Baker Street Pub & Grill
3003 South Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704-4703
(512) 691-9140
Sundays - Sign up at 6:45, Music at 7-till close. 3 to 4 songs depending on how full the list is.
Favorite Baker Street eats:
OK, I’ve only had one thing there, it was a veggie burger and fries and it was delicious! :) And this is a crappy picture but these holiday drinks look pretty amazing, I’ll get back to you if I try one:
Kraken Cookie Crumble, Fruitcake Martini, Piece of Cake Shot, Shiner Cheer Beer.
Other things I like about Baker Street Pub: The beautiful patio deck with a huge tree and pretty lights strung across.
Countdown to 100: 10 - Fair Bean Coffee
Chronicling the final 10 out of 100 Open Mic and Showcase performances I have done since June 2011. This is # 91.
Photo by Amy Zamarripa
Friday night was low-key & sweet, just a few of the regulars for the day after Thanksgiving at one of my favorite open mic venues - Fair Bean Coffee. After a lovely Thursday of traditional Thanksgiving festivities with my cousin and her friends, it was great to spend some time with members of my adopted Austin musical family, sharing songs both new and familiar.
I did have a first though, a woman having coffee asked me to sing something for her significant other’s birthday. After a quick mental scan through of my songs, I thought I better look up the actual Birthday Song on my phone and then I wrote down the chords in my notebook so I could see them easily.
While it’s an incredibly simple song, and I pulled it off good enough to create a special moment for the couple (I even saw him taking a picture or video of me when I got up for a second round of songs), the experience made me realize that knowing the Birthday Song by heart is probably one of those unofficial requirements of being a gracious musician. Imagine the difference in feeling between someone asking you to sing Happy Birthday and being able to launch right in, and saying “Oh, yeah, uh, I don’t really know it, I just write my own music, I don’t really know other stuff.” Even if you don’t know how to play it, leading the singing would be good thing to do.
I also had a sweet moment at the counter where one of the baristas asked me which song I had sung earlier, and I told her that all the songs I had performed that night other than Happy Birthday were ones that I had written. She said she liked it and I told her I would be recording them in March, and maybe she’d also like them then with more instruments and such and she said she was sure she would. It was nice to know that at a place where I’ve been playing a similar handful of songs for the past 6 months that at least a couple of those songs are recognizable and appreciated by the staff who pretty much has to be there.
Songs:
Round 1) Happy Birthday, Rain Song, Keep Telling Me, Jonah’s Whale
Round 2) Shoreline of Alaska, Anchor, Wings
Host:
Amy Zamarripa
Location:
Fair Bean Coffee
2210 South 1st Street, Suite I
Austin, TX 78704
Favorite Fair Bean treats:
Iced White Mocha, Red Symphony Latte, Orange Bars (like Lemon Bars but with orange!), Veggie Chorizo Empanadas, Hard Boiled Egg
Other things I like about Fair Bean:
Fair Trade coffee, comfy couches, plenty of plugs for laptops, big glass windows to let in the light and allow for people watching.
Rock Tumbler
I know it’s been a while since I updated. It’s not that there hasn’t been stuff going on, there’s a lot going on, but a lot of it is in my head. I’m getting the picture of a rock tumbler, I tossed a bunch of thoughts in there and they are rolling around and the rough edges are wearing down a little bit every day but they aren’t quite yet to the smooth & shiny stage. And sometimes I add a few new big chunky ones in there that are going to take even longer to smooth down.
I’m still doing a lot too though, not only thinking, 68 open mics or other performances in 4 months! I’ve done a few longer showcase performances and even played at a big potluck for vegans & vegetarians.
Here I am playing at Pease Park for the Gathering of the Tribes (all the Vegan & Vegetarian groups in Austin)
Here’s a view of the crowd. Thanks to Amy Zamarripa for the pictures!
One big piece of news is that Dan & I came up with a list of 5 songs that we could record for my EP if we went into the studio tomorrow! We’re not locking it in stone, just in case another song comes through that really needs to be on the record, but I’m really happy with the current selection, I think it’s well rounded and a good representation of me as a person and an artist.
Did I mention that it’s REALLY EXCITING to have that list of 5? It really is. Really really. It makes the whole album thing seem more real, and closer to happening.
Oh, and to help come up with this list, Dan looked at my Open Mic spreadsheet where I have been keeping track of which songs I play at what venues and such, and he asked me to play this or that song from the list, and I did, for nearly an hour. Compare that to our first meeting together where I couldn’t even play him one song. Most clear and definite progress!! It’s working!
One other fun thing I’ve been doing lately is writing “lenses” over on a site called Squidoo. A lens is basically a page that focusses on any single topic you want, so I’ve got one about my radio show, one about being a vegetarian at Thanksgiving, one about using partial capos, one about open mic etiquette etc. I’d love to hear what you think, check them out here: http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/LyricalVenus
Besides having a place to write about things that I don’t quite feel fit any of my blogs, I also have the chance to earn a little bit of cash for my writing, which feels really good! Every bit helps. :) And I’m building up a little portfolio of writing as well.
My radio show is still going strong with me interviewing artists around the world on Skype! Check out the archives if you’ve missed some of the broadcasts: http://kruufm.com/station/archives/2482
So yeah, not as much blogging here lately, but keeping busy for sure. :) I hope to get more regular on here again, if only for my own records!
I saw Ryan perform with Sarah Sample at Rocky Mountain Folks Fest, and got to hear a few of his songs in the nightly song circles. Amazing stuff, check him out!
A new song.
Don’t Forget To Take It With You When You Go
Mary opens up the windows
and waits for air to pass between her lips
It’s not the way she looks this morning
or the way the sunlight wraps around her hips
I’ve been loving Mary in the combers of my soul
“Your coat is in the front hall …
Don’t forget to take it with you when you go.”
Outside on 7th east
The air smells of piss and turpentine
and though i will always remember your face
i doubt that you’ll remember mine
your name is like an anchor
that has settled in my bones
i see you in the storefront
in the windows
i see you everywhere i go
Stars burn bright in the light of day
and all these sins begin to separate
the light from the darkness
the marrow from my bones
the truth is i miss you
and i wish i could just come home
