Just uploaded a very rough version of a song you've probably heard me play called 'Maxwell'

I wrote it somewhere in the summer of 2006 when I discovered turning my capo around created a sweet alternate tuning with minimal effort [ahh, how I embarrass the lazy].  The song's about being 'on the road' and the little bits of impulse that got marred by my giant San Francisco withdraw & slight depression :)  I'm not sure if that even makes sense...but let's go with it.  It's entitled 'Maxwell' after an imaginary friend -- who obviously knows more than I ever could.

Got some extraordinary show coming up as well!

For those of you who have Internet access -- you can hear me live, on Pirate Cat Radio, next Saturday, March 14 from 2-4pm PST (that's 5-7pm EST).  Catch it streaming on the web at PirateCatRadio.com or on iTunes radio under "eclectic" category look for pirate cat radio!

For those of you who live in Marin (or like to drive across the GG Bridge) -- Drew Pearce is hosting a house concert featuring the ever talented Molly Venter & yours truly on Wednesday, April 8.  This is a RSVP-only show, so be sure to email Drew @ drew@poignantrecords.com and he'll send you all the pertinant information!

Looking forward to seeing & hearing from you soon!

PS--I should probably be following you on Twitter...I'm @schmalden :)

hey! hi! hello!

Thanks to all my SF friends who came out to support last night and especially to my new Georgia peach, Miss Erica "Sunshine" Lee!  What an incredible set you put together lady!  I'm so excited to see more of you :)

I just posted a video here & on fb from last night's performance.  A special thanks to my man Etienne, the voyeuristic videographer, who documented 9 minutes of the show which include 2 unreleased songs & one of my favorite covers :) (also, a little crowd surfing & listless banter)!  Below are the lyrics to the first song, Angela.  <--this one's for you, Miss Betancourt!  I can't wait to play it for you :)

Angela

I heard the news today
you're fast asleep & so far away
And we all know the strength within your soul
we all have harboured there sometime

chorus:
Make me an angel
come sing with me
it's hard to hold on with no one to hold on to
but please believe
and dream of blue ridge mountain breezes,
angel breath
and open your eyes please.

the songs your father wrote
he sings them to you full of hope
and we all feel the strength you have to heal
just please hold on, hold on

[chorus]

Just got back from the exploring new parts of China and spectating some of the Olympics :)

Life is good!

And now I'm very much looking forward to getting back to NC for the Flat Rock show with Ginny on October 4th.  More info here:
http://www.flatrockonline.com/flat_rock_events/summer_music_series_in_flat.htm

Please join us for an evening of music and some sweet southern BBQ! 

Almost Memorial Day Weekend :)  Yahoo!

Jay Nash/David Hopkins show was grand!  I've never played a show where i was 2 feet from about 40 people...but Heidi and Drew were great hosts and the crowd was very accommodating.  glad i recently partook in a pedicure as everyone left their shoes outside and my toesies just tapped the out the beat. i was pretty nervous, but i think everyone enjoyed themselves.  there's the obvious intimacy that comes with a house show -- but i didn't realize how much of a performance it still was.  didn't have a lot of interactive songs for people to sing or clap along to, will try and remember that for next time.  i tried to do a little story telling and give context to the songs, but did i talk too much? it was great to have CSmith & Mandy there, along with the other 10 girls who made the Marin trek :) Couldn't decide if i should use a pick or just strum...wish I had had jay or david sing with me or banter...it's always more fun with 2 :)  perhaps next time:)  love a good man's voice to accompany!  speaking of jay -- his new CD is grand!  he's got Sara Barielles on a track called Barcelona <-- he does this sweet pseudo falsetto.  It's a beautiful record -- you should def check it out. 

this evening, i'm off to Charlottesville & then NC.  a busy 5 days and annual pilgrimage!  We'll be seeing the newly engaged Jenkins-Lentz crew, Shea, Miss LaRue & the Mama -- should be busy busy busy!  I'm bummed to miss Ginny, but we'll be headed to All Souls for some soul food.  Trying to plan a trip that hits all the "important places" -- thinking Green Cove, Downtown Avegas, ChikFilA, the Biltmore, i26 through the old 18A :), Blue Ridge Parkway....sounds like home, huh?  I'm excited.  Bringing the new GPS to navigate the fanatical roads of the District [read: find the chik-fil-a's] :)

Also, saw Indiana Jones with all the Lucas family on Sunday -- I think people will enjoy it!  I certainly did :)  Not as much as I did Iron Man, but it's a whole different realm...wonder what the kiddies will think.  I loved Indy growing up...Harrison still did some pretty sweet stunts, but is aging....turns out, even movie stars grow up. :)

the AIDS lifecycle riders embark the first Sunday in June -- it's gonna be an incredible journey for them and we're looking forward to welcoming them across the finish line in Ventura.  Get more info and donate @ www.aidslifecycle.org!  And best of luck to my friends traveling the 545 miles ON A BICYCLE: Chelsea, Laura, Elena, Lacount & Beth  -- we're proud of you!

Lastly, there are a couple of great shows coming through these next 2 weeks -- I'm hitting up @ least 2 of these!  Let me know if you're going and we'll meet up!! :)

Jesse Bailin & teitur may 28

Adrianne may 29

REM/Modest Mouse may 31
William Fitzsimmons june 3

Until next time - and remember as dear Yoda says - 'do or do not. there is no try.' :)

The Duder sent me a message today -- said he heard about my music on a message board and posted it on his blog!  i love grassroots efforts!  So check it out:

http://www.votenewmusic.com/wordpress/?cat=12

There's a good selection of music on here!  So many talented people in this teeny tiny world :)

It's Kentucky Derby weekend -- the most exciting 2 minutes in sporting, so they say.  Who they is -- we're still unclear.   Lots of writing and blogging going on in the musician world.  It's spring time, i'm thinking. People and creativity following the path of nature and coming out of their winter hibernation.  I know it's gotten to me.  I LOVE this time of year!  Party season and longer days... :) 

Musically, I've got a couple things going on that are exciting!  First and foremost, Snapshot is being remixed by an incredible electronic musician, Etienne Grunenwald!  I'll put it up -- please let me know what you think!  "Callus" is finished -- it's short and sweet.  Also "15th & Church" and "Here We Go Again" are coming along nicely!  I'm trying to get some more "family friendly" tunes rolled out for the NC show in October.  Trying to learn some kids songs for my neice...so I can morph from "Crazy Aunt Alden" to "Cool Aunt Alden"...small goals.

Finally -- next Saturday is a huge day!  CSmith & Mandy will be in town for the weekend (yippay!) and there's this incredible house show with Jay Nash & David Hopkins that I'm opening for!!  I've never really done a house show -- so I'm excited about belting and sharing....special thanks to Drew, the "Industry Professional" for the introduction :)

Happy May Day friends :)

musically speaking:

Also -- I've decided I'm almost ready to admit I love country songs, american idol (yes DAVID COOK), twitter & dancing with the stars.

almost.

Tuesdays w/o Morrie...are slightly insprirational, rarely well-timed and always a little bit too close to home.  faith based writing pours outta me on sunny san francisco days. faith in everything and faith in no one in particular. the george michael kinda faith.

You gotta say it outloud
Tell me you figured out
and I'ma tell you I'm proud
You're coming through. 

You stand facing your fears
Stand facing the worst of years
Where you hold on to some, but you let go and run
Cause you're telling your truth 

Do you know who you were when you met her?
Do you know when you first touched her skin?
Can you get happily ever after?
Reinvent your original sin?
 
You're finished running away
Finished running in disarray.
Cause the holes & the parts
and the chipping off heart
released you

peel back be amazed
lean back let time erase
the fears and the doubts and the screaming outloud
cause you're living your truth  

Do you know who you were when you met her?
Do you know when you realized your grace?
Making up your happy ever after…
Reinvent, recognize & embrace.