engine's started!  a little musican musing....

And you set it up just like maybe
we could be friends forever.
and you set me up, just like possibly
we'd grow old together
but what i didn't know
and i wouldn't see
was that holding hands meant you were holding me
this is the first time in my whole life that i can't write.

cause we're so far, so good
i hope these next few years can be just like this
my heart, it's yours
and i'm not keeping score this time
my love i'm sure.

and so i'd make it up
my excuse for you to stay the night again
so i could wake you up
watch you yawn and know i'll fall in love again
it's not a simple life, but it's a simple love
there's just seasons, time and i can't get enough
this ain't the first time that i'll drown in those blue eyes.

cause we're so far, so good
i hope these next few years can be just like this
my heart, it's yours
and i'm not keeping score this time
my love i'm sure.

Holy F! it has been too long. entirely too long. reading my tour notes for 2 years ago and just tripped up on what a crazy/fun/emotional experience that was!

it’s 2008 -- year of the rat.
errr, i think :)

this spring is shaping up nicely for making sweet, sweet music.  I’ve settled in to my lovely job @ LucasArts and am beginning to write again.  I always found that was the ultimate irony -- that I can’t/don’t write when i’m happy -- but when things start getting bumpy, bam -- new, awesome song!  Not to say that things are bumpy, because that wouldn’t be true at all.  I guess I’m working on writing happy songs well.  We’ll see.  Cause who really wants a good happy song anyway?  :)

there should be a couple SF shows this spring -- and i’m putting together a few dates for VA & NC.  I got an incredible opportunity to sing in the Flat Rock Summer Music Series in October!  It’s been years since I’ve seen the leaves change color in my homeland -- and i couldn’t be more excited about being home for some foliage & tunes :)  San Francisco, as lovely as the weather is, doesn’t have any other season besides rain and sun.  ["Joy & Pain...keep it up keep it up now -- sunshine & rain, come on, come on!"]

Anyway -- hello, hi, how are you crazy myspace world?  i’m looking forward to putting up some roughs i’ve been working it out on.  Let me know what you think and come to a show, or better yet, come to a show and THEN let me know what you think :)

’till next time, peace peace peace :)
[and listen to Missy Higgins new album]

Happy 2006!  It's been too too long - - my apologies!

A quick update on the life in San Francisco; working for an amazing new media company, PodShow, with my hands in all kinds of goodness.  The holidays were good, wasn't back in NC for the first time in, well, pretty much ever.  It was certainly an experience being here.  A great end to college football season, Go Gators - - never thought I'd say that one either.  Reconnecting with some old friends, having incredible house parties and relaxing in the music downtime.

But never fear, there are some new songs, and a few shows planned for this spring... I'll keep you closely informed!

Until then check out, the single "Snapshot" which has been featured on one of my favorite shows - - Check out
A Guy, A Girl, and A Bottle
a non-snotty look into the country's best wines! (Listen through to the end...and enjoy the wine banter and classic Alden tunes). 
And lastly, if you're in the LA area, check out the incredible CD release party for Samantha Farrel's new CD

Jan 26 2007 8:30P

Tangiers....................for Spiritus RELEASE PARTY with Lee Coulter!!!!

Los Angeles, California

I hope all is well with you this lovely (and cold) 2007!

-Alden

current situation: life is fairly interesting.

 

back in SF, obviously, with a show this Sunday. <--this is totally exciting!

it's Folsom Street Fair weekend, which is endlessly entertaining, and jaw-droppingly-outrageous.

moved into a new apt with some glorious friends and a TV (this is a new thing in my life).  Unfortunate repercussion of not growing up with TV: the borderline obsession/tunnel-vision I've developed around any TV.  It has caused some serious arguments in restaurants as I am fascinated with the content of any electric box.  I can't help it though, which is always a grand excuse. :)

currently officially unemployed, but temping through Premier. the 9-6 thing is interesting.  certainly not the 60+ hours a week I was pulling at my last job, but it helps pay the bills.  I'm in the midst of a lot of decisions - where is my next real job going to be, how can I still play music in and around the Bay area and make those connections, who am I, who moved my cheese, why is it always about cheese, where have all the cowboys gone?  and all these silly questions about how best to be myself?!  i'm constantly making an analogy involving large pants.  like i have big pants on (they'd be down to my ankles but thankfully, i'm wearing rainbow suspenders).  the pants = who i want to be; the space in between me and the pants actually fitting=what i have to accomplish/work through.

 

big pants, usually a rewarding thing; these pants, very interesting fit.

ahh, pants.

talk amongst yourselves.

 

ps - jason mraz is brilliant.  read his blog - - thoroughly entertaining.

 

also, note a couple cool websites I've found while temping: www.bookingbuddy.com (travel companion), www.razorgator.com (hard to get ticket finder), www.cdbaby.com/aldenmusic (please review my CD), www.zazzle.com (tshirt design etc).

 

i actually saw the 'when keeping it real goes wrong' sketch on the dave chapelle show yesterday.  umm, hilarious.

i've been saying it so blindly. Damnit.

it's wednesday - - and yesterday, the city celebrated my return with an astounding display of fogless fireworks... a special thanks to my friend Gavin :)

the city is crisp & her people are smiling.  it feels good here. do-lo park, and her Green Party spectacular on the 4th made me cry.  hundreds of people gathered to see SF Mime Troupe's political comedy show.  it was a great variety show/musical - - and the laughter and participation of the crowd had me envisioning possible acoustic shows on that hill... one day.

there was massive mail, dusty dressers, fleas on the Puma, mucho laundry & unpacking upon my return to the Noe.  one day @ a time, i'm trying to catch up with my dears - - we'll just have to have a massive show to all reunite.  but people's lives just go on, you know? everything's the same until it isn't, and around here, there's a lot of people constantly reinventing themselves. change is that constant here.  And although it feels right to be home, i'm feeling a little left-sided.  maybe it's the flea bomb. christ on crutches.

my finger caluses (sp?) hurt like a bitch - - they are coming off.  haven't played guitar in a couple days. gross. gotta get on that.

shut up that i have a temp job tomorrow. guess who gets to be the employee, no longer the employer. sucking it up and smiling though cause i think i've got it pretty damn good.

seriously considering the star tatoo.

 

Can't sleep, but oh-so-tired, I am.  Apparently, Yoda.. I am... too :)

Amazing show last night @ the Crimson Moon in the busy tourist square of Dahlonega, Georgia.  Perfect crowd & perfect company.  Barb Carbone opened for us and I shared the bill with an incredible band out of Charlotte, NC called The Near Misses!  4-5 (depending on their drummer) supremely talented musicians doing this bluegrass, harmony, rock, acoustic, feel-good show!  You should most certainly check them out - - especially live!  We stayed up entirely too late having our own jam session. we were just playing & singing and keeping the good people of Dahlonega on their toes.  It was a perfect summer night for it.  The staff and the food were incredible - - I was totally treated like a rockstar. i'll try not to get too big of a head, but i won't lie, it felt kinda good.  Everyone should be treated like that @ least once a month :)

Happy Father's Day - - Almost forgot about that one.

The Asheville & Saluda shows were a total success as well.  Thanks for everyone who came to listen and especially Bruce Pieoff for letting me open for him @ the Purple Onion.

I'm tired. I don't know if I'm allowed to say that, but I am.  Think I've aged about 3.56 years - - feeling it in my bones.  Feeling it in my heart tonight/this morning. 

All this wisdom soaked up in an experience that is so straight and narrow, but honestly has thrown everything I know about myself to the proverbial wolves.  So many questions during these last 2 months.  It's challenge after drink after laugh after show after another hotel room. And my mind runs about 139 mph this late. Loud Brain. Real Loud.

But my little life marches on. There are so many things to be thankful for. Blogs kinda help jog my memory of that, as I tend to be either funny and a little superficial or down and out.  But funny shit happens all the time - - and art imitates life. Maybe it's just the PMS.

Then, on the other side of this journey are about a zillion questions and options and here we go again to figure out right vs. the right for me.

Totally pumped about writing some new songs - - wanting, right now, that kinda home.

I do hope all is well with you - - and i hope to see you @ the Richmond show.  Started playing this song again -

I was wasted in the afternoon - I was waiting on a train. I woke up in pieces and Elisabeth disappeared again. I wish you were inside of me. I hope that you're okay. I hope you're resting quietly. I just wanted to say goodnight Elisabeth. We couldn't all be cowboys & cowgirls so some of us are clowns. Some of us are dancers on the midway. We roam from town to town. I hope that everybody can find a little faith. Me, I just say my prayers, and I light myself on fire and walk out on the wire once again. And I said good good night Elisabeth. I will wait for you in Baton Rouge. I will miss you down in New Orleans. I will wait for you while she slips in something comfortable. I miss you, god I miss you. And if you wrap yourself, if you wrap yourself in Daffodils, I will wrap myself in pain. And if you're the queen of California baby, I'll be the fucking queen of the rain.

Come fall down on me now. Won't you fall down on me?

clearly, you can see them, but just FYI - - 2 new live versions of songs are up for you to enjoy...along with the pre-song banter. I hope you enjoy.  And I hope you're having a fabulous June.  We've been on quite an adventure as we hit and took over our 20th state, FLORIDA!  Good lord. lots of shows, lots of people, lots of 'smiling faces'!  Not too much road drama, which is good, but a WHOLE lot of new artists to introduce you to (look for list tomorrow)!

Let me know what you think of the new songs or better yet, come out and tell me yourself!  We'll be in North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia for the next two weeks.

LOVE!

Well, as Alden's official pain in the ass (aka her Manager),  Alden has invited me to write the next here blog. We are a month in to the tour and my how Alden has grown. Her musicianship, her writing, her stage presence and confidence. She is playing stages where some incredibly famous people started out, and she is attracting attention from folks that can make things happen. She is handling the pressure of a first tour with grace, and I am impressed.

 

Touring is glamorous huh? Well, for those of you that think so, let me fill you in. There is a lot of driving. A lot of schmoozing. A lot of learning hard lessons. A lot of heartbreak. A lot of having to follow stupid rules like not talking to save your voice, or eating when you don't feel like it so you can stay healthy. A lot of critiquing yourself, and listening to critique from others.  A lot of loneliness and self-discovery.  A lot of pushing yourself to become better. Better at performance, guitar, voice, networking. On days off, you write songs and perfect the ones you already have and catch up on fan mail. You fight colds from bad sleep in cheap hotels with too much air-conditioning, and fight pains in your fingers and arms from all of the guitar playing. You get really tired of unloading and unpacking and packing and loading. You start laughing and crying for no reason from exhaustion, and Delilah at Night becomes an addiction and necessity for night driving radio. You get tired of eating sandwiches, and coffee becomes a staple when you drive all day then play a show that night when you are exhausted, after pulling up to your show venue, having just enough time to freshen up in yet another bar bathroom with writing all over the walls. Then you go to bed in a strange bed, and do it all again, in a different city. Often, it feels like your life as you once knew it is going on without you.  Your life changes, and your friendships change. Everyone has demands on you, and it is hard to please everyone, and through the touring process, you learn to set boundaries, to say no, and to take care of yourself, even if it makes people unhappy with you....and you become stronger through the challenges, and even through the loneliness. But it is all for a greater good....Something you want so bad... which is the chance at a career as a professional musician.  Now more than ever is a time that you need to be there for Alden and respect that this is now her work and she is working hard towards a goal that many are scared to ever even try. She is making huge leaps, and taking huge risks, and this is a time she needs understanding and patience. 

 

Now, some interesting stuff so far as this co-pilot's learnings during my here visit to the South...thanks to the Atlanta crew for late night lessons in the "Correct Southern Accent 101" and the new knowledge that it is considered a talent that many men can pass gas on demand if they focus.  I can officially say I am learning to drink Light Beer on the porch on a hot humid day in the South, and am learning the correct combination of hair gel and spray to keep my hair standing in the humidity. I have learned to not just say Iced Tea, but specify in the case I do not want Sweet Tea. Yep, its true I have run up to cars at stoplights and people in stores and toll booth money takers to give them Alden's cd...Y'all has become part of my daily vocabulary, and I have nightmares of being attacked by flying biscuits and grits  I have not run over as many animals as Alden likes to joke I have...although, yes, the frog was my fault.  I have screamed like a girl at bugs (they grow really big in the South) and raccoons and have yelled at fraternity boys and drama girls. I have found that there are people that hate George Bush, even in the red states.  I have gained a lot of good shit for a book when Alden gets famous. :)    Onward to Florida!

lots of chat upon, so bare with me...

its still raining. Wtf?

Julie chooses to accelerate into mountain hairpin turns. This is a life-threatening realization.

She allowed me to drive for the first time today. I drove well. I get to keep the car! Im a winner.

So, we've recycled through all 300 of Julie's CDs and started listening to 'Change your Life in 30 Days" from my fav. country store, Cracker Barrell.  We're on day 1.  the lady gave me 4 things to concentrate on today.  apparently, i need to listen more, choose my words more carefully, live more authentically, and, shit, I think listen more?  i forgot the last one already.  it's gonna be a long 30 days.

we're in raleigh, nc - -so close to home sweet home. 14 states and a district later.

i'd like to spend a little time talking about west virginia.  special place. beautiful mountains. amazing little venue nestled right in the Appalachians. but there are about 10 real special moments that i'd like to share.

top ten reasons why julie should stay locked in the car in west virginia:

10) where else is a taxidermist business called: 'A Gallery of Fine Art'?

9) there are no credit card slots on the gas pumps

8) the yellow warning signs for deer (you know the ones where a deer is in jumping position across the road?) well, west virginia deer are HUGE! they've grown in girth - they've now got huge racks - - and they take up the WHOLE sign

7) 2nd crazy sign: horse and buggy = Mennonite crossing.  Check.

6) speaking of signs, big yellow ones with hunter's holding guns, which point you to the wildlife range...not good. def not good.

5) West Virginia License Plate: "REMGTN"

4) you have to have a southern accent to communicate.

 3) the band I opened for: Hit & Run Bluegrass <-- they were awesome. Also awesome, the 2 steppin' I did with a bearded mountain man.

2) "best mind the speed limit, he'll bout pull you over for anything" <-- referring to the ONE cop that patrols town. one. cop. town.

1) this IS certainly a reason for Julie to get out of the car, but you know you're in WV when @ midnight, a lone fiddler begins to serenade your bed and breakfast window...

Also, signs I found that were interesting: Flying Pig, Old Iron Country Inn, Gods Lighthouse, Fat Boys Pork Palace, Smoke Hole Caverns, and the town of Paw Paw.

Were taking a mini tour break and will be back in business for a show this Sat in Greenwood, SC and next Saturday in Columbia, SC!

Special thanks for all the DC people who came to the show - - all my love.