I found the Dutch review of Leaving Songs on your site. Did you translate it? It
reveals some enlightenig details of your personality. Apparently "Erin" must
translate to "of the street".


Everyone who "tests the previous weeks on our Internet site on the knopje with
the text audio" has clicked ended up at the cd of Condo. A cd with the next
beautiful tale: You can hardly present you how we have come to this cd, but we
have on the street got him of Condo personally. And for that, perhaps of its
side, however, desperate, gesture (if you do not buy him then give I you him
but), I thank the sky on my naked knieÃ"n. I twist him already weeks in the car
and admit that I found first only nice, but now after a couple weeks is it my
absolute favourite. And because of its gesture I start an action now: Obtain
Condo of the street and establishment its cd. I order him then at its and if it
succeeds we let come its to the Netherlands. A beautiful tale at a cd where you
must get used indeed even to. At first bel onion phthisis Leaving songs sound
what traditional and indeed nice but what gewoontjes. Appearance deceives! This
cd dedicates time and the melancholieke songs of Eric Condo crawl your skin.
This cd dedicates time and country becomes alto alt-country. This cd dedicates
time and nicely but what gewoontjes becomes intensely and indringend. Leaving
songs are an impressive serial songs which have one after the other the itself
side of the American society as a subject. Songs which full feeling is sung and
is this way lived through sound as good country must sound. Assisted very well
muzikanten prove this lady that she is complete large, or would have be. sin
That she must peddle this way with this splendour pracht-cd, but on the other
hand that has also what.

"but we have on the street got him of Condo personally"
"I thank the sky on my naked knieÃ"n"
"start an action now: Obtain Condo of the street"

"indeed nice but what gewoontjes"

"Assisted very well muzikanten prove this lady that she is complete large, or..would have be

"sin That she must peddle this way"

For shame, Condo of the Street. I'm left with several questions:
Are "gewoontjes" eyes, or breasts?
Apparently, you're big in Netherlands, but now I wonder for what reason.
If you want to tour the Netherlands, I'll take vacation to do that.

Wiggus

Friends:

I'm taking advantage of the snowy Austin weather to keep you abreast of some changes ahead. 

*No More Becks Residency*

January will be the last month of my Wednesday residency at Becks on Congress.  Since June I've been playing (mostly) solo shows there, and while this gig has been a great opportunity, I find myself really missing the band shows. My full-time job allows me only so much time to focus on music and my efforts are now going to focus on  moving the band and other projects forward...

*The New Band*

Some of you have already witnessed the new band, featuring Sarah Glynn on electric guitar and Terri Lord on the drums.  Not only am I psyched to have an all girl band, but I'm damn lucky to have these two genius players share the stage with me.  Our sound is a little more rockin' than before and the shows we have played so far have been a frickin' joy for me. 

*New Shows/New Collaboration*

Speaking of Sarah Glynn, you might notice that we have a lot of shows together.  If you follow the link to her myspace (myspace.com/sarahglynn), you might find it an odd pairing.  Believe me, though, it works.  The shows where we've shared the bill have been enthusiastically received.  I think we share an audience that truly appreciates good songs, solid playing, and passion for the music we play. 

We've booked a number of shows around Texas and are really looking forward to seeing you there!

Sarah is also producing my next EP, so you might get to hear a new, sonic side of my dark and lonely heartbreak songs (still writing those...).  Stay tuned, and of course, get the preview at any of our upcoming shows together. 

Tues. Jan. 30th, 9pm,  Lucy's on the Square, San Marcos

Thurs. Feb. 1, 9pm,  Ruta Maya Riverwalk, San Antonio

Thurs. Feb. 14, 9pm, The Parlour, Austin

Saturday, April 14, 10pm, Trophy's, Austin

Saturday, April 28th, 9pm, Mojo Risin, Houston.

More dates to come, so stay tuned!

Still recovering from this year's Austin City Limits Festival.   After swearing I'd never go again, I decided to volunteer in the hospitality tents, which definitely has its perks, including access to free water and food and random celebrity sightings.    Here are some of my highlights:

1.  Sitting in front of the barricade for Tom Petty while he sang "American Girl."  By far, the most exciting part of the festival for me.  I was working the AT&T stage, and after the rain/lighting delay another volunteer took me to the front.  I swear Tom looked at me! Amazing...

2.  Sitting in front for Son Volt.  I had just taken a swim in Barton Springs to cool off and I was exhausted.  I arrived early to the show and got the closest backstage seat for the show.  All of my Morgantown memories are wrapped in Son Volt songs, especially the summer of 1999.  They even played "Walkin' down Main Street, getting to know the concrete..."

3.  Kathleen Edwards!  Note to self:  start rocking.

4.  My close encounter with Jack White.  My goal of the fest was to get my cd into the hands of Mr. White, since he would surely jump at the opportunity to produce my next record, improving on his Loretta Lynn experience :).  Instead, I got to walk past him as he was getting into the transport van. 

5.  The Raconteurs!!! A reminder:  start rocking.  My new favorites.  Jack White is not overrated in any sense of the word.  A gracious, no bull-shit rocker.  Love him.  Love the band.  They even covered a Cher song "Bang, Bang." 

6.  Robyn Ludwick--it was great to see my pal do so well on the BMI stage.  The best I'd seen her play.  "Daddy's little girl's got too much desire." 

7.  Los Lobos!  I missed the Shins show for this, but I had to see Los Lobos.  The sound was sketchy at first, but they got it together, and I danced the entire show. 

8.  The Flaming Lips--I've never seen fans so engaged in a show.  This show was so packed,  people were sitting atop the port-a-potties.  Dancing santas, dancing martians, huge hands, and fake blood.

Other randomness--during the Petty show, someone came to get beer for Lance Armstrong and Bill Clinton, who were hanging out backstage.  I'm assuming Bill was in town for the Ann Richards funeral. 

I've been to the last 2 work weekends at Kerrville's Quiet Valley Ranch, helping with the huge terracing project for Threadgill's Theatre.  Wait 'til you see it.

The first weekend, I arrived late and decided to work well into the evening.  Working involved a pick-axe, a shovel, a hoe, etc.  I was moving dirt any way I could.  A newbie to the ranch couldn't stand watching me with the pick-axe (although I must say I have pretty good form for a girl!) so he decided to take it from me.  I was a bit flustered, but worked on with a shovel. 

I could hear Lou yelling from the stage that I shouldn't work so hard, that Kerrville was about community--I guess I hadn't spent that much time with the rest of the crew since getting there.  OK.  I'll stop. 

Sunday, we developed a way to get the elevations right for the terraces.  Cool.  Apparently I talked to this tractor operator named Rudy who lives next to QVR. I don't remember this. 

This weekend, though, I was taking a break from the digging & pick-axing, & meauring.  Sitting on the hill, Rudy--picture a 10-gallon hat and a plaid work shirt tucked into jeans, an older gentleman--comes walking up the hill with a bottle in a bag. 

Flippantly, I asked him if he was bringing me some whiskey.  He responded "well you like Jim Beam, don't you?" 

Was this my Kerrville angel? 

He said that he heard I was working hard and that I liked Jim Beam. 

Very cool.  I love Kerrville!

Thought I'd pass this along.  I love hearing from deejays who love hearing the cd! 

Jerry Saint, Folk Music Director at WMHB radio writes: 

"Erin - thank you for the cd you sent - for the first time in 8 years - I have to ask
for another one - and will gladly send a check.  It's beyond belief and all
folk/country/acoustic dj's are playing it - I have to have one for myself.  What a
tremendous effort - if there were any justice in the music world, you'd be in demand
throughout the country with that amazing release.  Love it - love it - love it!
Many thanks - Jerry.

Jerry Saint / Folk Music Director
WMHB Radio / Colby College
Wtvl., ME 04901"

I just found this link to a blog that has my song "Primer-Colored Car" rated #3 for the week of April 3, 2006.  http://www.thecosmicamerican.blogspot.com/

Monday, April 03, 2006

Top 20 Tracks From Last Week

Another great weekend with the Texas parents, Jack and Lura Faye Motley!  Jack asked me to "help" him with his gig in Corpus, a private party at the "BarBQ Man" restaurant.  Allan Shiftley was retiring from General Electric and wanted to hear some waltzes and two-steps.  I ate brisket for only the second time with everyone looking at me weird when I asked questions about it.  I guess it's just really fatty and the worst kind of meat you can eat.  So much for my supposed vegetarianism. 

Earlier in the day we stopped by Texas Radio 94.7.  We walked into this litttle trailer to a lobby full of musicians, playing the harmonica and tuning their guitars.  They were playing that night at the Executive Surfclub.  I can't remember their names, but they were opening up for Highspeed Hayride.  Anyway, we waited for them to get done and then Jack and I took turns playing songs on the air for Colton, the DJ.  This radio station is fantastic, by the way.  We listened to them the whole time we were in range. 

Sunday was a full day of dropping off cds at venues all along Padre and Mustang Islands, looking at all the great houses and buying postcards.  We stopped for some coffee at the Port A Lodge, made famous by Jack and by Matt Meighan (I took a picture and I'll have to send it to you Matt). Unfortunately, we picked the worst weekend weather-wise to visit the Coastal Bend, but it still was beautiful to me.  I hope to get back soon. 

We got to Schroeder Hall just in time to eat some gumbo (or gambo as my stand called it) and to see some zydeco bands playing.  In tradtitional fashion I drank a shiner and danced the best cajun I could.  I  also got to dance the foxtrot to Wayne Hancock with Jack's brother Buddy. 

Then the drive home to Austin.  Not too late for a red bull and some chocolate.  Lura Faye called me later to tell me they couldn't get Wayne off the stage at Schroeder.  I guess I'll have to catch him closer to home next time. 

1 * New Order-- Waiting for the Sirens' Call (Warner Bros.) 
2 * Kathleen Edwards-- Back to Me (Zoë)
3 * Caitlin Cary & Thad Cockrell-- Begonias (Yep Roc)
4 * Goldfrapp-- No. 1 (EP) (Mute)
5 * Abigail Washburn-- Song of the Traveling Daughter (Nettwerk)
6 * Aimee Mann-- The Forgotten Arm (Super Ego)
7 * Brazilian Girls-- Brazilian Girls (Verve Forecast)
8 * Various Artists-- Verve Remixed 3 (Verve)
9 * Erin McKeown-- We Will Become Like Birds (Nettwerk)
10 * Erin Condo-- Leaving Songs (Joyland)

Somebody in Seattle loves me.  His name is Rustin Thompson, a DJ at KBCS.FM 91.3, the only independent community radio station in the city.

The following excerpt is from a recent email:  

" All of the deejays here are compiling our TopTen lists for the year that will be published in our newsletter and on our website.  Your CD, Leaving Songs, has made the number one spot on my list.  And you beat out some excellent competition, including Mary Gauthier's "Mercy Now", Son Volt's "A Retrospective",  John Prine's "Fair and Square",  Robbie Fulks "Georgia Hard", Dwight Yoakum's "Blame the Vain", and Thad Cockrell's and Cailtin Cary's "Begonias".

"I haven't heard a more versatile, accomplished debut CD in years.  Your
writing is soaked in authenticity and your voice drips with real-world grit.
A great collection of living and loving and leaving songs."

This is great news.  Look for me in Seattle soon!

I also found out that I'm still #103 on the Americana Charts, months after the promotion of Leaving Songs has ended.  Cool.