So, LA is everything you expect it to be, only bigger. Everything is taller, wider, louder. It takes double the time to get from A-B than my trusy sat nav would suggest. The Hollywood sign is dwarfed by giant iPod billboards that leer at you from above, between perfectly aligned palm trees that stand to attention alon Sunset.
It's a dream workd out here, but i'm feeling positive. At this point of the tour I'm residing in leafy Santa monica, just a stones throw from Venice Beach and what's more, Jay has joined me for 10 days so I'm no longer a lone traveller.
Room 5 in West Hollywood is hosting my first show of this leg. It's busy, but that's probably because there are about 15 artists, all playing 4 songs with very very quick turnarounds. The promoter is somewhat stressed out and works at 100 mph. Four female guitarists preceed me. I play on an upright piano and opt for no loop pedal as the thought of swithcing mic leads could send the promoter to an early grave. it's a great gig, short but appreciated. Nine girls with guitars follow me, and I go home satisfied that I've played to a packed house in Hollywood.
After a couple of days in LA on the beach, in the bars, round the canyons and boulevards we head east to the flat, gridded suburb of Riverside county. Perhaps three days with Jay has affecdted me. Having spent the best part of a week only speaking when ordering a coffee or checking into a motel, I've now spent the last three days talking in an air conditioned car and my vocal chords have taken a battering. By the time we pull into the Coffee Depot I sound like one of Marge Simpson's chain smoking sisters. It's a pitiful show. People walk by without even looking up, there's no applause, I can barely make any noise, let alone my signature 'random loud high note' to make people shut up. I feel like one of those X Factor auditionees who think they can sing but can't. There was no control or tone, it was barely audible and quite frankly I was irritating myself, god knows what the punters thought. Seconds before retiring after 5 songs some one comes in and peruses the CD table. So I attempt 'Oh Daddy' which is new, but has proven popular to listeners, plus it's a murder ballad in an easy key. Hey presto it worked cos he actualy bought a CD! Jay had the idea that I stop , and just have the CD playing in the shop, with me sitting by my piano (not miming to it - tho that did cross my mind!) and consequently I sold two more. Maybe I had the boobs out.
The next day, by a strange stroke of luck, the gig in Big Bear City is cancelled, so I drink my honey and enjoy the alpine views, followed by the stark contrast of Palm Springs deserts and casinos, promptly followed by a day trip to Mexico.
Felt nice to be a tourist again for a bit!
My penultimate gig took me to San Diego. As we pulled up to Lestat's Coffee House, that familiar sweet aroma of coffee and hazlenut hit me. I'll never walk into a Starbucks again back home without getting the faint pang of pre-gig tension. It was a cool little place, I was lead out to the green room which was moasic'd with band stickers and posters (to which I added mine next to Minnie Driver's - odd!). I asked where 'Lou' was and an 'affected youth' who worked there pointed in the direction of some loud music near the green room. I walked round to discover and entirely seperate room. Almost an old cinema with a decent sized stage, moody lighting, baby grand and nice tables. I then realised that my name was outside in US-style cinema writing lights! A nice moment for Daisy! I'll post a pic soon. However, the usual curse ensued. Very few people, not much promotion and limited enthusiasm. Great venue, no soul.
And the same went for my last show, back in the city of angels. I've come to the conclusion that there are too many coffee houses in America. But, I did it. Two cancellations, one sore throat, one Russian midget, one purchased (and sold) amp, 5 coffeeshops, 5000 miles, one Chrysler, two States and about $2500 later i'm nearly heading home...with $298 to show for it.
Great days, you stay classy San Diego...