Wednesday, September 24, 2008

I Didn't Tell You I'm In a Band Now?!

One would think that my seemingly endless hours of doing nothing would lend themselves to incessant blogging on my part. One would think incorrectly. You see, I have to be in a very particular frame of mind to put my thoughts into written form, and I just haven't found myself in that place too often lately. Maybe it's the stress of still being unemployed. Maybe it's the thrill of meeting new people (one person in particular...) Or maybe it's the excitement of being in a new band! Okay, so that was a lame way to get to the whole "I'm in a new band" revelation, but there it is.

I'm in a new band! It was quite simple how it all worked out. I was perusing Craigslist, an activity that has become something of an addiction for me these days, when I ran across an ad looking for a soulful, bluesy singer. I replied, sent a link to some stuff I recorded back home and waited. Within 20 minutes, I got a reply from the guitar player saying he loved my voice and wanted me to come in and audition (I'm not tooting my own horn here, just relaying information). A week or so later, I found myself driving up to the Valley to meet and sing for a group of total strangers. It was scary and exhilarating and nerve-wracking and fun. I can tell you that I wasn't on my A-game. It wasn't my best performance. But they seemed to dig it anyway, and within a couple of days, I got a call saying they wanted me.

As it turns out, I'll be fronting this band with a guy named JT. He's a Louisiana native, so we'll have that Southern thread in common at least. And I can't tell you how excited I am to get to do the male/female vocal thing. I love that melding of masculine and feminine voices. It creates a very unique energy that can be so powerful and moving. I know I'm rambling, but singing is my soul and I'm so thrilled to have an outlet for it now. Finally!

Our first practice is tonight. I'll be singing some Grace Potter, Susan Tedeschi and Arc Angels this evening, and doing a couple of duets of Clapton tunes. I'm ready. I've never been more ready.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

It's Good To Be Home

Finally, I have arrived. I'm at home on South Bentley Avenue in west L.A., happy as a pig in the sunshine, looking forward to the life that's just starting. I moved in on Friday, joining a couple of stellar roommates for what I'm certain will be one of the greatest years of my life. I know it's bold to assume such a thing, but the fact remains that I believe this is the point at which everything truly begins for me. That's not to say that the previous years haven't been good. They have. Some have been great. But there's something bigger waiting and I have no doubts that I'll find whatever that may be here in my new home.

I finally got a bed. It's heavenly. I finally have nothing in the trunk of my car (although I still have plenty of junk in my trunk, if you know what I'm sayin'...I have GOT to get back on the workout routine soon). I finally have my own private bathroom, my own closet, my own private haven. Not to mention, there's a great patio upstairs that allows me to sunbathe privately. You know, until the trunk is sans junk.

We had a barbecue on Sunday. A lovely Labor Day weekend for sure. But it's hard to go wrong with burgers, chili cheese dip and many spirited rounds of beer pong. I'm meeting new people. Making connections. Making friends. Finding inspiration. Today, I was doing a little pickin' and grinnin' in my room. When I stopped between songs, a voice from across the alley said, "Sounds good! Do you play anywhere around here?" Then she proceeded to introduce herself and tell me that she had turned off her music to listen to me sing. If that's not a sign from above, I don't know what is.