Open Mic, Sound Musings and the Complete Package...

Hostessing this past Tuesday night's open mic at Mangia, I took a slot to debut my new song. 

When I was in Canada, I heard a friend of mine's voice echoing through my mind as I picked up the guitar to practice, I started messing with an Ab, Eb and Db chord.  That progression reminded me of a sound I often heard in the streets of Madrid a number of summer's ago.  And so was born "Goodbye." I tested that song out in Lynchburg a week ago and was so glad that it was as well received as it felt in my life.  So naturally it became something that I wanted the Muse audience to hear the following Friday. 

Now...it has been nearly a month since I had done my piano set live (I wasn't going to cart my 50+ lb keyboard downtown TO to play a song or two); making it the set that I could REALLY have used the keys clearly pumping through my monitor.  Somehow, they had been displaced, and I could catch it out the speakers at times, but it left me muddling through the first 6 songs.  It bummed me out for a minute, because some of my favorite songs are on the keys; but when I moved to guitar and had the sound crystal clear, I saved the best for last.

After the end of the show, whose final set belonged to the very talented Jacob Russo, I was informed that my "niche" might be Latin stylings...but I'm waiting for my sound to settle, as I'm sure it will do so on its own one day.

I think the comment that stuck with me the most was made by the owner, largely because it is a comment I've heard a number of times in the past few months.  The phrase that's been repeated is, "complete package."  I'm not sure what comprises such a phrase, but what I do know is, I love sharing my music, my passion and will play as long as I'm given the time to :)

Dear Norva and Ocean View Pier

Ocean View: I had no clue that when I called you, you would answer with such enthusiasm.  It was more than I could have ever expected, especially since I have been swamped with real life things like grading, studying, reading and the like.  But you welcomed me with open arms and gave me 20 minutes to share a bit of my soul.  Thank you for making me smile.

 Norva: If I had any clue just how great the talent that would play your stage on Sunday night, it might have kept me off the stage Friday night at the Pier.  Imogen Heap can make music out of anything she touches and literally breaths life into anything she touches.  It was humbling to watch a brilliantly talented musician orchestrate a night of lyrical and musical bliss.  It took a little courage to pick up the guitar Tuesday after that show, but I learned something.  For every exceptionally talented musician that has found success in music, there is a musician that has ability, a strong work-ethic, and with a little effort might find herself graduating from the Pier stage to the Norva stage; and then, maybe she won't.  Either way, she loves to play!

Free Times Cafe

It would only be fitting that my first music blog be about an open mic Downtown Toronto this week.  I am Canadian, but my "music career" (if I could call it that, at this point), began in VA this past December.  Living and working in VA for the bulk of the past 13 years, my debut defaulted to that locale.  Yet, Canada is the place I call "home," so finding myself on the stage of Free Times Cafe on College St carried a similar feeling.

 Not knowing a single place in the room, when I arrived I took a seat in the back corner. It was 7ish when the host arrived and announced sign up would begin but then abruptly stopped himself and said, "Any new comers tonight?"  All eyes turned to the corner I where I sat.  "Oh, um, that would be me" and I began to make my way forward as he said I could sign up first.  The only familiar face I was hoping for - Sarah - hadn't arrived, and I tried to do some quick math determining when to play so Sarah had enough time to get there, but we wouldn't be there all night (I still had an hour drive back to the 'rents).

I settled on 8:15 and then settled back into my seat.  Not long after, Sarah came in with flowers she'd bought to celebrate my first show in Canada!  I hadn't seen her since Christmas so we immediately fall into "catch-up" mode only to receive dirty glances from other audience members as the musicians had started playing.  Apparently...this was a listening audience, and not going to be the place where Sarah and I could fill in the past five months.  It would have to wait.

Guitar tuned, strap hooked, and vocal chords warmed, I was ready to take the stand after the host announced me.  Cracking a joke no one seemed to get, I picked the notes to my first song and quickly sound checked.  The next two songs were a blur, and when I sat down it seemed to quick.  Maybe because I was used to doing an hour long show and two songs didn't seem like much...reveling in the whole experience with Sarah, the host made his way to the back and asked me when I'd be in town next.  Turns out, I fit the bill for "best of open mic" and he wanted to offer me a 30 minute slot next time I was in town.

A few musician business cards later, a meet and greet with the owner Judy, and a fantastic first show in Toronto, Sarah and I walked out to College Street and headed to my car.

I have no clue where this musical journey is going to take me, but I DO know this - Toronto has a fantastic music scene and it was a welcome change to play for a "listening" audience!  Can't wait to see you all at Free Times Cafe again in August!!