New Podcast Episode with Tom Bianchi!

Live on Brattleboro Community Radio

Last week, in between Boston gigs, we spent a night up in Vermont and played at one of my favorite venues- JD McCliment's Pub in Putney. Before the gig we stopped by Brattleboro Community Radio for an interview. Here is a clip including a new song called "Learn to Fight." Hope you like it!

We got Bushwicked!

Just a few observations from Brooklyn.
Brooklyn is a place of urban adventure. It's kind of a cross between Grand Theft Auto and the Lion King with a touch of Coming to America on the side. I was happy to notice that there were still folks in certain parts of the borough who maintain the tiny dog in a handbag look. It's clearly the thing to do so I got to thinking of how I might pull of the same look but do it in my own traveling, worldly conscious, kind of way. What I came up with was perhaps a neutered/spayed rescue pitbull in an old CVS shopping cart. This way I could not only carry my canine attache but also my guitar and my fresh from a street vender vegetables. The CVS cart would come from the killer junk shop across the street from Pearls which I heard about but was never able to go into due to the rotating and ever changing opening time that I just couldn't ever quite pin down. Until of course that one perfect day where everything just came together. I would then write a how-to on how everything came together, put a mustache on it and sell it to the hipsters in Williamsburg.

St Patty's Day with Jon, Jim Greene and Taylor Floreth

Our time in Brooklyn was fantastic and in typical NYC fashion, even though you don't think you're very busy...whoosh a month goes by and you're left to wonder...where does the time go? That seems like a song doesn't it? I was incredibly fortunate to hook up with my very good friend John LaDeau for a few shows this time around. One at the wonderful Jalopy Theatre which was certainly one of the best shows of the month. I also met a new favorite, Jan Bell, where she hosted a great night of music not only at the 68 Jay Street but also at the Superfine. The Superfine show was with a quartet on St. Patrick's Day and it was the most un-St. Patty's Day show I could have ever imagined. There was no green beer, no green shirts, no bangers and mash, and no party. In other words it was absolutely perfect.

with Jon LaDeau at the Jalopy photo by: Jack Hirschorn

I was also able to spend a few days recording in Manhattan with Linus from Marques Bovre and the Evil Twins. We were able to hang out and spend a good deal of time getting some new songs down to tape as well as visiting the guitar store to play guitars neither of us could afford. We also were able to spend some time listening to Marques Bovre records and that was awesome. I'll be heading back to New York at the end of the month to wrap things up and opefully we'll have some of the new Manhattan sessions out soon!

How often does the train go by? So often, you won't even notice.

Bushwick was/is great. We were staying in Bushwick which has a lot of taco joints, taco carts, taco trucks, and tacos at about every bodega on every street corner you'll find. I may have eaten tacos for every meal for nearly a week and I was perfectly fine with that.  Bushwick is a great mix of the old neighborhood, with old brewery buildings and Polish immigrants, and the new with a nice wine joint here and there- but don't let the wine joints make you too comfortable....be sure you watch where you walk. There are a lot of dogs in Bushwick.

Bushwick by day

Katie Powderly in the van!

Get in the Van! Podcast

Last week I played a show in Bethlehem, PA with Milwaukee born-and-bred artist Peter Mulvey. If you're ever in Bethlehem, check out Godfrey Daniels- it's a fantastic venue that's been there, hosting great music, for 30 years.  After the show, Peter was kind enough to let us interview him for our new podcast: Get in the Van! The idea is that when we meet other traveling musicians on the road, we get them to hang out in our van for a while, answer some questions and play a song or two. Hope you enjoy it!

(You can also download the episode here)

February 22, 2013 12:03p.m....a Friday.
We drove back from Knoxville, Tennessee this week after a house concert at the Harmony House with Katie Powderly and Red Shoes and Rosin. It was a great time filled with friends, dairy free George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey, and the most amazing Indian cabbage and potato dish I have ever had. I'm not kidding, this may have been one of the most incredible food things I have ever, ever, in my whole life consumed. Hands down. We also picked up a new air mattress as I know Brooklyn will find us longing for such luxuries.

Katie Powderly at the Harmony House

 But back to this cabbage...Dib made it, he's from Calcutta and it was his grandmothers recipe. His mother also roasted some traditional spices when she visited recently which he used and I'm sure that only made things better. We also had a great conversation about how food is a lot like music. The best kind are the ones that are passed down and continue a tradition, or story, or have some kind of meaning. Not something you can dig out of a book or find on any random shelf at a local market. That said I must admit to finding a strong resemblance between McDonalds or Rice-A-Roni and Justin Bieber or Kenny Chesney. Actually to be honest, even though I don't know him personally and would never consciously listen to his music again.... I like the Bieb more than Kenny Chesney.  I really can't deal with that dude. I mean, really, have you heard the Tequila song?

But more presently we're getting ready to head out to Davidson ,North Carolina for a show tonight at the Birdsnest. It's a converted old house and from what we hear is a great venue. Our friends Heather Mae and Bethel Steele gave us the heads up on this one when we played the Blue Plate Special with them in Knoxville last month. If you haven't heard of them, make sure to check them out. After Davidson, we'll head over to Raleigh to the Royal Bean....I'll let you know.

Sorry Sandy but we're going to drive slow and remain boring.
take care
Josh

February, 6th 2013 Atlanta

It's been 5 months, 2 weeks, and 6 days since we gave up our apartment. That's an approximate savings of $6,435 dollars in rent, though I"ll spare you the approximate amount of money spent in fuel...we would have spent that anyway. Between the DeKalb Farmers Market, the Buford Highway Farmers Market, Earth Fare, and the Hong Kong Market the money spent just doesn't matter because after all, you need to eat. Also, contrary to popular belief, a free vehicle is never free. It's very similar to the hangover after a night of free whiskey...you just pay the tab later.

Recently we saw the Ryan Montbleau Band at Eddies Attic. Lyle Brewer plays lead guitar in the band. We've known Lyle since his tenure with Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles and since we saw him last, man oh man, the dude has exploded in his playing. We also saw Peter Mulvey at the Attic and he was great. I opened two shows for Eric Taylor! Then there was Brian Wiltsey, Bethel Steele, Heather Mae, Kelley McRae, The Hot Hearts, Marshall Seese, and Ben Brookes Belcher...the people we've seen playing music have been stunning. Absolutely one of the best parts of the trip so far. Looking forward to the upcoming shows with Kelley McRae, Peter Mulvey, Jeffrey Foucault, Jon Ladeau, Bethel Steele, and so many others makes me incredibley happy.

For the most part I think everything up to this point can be called a success. Though, I do have to go to court on Friday to see about getting out of a traffic ticket I was issued for apparently going the speed limit, driving straight, with a green light, through an intersection.  Or maybe it was the Wisconsin license plates? But who am I to argue with the traffic constable? I know I likely have a lot more friends than he does, and I enjoy things like making someones day better rather than worse....but who the heck am I? I'll just go hammer out a deal with the judge.

back in the Summer when we had an apartment, a band and a cat. . .

Next time we'll talk turkey and the ongoing necessity of playing the open mic.
till then, take care
Josh