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 

Floatin like a butterfly.

I feel like I'm dancing at the moment, but the stinging is happening too. We just came back to Atlanta after a 10 day tour to South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Primarily Charleston, Columbia, Asheville, and Knoxville. We've also started a sticker montage on the back of the van in the shape of the USA and having just filled in 4 in the Southeast we're feeling quite accomplished. I've also now been part of a police interaction in both Georgia and South Carolina and I do declare that South Carolina wins in the gentlemen-like police dude category. That said, don't let me forget my court date in Dekalb County Court February 8th.

So we went to Charleston and it was 80 d#%& degrees ABOVE zero. I know this is awesome and I'm sorry to rub it in but having grown up in North Dakota and spent the last 10 years in Wisconsin I feel I have the right to be jubilant about a sunny 80 degree January day. We walked, we saw the Charleston...in Charleston, went kayaking in the Atlantic, went to the beach and played a pretty righteous show at a BBQ joint on Sullivan's Island. I've played many a show in clubs that leave the stench of stale beer and cigarettes lingering in your guitar case and I must say I prefer the glorious aroma of pork tacos to greet me the next day when I go to play. We also played the Awendaw Green. Don't ask any questions just Google it and go there as soon as you can. 52 Wednesdays a year you'll find some of the best music in the country, a wood fired oven making killer pizza, a grill, an oyster roast(oysters harvested that day) and it's only a $5 donation to get in. Oh, did I mention it's BYOB. Played with Caroline Aiken....that was pretty cool.

shucking oysters in Awendaw (more photos on flickr)

We were in Asheville last year about this time but it was windy, blizzard-ish, and cold. This time was far nicer and we had a few days to hang around. We also had far better accommodations than the Super 8 off I-40 . . . Jim and Elisa put on a fantastic house concert and we even had a sing-along. Also had an in-room fireplace and got to watch the Falcons not fly as well as the Ravens.

The Grove Park Inn in Asheville (we were gonna stay there, but it's a little shabby)

Knoxville. I think I could like me some Knoxville. WDVX hosts the Blue Plate Special and I'm so glad to have gotten in on the menu. Being Martin Luther King Day and the Presidential Inaguration I assumed it might be a slow lunch time concert in Tennessee....but I was waaaaay wrong. Not only did we meet Heather Mae and Bethel Steele (two enormously fine people, songwriters, and performers), but the show was wonderful. Oh, and the Girl Scouts were there with free cookie samples. Clearly, one of the best shows ever....right?

Heather and Bethel at the Blue Plate Special

Alright, getting ready to head to Alabama to open for Eric Taylor. Haven't seen him since the show in London at the Green Note. Then, we head to Nashville. Folks have been asking me since I was 8 years old if I was going to go to Nashville. Well, yes....I am.

the Dirty

It took a few days skillfully navigating around nearly a million potholes on lovely I-65, and then suffering a thousand teenage rodents who found it amusing to occupy every elevator of a 25 story hotel therefore making it nearly impossible to leave the restaurant which was conveniently located at the top. But we held firm, we stayed the course, we didn't hit any ceilings, we didn't fall over and ridiculous cliff and landed safely in Atlanta. The ATL. Hotlanta.  Or let's just call it Warmlanta....it's only about 50 degrees. 

It's been a couple of weeks since we returned from the UK/Europe and after the 3 hours of sleep in Amsterdam, the 1 1/2 hour wait in the security line, the 3 hour layover in London, the 8 1/2 hour flight back, 3 trips though security, the privilege of being "selected" for additional screening, the high school ladies ski team on their first trip to Colorado, a 5 hour layover in Minneapolis,  the extra unexpected night at the motel 6, and the nice little package from the Merseyside Police Dept. in Liverpool containing the speeding ticket for going 58 in a 50..... I think I'm ready to jump back in the whirlwind tonight. We'll be heading just north in the Georgia mountains to Dahlonaga for a short set at the Crimson Moon. Tonight and the next few shows are all at places which boast being former and current stomping grounds for some pretty well know folks. I'm in the land of John Mayer(not the Milwaukee John Mayer but the one who dates movie stars), the Indigo Girls(oh yes, I most certainly am familiar with their catalogue) and the Allman Brothers. 

The time off though has been nice as a few new songs have been working their way into the set and I think there may be a few more on the way. Which works out perfectly as in a couple of months we'll be in NYC and Linus from the Evil Twins has very graciously offered to help me get them to tape at his studio in Brooklyn.  Linus and I have been talking about this recording for quite a while now so it's awesome to have the time scheduled to record. I'll keep you all up on details as they come up. 

In the event ya'll(see, I'm almost a local) have some people down this way...give 'em a shout out and tell 'em to tell their friends. 

www.joshharty.com

take care

Josh

Sunny with a chance of Snopocalypse

In Utrecht, Holland and it is supposed to snow...a lot. Well, not a lot in Wisconsin or North Dakota terms but in Dutch terms the apocalypse is nigh. 6-10 inches of the fluffy, white, end of transportation as we know it, reason to get to the grocery and stock up on everything ...snow. Holland does have it's hands full holding back the sea so I'm certainly not going to give the Dutch government any grief, whatsoever, with their handling of the uncommon inundation of snow. I will say, however, that this little snow storm could very well put a little crimp in my style/schedule over the next few days. 

We have a show tomorrow night at the University in Eindhoven, which is just a quick 45 minute train ride to the south...usually. If the weather comes as it may, it could cause a bit of trouble. Much like I don't like to take my imaginary Porsche out in the imaginary snow, the Dutch train authority doesn't much like to take it's very real trains out in the very real snow. This could make for a very long walk with a guitar in tow, or an uncomfortable and tense wee waiting period waiting for the trains to run...if they run. Or, it may be just a pleasant little dusting over night and all will be honey and ginger come morning. All Christmas like!

Speaking of trains, we took the Eurostar from London through France and Belgium yesterday, and after 7 hours on the rail.....Voila! Utrecht. Though before that was a show in Birmingham with Amit Dattani at the 6/8 Cafe. Amit's a super nice fella and a killer guitar player whom you should check out. You may also try to catch his show and look forward to the story about the cake. This show came about through Couch Surfing and an invitation from our friend Vangelis- it was pretty awesome. If you're planning a bit of travel and are looking for a cooler way to find your way around an unknown city....www.couchsurfing.org

We then went back to Leicester to hook up with our great friend Mick Smith. We rehearsed a few songs and headed down to John Montauge's club for a great night of music. (By the way, John's club would be in the Top 5 folk clubs in England). There were at least a dozen players, Mick's bluegrass band, Phantom Horse, John Montauge, Bob Cheevers, and the duo known as Mick Smith & Josh Harty. Turns out it was Mick's birthday=awesome night. 

The following night I played a set at the Acoustic Knights Club in Sutton Cheney. A great little place out in the English countryside and would certainly be on the list of places to visit when you come to the UK. 

the band joined in for a couple songs at the Acoustic Knights club

Alright,  here come the clouds. I'm going to do my best Captain Dan....

Josh