Okay. I guess it’s time for the Journal to take a twist. I must admit I’ve been kind of down for a long time, it’s been difficult to make things happen, to make myself get things done. Despite good things happening in my own Life, professionally I’ve just felt stalled and the world outside of myself has sickened me.
On December 19th, Heather and Rowan and I did our last trip of the year up to Philadelphia, PA. We performed at an excellent coffeehouse called the Burlap and Bean with a rockband called Vilebred. Really run (mostly) cover band who’s guitarist introduced me to something wonderful: the Red Witch Analog Fuzz God II.
And so, when in September I finally took permanent residence in Catonsville, MD – I looked at that as the end of an era. I’d spent five years homeless and the idea of declaring the Trip kind of “over” now that I actually had a mailing address was a lot more appealing than the idea of just letting our touring peter away into less and less time on the road… slowly winding down as the world around me became more and more abrasive.
After our show at the Burlap and Bean, we hunted for parking in Philly proper (never a fun task) and ended up parked snugly against the trunk of an old oak out in the cold near our friend JJ Tizou’s house. Rowan and I had of course played JJ’s Osage House Concert before back in October, but this was Heather’s first time in this magnificent space and showed her immediate Love for it by lying down on it.
But I never quite laid down the line – and though people who’ve asked repeatedly why there’s nothing in the Journal have gotten the response “well, it’s a TOUR Journal and we’re not on tour” – I never quite declared it dead. And I’m glad of that.
We always appreciate warnings (and gentle encouragement) like this.
In any case, I’m going to get my head out my ass and redevote myself to my art and my music. And of course, part of that will be writing in the Journal again…. the world is helping with a couple of requests for paintings and web design and my open mic ALWAYS lifts my spirits.
Our oblong audience at the Osage House Concert from December 20th in Philadelphia, PA. An amazing night where we re-met Gillian Grassie who we’d last seen on the VERY first night of the Trip at the Point on September 2nd, 2003.
(hopefully that’s not just the road talking)
But thanks to the people who HAVE been bugging me. You remind me that there’s actually an audience for all the crap floating around inside my head and I’m very, very grateful for that.
So where am I? Just north of Richmond in Virginia, heading fast for Wilmington, NC.
We’re running late and I’m marginally worried about getting there on time, but it’s hard to be TOO concerned because we’ve Creedence on the stereo and that gritty 8-track sound makes troubles melt away.
Gillian Grassie, an amazing singer/songwriter harp player was like a great, beautiful cat. A lilting voice and the most graceful harpist I’ve ever met. This is her performing at the Osage House Concert in Philadelphia, PA for a benfit for Casino-Free Philly.
And so… there’s a bad moon on the rise and asphalt beneath us. It’s probably not a good sign that I felt far more natural looking for a snack in a truck stop today than I have in all my time at the House of Musical Traditions. Something about the TRUE universal convenience of those interstate oases, knowing that I can get a tactical folding knife, a DVD, hairbrush, stuffed animals, CB radio or plain old lunch… true greatness that a mere 7 Eleven or Wawa can never, ever aspire to.
CCR has faded to Bon Jovi and Richmond has faded to Petersburg and maybe we’ll make our soundcheck after all…. then the B52s…. this radio station fucking rules.
Uh… you got a WHAT on your nose?!? Greatly amused by these snowmen and their drama in Takoma Park, MD.
I must admit, for New Year’s we played Rockband. Joanna showed that she’s better at shooting the heads off zombies than drum solos, but she was pretty rockin’ nonetheless, and really – all of the above is why Sharif (and the rest of us) Love her. I ended up playing bass for a lot of the night, swapping back and forth with Peter and Heather took vocals right up until Sharif decided he wanted to sing some Nine Inch Nails.
I wish Heather could do her booty chair dance with a little less swerving. I mean it’s really, really hot… and quite a show. No really, wish you were here to watch. We’d probably make more money if she’d do more of this sort of stuff on stage… but we might die. And that’s hot too… but I don’t want to go today. (thass wazzup)
Aaaaand Brennan rocking out on LEAD GUITAR!!!! We all reconfirmed the fact that MUSICIANS suck at Rockband! (shhh… don’t tell us different, it’s one of our few points of pride!). New Year’s was a lot of fun, quiet and private – Heather’s first gathering at her new place and MY first time dropping real money in a liquor store. My Patron Cafe supply lasts me to this day.
It’s been really cool Living with Brennan and getting to occasionally run out and play with him too. He’s developed into a really interesting instrumentalist and his encyclopaedic knowledge of music leaves me shame-facedly making a shopping list of books and teachers. When he gets a night off we try to run off to an open mic together and last Wednesday we decided to try out Chris Wojtal’s Cacao Lounge open mic. Some interesting acts but I must admit I was completely distracted that I had a night of really, really, really bad suck.
Michael Berkowitz playing at Cacao Cafe in Ellicott City, MD.
