loobie and me.

momma me and baby lou year 

It's only one day after the 2 shows I got to play with Lou Barlow (www.loobiecore.com) and already I miss it. The first night was at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA. Sold out. Anne Pinkerton (the most talented singer I've ever worked with) joined me for both shows. Chris Brokaw (The New Year, Come, Consanant, Lemonheads) played as well. My beautiful girlfriend Jen joined us on the trip. The three of us arrived in Boston around 7. Lou was on stage, soundchecking. He played a 4 string steel string and a nylon string guitar. He also had all kinds of loop pedals and this old moog type keyboard. Chris Brokaw arrived around the same time that we did. It was nice to chat with him. He also played at Night Owl so this was like a Night Owl on wheels type of event. I'll tell you, I've never been treated better than I was at the Middle East. The 2 sound guys (Dave and...oh shit, I forgot his name) were stellar. Real helpful and down to earth. Anne and I got a real live soundcheck where we got to try songs with both the guitars I brought. Anne even had her own monitor mix. I mention this only because these things are rare and cherished for the artists who don't have any monitary backing (translated: no major label money). Jen went out and grabbed us pizza (before she sold merchandise for Lou, Chris and myself...which she seemed pretty happy about) while we checked. Then they opened the doors and within minutes the place was packed. I could barely make it to the bar to grab a soda. Needless to say the room was filled with conversation and I started to get a little nervous that it would stay that way while we were playing. Anne and I took our places and I said "hello" into the mic and the needle came off the record. Silence. Absolute silence. It was amazing. The crowd was so sweet and interested. They listen to, and loudly applauded, every song we did. Anne sang beautifully and I guess I played pretty well. We stepped off stage and for the first time in my life I felt famous. People were sheepishly introducing themselves and a little afraid of me it seemed. We sold a bunch of CD's and made some new friends. I have to say, if that's what it's like to be famous I guess it's not so bad. But it's not like I reached David Ortiz status (although I did eat 5 huge slices of pizza) but it was something. I was in love with the fact that we went over so well. I was so grateful to Lou for letting us open the show. I wondered what he thought of it. He was sitting with Jen at the merch table when I arrived and he was completely blown away. He said it was the best thing he'd ever heard me do. He thought it was utterly amazing in every way. I almost cried. It means so much coming from someone who I not only look up to but I also know how seriously he takes music. It's everything to him. And he's VERY critical. What a HUGE compliment. Lou walked away and I asked Jen what she thought. She said it was great but she wasn't sure she heard all of it because Lou was going on and on about how great I sounded. I almost cried again. Not just because of Lou's review but more importantly about how utterly in love I am. Jen is truly my best friend. I never could've imagined that I'd be lucky enough to be with someone like her. What a great, late night. Chris played a great set of mostly guitar instrumentals (great player by the way). Lou was amazing. Intimate. Historic. Hilarious, and most of all, wonderfully alive. In my opinion he is one of the most important songwriters of our time. Period.
We had a chance to play at the Iron Horse the next night. It was just Lou and Anne and I. It was all the things that the middle east was. A little more talking though (I swear it must be in the fucking water in that town). I was invited on stage to sing and play guitar on Lou's cover of Ratt's "Round and Round". Good stuff. It was a wonderful night filled with wonderful friends and family. Lou's dad, John paid me a HUGE compliment at the end of the night. Again, tears. It's overwhelming to be born again musically. Jen and J Vaughn and I went home after the parade and I broke a pen and calculator to see how Jen and Anne and I could afford to go on tour. Just a pipe dream really, but a fun one. Thanks to all who were there. Hopefully we'll see you on March 11th at PACE. For more info go here www.nightowlrecords.net

me and Anne Pinkerton - March 3rd 2005 at the Iron Horse