Texas Texas Texas (Part 1 of 2)

Hey kids. Been back from my Texas mini-Tour for a few days now. Sorry I didn't blog much while I was down there, but my my my, did I have a good time.

My first gig on March 14 was pretty good. I played this (fairly) new pub called Firkin & Phoenix, opening for local staple Petesimple. Admittedly, I was a bit nervous since it was my first gig back in H-Town, but I got over that pretty quick. My good friend Abby Seible (who helped me write "Everything's OK") came up and sang BGVs on some tunes and we played another song we wrote together.

The crowd was pretty good - a lot of familiar faces there. It's a nice place. However, I wasn't sure if they were watching me or the Rockets game being projected on the large screen behind me. ;)

Here's my set list:

• Now
• Light of Day
• Alone Again
• Untitled (The Man That I Am)
• May I
• Avalanche
• Rely On Fate/The Crime
• Sad Infatuation
• Not Guilty
• All That Is Beautiful
• Rich With Red
• The Way You Make Me Feel

My next gig was on March 16 at another new joint called The Corkscrew. AMAZING place. It's a wine bar on Washington Street (between Studemont and Downtown) that has a room draped off on the right, mildy lit with couches all around, for live music. Such an AWESOME place to play. I was invited by the Julian Samuel, one of the hosts for that night, to play. I was honored. I'd love to play there again.

On the drive up there, a song came on my iPod that actually got me a little choked up. I've only lived in New York for a little over three years, but it's been long enough for me to adjust to the inevitable changes that go along with moving from a city like Houston to a city like New York. And being back in Houston made me realize how much I've actually changed - not in my personality, but just how I go about my day-to-day. The way I "deal" with people, the way I get from one place to another ... the pace is so different in the City and coming back to Houston, doing things the way I used to ... I got very, you know ...

So when Elton John's "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" started playing on the drive up there, I got really emotional - at a level I haven't really experienced before. For the first time, I began to really appreciate different things about the way I live my life now and the way I used to live my life. It sounds kind of silly, but I was so inspired to add the song to my set list. I've always loved the song and Elton's recording is so beautiful, but I had never played it before. So on the way to the gig, I started working out the changes in my head and when I got to the end of my set list, I went for it. Turned out pretty good ... I think. I was afraid I'd get choked up again while singing it, but not so much. I guess I was too worried about getting the changes right.

Here's my set list:

• Now
• Avalanche
• Rely On Fate/The Crime
• On the Cusp
• Alone Again/Wildwood Flower
• All That Is Beautiful
• Not Guilty
• Untitled (The Man That I Am)
• Stare (Yeah, Yeah)
• Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters

Austin was just fucking incredible. I'm gonna have to blog about it later. I've got some exciting news too! Stay tuned ...

Live in Texas

Howdy. So I'm in Houston seeing old friends, booking shows and rehearsing. It's a lot of fun. I miss the wife and the cat, and I miss New York a lot, but it's always nice to come back "home".

Have a last-minute booking for a show tonight at Firkin & Phoenix, opening for local band Petesimple. I used to play with Pete a lot while I was living here and it was nice of him to invite me to open for his band. Should be fun.

I have another show in Houston on Monday - playing at The Corkscrew, opening for Austin singer-songwriter Bob Barney. I may have some surprise guests at that show, too.

And finally, I'm playing in Austin during South By Southwest at Guero's annual "South By South Congress" festival. I'm going to have the full band (mostly full, anyway) for that one. I rehearsed with my old drummer Richard yesterday. I haven't played with him in years, but even after showing him some new tunes, it was like we haven't spent a day apart. So good to play with him again.

My bassist Zack will be coming down from New York to play with us in Austin. SHOULD. BE. AWESOME.

In a way, I feel like I haven't left NY. It's been COLD here in Houston. Not "NY cold" but it feels like it because it's not usually this cold down here. So in a way it's been nice, but dammit - I didn't pack for this. I brought two hoodies, so I'm alternating between the two. It's supposed to warm up by Monday!

OK kids. I'll blog about the gigs later. Take care.

Homeward Bound

Leaving for Houston on Wednesday afternoon. I'll be in Texas for two weeks, splitting time between Houston, San Antonio and Austin. Can't wait to see old faces and play old places.

Take care!