surfing couches (NY)

So I recently registered on the website Couchsurfing.org

I first found out that it existed about a year ago and checked it out, but didn't give it too much attention for some reason. Little did I know that this like the absolute dream come true for me. It's meeting a bunch of really nice, cool people and saving money on hotel rooms, as well as avoiding the discomfort of sleeping in the car occasionally.

So the first time I used it (kinda) was when Delorean and I recently did our midwest tour in January. I booked a show at this cafe in La Crosse, WI and the girl that booked me, has actually joined the website, and her sister had an account, so we crashed with them, and it was awesome. They greeted us with a cold, delicious wisconsin beer and it was quite pleasant thereafter.

So my second, and truest experience was a couple of nights ago. Sometimes I overlook the little things, and I ended up contacting this guy, Glenn about a few hours before I was headed up to NY from PA. He actually ended up calling me that night, but it was pretty late and I was sheets already. So the next morning I meet up with him at Panera (my new hangout nationally; I should see if I can get an endorsement). He handed me the keys to his place and I headed over there.

I went for a run (and almost died). Map My Run needs to have a 3-D topographic feature on their website. I was plagued by a very hilly run, and actually like 1.5 of the first 2 miles was due uphill at about a 30% grade. I almost died, and while I didn't stop in frustration, I kept my feet moving, but I figured it would have been moving at about the same speed had I been walking, but whatever.

I made it to my turnaround point, and then I knew I had a mostly downhill run on my way back. Well this seems great, right? but when you're running up hill you're mostly in control and it's easier to get traction. When you're running at a steep grade downhill, you're trying not to gain too much speed, so there's a little resistance and it's also snowy and icy and there was no sidewalk, did I mention that? yeah a stupid run... but I made it. and it was as satisfying as ever.

So after my treacherous run, I had some downtime and watched one of my favorite 1980's flicks from when I was young: Howard the Duck This guy Glenn, had some sort of rig where his X-box was tied into Netfilx and there was literally hundreds of movies and TV shows all with instant access. Most of them were pretty lame or I had never heard of them, but there were some gems in there. Speaking of which, remember that song I wrote a couple of years ago: Henry Poole. Well it was for open submission for the soundtrack to this film before it came out. As you may know, my song was not selected, however, I still play the song live all the time.

Long story longer, I finally got to see the film, and it was really good. I liked seeing Luke Wilson in a different role than his usual sheepish, timid, naive character. There were elements of that, but he showed some real emotion in this film. So I suggest you check it out (even though the cocksuckers didn't use my song. They must have never heard it, cos after viewing the film, my song applied more than ever. it would have fit the closing credits perfectly.

That night Glenn and his roommate Lexi had some friends over for a little drinking social hour(s). It started off with a little "asshole" (which I became both of the first two games) but I rebounded to just finish in the middle of the pack the final two games. then came beer pong. Mind you, I don't actually drink a lot. I love my coors light and my manhattans, and my Oberon (and now New Glarus (WI)), but I'm not in college anymore, and I am hanging out (at 29) with these 18-21 year olds. I think I fit in pretty well with them, and I do throw a mean ping pong ball into a cup of beer. So I had the esteemed pleasure of playing on Glenn's team and we ran the table, and went 5-0 to start with a couple of close calls. Then his good friends (and his usual partner) knocked us off in their 2nd try to take control of the table. We later played a couple of more games, and as I recall, i think we were 6-1 or 6-2 on the night. you play 7-8 games of beer pong and you're having a good time.

So after passing out around 4am on the best couch available (seniority I guess) we hit up another upstate NY gem, the SKylark (motel/diner). it was delicious and wicked reasonable. So I bought glenn and lexi their breakfast to thank them for their great hospitality. Ahhh if only I was 18-21 again.

--------- Backtracking a bit------------

Did I mention how awesome the ELizabethtown College show was on weds night? This got postponed from LAST wednesday cos of the blizzard (which I drove through on my ridiculous drive back to MI, spinning out THREE times on I-80 that day). So they had their Valentine's theme, even though V-day had passed, they still had everything from the previous week, so it works. I colored a valentine heart with crayons for a nice young classical piano player, named Maggie I believe. AND (tear) someone made me a valentine that said: "HighMay musician guy... I love the shit out of you" How romantic. I wonder where that is, I wanted to put it on my fridge. oh well.

Also I met my future manager. CHelsea is the girl that booked me for the show, and she was super cool and has her hands dipped in almost every department at the freakin college. She's a busy body and only has 3 jobs this semester (her senior year) as opposed to 5 jobs, like last semester. She is studying I think marketing/promotion I think she wants to promote and manage bands, so best of luck Chelsea!! I will hire you once you get your feet up under you.

Also at E-town a young student opened up for me. Her name is Chloe Beveridge. She's a great songwriter and singer, and plans a little piano too. Very easy on the eyes, so keep an eye out for her music...

I just blew a bunch of money at a music store here in Vestal earlier today. I planned on just buying a guitar stand and a guitar cable. This ended up being those two items + another guitar stand + Them Crooked Vultures CD + new Vampire Weekend CD + a 2-disc DVD of The Who from 1977 (one of Keith Moon's last shows with the band).

whatever music stores are beginning to become my kryptonite. I need to learn how to play that banjo, someone remind me.

all right, I have a couple of days in NJ coming up, playing a late show in NYC tuesday night in Brooklyn. then return to Seton Hall and down to NC where I may or may not need to wear a jacket. I always get my hopes up. At least I'll get to hang out with my buddy/cousin Jon. He introduced me to Bojangles fried chicken. I might have to do a little extra running before I get down there.

-piece out

a new instrument (2/06/2010)

We wrapped up our little midwest swing this past Sunday in La Crosse, Wisconsin. I kinda utilized my new couchsurfing.org membership saturday night after our la crosse show. But it was cheating a bit. The girl who booked us at the Root Note (awesome cafe by the way) is also a member on couchsurfing, so we hooked it up and it was technically my first experience with that "website" but not with crashing on a couch. it was a futon actually.

Alex and her sis Christina were amazing in putting us up. We weren't there long, but they made us feel right at home. Mike and I walked in and were instantly handed a cold beer and we talked and just listened to music for a while. Did you know Bon Iver is from eau claire, wi? neither did I. see, the things you learn in WISC.

Our show the night before was at UW-Eau Claire and this awesome little venue right in their student center. Its called the Cabin. Great stage and sound. Katlyn and I think Rob (sound) hooked everything up and it was smooth. We played to a very sparse crows, but I think they were quite appreciative. I am sad to learn that they are ripping down their current student center to build a new one and, hence, so goes this great venue, but surely they'll be building a new one.

The Root Note in la crosse, is amazing, they feature a very healthy mix of foods/snacks, all obtained locally and all organic. They have an awesome stage and sound system, and the people there are super nice. so I can't say enough about it. Our show was a noon (ish) show. we were late, cos christina and patrick cooked us up a nice fresh, healthy breakfast and we were enjoying it too much. Fortunately, Alex, who booked us and was in charge, was at the breakfast table with us, otherwise, I would have been much more inclined to be punctual.

So I've been back in the D for the week. Looking forward to the Superbowl tomorrow and I actually have a Michigan show tonight. Up in Saginaw, it's about 90 minutes north of here and I haven't been there either ever, or since I may have played hockey up there when I was younger. So on one hand, it will be nice to play a show that is ONLY a 90 minute drive each way, whew what a godsend... most people don't think the way that I do...

I'm psyched to meet with one of my producers, Vernell tomorrow about the song DUST that he/we have been working on for the past several weeks, and then I have a couple rendezvous in between that and the Superbowl, where I make my trademark, chili con queso. Then after the game, I leave town to get a head start to Massachusetts for the shows out east this week, but it's a nice light, efficient load. 3 shows in 3 days. who could ask for more. I wish I could schedule that way every trip.

OH by the way, the whole point to the title of this entry, I almost forgot. As we were about to leave LAX to make the long trek home (which ended around 230am), we stopped in a music store while my Yellament was warming up, and I saw a lonely, used banjo for $100. We added the cargo with the last few dollars in my pocket and barely made it home. Thanks Leithbolds Music.

anyway, I'll hopefully check in this coming week about the shows.

Hello, goodbye.

Oh Claire!! (from 1/30/2010)

hidey ho! neigbor. we are coming down on the homestretch for our 2 week stint in the midwest. It has been very cold, but just like home pretty much.

our journey started in madison, wisconsin on MLK day, and was not a complete disaster. I mean, we got there, set up, played the show. We were fortunate to play to 2 people. We also had a good time. Michael Delorean has accompanied me throughout this trip, if you are just tuning in, he is my string'ed instrument extraordinaire. He plays cello on about 5 tunes, mandolin on 2 and electric guitar on 3 (i believe).

After Madison, we had a day off and I was SO SO SO fortunate to get in touch with a friend from college who lives in milwaukee. which was only just over an hour away from Madison (as well as an hour and change from our next show in Beloit, WI). He and his lovely wife Danielle welcomed us into their home for two days and nights, and we were well-rested, well-internetted, and well fed, (they even cooked us an amazing dinner). It was all capped off with a visit to Kopp's, a legendary fixture in the frozen custard industry in milwaukee. I also ended up writing a song in pretty quick fashion.

I woke up with this melody in my head. and it stuck with me, so I got up pretty quick, and went downstairs to grab my guitar and penned out the whole song within an hour. This is pretty rare (to write a song that quickly and truly finish it), but after sleeping on it and playing it periodically in the days after, it is finished and it is tentatively titled: "North Milwaukee" it's a pretty stripped down and slow acoustic number kind of in the vein of ben kweller (when I wrote the chorus). here are the lyrics:
____________________________________________________________________

North Milwaukee

I got a postcard from my brother
looks like the boys began to grow
I got an invoice from another
and then some tears began to flow

I tried to be a New York Ranger
but they said I'm much too slow
I sold a textbook to a stranger
and then the dumb began to know

I'm sorry yesterday I missed your call
Maybe when we get back home
I can kiss your eyes and recognize
that without you I am alone

i scored a gig in north Milwaukee
and then my drummer didn't show
seems he was getting kinda cocky
and then he drank and hit the floor

got written up for 15 over
but still was driving pretty slow
I hit a 'dillo down in Houston
and now it's lunch time for a crow

I'm sorry yesterday I missed your call
Maybe when we get back home
I can kiss your eyes and recognize
that without you I am alone

I drove my tank right down to empty
and then I really had to go
I got my haircut by a lefty
and then my years began to show

__________________________________________________________________

before leaving milwaukee, I had to spend a little time with my friend, Rose, who goes to Marquette. I pursued Marquette University as a possible place to play when I found out that she went to school there, and was lucky enough to get 3 shows there the past 3 semesters. As it happens it just didn't work out this time around, but she was soo awesome about helping me promote my shows with all of her friends and she brought in crowds to see me at the Annex, which is a really cool place to play. and if you search back through previous blogs, then you'll see how much other fun I had while hanging with her and her peeps on previous visits. We just walked down to a little empty bar, had a beer, and that was it. but it was nice to catch up. and her drunk friend brought to my attention the School of the Americas (which I am not going to touch on, cos that's another debate) but it's some intriguing stuff nonetheless. I never had heard of it or its controversy before this night.

We made our way from Milwaukee to Beloit to play the college there (the caughy haus) for the first time. I nice downstairs, dingy, dark kinda place, but with tons of character. We set it up and rocked it the best we could and there was a nice little crowd there. I'd like to thank Kyle for making that happen with us, cos we really enjoyed it. Hope we can swing back through next time.

This was the tough night. we left Beloit around midnight and had an early NOON show at southern illinois university (and had to be there by 11AM) so we booked it from there and drove into the night. Mike was nice enough to sleep the entire time as I got drowsy and really helped me to stay awake by being annoyed. Also the sunflower seeds helped as they always do (thanks bro), and we made it to about 2 hours north of edwardsville and I had to pull over so we wouldn't die (at least from a driving accident). we awoke around 9am (surprising, since we were sleeping in a car) and got some quick wendy's breakfast (yes they have breakfast now, it's hot or miss) and moved. We also hadn't seen the sun since we left Michigan and it was raining pretty steadily all night the previous night and all day Thursday (our show). We arrived at SIU just a bit tardy after 11am and quickly loaded in and got set up. Thanks to Jesika for helping us get situated and also thanks to Emalie for booking us!

It was one of those nice lunch time hour gigs in the middle of the student center where people are just hanging out, or eating, or studying, and we were a bit wired, and tired at the same time, but played a pretty good show. then Jesika hooked us up with a nice lunch and they put us up in a hotel for the night, and we found it and hit sheets for a few hours.

(sorry I'm so behind, I'm just gonna keep rolling with this...)

After that night we headed up to Chicago. The couch crashing gods were with us again, as I have a friend who lives in a pimp house in chicago. turns out he and his wife were going to florida for the weekend, and we happened to need a place to stay for the weekend AND they needed someone to watch after their pets and we were very happy to oblige. We got to stay from friday til monday morning. What a huge gesture that they let us crash and it was just a huge help to us on the road saving money and living in great comfort.

NOW, this is why I'm not going to ....Chicago.... every again. we were playing our show at uncommon ground. let's recap first. Two visits ago, I had a little incident where there was a fender bender (which is an overstatement) and this guy caused me to make an insurance claim while I was on the way to my show at IL State and ended up being late. Last visit to chicago, car broken into at night, instruments stolen, had a show in milwaukee that night and had to sort everything out on this rainy day, and made it to milwaukee for the show, new window, police report, insurance claim, new instruments, etc. Big fucking annoying ordeal. Now onto this visit. playing our show at uncommon ground. everything was going well, we played a great show. Matt Crews brought in a lot of people himself so we got to play in front of a nice crowd. We were hanging out afterward with one of Mike's friends and about to leave. so I go to grab the car a few blocks away, bam, broken window again! glove box ransacked. they got my Nav, xm radio, and Mike's iPod. Fuckers!

so that's 3 visits to chicago in a row where I have had to make a claim with my insurance company and they don't actually reimburse you for personal belongings that you had in your car, just the car damage only, so anyway... NEVER GOING TO ....CHICAGO.... - INDEFINITELY. we are not on a break. we are over.

SO onto greener pastures, and by greener I mean much colder. We headed up to minneapolis where my friend, Gayle, lives and she has been so gracious as to put us up for a couple of nights earlier this week. we came on monday, just to cut our drive to North Dakota the next day to 9 HOURS. CUT THAT DRIVE DOWN TO 9 HOURS.

We left early and made it to Minot, ND at a reasonably evening hour. got a hotel room and before leaving wisconsin the last time, picked up a 6 pack of New Glarus honey bock beer for a special occasion. I guess north dakota was a special occasion. we ordered Domino's (They re-invented their recipe so we had to find out if it was better) and it WAS. I actually liked it and Domino's has always been my least favorite pizza joint, ranking above Sbarro at the shopping mall (not that I ever go to malls... just saying). so we enjoyed it very much and drank our beers, though I just found out right now that we still have a beer or two left in the cooler. fortunately it's been so fucking freezing that we just leave our food in the cooler with some ice and it doesn't even melt.

skip a couple of lounging days at Gayle's in MN and this brings us to last night, at the Acoustic Cafe in Winona, and we played really well I thought but there weren't too many people in the place, which was a shocker, cos every time I had been there before (which has been several; by that I mean 6-7 :) there had been many more people milling about. must have just been an off night. but fun nonetheless.

Today we are sitting at the Acoustic Cafe, though a different one, in Eau Claire, WI. I guess it's the same owners as the one in MN, and we're killing a little time before our final two shows this trip. 24 hours from now we will be driving back to MI and exhaling a bit to get back to our respective realities.

This could be the longest blog of my life, but only do to my sporadic blogging nature and neglect toward Myspace.

I'll end it here, and wish everyone to wear safe, hybrid boots which are fashionable but also prevent you from slipping on the ice, and stay warm, cos the spring is coming.

as always, piece out.

-jimmy

Milwaukee (from 1/20/2010)

Hi. No flip flops were packed on this trip. well actually they are packed, but that's mostly just in case we run into a shower that doesn't look too welcoming.

for the first time in history, I have embarked on a tour with another musician. He has only been featured in the past at local detroit area shows. and his talents are endless. but don't ask him to play cello after 4+ glasses of wine. his name is michael and he has been joining me on select songs playing guitar, cello and mandolin, no less. We have only had one show thus far, but have 3 in the next 4 days. So it was kind of a warm up show in many ways in Madison monday night.

We left around 730am on monday morning to try to make the entire drive from Detroit. Didn't really find a nice landing pad sunday night, so we made the drive pretty seamlessly actually (aside from like $10 in tolls, fucking bastards). We rolled into town, had some spicy chicken gumbo and then loaded in to The Frequency. Just Darwin (the guy who booked me) and the sound guy (Teddy) were there. Teddy got us set up and the sound was pretty good. now all we need is people.... hm... I said ALL WE NEED IS PEOPLE!!!

The Frequency, Madison

is there an echo in here? yeah, i kinda didn't figure that all the students from UW would still be on break AND it was MLK day, which means that Madison is pretty much shutdown for the day. OH well. We played virtually our whole set, cos what the hell else are we gonna do? and then just as we were about to finish, two young ladies showed up, and then we did some repeats, dedicated to them. arts must support the arts. one of them was a visual artists and I told her "we have to stick together."

So that was that, and since then we spent all day yesterday and today at my friends place just north of milwaukee. him and his wife were gracious enough to let us into their home, and provide each of us with our own room and bed, which is quite a luxury. Last night they cooked us dinner and then we went to what they said was quite a legendary dairy place called KOPP'S. They have great frozen custard there. I got a flavor called maple syrup and pancakes and I added some blueberries to it. let me tell you, it tasted exactly as advertised.

Kopp's Frozen Custard

If you're ever in the milwaukee area, I highly recommend it. i'm sure they have a website. also there's a huge walking type of mall in this area. don't know what it's called, but they have every national chain you can think of. Mike and I stopped at trader joes to grab a few snacks and then a bottle of wine for our hosts (which is already gone) but it was some good stuff. I need to visit trader joes more.

TJ's as I like to call it.

Tonight our 2nd show of the trip and 2 out of 2 on new venues played: Beloit College; the Coughy Haus. Should be fun as all new and old shows/venues are.

Tonight we have a wicked long drive (for a night drive) to edwardsville, IL which is at least 4-5 from Beloit. Why the night drive, you ask? well our show tomorrow is at 11am. so we have to be there in the morning... will let you know how that pans out.

fortunately we have a hotel booked for that evening so whatever sleep we miss out on, on the way down there, we will have a chance to catch up with...

first blog in a while! can I get a hoo ha two for tuesday!

-jimmy

Back in Mich-again (from december 6th, 2009)

Hi there. Alissa and I did a nice little afternoon gig a week or two ago at MSU in east lansing, and we met this cool little reporter chick, named Agnes.

She did a little write up or I guess photo slide show type of thing after the show. and it can be viewed here...

http://spartanedge.com/2009/11/24/photo-essay-noontimes-concert-series/

Hope everyone has a great holiday season as I already have and continue to...


Shows for 2010 are starting to arrive to keep checking back.

piece out

-james

http://spartanedge.com/2009/11/24/photo-essay-noontimes-concert-series/

Binghamton Cold (from 11/7/09)

my non-girlfriend ingrid michaelson referenced the "binghamton cold" in a song, "the hat" and I think I know what she means; my hotel room is really cold here in Binghamton and the thermostat doesn't seem to be working. I suppose she was in the same hotel room when she wrote that song...

since the break-in in Chicago a few weeks ago, I had to cut that trip short. I still went to Wichita, and played a nice afternoon thing at Wichita State, and then ended up moving up an evening show that weekend to the tuesday of the WSU gig, so a doubleheader, which I do every once in a while...

it was pretty cool, a nice quaint little coffeeshop, and I met a really cool barista there too, who kept my tea nice and warm throughout my long set. apparently one of the guys there has a friend who saw me at WSU last year and got my cd from the friend, and had been listening to it a lot, so i got to play for someone who was familiar with my tunes, and also sold a few other CDs to some takers in wichita, so I am looking forward to going back.

so with new (used) guitar in tow, and a new lease on life, i ventured out last sunday for this, my last trip of the year. it started with a nice little open mic in cincinnati. i reconnected with a girl I met in Michigan one time who was up from Cincy, and we stayed in touch, and we got to hang for a little bit, and I played the open mic, trying out my new fx pedals, and it went off pretty well...

I stopped in Cincy to cut my drive to Mississippi into two parts. so on the way to MS was nashville. I discovered that Ingrid Michaelson had a show in nashville on this night (monday now) and decided to stop by to see if I could get a ticket. as I found the venue, it said it was SOLD OUT, so I was dejected... then it got worse...

I noticed a tour bus pull around and a bunch of young hipster musicians wandering around the venue. just a few days earlier in detroit, i saw Ingrid and Allie Moss perform a free promo gig for some people at the hard rock cafe, and i struck it up for a little bit with Allie, and just talked about some other cool musicians, and touring, etc.

so I see her in the group in nashville, and she's surrounded by the rest of her crew, bands etc. after pacing back and forth for a minute, I approach, and just say, Hi, i'm the guy from detroit, i met you at the hard rock last week. blah blah blah. so all of a sudden I notice everyone around her is kind of staring at me, and I didn't look to creepy, just wearing my shades, a t-shirt, typical musician right? just chillin right? so I beckoned them to see if there was any way they could throw a fellow musician a bone and find a ticket or a way for me to get in to the show that night, and they shot me down...

I just felt really awkward, but they were still pretty cool nontheless, and finally mentioned to them that if they were not on the road on (this coming) monday, then I have a show in NY (where they're from) and I invited to them to come out. but they said they have a show that night.

so I left, feeling like a creeper, stalker, and I'm sure that wasn't their intention, but their reaction to me was a bit standoff-ish. After this wierd, awkward interaction, which I thought would have gone much better, I said fuck it, and I'm going to Mississippi.

Ole Miss, sunny and great as always. I played a cool set with the fx, which I hope can be a mainstay into my set for a while. and being well-rested, I needed it, because I had to drive 10 hours to NC for another afternoon gig at App state the following day.

App state was cool, I played there a year ago, and the guy who books me there is a great guy, who has been doing it there for like 20 years or something, and he helps to teach the student programmers about professionalism, promotion, being thorough, and many other life lessons, and they seem to follow through, cos they are known to bring some great names to campus... last year after my afternoon performance there, BJ Novak (from The Office) had a stand up show that night, so I paid for a ticket and he was hilarious.

that morning as I was cruising into Boone, I remembered about someone I knew in Charlotte. cos I had the next two days off and nowhere to go or to be. so I called up my buddy Jon and he told me to stop on by. so I did after the App state show, and we went out to a great smokehouse for dinner (McKoy's = delicious) and we just caught up, and his dog, Izzie, loves me (like all bitches do). and we just hung out, smoked a little, ran around town to take care of some errands. OH I finally joined CDbaby.com, so my CDs will be easier to buy online and will be available on iTunes. I just added the Low Carb LP to cdbaby right now, but i'm setting the table for the new HighMay album to be added, hopefully pretty soon.

just jumping around here...

let's see, after two great relaxing days in charlotte, I headed up to Binghamton, NY where I am now. just chillin before a late night show tonight Binghamton Univ, right across the street from this hotel. gonna be playing past midnight tonight. and it should be fun. New school for me, and new music for them. what could be better??

after this I head to Hoboken for 3 days, to work on mixing and finalizing the first two songs of the album, with my producer, John Seymour. in the middle of that on MOnday, I head to the big city for a show at Googies, where I played back in september, and I'm hoping to have a better turnout this time around...

all right, closing in on the final couple shows of the year. chillin. peace out.