When I got to The Corner, there were four young girls, singing a cappella songs. I figured they would give up soon enough, so I just sat on the side bench and tried to figure out what they were singing, since they were both inaudible and unintelligible. After a while they "took a break" and then decided to try a different location across the street, so I took over.
Unfortunately, they chose to stand directly across the crosswalk from me, with the brick wall to their backs, which, with all four of them singing, was pretty intrusive on my "sonic space", but they were just having fun, so I didn't mind much. It was a pretty slow day anyway, being a Sunday.
They toughed it out for a surprisingly long time, and after a while, one of them went home and got her guitar. It was ludicrous but cute that they were singing current hits, be they hip-hop, electronica, or dance music, nearly a cappella but for the few chords she knew. But of course, cute draws in the tips, so they thought they were doing great.
Blain, who appears to be independently wealthy and spends his days down on the beach spinning a Frisbee "for peace", came by. He loves my stuff, and sometimes gets ideas about what song I ought to learn. Lately he's been hounding me to learn "I Write the Book" by Elvis Costello. I checked into it, and it's not for me, but the Costello song I dearly love is "Watching the Detectives", so I worked that one up instead. I feel awfully white and geeky playing Reggae, but it occurred to me that I can't be much whiter or geekier than Costello himself...
About 8:30 it was pretty dead, but I guess dinner hour was over because we started getting lots of people, and forming pretty big crowds. One little girl came up and asked for a song I'd never heard of, so I asked her to choose a song from the Kids' List. She took it back to the bench and her mom, so I followed them over there (the benefits of being wireless). Of course, I knew what song she'd undoubtedly pick, so I started looping the intro, and when she finally pointed to "Let It Go", I just started singing it, much to their surprise.
Nice weather, good turnout. Lots of young families, but most of the kids were too young to be brave enough to come up and sing, so I only got one big "Let It Go" singalong going. "Do You Want to Build a Snowman" is also a big hit, and a surprise for the kids since it's not on the list yet. I can also play "For the First Time in Forever", but it's more obscure, so I can only bring it out if the kids are hard core "Frozen" fans.
I was playing "Kiss the Girl" on spec, hoping to drag in some kids or teen passersby, and a little girl came running up out of the crowd, wearing an Ariel costume (I think it was actually jammies). She was pretty thrilled.
And later on I was playing "Let It Go" for some teenagers, when a little girl appeared, carrying her Frozen doll. It's actually both sisters -- you can flip it upside down and invert the long skirt, covering one sister and revealing the other, to change between the two. It was in Elsa mode when she came up -- correctly, since "Let It Go" is Elsa's big number. Naturally, I did "Snowman" next, and the little girl knew that she needed to flip the doll over, since that's an Anna song. Really cute, and a treat for them to be able to participate.
After a couple more songs, her dad gave her a tenner, and told her to put it in the jar and take a CD. She didn't know which one to take, so I showed her which one had "Let It Go" on it. She looked confused and said, "But, I already *have* 'Let It Go'..." I had to explain that, yes, but on this CD, it's *me* singing it.
So the Fête ran from 1:30 to 4:30, so I just rolled on down to The Corner afterwards and set up to play some more. I bought a yummy Greek chicken wrap thing from the shop next to the ice cream store, had some dinner, and was playing again around 5:00. And we had lots of nice people all night long so I couldn't seem to cut if off until 10. Longest I've ever played in one day -- eight hours is toooo long. Especially since I'd been recording a new Kids' CD the whole week before, so my fingers and voice were already partially worn out.
And indeed, it was literally too long for my iPad songbook. When its battery went out at 9:30, I had to play only songs that I've got memorized, which is a pretty short list 'cuz I'm used to the safety net of the words and chords sitting there, even if I only need a glace or two. But actually, having been forced to try, I was surprised to be able to do at least nine songs: Hotel California, The Boxer, Blackbird, Over the Rainbow, You Got a Friend, Homeward Bound, Let It Be, Sounds of Silence, and Leaving On a Jet Plane.
Warren's friend, fiddler Doug Miller, came past on his way from the Fête, and joined in on 4 or 5 songs. He's very good, but he thinks so too, and plays too loud, and quite distractingly. It's somewhat amazing that he can play louder than my amplified guitar and voice with just his fiddle. It was pretty cool, but I wasn't disappointed when he had to leave...
So, we had a great time overall, made pretty good tips, and I sold another 10 CDs, which is flattering. But, ouch, my fingers...
This was the 7th annual "celebration of music to start the summer" Fete, and my third. This year they expanded the time from two hours to three, which is no problem for me, of course. I was assigned my usual spot in front of Johnny Rockets restaurant, at the corner of Ocean and PCH.
It's a pretty good spot -- I'm under a canopy out of the sun, and a lot of people pass by walking along PCH. Unfortunately, it's not a very wide spot in the sidewalk, so people feel uncomfortable standing there for very long, so nobody stays for more than a song or two, and I can only collect a crowd of 5 or so.
Still, people were friendly. Most of them had no idea why there were so many bands all over town. But lots of people took advantage of my request list, and I sold 11 CDs, which may be a new record.
They always have a party for the performers the night before in a zillion dollar mansion overlooking the ocean. I've never made it before, but this year, I made myself go, even though I knew I wouldn't know anybody. Except the organizer guy, who almost didn't recognize me without my hat, and who immediately clamped onto me and made me get up and perform -- mostly, I think, just to dislodge the people who had monopolized the "stage".
I had brought my guitar just in case, but had thought it would be, like, a living room kind of thing. But it was a loud party, and the only way to be loud enough was to hook into the *terrible* amps they'd borrowed. So I played two songs, sitting down ('cuz I'd forgotten my strap), with a mic on a stand (instead of my usual head-mic), and barely being able to tell what I was doing with the weird sound. It felt weird, and it sounded weird (though a whole bunch of people improbably came up to me afterwards to tell me how great I sounded). More "dues" I guess.
Terrific weather, lots of people out, and we did really great. Played from 5:00 until 11:00, the whole time with people listening and requesting songs and having fun -- even dancing. It seems like every time I have a terrible night, the next one is that much better to restore my faith in this job.
Lots of families with kids out, so we played "Let It Go" a lot, frequently followed by "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?", and this time I played "For the First Time in Forever" a lot better. Unfortunately, it's not a song that people remember well from the movie, so I'll have to hold it back for the really dedicated Frozen fans.
At one point three little kids were on the bench with their grandma, eating their ice cream and ignoring me. I started up "Let It Go", and the look on those three little faces as they recognized the song was heart melting. Worth all the trouble, right there.
A crazy blonde lady came by, very enthusiastic, dancing, interacting with the other people. She had some kind of outrageous accent, so I asked her where she was from. She came up and whispered in my ear, "Poland". I'm not sure why, and from whom, that's a secret...
My sweet little superfan lady (she calls me "Mr. Comer") and her husband came by again. She already has the main "Favorites" CD, but asked me if I had any others. I told her about the other two, but that I didn't have any with me. I've put some in the bag for the next time she comes.
I've updated the request list, removing some songs that never get requested, and adding some newer ones or songs that I think are getting strong enough to deserve a spot in the top 100. It only took two or three songs before someone noticed the addition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water", which I've known for a long time, but couldn't risk putting on the list 'cuz it's really high and I couldn't sing it if someone asked for it too early in the night. But my voice has moved up a bit, and now I think I can get away with it any time these days. And it's a real crowd pleaser, and tends to attract the attention of people walking by. It got requested three times, overall.
The new sign continues to sell lots of CDs -- eight this time. I'm going to have to start bringing more inventory to these gigs. One lady said, incredulously, "You're only asking five dollars for the CDs?" I said, "Well, you can put more in if you want to. I won't look!"
Sanchez was acceptably-volumed for the first part of the evening, but there was almost nobody out. When the galley closed and the foot traffic went up, he not only got louder, he went back to his car and fetched a roller cart with a full-on concert rig -- two big speakers, amp, mic and stand (though I don't know for what, since he never sings), and more effects than usual, I think. I don't know where he was getting the power -- my best theory is a car battery and inverter.
So, about 8:30 he was louder than he'd ever been. Way louder. I tried to keep going, but it was futile. A lady came by and leaned over and said, "That guy is too loud and annoying. You should do something." All I could say was "I wish I could."
After a few songs, and since it was a dead night anyway, and I just conceded defeat and went home. I guess I'll just have to abandon Friday nights if he's gonna just go nuclear like that.
The bike cop came by twice, once before Sanchez got the big amp out, and once after. He just hung around, but didn't talk to either of us, either time. Notably, the second time, Sanchez finished the "song" he was working on and got real "busy" with tending the wires and other stuff so as to not be playing while the cop was there. I guess, without any complaints, the cop couldn't/woudn't do anything.
Even more annoyingly: As I was putting my stuff in the van, the cop rode up and all friendly-like said, "How's it going?" I said, "I'm giving up -- that other guy is too loud." No response to that. Instead, he wanted to talk about the $5 CD sign, and whether or not that was a "donation". I said, yes it was, and he took that as OK, despite there being nothing on the sign to that effect. Weird.
But, really, my $5 CD sign is what's bothering you, not Hearing-Damage loud guy?!?
It was an unexpectedly low turnout for such a nice summer Saturday, but we had nice people most of the time anyway. My new big-font sign is still working well -- I sold six CDs.
A pair of girls came by and one of them stopped when she recognized my name on the sign. She was flabbergasted that it was "that guy from Indian Princesses", and remembered that "Walking (sic) with Bears" song. So of course I played it (well, "Waltzing...") for her. It was fun to see her so completely blown away.
I had the continuing sound problem with the guitar, but this time I bypassed the wireless but *not* the tone box, and the problem remained, indicating an easily fixable dead battery in the tone box. That one lasts six months or more so I don't think of it when I have problems, and I don't recognize the symptoms. But maybe next time I will, and it's a relief to have it be so easily fixable and not have to get the wireless rig repaired, which I was dreading.
The Tommies (dad Tom and daughter Tomi) are back in town for the summer, and they set up on the corner across from us. It's disheartening to be playing to 3 or 4 people and to look over to see a crowd around them. Musically, they're kind of awful, but Tomi is just so cute, and impressive (for an 8-year-old) on the lead guitar. But I guess you use what you got, and young and cute beats out old but good.
But it was fun enough that we played until around 11:00. After we'd packed up, we were hanging out on the bench when a young couple walked up and the girl asked if either of us had any scissors. There's a tiny pair on my pocket knife, so I said that I did, and fished them out. I thought she might have a price tag or washing instructions tag that she needed removed, but she wanted to chop the entire bottom of her dress off!
She said that it was a bridesmaid's dress that she hated and was going to throw away tomorrow anyway, but it was too long and she couldn't dance in it, and it was ruining her evening. Her boyfriend was skeptical and tried to talk her out of it, but she was determined, and I had already produced the scissors. She started to cut into the dress, but the tiny scissors and her awkward angle weren't up to the task. Once she'd put a hole in the dress, I figured there was no going back now, so I had her stand up on the bench and switched to the knife and just hacked it off for her.
After she'd spun a full 360 and I'd hacked off a jagged 8-to-12 inch ring, she stepped out of it and dropped the over-skirt, which *wasn't* too long and covered up the field repairs. She was thrilled, and bequeathed the dress remainder to me, her hero.
As they walked away, the boyfriend inexplicably handed her two bucks to put in the tip jar. It's all part of the service, ma'am.
When I was setting up, the maintenance guys came and turned down the fountain and turned off the music in the plaza that I play in, as usual. But they left the music in the corridor right ahead of me on, and it's way louder than it used to be at that.
I called the guy, and he said that his boss told him not to turn the music down in the corridor any more. I have a feeling that the only way they can is to turn the music off in the whole mall, so I can understand his position, but it really sucks. Not having much choice, I just went ahead and played, and at least it wasn't as bad as I was expecting.
And then I was having trouble with the guitar sound. It was all distorted, so I got out a cable and bypassed the wireless, and the distortion was gone, but the tone was all messed up because I was also bypassing the tone modification box. Ack.
So, after all the trouble, I wasn't much in the mood to play. But I had some cute kids and friendly people come by, and I gradually came around. Right off the bat I had a big rock'n'roll dance party start up. And I got some kids up to sing "Let It Go" this time. And later on, a really nice thing was a group of teenagers who came up and started playing with the littler kids -- initiating "Ring Around the Rosie" and such. Must have been ex-Girl Scouts.
It was a nice sunny Sunday afternoon and I didn't have anything else to do, so I went down. Only played two and a half hours, though, 'cuz I ran out of battery power -- I must not have gotten it on the charger right.
But it was fun. Lots of nice people out. A little girl was sitting on her dad's lap on the bench, looking bored and burned out. I fired up "Let It Go" and she just lit up. That was fun. And of course other people stop when I'm playing that song (or their kids do, so they have to), so I accumulated a little crowd pretty quickly.
So I had people there listening most of the time, and a surprising number of people put money in the jar just as they were walking by, without stopping. And my new, bigger font, "CDs: $5" sign is working really well -- I sold 4. I guess I should have thought of the sign revision a long time ago...
I had played at Spectrum the night before, and there were two friendly guys for a while. And here they were again, wandering by, smiling. And a group of young teenage girls came by and said "Did you play at Spectrum last night?" Yup, that's me. Not a lot of guys out here with this hat.
