Keep On Singin' My Song

Every time I go to an open mic I imagine in my head that somehow I will get mad guitar and singing skills and will step on stage and wow the crowd. That has yet to happen, by the way. It's like my daydream of taking over for some famous techno DJ and wowing the crowd with my spinning. I did threaten last night that I would be bringing my bassoon one week. It's a funny thought on many levels: 1) DORK, 2) "What the hell is she playing?, 3) It's too tall for stage, etc.

Anyway, last night's open mic, dubbed each and every week as "The Greatest Open Mic Of All Time" was pretty good. It was a little disconcerting and hilarious when we first walked in and saw about 20 middle-aged people all crowded around one of the TVs. Turns out Chap, who ran for the State Senate, was having a private party or something at The Firehouse Tap Grill and his friends, family, and supporters were freaking out whenever the results were shown. They did eventually move to the bar area so the open mix could start, but they continued to be loud.

Not as many people played as the last time I went, but I definitely recognized some faces and songs. I got some pictures, which I'll have to post later, but I wish I could describe the two middle-aged guys who got up and sang David Bowie and Eurythmic songs. It was bad-ass in a tambourine kind of way*. Brendan went second to last and was quite successful in his oddly tuned endeavor. All instrumental, it reminded me a little of Mogwai** + Explosions In The Sky** + a sitar. In fact, the tambourine man who sang "Sweet Dreams" was next to me and I thought he was going to go kiss him he liked it so much.

Thinking the night was over, I was gathering my things to leave when we got the surprise of the night..."Senator Elect....CHAP!" Dude! Chap was there and got up and sang a little ACDC. I got pictures and you better believe I'll be using those as blackmail. Uhhh, kidding.


XO,
SVR



*That's good, by the way.
**Acoustic, though, of course.

She

My new obsession is songs with the word "she".


There is something about voice and guitar and that word that makes up something very special. As was pointed out to and realized by me, "she" is often used in break up songs. Songs that obviously came from pain and emotion and by using just the pronoun, it covers so much. It's like the singer/writer can't bring themselves to say her name, yet, at the same time, referring to someone as "she" is almost more personal. I'm not sure I can explain it, it may just be one of those weird things I like. You know, like clapping in songs, or the use of whistles (Axl Rose, I'm looking at you.)

Some favorites that come to mind...Please suggest any you can think of, I want to make a mix:

"She Says"- Howie Day

"Hang"- Matchbox Twenty

"Say Yes"- Elliott Smith

"Thinking About You"- Radiohead

and maybe my absolute favorite:

"Black" by Pearl Jam

XO,
SVR

Anyone Can Play Guitar

I haven't even picked up the guitar in years. I got busy or something. And then lately, when I have had time to practice, I figure I should practice my clarinet since that is what I play in orchestra.

But tonight I got my acoustic out of the case, tuned it up (by ear, of course;) and gave it a few strums to see what I remembered.


Not much.


BUT, just a few clicks on google and I had reminded myself how to play "Disarm" and "Everlong"...shut up, I know they're 'cliche'. And that F bar chord? Oh yeah, I've still got it*! I'm kind of inspired. We'll see what I tackle tomorrow!


XO,
SVR


*Note: "It" is not anything spectacular. I am not a good guitar player and never really was. I was decent for awhile, but was never good at playing by ear and would get frustrated when I wasn't good immediately.