The day we'd all been waiting for...
The Poison Room is such a nice room, I think. High ceilings, big stage, comfy sofas and chairs, nice sound system, and TVs playing "White Chicks" and old episodes of "Batman" with Adam West. Sweet. We got there early enough that we all napped in the car on and off for 3 hours or so. (Special thanks to the Hyatt for giving us the code to their clean and spacious bathrooms- for anyone who wants to know it's "5, 3" for the girls' room and "1, 4" for the boys'.)
Everything went so smoothly- load in, set up, getting "dolled up," we ended up having lots of time to kill on the couches taking pictures and laughing about everything under the sun. It had been a long 3 days at that point and, as with any long car ride, we had built up enough personal jokes and we were sleep deprived enough that laughing was easy.
Chicks Rockfest rules. I was really impressed, actually, not only are the staff the nicest people- they were really organized, had their shit really together, and it was just a fun time. There were plenty of people helping and all the music lovers who came to see the show(s) seemed to really enjoy it. It kind-of inspired me to try to do something similar whereever I end up. (We'll see.)
We were on second, after The Trojan Rabbit (a female fronted Cincinnati based band, all of whom are super sweet,) who had the unpleasant job of warming up the crowd. As I said- going on first is tough. And these guys did a great job. We danced even though it was cold and we were tired. We like dancing. We know how to have fun. Good music helps too.
Now, this blog is going to get a little personal, which I try not to do, but for this I will make an exception. Being in a band is really hard for me. Or at least, being the front man in a band is really hard for me. It challenges me to confront a lot of deep seated stuff that goes on in my head and it's a constant battle, so much so that I wonder sometimes why I bother, why I do it, why I force myself to try when I never seem to get it right. When I feel incompetent and incapable.
Last night was different.
This was the first show I've ever, ever ever ever, done where I've not only felt completely comfortable and completely at ease on stage, I also felt like I managed to tap into my favorite part of me- my heart. The part that loves everyone and everything and makes everyone laugh and dance and sing and smile and just feel so warm and good inside. It's the person I wish I could be all the time if it weren't for all of my personal baggage, all of my fears and insecurities and shortcomings. It's the person I am and I know I can be, I just don't sometimes because nobody's perfect.
But on that stage in front of all you beautiful smiling and dancing people, I became that person again, and I have to thank you. You and my wonderful band. There aren't many people in this world that you can spend three and a half days straight with without wanting to kill each other by the end, or at the very least without feeling awkward or stressed or strained. My band is as close to me as my family. What is it that Guitar Hero says? "A band is the dysfunctional family you choose." Saysha, John and Ryan are all beautiful, deep, and magnificant souls and I am the luckiest person in the world to have found them.
As I said before, best show ever.
Set List:
-Without You
-This Happens
-Don't Look Back (I Scream Song)
-Never Again
-Try So Hard
-Half Here
-Not That Bad
-Consider Me Gone
-Guiltless
-Stuck In My Head
The Poison Room is such a nice room, I think. High ceilings, big stage, comfy sofas and chairs, nice sound system, and TVs playing "White Chicks" and old episodes of "Batman" with Adam West. Sweet. We got there early enough that we all napped in the car on and off for 3 hours or so. (Special thanks to the Hyatt for giving us the code to their clean and spacious bathrooms- for anyone who wants to know it's "5, 3" for the girls' room and "1, 4" for the boys'.)
Everything went so smoothly- load in, set up, getting "dolled up," we ended up having lots of time to kill on the couches taking pictures and laughing about everything under the sun. It had been a long 3 days at that point and, as with any long car ride, we had built up enough personal jokes and we were sleep deprived enough that laughing was easy.
Chicks Rockfest rules. I was really impressed, actually, not only are the staff the nicest people- they were really organized, had their shit really together, and it was just a fun time. There were plenty of people helping and all the music lovers who came to see the show(s) seemed to really enjoy it. It kind-of inspired me to try to do something similar whereever I end up. (We'll see.)
We were on second, after The Trojan Rabbit (a female fronted Cincinnati based band, all of whom are super sweet,) who had the unpleasant job of warming up the crowd. As I said- going on first is tough. And these guys did a great job. We danced even though it was cold and we were tired. We like dancing. We know how to have fun. Good music helps too.
Now, this blog is going to get a little personal, which I try not to do, but for this I will make an exception. Being in a band is really hard for me. Or at least, being the front man in a band is really hard for me. It challenges me to confront a lot of deep seated stuff that goes on in my head and it's a constant battle, so much so that I wonder sometimes why I bother, why I do it, why I force myself to try when I never seem to get it right. When I feel incompetent and incapable.
Last night was different.
This was the first show I've ever, ever ever ever, done where I've not only felt completely comfortable and completely at ease on stage, I also felt like I managed to tap into my favorite part of me- my heart. The part that loves everyone and everything and makes everyone laugh and dance and sing and smile and just feel so warm and good inside. It's the person I wish I could be all the time if it weren't for all of my personal baggage, all of my fears and insecurities and shortcomings. It's the person I am and I know I can be, I just don't sometimes because nobody's perfect.
But on that stage in front of all you beautiful smiling and dancing people, I became that person again, and I have to thank you. You and my wonderful band. There aren't many people in this world that you can spend three and a half days straight with without wanting to kill each other by the end, or at the very least without feeling awkward or stressed or strained. My band is as close to me as my family. What is it that Guitar Hero says? "A band is the dysfunctional family you choose." Saysha, John and Ryan are all beautiful, deep, and magnificant souls and I am the luckiest person in the world to have found them.
As I said before, best show ever.
Set List:
-Without You
-This Happens
-Don't Look Back (I Scream Song)
-Never Again
-Try So Hard
-Half Here
-Not That Bad
-Consider Me Gone
-Guiltless
-Stuck In My Head
