Another night in H O L L Y W O O D

This week ( on Thursday) Me and Mr.Cassidy hit the town for another night of acoustic delight. We played during an artist showcase at Genghis Cohen in West Hollywood.

Tuning up Backstage

I had heard mixed things about this venue. Although, mainly wonderful things. A range of people in my LA life had been to the venue before and complimented the atmosphere and the food.

----> awesome side note: genghis cohen is a chinese restauraunt and you can order food into the music room. sesame seed chicken and live music? super sweet.

The only down fall i had heard was from another artist who just said he felt a lot of pressure from the promoters there. to be honest though its sad as an artist when you realize that venues need you for business just as much as you need there space, so when your draw or pull ( the amount of people who come to see you) isn't what they need - you aren't good for business. Grrr I hate the business side of things.

End Result, it is hard to get people to come out, especially on a week night, etc. but the people from Shout It Out Promotions were incredibly nice and accomidating to Scott and I.

We played 4th on a list of 5 and were lucky that so many people stuck around to see is, it was just about packed. In front of the stage are rows of church-like-pews with little tables attatched for your chinese food, obvi.

Our set went pretty well, I opened with a cover of Janis Joplin's Me and My Bobby Mcgee. I usually screw this song up. The song progresses up so the chords are not repetative, and I get really into it ( because come on it's janis joplin)... anyways i didn't mess up! for the first time ever! ( go me!)

We premiered some of our new songs that are part of the "story album" and explained a little of the concept so people could follow along which was great fun! We were able to get some more feedback on that.

Some of our new friends from St.Nicks Naked Angels came out too! so thanks for that ya'll! <3

if you missed it- SORRY! we are going on again there Dec.9th at 8:00 p.m. $10 at the door 8$ in advance, and a few more slots in january/february.

hope playing C A R D S ?

so, i got this little picture in my inbox today. and that it was just the coolest thing ever. ica, who does all of my photography as you've heard me say a million times just had new business cards made, there is a whole variety and GUESS WHOSE FACE IS ON SOME OF EM! thats right! mine! like little hope playing cards! or little ica playing cards however you look at it!

oh love. love . love. so exciting.

in other news, Scott and I are playing at Genghis Cohen this Thursday in Los Angeles, California ( West Hollywood) at 9:00 so be there, k?

a new O R I G I N A L song

I forget that not everyone is as dedicated to You tube as I .

So i figured i would re post this here: This is an original song of mine called " Never saw it comin" to be honest, this is not a very solid version of it, but i was very anxious to post it and my little sister has been begging me to, and who can say no to this face?

Also the timing in the video is off, haha whoops.

First week of Shows in H O L L Y W O O D

Oh, H o l l y w o o d . The land of dreams.

When I came to california, I can't honestly say I had a "plan" . I knew I was in the right place, and I knew I had a great circle of friends, but I suppose it is like anything else new you do in life, you sort of just close your eyes and jump, and hope that you end up in the right place... and I did.

Very soon after unpacking my boxes, My friend Jessie Payo gave my name to the board of the Hear NoHo festival, for the november 4th date. There it was my first Hollywood gig... crazy.

But even before that, I was also introduced to Scott Cassidy. He had booked a show October 30th at the Room 5 Lounge, and asked me to come on board. We started practicing on the weekends and even began writing together.

I was also asked last minute to play at St.Nicks Pub. Which is an amazing Writers Workshop here in LA. It was started by the Naked Angels in 1986 in NYC and has locations all over the globe. An audience of 80-100 people cram into a theatre space above a bar and listen to cold readings of a few scripts and half way through a singer songwiter of the night tries out new material to spice things up!

So let's start with Show 1: Room 5 Lounge. (Oct.30th)

Well, first of all, it was Halloween Saturday so that alone made it fabulous. I suppose it's a good thing we didn't do any sad songs because everytime i looked up from the stage I saw a drunk marilyn Monroe, a Reno 911 cop, and the bartender dressed in S&M handcuffs.

It felt good to be on stage with Scott. I am not the best guitarist and i feel like we compliment each other beautifully. I am finally singing the type of music that I not only want to sing, but also, that i would love to listen to myself and that has always been a goal of mine. It was a great first show, as good as it could have gone I imagine.

And then there was Show 2: St.Nicks. (nov. 2nd)

What i love about this spot is that everyone there is an actor, or a writer, a director, a musician, etc. so they really care about the material. Scott and I suited in a retro look ( him in a bow tie and chucks, me in a vintage country dress) shared with them some of the new songs we've been working on. Afterwards, there is a cocktail hour, and the feedback was so wonderful. Not just because it was positive ( although it felt great to know we were on the right track) but because it was specific.

And the final show of the week: Hear NoHo Festival (Nov.4th)

There are countless things I could say about how wonderful Hear NoHo is. First of all, they have PR down to a T! Fliers and radio annoucements, even driving into North Hollywood a giant banner spanned the street announcing the music. Secondly, everyone who is involved does it for the love of music and art. and they are some of the kindest people I have ever met. And finally, everyone who I shared the stage with that night were so remarkably talented. Jessie Payo and Parker Ainsworth and Scott Cassidy are gems, so if you are still reading this blog, take a break ( its a long one) and check them out... This was Scott and I's longest set together. It was so beautiful to look out and see friends of ours watching. And again, o getting feedback from other artists that I love and trust means the world to me.

So that's it. That's what I ( we) have been doing. and its been going so well- I appreciate all of the support from the East Coast, and of course, every new person I meet on the West Coast.

Also Check us out November 18th or December 9th at Genghis Cohen!

My summer...

PhotoShoot with Ica Images

I have said it once if I've said it a million times on this blog, i am so lucky to have such talented friends.

I have had so much help in producing my album, maintaining my internet prescense, and live shows, because I am surrounded by such amazing friends.

one of those friends, who has been so magical and helpful along the way is ica. of ica images.

This past weekend, I was at Bailey's wedding in Atlantic City, where Ica was the wedding photographer ( after Bailey had seen ica's work on my album cover).... and i got very lucky.

we had a free afternoon... and ica had her camera equipment..... and one thing led to another wonderful thing.

we stumbled into Salvation Army, found this vintage dress for $3.... found a grass field and BAM. Zoolander time.

The suitcase as well.... Salvation Army. We love you AC thrifting.

What do you all think?

The Wedding Song

2 Weeks ago, I went to a wedding for my friends Joan and Terrence. Joan is the older sister of Ica, who takes all of my photos ( see above :) she also took the amazing photos in this video, I hope you enjoy.