April 2009 Newsletter
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
LIVE WIRE
I recently experienced a couple of literal reminders of that metaphorical saying about what it feels like to grab hold of a "live wire." The first was when I thought I'd flex my inner Bob Vila and install a new light fixture in our dining room by myself. I turned off the breaker to that room before beginning, or at least the one labeled as such in our breaker box. However, when I started hooking up the leads, I grabbed a bare wire and got quite a shock. The funny thing is that I couldn't quite believe what had just happened, so I touched the wire...again. Yes, Mark, you just shocked yourself...twice. Bob Vila doesn't host This Old House anymore, and I'm not doing any more electrical work by myself.
My other "live wire" moment came during my trip last month to England to take part in the Darwin Song Project. It sounds as much like a reality TV show as it does an artistic endeavor: eight folksingers from across the US and the UK holed up in an English country farmhouse for a week to collaborate on songs inspired by the life and work of Charles Darwin, in honor of the 200th anniversary of his birth. It was an amazing experience, I co-wrote two songs, and as a group we wrote about 18 songs in a week. We were to perform these songs for a sold-out crowd at the week's end, and the real kicker was that they'd be recorded for an eventual live DVD/CD release.
When I want to give myself a little jolt from complacency, I will usually add ONE new song to a set list. It forces me to focus, and offers the sort of adrenaline that only accompanies potentially screwing up in public. This was a concert of 18 songs we'd never played live before, performed with people I'd only just met. It wasn't like the performances of these new works were going to vaporize into the ether...they were to be recorded for posterity. To add to the rush, it was the first concert in this brand new theater, and the sound crew had never worked the room before. Despite all of this, it all went off as well as I could have possibly hoped. Flawless? I know I flubbed at least one lyric. But it was a night full of heart, and a wonderful chance to figure out how to survive, and even thrive, when working well outside one's comfort zone.
After I returned, I realized that this trip was emblematic of the sort of thing that energizes me. With headlines like those of late, it's easy to get complacent, to go numb, to withdraw. I think this is why I crave new musical experiences. The challenge of learning how to play around one mic in a bluegrass band. Or accompanying someone whose songs I love in concert for the first time. It's what keeps me going to places I have never been before, hoping to connect with a new audience. I'm doing all of these things this month alone. I know they will each jolt me back to the present moment in their way, which is a good thing.
And besides, a week collaborating with strangers in the English countryside is much less painful than grabbing that literal live wire.
Twice.
RUMORS OF MY DEMISE: While traveling in the UK last month, my domain registration expired, and my website was down for 10 days or so. If there was one silver-lining to this fiasco, it was that getting a bunch of emails alerting me of this problem was a great reminder that people actually visit my website! So fear not, www.markerelli.com is alive and well, and my domain has been rescued from becoming on-line gambling or porno site for another five years, at least.
MP3 of the MONTH: Speaking of learning how to play in a proper bluegrass band, I thought it only appropriate to let you know how that is coming along in this month's free download. It's a cover of Neil Young's "Cowgirl In The Sand," by Barnstar, featuring Zack Hickman on bass, Taylor Armerding on mandolin and vocals and Charlie Rose ripping it up on the banjo. It's a guerilla audience recording and as such it sounds kinda crappy...but it's free! It's available on my downloads page for the month of April. Enjoy!
Last-minute March reminder:
Sat March 28 - Ivy Chord Coffeehouse, Reading MA
Sun March 29th - Diesel Club, Pittsburgh PA***
Tue March 31st - Sellersville Theatre, Sellersville PA***
***supporting Josh Ritter
Fri April 17th - Green Wood Coffeehouse, Ann Arbor MI 8 pm
How long has it been since I last played the midwest? I have no idea, that's how long. I am guessing at least three, if not four years. My sincerest apologies. This is just a short swing through the region, no offense meant to those in Wisconsin, Iowa and beyond. I'll come back again, I promise. In the meantime, catch me where you can! This venue is located in the First United Methodist Church at 1001 Green Rd. Check out the venue website for all the details.
Sat April 18th - This Old House Concert, Berwyn IL 7:30 pm
House concerts feel like sticking it to the man. I get to perform acoustically and make more money then I'd ever make in a club. You get to hear and see me way better than you would in a crowded venue. Win-win. If you're in Chicago, make the trek out to Berwyn for this one. Visit the venue website or to reserve tickets, call 630-487-8242.
Mon April 20th - One Trick Pony, Grand Rapids MI 7:30 pm
I played this series, sponsored by the great radio station WYCE, a few years back opening for Peter Mulvey. I am excited to come back and give you a whole show this time. Come on out, get tickets by calling 616-235-PONY or visit the venue website.
Wed April 22nd - River Gods, Cambridge, MA 9 pm
I've always dreamed of taking over the jukebox in a cool bar, and tonight will be my chance. I won't be performing any songs live, but instead raiding my cd collection to spin some great early country, blues and rock n' roll. I'll be trading off each hour with Jason Beek, dj extraordinaire and drummer from Eilen Jewell's band. Come on down for a pint or two, should be a great night.
Sat April 25th - Mission Bar, Pittsfield MA 8 pm
I have never played here before, but I like bars and tapas both, so I imagine me and this venue will get along just fine. Visit the venue website to get the skinny. Come on out and we'll discover it together.
SIDEMAN SECTION:
April 14 - Cantab Lounge, Cambridge MA - with Barnstar, bluegrass badasses
April 15 - The Beehive, Boston MA - with Zack Hickman's House of Ill Repute show
April 26 - Toad, Cambridge MA - accompanying Dave Godowsky
ON THE HORIZON:
May 9 - Sandwich MA
May 13 - Larchmont NY
May 14 - New York NY
May 15 - Blue Bell PA
May 16 - Needham MA
May 29 - Portland ME
May 30 - Waldoboro ME
peace,
mark
