It's Monday if You're Keeping Tabs

GroundSound had a gig this passed Saturday @ South Side Inn in Yorktown. It went really well. There were a bunch of people in and out of there throughout our two sets, and I thought we played well. Unfortunately for whatever reason, our monitors were feeding back so we had to abort the notion of using them. It is always scary to think about singing without the ability of hearing yourself sing. This could be disastrous. In the end, The volume from the PA was loud enough so that my brother and I could hear each other sing, although it is not the best recipe for a comfortable singing situation. Other than that drama, it was fucking cool man. We had some killer jams. Jon (Carlucci) and I locked in so tight on some of the jams I convinced myself that we were proving telepathy in the moment, although the telepathy did not work when I tried to telepathically extend this theory to someone observing; go figure.

I use to get really down on myself when no one came to a show, or when no one was groovin' or feelin' a show. I have been a gigging musician for over seven years now and I finally understand that these things happen. With that being said, there are still occasions where I get upset at turnouts, it's just not how I use to get. I have learned a lot over the years. I have seen a lack of interest in live music for years now. This is more upsetting to me than anything. I dig electronic music, there is some groundbreaking, innovative and mind expanding shit that exists out there, but if I go to see that groundbreaking, innovative and mind expanding shit live, it better consists of someone doing something live. And I don't mean someone spinning some records (or perhaps clicking away on their lap top for the most part). I need a live drummer, or bassist, guitarist, anything. What's the point of seeing something live if the only element of something different happening within a song is a damn power outage? I dig spontaneity man, the element of improvisation, the element of Jazz, the element of taking something somewhere it wasn't necessarily suppose to go. That shit is why I can't stop playing music. I live to play live (due to the English language, that sentence may seem strange and can be pronounced in many different ways, but I'm sure you'll get it...I have faith in readers).

Jackie, my love, just accepted a job offer to teach at a Special Education School in the Bronx. This makes me as a happy as a homosexual watching a Catholic Bishop randomly stumble and fall down a steep hill. She is so smart, dude. I mean it. She keeps me on point, sharp, and fresh with my thoughts. I like to think I do the same for her.

I've made some stupid decisions in my life, in particular dropping out of College. If I could have only gotten over my damn complex with authority. I do plan to enroll again, it couldn't/wouldn't hurt. It should be known though, that not being in school should not be the end all to education. It is important to read everything, and understand that you should and will be learning until the day or night you drop dead. Now, having that damn piece of paper that proves you are willing to conform to the structure of how society should be structured, is going to make life a helluva lot easier. Believe me as someone who does not posses that enchanted ink on paper, because stating that it is hard without it is an understatement. Unless you are in on the family business, or have some sort of connection here or there; my friend, hopefully you don't mind doing labor and hopefully you are willing to bust your ass for a living.

GroundSound's next gig is Friday, October 9th down in Pleasantville @ Paulies Bar and Grill. The following day on Saturday, October 10th we will be playing a giant private college house party up at Marist College in Poughkeepsie which we are psyched for. We also have a radio interview on Monday, October 5th with more details to be released (please check official GroundSound website: www.groundsoundmusic.com).

Let it also be known that I will be gigging with TJay and the TJay Trio (www.myspace.com/tjaymusic) this Friday, September 25th for Meany Fest @ Connolley's Pub in NYC (check his site for more details). On Wednesday, October 7th, the TJay Trio will be opening for Blues Traveler @ the Tarrytown Music Hall (to purchase tickets: http://tickets.tarrytownmusichall.org/), so I'm stoked to meet those cats and looking forward to rocking out with my cock out.

Stay Funky Fresh, and I will speak to you in the morrow.
Love Always,
~nEko