Finnegan’s Novato Open Mic

Finnegan’s in Novato has been under the hosting awesomeness of KC Turner for over 5 years and draws and interesting and diverse crowd or fans and performers. I experienced this first hand recently and I have to admit that I was blown away by the reception of me and my abilities as well and the wonderful performers that graced my first evening in this North Bay open mic.

The Creamery Open Mic: New Host – Me!

I’m taking the helm as the host at The Creamery (Corner of 4th and Townsend in SoMa) Open Mic starting on February 8th. They’ve paused the event until they could evaluate the situation and conveniently I was eating there yesterday afternoon and talked to one of the owners and the conversation led to the open mic and then he said they were interested in firing it back up and asked if I knew anyone interested in hosting. So last night I went to The Rockit Room’s open mic and talked with Tris Buckley who runs their event – I like Tris and wanted to make sure there were no conflicts – and he endorsed me so I talked to Ivor at The Creamery today and took the hosting job.

Red Devil Open Mic – 1/10/2012

Last night was the first open mic of 2012 for Red Devil Lounge with KC Turner hosting and we’re thankful to have it back in swing! Red Devil’s open mic is one that I find it hard to miss – the atmosphere is cool and there are always new people coming from all over and of course, us regulars. KC as usual sets up a great night with his now becoming infamous tag line “rad” and presents with a sense that makes you feel welcome. I think KC really has what it takes to be a fantastic promoter and host and it shows in what he does: the man is dedicated to his trade and not only that – he’s a great songwriter/performer.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church – Sunday Open Mic

If you know me, you know I’m not religious in the least and I don’t care for religion at all. I was kind of put off about performing at this open mic because of that and I now feel rather silly for not going sooner. St. Luke’s is a beautiful building that was designed for singing and the sound in that place is amazing!

Rockit Room – Open Mic

It had been over a year since I last visited Rockit Room’s open mic – not because it was bad or anything negative but mainly due to my preference to play at Melt in North Beach and finding a drummer and practicing on Wednesday nights. I was happy to see how much it’s evolved and grown since my last trip to Clement St.

Open Mic at Hola! in Burlingame – ROCKED!

I failed in taking notes and I mean to take notes – I do, really. I want to blog about open mics around the bay area and elsewhere so I will scorn myself for not taking notes. In the future, expect names and better information but for now just expect a summary of the evening… I loved it! I’ve never played my music with a drummer and a bassist, let alone a pair of seasoned players and these guys were great – I was the one screwing up.

Bazaar Saved!

Apparently Bazaar Cafe has a lot of people who really care that it stays open and I for one, am extremely thankful for that. The main host and someone intimately involved with Bazaar, Robin Galante posted that they reached their goal of $7000 in one day and the doors will remain open come January 2nd! Hooray! I will surely be attending more shows there this year as I can and of course the open mics as often as my schedule allows. It’s truly amazing to see so many people come together so quickly to save a massively important part of the local music scene that really defines part of what makes the local vibe what it is. Thanks to everyone and please continue to support local music by visiting local open mics and original performances where you can – it’s genuinely one cool way to support your local economy and your local artists.

Help Save Bazaar Cafe!

Bazaar Cafe is fondly my favorite place to play open mic and hang out in general in the city of San Francisco. I’ve been going there on and off for over a year now and I consider it to be a foundational and fundamental part of the local music scene for new and the up and coming artists from anywhere. I’ve seen people from all over the world stop in and I’ve met some incredible and inspiring artists and people in general while attending open mic or other performances. Right now, Bazaar is in financial trouble and they need some help to stay open and I’m posting this in support of them and asking that if you appreciate Bazaar, or Les, or just local original performers and artists then this is something of value you can help save.

One Good Eye – KC Turner Songwriting Club #61

I’ve watched this for over a year now and have never made the attempt at writing a song for the club. It’s not like you win anything or that it’s really even a competition – it’s to push us as songwriters and grow and make some new – some exercise. I decided that I liked the title ‘One Good Eye’ and that I would come up with a song so for a week now, I’ve tried a few different chord progressions and variations and used a capo then not and played around with lyrics and such and today, at 1PM I started all over and 9 hours later I have this song.

Ix – an original isntrumental dedicated to my eldest cat.

A newer recording of one of my instrumentals.