New Year, New Laughs

One of the very positive things about this past year has been my return to performing with The Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe. In addition to offering me a rather flexible opportunity (time and physicality) to further hone my performing skills, it also has reconnected me with some of my dearest friends−old and new!

I'm happy to announce that I will be continuing with the group in the new year, and we already have several promising gigs booked for the next two months. Do stop by and see us if you're in the Berkshires and looking for a laugh (where else would you go, right?). Here are the dates planned so far:

RBIT... we even do weddings! Photo by John Whipple. All rights reserved.

The Spectrum Playhouse, Lee, MA

Friday, January 18, 2013, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

UNICO Dinner: NAMI Fundraiser, Featuring RBIT

ITAM, Pittsfield, MA

Thursday, February 7, 2013, 6 - 8 p.m.

The Spectrum Playhouse, Lee, MA

Friday, February 15, 2013, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

10 X 10 Festival

The Garage at the Colonial Theatre, 111 South Street, Pittsfield, MA

Sunday, February 24, 2013, 3 – 4:30 p.m.

Making our partners look good... since 2001.

The Answer My Friends...

What a nice weekend. Sarah and I had a chance to reconnect with friends--by phone and in person--and enjoyed stepping out in Schenectady every night this weekend. We just got back from Proctors Theater, where we saw a staged reading of a play called Hell and High Water, that my buddy Frank took part in. This creative show was written about Hurricane Katrina, and the reading was to benefit the Actors Fund emergency relief for performing artists impacted by Super Storm Sandy. It was a strong cast, and I was impressed that they had only met twice previously to rehearse... I suppose props must go to writer/director Jamuna Yvette Sirker. I talked with Frank afterward about how hard it is to commit to a doing a full show, when you have so many other things up in the air... our improv group is a little looser, and serves as a good performing outlet, but it sure would be nice to get into another proper theater show again.

On Friday night Sarah and I caught another theater performance here in the Electric City... Schenectady Civic Players is putting on Jeffrey Hatcher's Mrs. Mannerly, which is based on the playwright's own memories of being enrolled in charm school back in the 1960s. It was a funny script, with the clever conceit of having young Jeffrey played by an adult (Randy McConnach). It is basically a two-person show, and I was impressed with McConnach's comedic timing and ability to maintain such energy throughout a 90 minute show. The last thing we saw at the Civic Players was Waiting For Godot, and they had some issues with real-life bats in their belfry... this show was memorable for other reasons, and made me tempted to start looking at the idea of performing in my new town...

Photo by John Whipple. All rights reserved.

Still settling into our new place though... a performance in itself. I think we need to host a gathering or something to motivate us to just organize this place... This weekend I did manage to finally post most of our wedding photos on Facebook... something of an achievement there. This photo to the right reminds me that we still need to retrieve our windmill, a wedding present created by Sarah's uncle... need to take one thing at a time I guess.

Everyday Is Like Sunday

Sorry, I couldn't resist that title. I thought today was as good a chance as any to finally talk about last Thursday's concert. I had seen Morrissey live a few times before, so I felt I was somewhat prepared...

The first time I saw the Mozzer was in 1992, Springfield, Massachusetts--it was my junior year of college, and around the time I really started getting into his work. He had just released Your Arsenal, and I was taken by the aggressive, guitar sound (at times rockabilly) that somehow worked alongside his personal, introspective lyrics. In retrospect, it was an approach he had already successfully utilized during his time with the Smiths, but I wasn't as aware of that music when it was originally released. This album, however, came out right during the grunge music years... and it seemed a bit more energetic and fresh in comparison. There was also the "look" of Morrissey (again, sort of a rockabilly meets beat poet) and the opinionated yet ambiguous way that he presented himself, which both confounded and intrigued the public. He just seemed awfully cool and different... somehow I always find myself going "against the grain."



Another album followed in the spring of 1994--the more reflective Vauxhall and I. It seemed a perfect "release" for me at the time (especially the track "Hold On To You Friends"), as I had experienced a rather rocky, emotional year, and was just figuring out how to find my footing. I appreciated the comfort of the artist's work so much that I traveled out to New York City to try and meet him during a signing he was giving at Tower Records. What I found were blocks of fans lined on the streets for the opportunity, making me realize the extent to which people had connected with his work. Unfortunately, I did not get in... I stood out for a few hours, and only caught a glimpse of the artist, holding up a sign that read "I'm sorry" for the many he did not have time to get to--I think that simple gesture said something about the respect he felt for his fans, in contrast to the acerbic nature of some of his opinions and lyrics. 



Things got quieter as the years went on... although I frequently played his new material during my stint as a DJ, I didn't find it quite as melodic and engaging, even though the love of all things Britpop was getting stronger and stronger for me. I did find myself going back to the early Smiths albums, and realizing that these were even more special for their heartfelt music and lyrics. 

In 2004, Morrissey returned to form with the album You Are the Quarry, and it had some splendid songs that seemed to come back around to a more simple, direct form of songwriting. After a long absence, a new tour was announced, with a special date at New York's legendary Apollo Theater... considering my love of soul music and Britpop, it was too tempting to resist. That was a lovely concert... with a lush theater providing quite the backdrop to Moz's melodramatic flourishes... plus, he was finally playing Smiths songs! Hearing "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" live was sheer joy... I caught him again in Boston a few months later, but that was marred by a drunken girlfriend who was causing me trouble at the time... heaven knows I was "miserable" now.



So this year, Morrissey was finally coming to me... Albany's Palace Theater, and I looked forward to bringing my sweet wife Sarah and good friend Frank to share in the experience. As I mentioned, the fantastic independent station WEQX was giving tickets away the other week, and I thought I would give it a shot... and won! So our upgrade to the second row promised to make this show all the more memorable.

There were the expected Morrissey clones--hair quiffs and moody black... people you half-expected to have a book of poetry under their arm. The one thing I haven't mentioned yet is that people have often thought that I resembled the artist (especially during the early 90s), and I haven't heard the last of that once Sarah and Frank made the same observation. I wondered if Moz himself considered it... we were literally looking straight across from each other during the show!

Yes, we realized that our second row seats were actually in the first-- we couldn't have been closer to the stage in some respects. We only caught a little of opening act Kristeen Young, which sounded interesting to me... more like a Bjork clone to Sarah. This was followed by a stream of film clips which I mentioned yesterday... offering a taste of some of Morrissey's early influences, including writer Oscar Wilde, whose wit the Brit certainly shares. 



Once Moz took the stage, you could feel the energy. Devoted fans who held on to their heart, and mouthed every lyric. I enjoyed doing the latter, especially to such songs as "You Have Killed Me" and "Everyday is Like Sunday." Morrissey looked older and didn't seem to move around as much as I remembered, but he and his band certainly did not lack energy or playing ability. At times I found myself impressed at how strong the singer's voice remains... he belted a cover of Frankie Valli's "To Give (The Reason I Live)" that made you think it was a song of his own creation. 

A Morrissey show is not a typical rock show, I think. Because of the nature of his music, it has the air of melancholy... slight depression... yet the music usually succeeds in countering that, and turning it into something quite emotional and, at times, uplifting. This was the case again at this show, although at times I felt it veered too much into a downbeat direction. Case in point: during his rendition of The Smiths' controversial "Meat Is Murder," the outspoken vegetarian showed film clips of the abuses of cattle and poultry farms. I have seen such footage before and been moved by it (I haven't actually eaten red meat in over ten years), but I think showing it in this venue was a bit much. Perhaps something a bit more abstract would have made it easier to digest... my poor wife averted her eyes, and I think many in the audience did not know how to react following this depressing visual... the songs that followed didn't help lift the spirits much. I think it's always a very fine line with this type of music, to not make it too despairing. 

Energy came back to the show in a big way with the common spectacle of fans trying to rush the stage and offer the singer a hug. It is always interesting... I think has been a part of every show I have seen. What happens is a dramatic tug of war between fans, security, and the artist... in some ways it is more "rock and roll" than the more typical shows I see! I was tempted at one point, but did not want to jeopardize my perfect seat. The same reason, I took very few photos... proper cameras were actually prohibited, but once I saw others disobeying and snapping shots with their phones, I decided to do the same. By the end of the concert and an encore of The Smiths classic "How Soon Is Now?" the true emotional energy of a Morrissey concert was revealed, and we were lucky to be able to witness it live, up-front and direct.

After the show, Sarah and Frank kidded me about the resemblance, and also picked up on the fact that many of my "moves" when I am performing seem borrowed from Morrissey. Looks like I have been found out! I hadn't really thought of it, but there is something I have picked up on with some of his stage antics, the same way that I have observed soul artists, The Beatles, Morten Harket, and David Bowie over the years. I especially liked one review of the concert that described Morrissey's use of the microphone cord as resembling a whip for a lion tamer... too true--I have used that trick, as well as the overdramatic sauntering around and falling to the stage. Why not?... I'm not really conscious of it, but I guess I have always been a bit of a sponge for pop music, much like Morrissey himself... 

One cool ending to the night: we ended up landing a V.I.P. pass, and hung out afterwards to try and meet the reclusive singer. After a bit of a wait, security came out and said that unfortunately he had "long gone"... we started to head out, when the singer's long-time guitarist Boz Boorer came out to greet some friends. We managed to speak to him as well, and I finally got my copy of Vauxhall and I signed... not by Morrissey, but I guess this was the next best thing (Boorer had also collaborated on this album that I so enjoyed). 

As I wrote, the next day I was exhausted... but did pull myself together to perform with my improv group. I guess people enjoyed it, but I had mixed feelings. It's hard to just switch it on when you're not really feeling it... especially with comedy. I wondered how musicians like Morrissey manage to do it every night on tour? Performing is not easy, and it must be challenging for the acts who care enough to give their fans a great show every time... Moz seems to find a way--I have yet to attend a bad concert, where he didn't seem to be giving it his all... I'm sure it won't be the last.

All photos ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Related Links:

"Morrissey Pleases Crowd at the Palace," Albany Times Union, October 19, 2012

"Morrissey is the same old Morrissey (in seal-hunt free Albany, N.Y.)," National Post, October 19, 2012

Morrissey's Official Facebook page


Still intrigued? Check out this great documentary we discovered yesterday:
"The Importance of Being Morrissey"

Fair and Balanced

Off to the Renaissance Festival and our annual camping trip with Ye Olde Homies... looking forward to it!

Solid Gold!

I'm telling you, if this weekend were being judged like the current Summer Olympics, it would a gold medal-winner! 


My birthday/post-wedding celebration continued from Thursday on, including two nights of karaoke and dancing at Albany's Fuze Box nightclub. It was wild heading back to the Fuze, which stirs up all kinds of good memories for Sarah and me. The DJ was someone we knew previously, and she gave us a special shout out, and special non-80s request: "Analogue" by A-ha, which I had hoped to have played at the wedding reception. It was just a non-stop party, with plenty of great tunes (it helps to give requests ahead of time)! I certainly did a lot of dancing over the past couple days. 


Also, I really enjoyed last night's karaoke, held at bar called Bourbon Street, here in Schenectady. The DJ has everything... I even had a go at this old blast-from-the-past favorite of mine:





It certainly feels great to have strangers coming up to me afterwards, sharing their praise... saying that "you were really 'feeling' that song!" Yeah, I do love doing this type of thing, and watching the clip back, I see areas where I believe I did indeed "nail it." To me, it confirms the feeling I have that I should be trying my hand at more music and performing, in a much more dedicated, serious effort.


Tonight Sarah made a delicious dinner, with vegetables we picked up this afternoon at the local farmer's market--there's no comparison to fresh, from the farm to table taste.


Thank you friends for an unforgettable weekend.

Love + Happiness

It's official... presenting Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Clowe! 

Thank you to all of our friends and family for joining us on our special day... so many special (and emotional) moments... we are very happy, and excited to start our new life together.


The reception was a blast, and brought us back to the dance floor... can't wait to see the video. The DJ did a great job, but I regret that a few of my favorites did not get played, including this one... (sigh... I'm definitely going to get cracking on that a-ha tribute show for WEXT):





That pretty much sums it up. Thank you again. All I want you to know... WE LOVE YOU!


On to the honeymoon... xo

Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

Thank you to all our family and friends for the wonderful weekend send-off before the wedding... which is tomorrow! WOW. Why am I blogging right now? Time to get ready, cause here we come!

Going Out In Style...

So I'm getting ready to head to New York City for my bachelor party... yeah, this should be interesting. I'm looking forward to my groomsmen Rick and Frank finally meeting--in a way Rick represents my visual artist side, and Frank represents the performing (Joel is the musician, but he has to work at the music store today). Sarah is off on her bachelorette party... a wine-tasting and hanging out in the Capital Region (they better not go to the Fuze Box!).

It's a beautiful day out, and I'm sure we will have a blast... yet I was feeling a little blue this morning at the idea of not spending the day in New York or at a wine-tasting with Sarah myself... that's a good sign, right?

Tomorrow (and What Must Come Before)

It has been a scorcher couple of days... temperatures hitting the 90s with humidity feels like 100 degrees. Hopefully it will break tomorrow...

Morrissey is coming to the Capital Region! I can't believe it, but it's true... tickets go on sale tomorrow morning for an October show at the Palace Theater. Back in the early '90s I was a big fan--loved the Smiths, and his solo albums Your Arsenal and Vauxhall & I,... around that time people said I somewhat resembled him... huh. He had a pretty cool look going back then, so I guess I appreciated the thought.

One of his songs from that period was called Hold On To Your Friends, and I've been thinking of the idea of lasting friendships a lot lately in terms of our wedding. Of course I'm marrying my best friend, but what of others you come in contact with during your life? My groomsman Frank and I were talking about the idea of a guest list being something of a time capsule, representing where you are at that moment in your life. Although there are the occasional misfires, one of the advantages to being older is that I am a pretty good judge of the friends I can count on... I look forward to celebrating with them real soon.

One Step Closer

We've got our rings! Nicely engraved. Northeastern did a good job... we've been happy with the experience all the way around.

Now it's up to the ring bearer! Sarah's mother posted a really cute photo today on Facebook of my soon-to-be nephew learning some of the ropes of a wedding ceremony... of course it was a toy cake being served to a couple of stuffed animals (apparently I was the hound-dog... appropriate considering my background as an Elvis impersonator). I'm sure he will be great. It's still a little startling to hear a kid yell "Uncle Jeremy!..." but actually, it's pretty cool... he even loves Spider-Man. 

Tonight we continued with our pre-marriage counseling. This time we looked at the area of finances... it was probably one of the more sober conversations, and there is a bit to consider... but I have had enough practice at this by now that I think we'll be alright (in fact, I just paid off one of two credit cards today).

Other great news: one of my good friends, who I met in a local film organization, just had twin boys! Earlier than expected, but they seem to be doing well. Unfortunately, they won't be able to make it to the wedding, as they live in California... I think a trip out west is in order soon.

One more day of work until Memorial Day weekend! It's the official start to summer, meaning that the fun is just about to begin...

5.24.12. Smart photo taken with Smartphone. ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

This one goes up to 11!

RBIT getting musical at the Spectum Playhouse. 
Left to right: Dave Thrasher, Barb Cardillo, Jeremy C., 
and Neil Von Flatern. Photo courtesy RBIT.

My buddy Frank and I were reminiscing last night about how long our improv group has been together... he remembers the time when the group had to decide whether or not to perform the day after 9/11 for a previously scheduled show for group of tourists to the Berkshires (they did by request of the group). I remember joining the group around that same time, not long after I had moved to the Berkshires and found the group's wacky faces staring at me from a front page story in the local newspaper. My other friend and fellow improviser Lisa observed today that June 2012 marks the 11th anniversary of The Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe (RBIT)--that's an impressive feat, which says a lot about the dedication and friendship that has kept the group going strong for so long.

The Berkshire Advocate has a nice article in this week's paper (written by journalist Jeremy D. Goodwin) about the ten years that RBIT has been together. I was interviewed for the piece, along with the group's co-founders, Frank La Frazia and Alexia Trainor. Here I am quoted about the great creative benefits that can arise from doing improv:

"You go back to when you were a kid and at the playground, just making up stories and adventures. It’s good fun. And you kind of lose that as you get older. It’s going back to a certain sense of play."

I do think improv helps you not only as an actor, but also in life: taking chances, listening to others, working as a team, and learning to be "in the moment."

I look forward to many more moments to come... RBIT has been a decade-long collaboration and friendship that I am proud to be a part of... we're kind of hilarious too!

Related Links:

"Improv troupe going strong after 10 years of laughter," The Advocate Weekly, April 25, 2012

www.berkshireimprov.com