Diamonds Are Forever

Happy New Year.

Stardust Memories, 2016

So far so good. Last night I checked out the Savoy Soul Club--the premier soul night (a la Northern Soul) in the Capital Region. The other day we caught the movie La La Land-- one of the best films I have seen in some time... bring back the musical!

Speaking of music, WEXT will be re-airing my David Bowie tribute this Monday, January 9, at 11 p.m. ET. It's slotted one day after his birthdate and one day before the anniversary of his passing. I remember my dismay at hearing the news a year ago, and I have been thinking a lot about his musical influence ever since.

With this My Exit special, I tried to pick songs by the artist that had an immediate and lasting impact on me. I only had an hour, so I had to give it a good deal of thought (hard to narrow down). 

As I mention on the show, the first I remember being truly aware of him was during the Live Aid concert in 1985, performing with Mick Jagger in that silly "Dancing In The Street" video. That song was catchy enough, but the tune that really caught my ear was a year later-- his theme song for the British film Absolute Beginners, which he also starred in. 

At the time I actually wondered if he was a retro artist, since that lead me into the 1950s-styled Let's Dance album. 

Digger deeper, I found myself captivated by such moody tracks as "China Girl," "Cat People," and "Ashes To Ashes"-- I was beginning to discover the weird, artsy Bowie, and there was no turning back.

My wife's museum, The Albany Institute of History and Art is currently showing a really nice exhibition of rock and roll photography (Bowie included!) by local artist Patrick Harbron. In conjunction with the show, they held an open mic night tonight. We weren't sure what the turn out would be, so I brought my electric guitar just in case. I have been taking guitar lessons for a couple years now, still struggling to find time and motivation to practice, but I decided to give it a shot. Now I have no problem getting up and singing/performing in front of an audience, but playing the guitar and singing adds another level of complexity. Oof... I probably should have sat it out, but I gave Bowie's "Starman" a try. Coincidentally, the line "that weren't no DJ that was hazy cosmic jive" has some relevance with the current news about the discovery of mysterious radio waves from outer space. David, is that you? "Ground control to major Tom..."

Best In Show: "Diamond Dogs" 2016 Memorial Edition.
©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

More successful for me at Albany Institute was my taking part in a recent album cover design contest (also tied in with the rock photography exhibit). Again I chose Bowie as the subject, and reinterpreted his 1974 album Diamond Dogs. 

I had the perfect model: our dog Trixie. My illustration took things quite literally-- I sprinkled diamond shapes across the vinyl sized design, and Trix was decked out in full Bowie "Ziggy Stardust"-era glam (even the shoulder pads from the "Ashes To Ashes" video). The assemblage was mixed media, with elements of collage, colored pencil, paint, and glitter, as well as type created on the museum's old printing press. You can view some photos of my creative process in this Facebook album.

In addition to David Bowie, the through line for these projects is that they were about me focusing on artistic projects. I wish I could master the fearless creativity that Bowie had--I guess that's a big reason I admired him so. The other attractive part of his legacy is that his work transcended--as if he was the conduit for its creation. Although he is gone, his songs remain... and I think he understood, whatever his obvious fears and demons, that he should get out of the way of being creative. 

My Diamond Dogs reissue ended up winning the cover design contest! I know... it may seem a little fishy with my wife working at the museum, but this was entirely voted on by the public. I even saw a couple of people admiring the work when it was on display (even taking photos). So "bully for you, chilly for me..." I'll try and keep David Bowie in mind, and keep out of my own artist's way in the new year.

Listen Live: exit977.org

Year in Music

Better Late Than Never... too true! August 2015. Photo: Gerard Coleman. 

We've reached that time... when everyone (including yours truly) starts sharing their "best of" lists. In terms of music, 2015 was an amazing year for me (but not for the typical reasons). 

No, there wasn't much that stood out on the radio. Pop music, in general, seems to be getting more bland (read: more synthesized and calculated), less exciting. Critics went as far as complaining that there was no obvious "song of the summer." In my book, there is one notable exception: a rollicking rocker, who literally came out of left field...with some serious soul...son of a b****!:

Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats delivered an album that I never tired of listening to this year. The tunes: catchy, the delivery: passionate, and the performances: "live"... like JD McPherson, who preceded him, there is a purity to this music. No coincidence that I am attracted to yet another musician taking a nod from classic soul and the blues. Damn, this is fine music. An inspiration.

In the running! Photo: Mike O'Brien

At the same time, I can feel my tastes changing...becoming more critical and refined... This new perspective is most likely due to the new musical insights I gained personally over the past year. 

I started the year with a song. Encouraged by the response I had been receiving for my karaoke at Bourbon Street Bar & Grill, I decided to enter a singing competition (something I had never done before). Nervous? Nah... all my stage performances over the years prepared me well. Here are some of the generous comments from the judges: 

"Best stage presence I've seen in 2 years. Great song choice!"

"Performance was unlike any I have ever seen before! Simply awesome!"

In fact, I received a perfect score for stage presence. They told me this was actually a first for the competition, which had been running for seven years. Needless to say, I made it to the semi-finals, and that is where my work began.

I took the contest quite seriously (a $1000 prize didn't hurt). Having an event to prepare for was quite good for me—made me extremely focused and driven. I was in a state of "total bliss" practicing every day. Still, there was a lot to learn as I worked through a winter cold, vocal warmups and strengthening breath support (professional vocal coach, Eric Arceneaux has some online tutorials that I found extremely helpful). 

My practicing also benefitted from my guitar playing, which I have been honing since the summer of 2014. Rehearsing for the competition was made much easier with my electric guitar, which I used to practice scales and singing in different keys and tempo.

Leaving "body and soul" at Bourbon St.

The semi-finals arrived, and I felt really good and prepared. I gave it my all, and appreciated the support from friends and new fans, who turned out for the competition. I also realized just how talented the other singers were! I was, of course, very pleased to make it into the finals...but realized I still had my work cut out for myself. 

There were some singers in the competition who really had stellar voices, and it was helpful just to watch them. I think I can hold my own, but know I need more training in the singing department. I still gave it my all, and even planned out a little routine for my performance—in hindsight, I may have started thinking a bit too much. 

Although I did not win the competition, it whet my appetite. I actively looked for more opportunities to perform music as the year progressed. 

In June I found myself in Brooklyn, and my friend took me to a live band karaoke night that he had been to a couple times. Rock Star Karaoke is a tight, seasoned group of musicians that play around the New York City area, and has quite an impressive list of songs in their repertoire. I felt completely at ease with them, and enjoyed the spontaneity of performing with a live band... they even followed me down a "classic soul" rendition of the Muppets' "Rainbow Connection"... I don't know how that came to pass, but totally appreciated the opportunity (and patience of my wife!).

Raving about this experience lead to my next performing opportunity. A friend of a friend was gearing up for a summer performance with his band and, hearing my enthusiasm for playing live, asked me if I might join them as a front man? Now, this was an interesting turn of events... be careful what you wish for! 

Burning up... in Burnt Hills

The plan was to join the band, made up of work colleagues, for a staff picnic/concert to be held in the Capital Region that August. They called themselves Better Late Than Never, and you couldn't find a more appropriate name for me. Thus began my experience of joining a "garage/jam band," and starting weekly rehearsals. 

And these guys were tight: made up of an extremely talented (and young) guitar virtuoso, rhythm guitarist, bassist, and drummer... I could not believe my luck during rehearsals in their well-equipped practice room. I think I surprised them as well, with my stage presence. 

Although I continue to be complimented for my performing, one of my goals this year has been to learn how to balance my onstage antics with some more focused singing. You can't be jumping around and expect to maintain the breath support you need. As I worked to memorize the surprisingly long setlist(!), I focused again on my warm-ups...singing from the diaphragm. 

The day of the show arrived, and I felt like I had really become part of a band (creative squabbles and all!). Our set was a mix of classic/dad rock and more modern numbers...they also let me add a little soul into the mix.




I bounded on to the outdoor stage, launching into a couple of David Bowie numbers, and there was no looking back. The response from the crowd was quite positive, and I even had some kids come up afterwards, telling me how "cool" I was! I further strengthened my vocals and stage presence.

Wanting to keep the momentum going, I immediately put an ad on Craigslist, looking for other interested musicians to jam with. Although I had a few promising inquiries, nothing came to pass...unfortunately... and, to this point, Craigslist seems about as useful for finding musicians as it is in selling a used car.

Brothers in arms! Keeping it electric- December 2015

As I entered the fall, work and family matters became my focus. I did, however, continue my weekly electric guitar lessons. As I mentioned, I started taking lessons in August 2014, courtesy of the fine folks at Hilton Music Center. My brother-in-law, Joel actually works there as a repair man, and was kind enough to refurbish and gift an old Fender Stratocaster to me. My teacher, Zac is a very competent, gigging musician, and shares the interest in groove-based music (his main instrument is bass). 

For me, getting over the hump of learning music has been a challenge...surprising, since both of my parents are musicians. I grew up playing violin, guitar, piano, and singing, but guess I always felt a little overwhelmed by practicing and memorizing (being a perfectionist doesn't help). So, making the commitment to weekly lessons for this past year and a half has been great for me, and I have graduated from occasional plinker to fairly competent beginner. 

I keep having breakthroughs, and my lessons in chords, scales, and single notation have a way of catching up. My teacher has noticed. This fall/winter I have found myself actually enjoying sitting down to practice, and I have a handful of songs that I can perform with some degree of skill. It's great, because it is the perfect accompaniment for my singing. Over the holidays, I could notice my growth in both areas... I have surprised myself.

Looking back on 2015, I'm proud of myself for finally getting serious about a long-time goal. None of the examples I have shared on this blog are perfect, but I'm putting it (and myself) out there. Some guy on Craigslist called me brave for trying to get things going, but that's not that point. Music gives me so much... it, quite literally, takes me to a different place... I've always suspected that. This past year I strengthened that musical muscle, flexed my creativity and sense of adventure, and met some talented, fellow musicians in the process. Here's hoping I can keep that good note going into the next year...

Strange Effect on Me (and I Like It)

With Diego Garcia and cellist Daniel Bansi at the Linda,
Albany, New York, 1/27/12. Photo by Jeremy Clowe.
All rights reserved.

Happy Saturday. We had a great time last night checking out Diego Garcia perform at the Linda Norris Auditorium in Albany, New York. It has been awhile since I have been at the venue, and they have really turned it into a nice, intimate venue-- worked great for Diego's music... his band was top-notch, with a cellist and talented guitar player creating some sweet sounds from nylon strings-- I wonder about the band's influences, which seemed to incorporate the romantic troubadour spirit of latino music, 60s pop, and some modern indie styles as well.

In addition to material from his beautiful album Laura, he squeezed in a couple of covers, including a version of the rare Kinks' song, "Strange Effect." Well, it had a quite an effect on us... Sarah thought we should consider it for a wedding song. We met Diego after the show, and he offered to record a version for us-- not sure how serious he was about that, but that would be amazing!

I actually had the chance to meet Ray Davies of the Kinks a couple years ago, following his own show in Albany. Certainly he ranks up there as one of the all-time great songwriters in pop music, and has influenced many of the bands I love.

With Ray Davies at the Egg, Albany, New York, 11/24/09
Photo by Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

So hearing all this great songwriting and musicianship gets me inspired, and I wonder about my own potential. I have picked up the guitar here and there, but I really would need to devote more time to practicing, before I could reach the level of Zeke Zima, Diego's guitarist last night. In their review, The Albany Times Union said that he "wove his fretboard work around Garcia’s passionate songs like lacework." Too true. It's amazing when all these elements come together so seemlessly--songwriting, musicianship, and performing-- how could one resist the desire to dance to such a spirit. I know I have the soul and passion that could be directed towards music-- just need to spend time with it... as with anything I guess. 

Eat your heart out, Diego!