DiGiTaL OvErDoSe Musical Productions: Calendar

This was a fun event for the whole family. I had a good time and seeing my school mate made my day. Moonshine and I tested out the Street Cube for the first time and it performed perfectly. My only regret was that I felt as if we were competing with the Main Stage. We were in the Derby Arts Tent and I was glad and proud to represent. Thank you Steve and fellow members for all you support.

Its 12:55 am. I have been home since 11:15. It all started about 6:45. I got out of work at 6:00, went to the store to buy balloons, a cake, party plates and coffee creamer. I had the baker write "8 Steps". Her writing was terrible, but it was the sentiment that counted. I was so excited. I raced home to pack my car, shower and pick an outfit, and do my hair. I made fresh coffee, grabbed a big cup and did my makeup on the way to the show. I prepped all week and was amped all day. I called my friend Jon,my other opening act. he was debuting at The Mansion. This was a long time coming and I was very excited for him. 5 minutes from The Mansion Moonshine called me and told me everyone was looking for me. I told her "I'm 5 minutes away and am fashionably late." It was a full house and I was thoroughly amped!!! I introduced the night and had to read the riot act to a couple of my friends who were being really loud, but I love you anyway. You know who you are. Moonshine opened with two songs and then we played our four songs together. I tore up the background vocals and tamborine. Moonshine looked and played well. The house was full, the vibe was fabulous. Moonshine, rob and I were blowing up balloons. Attendees were playing with them with us. I was ready to rock. About mid way through Jon's second song "This is America", a cop enters the room and seems to look directly at me and says "Shut it down!." Then just in case we didn't fully understand he repeats himself. I jumped up and turned off the CD player and as the cops went one way, I went the other and encouraged everyone within earshot to leave. Now! It was a scene out of the movies. Fortunately it was not pandamonium, although I almost had an anxiety attack when the "lead" officer told me I could not take anything,I just had to leave and come back and get my stuff later. All I could think about was leaving both my guitars. Being someone who generally sleeps with my at least one of my guitars in my room, I was stunned. The thought of being without not one, but both of my favorite guitars blew my mind. I felt myself becoming flustered and heading for a full blown anxiety attack. I could not imagine leaving both my guitars behind. I pleaded with one of the other officers and explained my dilemma. He was sympathetic and let me take one. Moonshine and I ran to get our guitars and headed for the door. Jon was very supportive. In fact everyone who came out; shouts out to rob, Paula and Frank P, Ronnie N, Moonshine's mom, Jane and George, all the fans and especially Ed and Mary for their support. As I was scrambling to get out. I was very regretful that I didn't get a chance to play, but more importantly, I felt like we let out fans down. I wished I had suggested moving the show to my house or to the British Art Museum for an outdoor performance, but all I could think about was not getting arrested. When I was younger, it was cool to get arrested and rebel. Now that I am older with a reputation to protect, its not so cool anymore. I spent the next two hours on the phone connecting with friends and fans. I ate my 3 piece Popeye's chicken wing combo while watching my favorite guilty pleasure "Sex and The City and then decided I had to blog. Its 1:50 and I watching my other guilty pleasure "What Not to Wear". I am getting tired and I have to work my day job tomorrow. I believe that everything happens for a reason and out of everything comes goo. I would like to think that those who came to my CD release party will remember this night and the next time you see my name, you will remember what you missed and show up at the next Shadow sighting. Peace.

The Secret Coffee House was a blast! Our feature was Gus D. He brought his gear and gave an intimate performance on guitar and piano. He told me he wanted to share some music that he hadn't shared in a while. We had brownies, Starbucks and spinach and cheese turnovers. Moonshine Kellie, Papa John White and Shadow performed. Hilights included Moonshine doing an extended, altered version of "Four Seasons Of Love." Papa White is starting to venture out as a solo artist and he sang a song he wrote for his granddaughter, "Just Like You and Me", which he wrote with his duo partner Al Papa. Shadow played her first cover ever on guitar "Let It Be." All was well received.

Show cancelled due to personal issues.

Show cancelled due to personal issues.

Well, after all the hard work and phone calls, its over, like a quiet ship that sailed into port, in the dark of night to release its cargo and then sail away inconspicuously.
I could go about how unfairly we were treated by the staff, we being my brother band Convergence and Shadow and Company, but I won't. I could go on about how everyone else who had an event sceduled that day got major publicity and intercom time and all of the flyers I printed at a $1 a piece were gone from the building. I could talk about how I tried to do this as a partnership with the library and got called on it by staff who said I should not have put this on the flyer because there was no partnership, but I won't. I could go on about the staff who decided at 2pm in the midst of my presentation to come onstage and take way an unused PA, informing me that the people upstairs needed it, when they had left the room almost two hours earlier and could have gotten it then, but I won't. I could talk about how seemingly apathetic many Indie artists are in this part of CT, seeming to care only about themselves and unintersted in using their vast talent for community good or to share resources with others, or God forbid be the support act instead of the main act, but I won't.
Instead what I will talk about is how seeing "Before The Music Dies" for the 3rd time was a breath of fresh air, a light at the end of the tunnel, a ray of hope for the weary. As an Indie Artist in this area, I will admit that New Haven has been good to me. the powers that be have supported just about all of the work that I have done and for that I am truly grateful, but when its comes to venue owners and other Indie artists, I find that most venue owners, bar or coffee shop want to pimp the artist and if the artist comes up short on the cash or doesn't bring in a full house on their first night playing, they usually are not invited back. Very much like the major record industyr. Fast turnover, quick return. Many Indie artists remind me of the current condition of the non profit corporations. Many do not want to partner with other non profits or community members because they would have to share the money. Many don't invite or desire independant thinking or innovative ideas that do not come from within because that could make them look bad and we don't want that, so they hold on with both hands tightly grasped around their "piece of the pie". While doing so, they are unable to embrace anything else or reach out to any one else. I spent a good part last year trying to convince venue owners and local papers that I was a force to be reconded with and all the reason why they should cover my event or let me play in their venue. finally I realized that I was wasting my time. Mozart, Ghandi, John Lennon, Prince were all rejected and l;ater hailed as genuises ahead of their time. As Wynton Marsalis stated in "Before The Music Dies" " If its really new, no one has ever heard of it and people are going to take a while to see it." I am parphrasing, but that is the jest of his comment. I wish that more of us could have attended this event because it seems that many artists in this area, at least the artists in my genre and area spent more time focusing on how great they are and not enough time using their greatness for the common good. I know I sound judgemental and maybe just maybe, someone will read this and challenge my views. In the mean time, I will continue to do my thing and seek the few, the proud an the brave to forge on in this crazy world of Indie music. Peace.

ON a scale of 1 to 10. It was a 10! The little sound system was just enough and the microphone was perfect. It was a straight shot down 91 and with two right turns off the highway and we were on Bridge Street. It was a little street out of a classic B&W movie about Hometown USA. Horizonitally parked cars lined the street and at the end of the street was a bridge. Mocha Mayas is an intimate treasure on a street that must be home to the arts community because the arts council, arts gallery and two other coffee houses shared the street, but none carried such ambiance as did Mocha Mayas. The sound system was FABULOUS. Just enough and the microphone was perfect. The staff was ultra helpful and the customers were attentive and respectful. My crew and I were treated like royalty. And the owners or promotion person did an OUTSTANDING JOB on the fllyer. They actually created and posted the flyer. Talk about real investment. It was a tip gig and most people would not have came from CT to MA, but I am daring to do the impossible by enbarking on the Rockathon Tour to promote "DEEP" because I believe in my music so strongly that I think that when others hear it they will believe in it too. So I am going where I haven't gone before. On a scale of 1 to 10, they show was a 10. We were late, but everything went off without a hitch and I sounded great if I must say so myself. I hope to return next year. Many Indie Artists know what I know and love playing there, so they are booked through Dec 31, 2007. Thanks Mocha Maya for everything.

I love this place! On a scale of one to ten, the evening was an 11. I have played this venue several times and I always have a fabulous time. Sorry to say, the headliner did not show up or call. Jim M, I would have loved to have seen you, but my bass player, Joe Cavanaugh and I held it down very nicely. Two sets of foot stomping, hand clapping, spirit rising, thought provoking, original music and poetry. Everyone there is so enthusiatic and engaged. When I walked in and some of my fans saw that it was me. They were so happy to see me that they applauded me. Hows that for a welcome? No group of people could have been more pleasant. Needless to say, we played our hearts out. I have played here several times over the last five years and I always leave there with my cup running over. Thansk Sara Mag for believing in us! Thanks everyone at Fellowship Place for supporting Shadow and Company! You are why we Indie artists keep on playing!

Having had a week to reflect, I give this show a 7. It felt really wierd, running from work and then do a quicko chango to get into alter ego. Convergence was fabulous as always, but Joe and I fell out of a section of "I'm Not Sorry" because he could not hear the drum track. We recovered gracefully, but it left a bad taste in my mouth, then I missed the cue on the next song 'Red Roses' and had to start it again. i am such a perfectionist that I refused to not get it right. I wasn't extremely happy with it, but thats o.k. The crowd was receptive and pleasant. Most of them I did not know, but hey all seemed to be part of a crew except for one couple who stayed for the entire night. Members of the "Crew" shared poetry, short stories and prose, most of which I found to be quite enjoyable. They remained for most of my set and then got up and exited collectively, save for the couple. I ran into a friend who I had not seen in years. We had an affair over 10 years ago. It was strange to see him since I had not seen him for at least 7 years. It was odd. I had gained weight, he let his hair grow longer and we were both alittle older. We embraced each briefly and talked about current developments. I stayed and watched Convergence close out the show and left shortly therafter.

Cancelled due to a snow storm.

Well, now its only a memory, but what a memory it is. It was initially raining and I was running an hour behind schedule. Jon and Hal, my make belieive big brothers arrived on time and ready to roll, so set up was relatively painless. We were ready on time and by 1:30, Gus Dubovic hit the stage with his guitar and "our" bass player, Joe Cavanuagh. Gus looked great in all black and a western style hat to die for. He sounded wonderful and he and Joe played like they had been playing together for years. Wait a minute. they have been playing together for years.
I pulled double duty with my girl, Amy to manage food and film. We were both videotaping along with my friend and archivist, Bill Bisky. He had covered my career in film for the past several years. People started to arrive and eat and they all commented on how fantastic the chicken was. Thanks to my husband, Randy, who also made the tuna macoroni salad. In between performances, we talked, drank "Champayne Cola" which tasted like sultzer and bubblegum, if you like that kind of thing and enjoyed a very interesting cranberry nut snack that our friend Arthur, guitarist and leader of Parkers Tangent brought in. Library Events Coordinator , Kathy Hurley stopped in and it was a joy to see her. Many people who were there, I didn't know, but I didn't really care, I was happy to see everyone. I felt like it was already Christmas. My friend and shared bandmate of Convergence, Joe Masulli arrived with a smile on his face and an extra Feedback Buster in his pocket. As fate would have it, I was rehearsing with Joe on Friday and my external pick on my Ibanez and I was getting mad feedback. Later that night, I talked to Jon and he told me about the Feedback Buster. I thougth it would be good to get one. The next day, Joe shows up with an extra one. Merry Christmas! Convergence blew the house away with new and interesting material and yes, the drummer was missed, but we know how it is. there were two young, black girls around the age of 13 and 14. They were very inquistive and open. they asked about everything and wanted to know about eveything. They talked to Gus after he played and they asked him to show them how to play the guitar. He showed them a couple of chords and they were on their way. I later found out that they were the older sisters of my one of my son's friends. They left before I played, but I gave them cd's. I had already decided that this show would be one of my best because I was so happy to release my cd. We opened with songs from "DEEP" and then played a few from our current playset. I felt on top of the world with no strings attached. After everything was said and done, we ended on time, cleaned up and were out with time to spare. We all got and gave hugs and kisses and congrats on another ground breaking event. Jon, Bill and I went to have coffee and a snack downtown and relished in the glow of artistic accomplishment. What a night!

this was a really cool show. People cam eout from the thier stores, and yes even a bar to hear the music. The courtyard was bustling with fans of various persuasions and it was fantastic.