Where have I been?

mood: Sweet and Lowdown soundtrack

Hey.

I can't believe I have not been back here sooner. The blog. I have had a busy three months, but have been such a jerk face that I couldn't be bothered sharing anything with you, my reader. My one and only beautiful/handsome reader? Let's not dwell.

2009 ended with a bang. A december that saw us drive through a blizzard followed by 2 gut checking days in Calgary where I struggled to play for great friends with a 101F fever and a throat that was as sore as Dick Cheney's hunting partner, heyooo. But we did it. With help from the boys who backed me up we had two fantastic evenings, some misunderstandings with the door, but a fun fun weekend was had none the less. We returned home and I mended myself as best I could in time to lend what ever it is I do, to the Quinzmas concerts at home in Winnipeg. The week following was the 5th annual JP Hoe Hoe Hoe Holiday shows (Fri and Sat), we decked out the theatre with more decoration than Martha could wag a stick at, heyooo. The band, the special guests, the custom made fortune cookies, the borderline self deprecating racial jokes, the paper mashe, the final chapter of Harry and the Hendersons, the sold out shows, wicked. Great christmas present. The following week had me helping out my family's biz and then with 2 days left, I managed to get all of my shopping done, with, no post holiday returns. The following week was rehearsals for a very special NYE, featuring the Beatles, well at least a much older version of the Beatles. My carpentar Wes Barker and I built a set that matched the Ed Sullivan set nearly to a "T". I have never played a cover show quite like it, we were into it from start to finish. In fact a woman who came out for the music not the band, asked if my accent was real...Well I be knickers and bottoms! Seems like a British expression. But tremendous tremendous tremendous. Thank you to everyone who made their NYE zygote following one of our concerts, name her Ringo, so bold. Aeyooo!

January brought strange weather here in Winnipeg. Started harsh and then for a 2 week stretch, everyone walked around the city in thongs, backwards! So balmy and so tropical, mother nature couldn't have been sweeter. I had a few appearances around town while I tried to catch my breath from production after production, this included a funny moment. I'd like to share a secret that most independent musicians do not advertise, (hold yourself) they have had to moonlight in spurts to keep the old bed and roof under and above them. Some in stores or insurance shops, some filing, and others the art of table service. Shocking I know, but it's true. So, I was asked to participate in an evening titled "Dinner with a Star". Promoted with fancy posters, lots of glitz and it was for charity. I love helping charities when I can, and had a friend organizing the deal. A week after I agreed I thought to myself, "Hey JP. Quick question. What the fuck are you doing?" I realized that perhaps I was a bit too quick responding and did not think about whether or not this may be awkward. As the day approached I became more and more nervous. I'm not exactly sure why, but it had something to do with the idea of sitting down for folks that paid a lot of money to have dinner with a celebrity and then would politely ask me as I approached the table, "There you are, I'll have a gin and 7." Winnipeg is filled with so much talent, but star or celeb status doesn't really resonate with my own self image. I am proud and thrilled with what I have achieved as an independent artist and am humbled to have reached many of my goals in the industry, so I guess I relate more with 'epic unmatched wordsmith and melodastic mind', something more low key. The day of the event, I remember talking to Dave Pankratz and confiding, "what if I've been their waiter before? What if the 45+, mortgage paid off, set for life folks turn to each other and say, 'why did we pay XXX amount to eat with our waiter from your sister's birthday dinner a couple years ago?'" Even purchasing a new coat from Club Monaco that afternoon, couldn't calm me as I arrived to the event. I found some comfort in the rye and cokes as well as the company of Heather Bishop, Sheena Grobb, Ace Burpee, and Fred Penner. Though, I ran into someone from high school, and they asked why I was there (don't worry, I am laughing as I write this and recall the series of events, I am not immune to the awesomeness of the situation.). When I learned that the "Stars" were to be raffled off in front of the crowd, I began to sweat. In full disclosure I get nervous a lot but this was unique. I just like to write good songs and perform them on stage, the other stuff is tough to swallow, even when it's for a good cause like this night. When it happened, I think it went, "International magician Brian Glo, Defensive Player of the year from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Independent Artist JP Hoe." I bet some of the audience became just as nervous as I was at that point. This however is where the story loses it's humour because it was all uphill from that point on. I was matched with a group of young, hip graphic designers and we headed for sushi, and had a company card which allowed us to sample the various martinis with names that I have a hard time believing folks in Japan would consider appropriate. One area I also dreaded was what would we talk about for a few hours. I could explain to them what type of business model that usually does not turn a profit at the end of the year, and how it is still desirable as employment. So in this area I was prepared. I prepped a bunch of recipe cards with "get to know you" questions throughout, such as "Have you ever been arrested? For what?" or "When was the last time you were married or divorced?" and we had a few winners and then laughs came easier and easier. By the end of the night and beginning of the next day, I had made some new friends, Fred and I played a fun game at the after party, who can name and find on the Iphone the grossest looking animal, my choice is 'fish with human teeth' or 'naked mole rat', look them up you'll agree. So in retrospect, thanks for having me, and thanks to the group who I dined with, you were very kind and created a good memory, rather than a brutal one.

Finally I want to give out a few shout outs:

Shout out #1 - Winnipeg Folk Festival - For putting together a songwriters in the round with Romi Mayes, Ridley Bent and myself. Amazing songwriters and performers and Romi has stolen my gratitude for ever, not to mention a WCMA. Good luck at the Junos Romi!
Shout out #2 - MB Film and Music - For throwing a huge concert, with some of the best our province has to offer the world. They are an organization who help keep our chances good in succeeding and have been staunch supporters of mine since the beginning. I'm truly thankful, and anyone who is a fan of my music must also be a fan of MB Film and Music, they help keep me in the game.
Shout out #3 - Mike Petkau and Dala - I was able to be a last minute addition to the Dala bill at the West End, courtesy of the new artistic director Mike Petkau. Super nice guy, beautiful venue, go or come and see it if you can. And shit, Dala were freaky good. Their voices = butter and the sincerity on stage refreshing.

Thanks it. Next blog, about my trip to New Orleans and Memphis, got to see Leatha, and threw some beads...

JP on 03.28.10 @ 11:33 PM CST [link] [No Comments]