2nd gig/ Snowday

Hi everyone,
Fingers were crossed last night in hopes of a huge snowstorm and mother nature did not disappoint. It started here last night at the stroke of midnight. Like an ominous sign from above, only a few flakes fell at first. And in the blink of an eye...whiteout. I know this because that was about the time Lisa and I left the bar last night. I had my second 25 minute set with Lucas and Kenny at The Bar Next Door. I went to work early yesterday so I could get some practice time in. I found it helpful to sing with a mic set up in front of me so I could get used to what that feels like. I think part of my problem last week was, singing live and amplified is a whole nother animal. You have to be conscious of so many little things like, volume, knowing when to back away from the mic and being aware of the audience as well. My friend Ryan and I arrived around 8:30 to a sparsely populated bar, Kenny and Lucas were just finished setting up and they greeted me warmly with High-fives and half-hugs. I set my guitar on stage this time instead of by the back door where the draft could have an adverse affect on my instrument. I sipped on a tumbler of Whisky to loosen thing up. (I have a cold right now, I'm a bit phlegmy) We sat and listened to them play and waited for Lisa and her friend Caitlin to show-up. The both were working but, on their way. I basically did all of the same songs except for one. Instead of "Leave", I closed with another song from Once called " Say it to me now". I was still a little nervous about this performance but I felt way more relaxed this time and I think people could tell. I actually had a good time on stage. I felt like I connected with the audience, I had a little playful banter and even when my string broke, I handled it with grace. Fortunately, both of the guys offered their guitar but, I ended up using Lucas's guitar which needed to be adjusted to fit my stature. I'll admit, the first few songs were a bit shaky but the last two went very well. After I was finished, I got more compliments on my performance than I did on the week previous. We stayed to the end of the show, right as the snow started to fall. I was asked to play again on Jan 1st! I'm really grateful for the experience this is giving me and I feel like I have improved so much from week one. Listen to me, I sound like I'm on some reality show and I just made it through to the next round. But, that's kinda what it feels like. Except, I'm the only contestant. Love, Joe

First gig in 7 years

I had my first gig last night in a very long time. I played the set break for Lucas Cates and Kenny, which was an honor. I just recently had my guitar installed with a pickup( thanks to Dad) and so I was very excited to show that off. Ever since I saw "Once" I picked up my guitar again and haven't really put it down since. We arrived at The Bar Next Door around 8:30, Lisa had invited a few of our friends, Kaitlin and Justin to come and watch me play so they rode with us. On the way we listened to a CD of the band we were going to see. I was tense and anxious about performing for this crowd, especially when they are used to the consumate performances of Lucas and Kenny. When we arrived, my posse headed for the bar and I glad-handed with the boys who were just finishing sound-checking. I was to play in about an hour, so I stood and watched the guys play, counting down the minutes to when I was to perform. I was a bit nervous so I sipped on some whiskey and water for about an hour. Just one drink, anymore and I probably would have regreted it. I don't know how some people can perform drunk. It's beyond my skill-set. I have to be sober to do well. Standing near the bar, I got on the conversation of guitar lessons with my friend Justin, who has a passion for music jst as I do and really wants to learn how to play. While talking to him, I overhear Lucas saying, " were going to play one more and then we have a special guest tonight, Joe Anderson will be playing some tunes for y'all". My nerves heighten... The duo finished and it's time for my big debut! Now I have barely ever played amplified before, let alone perfromed in this kind of setting in a long time. I grabbed my guitar, it was way out of tune because it was near the back door and there must have been a draft so it was pretty cold. I plugged in and was a bit disoriented with the lights and the cords and pedals on the floor. I used Lucas's side of the stage, he just had one pedal which was a tuner and also added a little bit of reverb. I didn't really know how to use it but he stood there and guided me through tuning. After my guitar was in tune, it was time to play. I started off my introducing myself in a rather timid fashion and began playing. a bit shaky, I made it through the first song , messed up the ending but I don't think anyone noticed. The rest of the songs went well. My voice sounded great, guitar playing was O.K. I got to the last song, "Shine" wich is in Open E tuning, different than standard, so I had to use that dreaded pedal tuner again which was awkward. So awkward in fact that when I thought I was ready to play, I wasn't exactly in tune and I started the song and had to restart because it sounded awful. But, I got it in tune again and played the song well. I think I must have looked pretty amateurish and scared( which I was) up there against the backdrop of polished performers. I did the best I could and plan on doing it again next week with a bit more confidence and expierience under my belt. At least I know how to use that damn tuner now!

I Love/Hate Cats and Halloween

For Halloween this year, Lisa and I we're invited to our friends house for a little get together. She and I went as a cute old couple. She was the man and I was the woman. We purchased our costumes at Goodwill, mashing together what we thought old people would wear. I chose a nice blue dress that looked straight from the set of Little House on the Prairie, along with shoes, hat , purse, and a wig. Lisa did the same for her part of the costume. Anyway, getting back to the party, it was a pretty thoughtful affair involving decorations, food, cocktails, and music and of course, what party would be complete without Jell-o shots! I was having a great time at the party, making people laugh with my "Old Lady Voice" and walking around acting confused. About an hour into the party, my throat became scratchy so I took off my shall, thinking I might be allergic to it. I continued drinking and having a good time but my symptoms got way worse. The culprit was not the shall, it was the 3 cats they had! About three hours into the party I was sneezing, coughing, and blowing my nose and the last ten minutes we were there I lost my voice. Unbelievable. My friends band had played earlierin the night at a bar called "The Brink" so Lisa and I decided to get the hell out of that apartment and go see if my friends were still there. In the car, driving to the bar, I immediately started to feel better, I stopped sneezing, my nose started to clear up but, I still had no voice and my chest felt like it was being cinched tight with a belt. Now that I think about it though, that could have been the bra I was wearing. We arrived at the bar and had to pay 7 dollars each at midnight to see the band that was playing. They were not worth 7 dollars.... The costumes at The Brink were fantastic! Trying to get a drink at this place was not however. 45 minutes for a miller lite. ridiculous.

I Hate Thursdays.

It's one of those days that isn't eaxctly the middle of my week or the end of it either. It just seems to be one of those days you just have to "get through". Know what I mean? This is off topic but, I think I'm going to try to stop smoking. I don't klnow if I can do it or not but, I really need to try, at least. The reason for it isn't so much the health factor. I know that should be reason number 1 but, for me, it's about my ability to sing. I was great when I was younger. Really great. Fucking awesome would be one way to say it. However...now...I'm good but that's about it. I just don't sing that often anymore because I'm not as good as I used to be and I get frustrated with myself for damaging the best thing I do. I need to quit for myself. I need to quit for my future. I need to quit for Life. I'm thinking that I might try the "patch". That seems to work for some. Or the gum. Aparently it comes in all kinds of delicious flavors. I used to borrow the gum from my Mom for long plane rides and it got me through, even when I would have a cocktail or three. Of Course, as soon as I got off the plane I was outside suckin' em down. Maybe, I'll try on Monday.

o.k. so...I'm new to this blogging thing.

My sister Jessie insisted that I start a Blog. I personally thought it might be a bit narcissistic to think people would actually care about what I have to say. I guess time's gonna tell on that one...anyway, I'm calling this my first official entry because the others were just some stuff I wrote a while ago. I write a colomn here at work every month for our newsletter and I write our departments entry of our monthy mass E-mail. I've always enjoyed writing and have been told I have a talent for it. Whatever. I'm going to take a page from my friend Mark Noxon and formally introduce myself. My name is Joe Anderson and I live in Madison, WI. I live near the east-side in a crappy two bedroom apartment with my fiance' Lisa Fish. I just recently asked her to marry me after about five years and we have been living together in sin for about four years. O.K. our place really isn't that decrepped, it just has some stuff wrong with it. For instance, our faucet sprays water in every direction when you turn it on, our front closet door is broken and hanging on by a screw,and one of the flourescent lights just flickers repeatedly when you turn it on. I just recently asked her to marry me after about five years. I fancy myself a musician, I play guitar and piano, but I'm a singer by trade. I chose instruments I could accompany myself on. I really dig the singer-songwriter type of music and that's the kind of stuff I like to write. I can write the music, but the lyrics I have trouble with. Alright, that's it for now. Gotta go take a piano lesson.

work on Saturday

hi everyone,
well, here I am on a saturday morning sitting at work, listening to the 'Once" soundtrack. I watched it again last night before fallingasleep. I really like that movie and it's music. I'm glad I saw itbecause it's really gotten me back into playing guitar. I've got mycalouses back and my chops. I would even go so far as to say I'm better thanI ever was. I'm working overtime today even though the higher-ups don'tapprove. Bethany, who usually works on Satuday is gone today because it'sher birthday.Normally, if I were to work on a Saturday she would ask me to tradesome hours with her but, you know I don't think that's fair. So, earlierin the week when she asked me to work I told her I was unavailable. I lied cuz Iwanted to take her shift this week and really wanted the overtime. but I'messentially doing her a favor. What has she ever done for me? If she wants theday off, she can but, I hate coming in on a Saturday if I don't have to. Iwork 40 hours a week as it is and stretching that over 6 days really is a painin the ass. I'd really like to get paid more for coming in an extra day. Iasked her yesterday what she was doing for her birthday and she said she was" apple picking and going on a hike." sounds fun...like watching chickmovies all day and crying til your eyes hurt. Anyway, that means I'm here. Ithink they're going to try and make me go home early but, I need the Money!So, I'm going to make myself busy so I can get all 8 hours. I rode my bikein today. Frost was on the ground for the first time this season, a definitechill in the air. My hands were really the only thing giving me grief for beingout in the cold. I actually had a beautiful ride in today after my body startedto warm up. The sky was clear and the sun was shining on my back, no wind atall. Lake Monona was like glass and the shoreline fisherman were out infull-force, all bundled up and lining the bike path in front of the Terrace.Further down the path, I come close to the coloseum and the Dairy Expo is beingheld there all weekend. The field behind it is clogged with hundreds oflive-animal trailers and the smell of shit has taken over the oxygen andit's pretty hard to hold you breath on a bike. By the time I arrived atwork, it had warmed up a little. The sun was higher in the sky and my back wassweaty. A unique ride in respect to the time. Well, the point of this e-mail isthat I wanted to stretch my writing muscles a bit. Thanks for reading!

Bored at Work...

so..... how's everyone doing today? Im here at work...again. God, it seems like I'm here 5 days a week! If you have a stock portfolio or a 401k, it might be looking a little better today. The market surged yesterday. I don't personally have any stock but, I think it's good to stay current on those things. For conversational purposes. It's a beautiful day here in Madison. My ride in was pleasent albeit a little cold, at first. I'm usually sweating through my shirt by the time I get here no matter what the temperature. I realize that's gross but, I like to think of it as a clean sweat since I shower right before I leave. Oh, I almost forgot! If you have access to Youtube today, I have a few suggestions; Lucas Cates. Kenny plays with him and they have a few videos that are really cool. Some performances on some southern news shows and a showing on Urban Theatre, which is a local cable show that features some of the areas best acts.Lisa and I have also contracted them for our Wedding. They didn't have a choice since two of his band mates are in my wedding party. Also, has anyone ever heard of a girl named "Julia Nunes"? She is a college girl in New York State who has made a name for herself through YouTube. She is a musician specializing in ukulele and most of her videos have over a half-million hits or more. Her original " into the sunshine", has over a million views. I particularly like her rendition of "Survivor" by Destiney's Child. Never a fan of the original but, she breathes new life into it. I highly recommend it. Also she has albums, merch and she has recently opened for Ben Folds a number of times. If anyone wants to write me back I'll be here ALL DAY!