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The Aroma of Groundhogs

Sunday Feb 6, 2005

This year the groundhog saw his shadow and has chosen to retreat for 6 more weeks of Winter slumber and yet the very next day I found myself playing outdoors at nine o' clock in the eve.

I was invited to be part of a new series called Acoustic Wahx featuring a variety of LA acts and a brand new sandwich and coffee joint, Aroma. Being a small restaurant they decided to move the show outside and employ a very powerful and high quality PA system which attracted many young co-eds who were walking by and a few street people as well.

Being my first time on stage in about 3 months I felt it best to stick to material that I really know well. I've felt really good about the way I perform covers for the past year and I've wanted that same feeling from my own songs so I decided to take on a new approach; instead of viewing my songs as my own creations and feeling like I was putting myself out there by playing those tunes, I would instead view them as someone else's songs that I was covering. Good plan, no?

Well I think it worked. I played with a lot more ease and with a bit more experimentation in my guitar and vocals. Though my stage presence left a few things to be desired my singing and playing were both smooth and comfortable. I believe it was one of my best shows yet.

As I mentioned before, we were outside and the sounds were drawing in people from Sunset. One such person decided he should come talk to me during one of my song breaks. He asked me to, "Drop it like its hot." I did my best. I hope I didn't let him down.

Turns out it was quite the show of the chosen people. During my closing I thanked the venue, Aroma, and then mentioned the Mezuzah I saw hanging on the door frame. Well, I knew my friends were Jewish, but I had no clue the rest of the audience was as well. They cheered wildly and started singing about sivevot or something...

So all and all it was a bizarre outdoor show featuring both Jews and the Homeless and I'd like to think I didn't disappoint.