Who have I met?

Oswaldo, the Peruvian-Japanese owner of Pacific Auto Rentals. Speaker of five languages of which, he lamented, Chinese was not one. “There is such a strong population of Chinese here in Oakland. When you know a language, you understand a culture in a way that you never could from the outside,” he ruminated while he filled out my rental car forms.

Amaris, the teenaged or recently unteenaged gypsy, and her less dramatic friend, Bridget. Whimsical but savvy Amaris with her long black hair and her heavily make-upped eyelashes. Bridget with her hooded marsupial sweatshirt and sensible blonde ponytail. Amaris, who was going to college in their small California hometown for theatre and drama. Bridget, who was going to the local community college for social science. What were their plans? Amaris only said, “I am a gypsy. I will get by whatever I do. Very rich or very poor, I will be happy.” Bridget who responded, matter of fact: “I would like to teach college.”

Mike Atta, former lead guitar player of California hardcore punk band the Middle Class. “We’re known for being the first to play hardcore punk,” he told me over the counter of his vintage store. “Other groups claim they were the first but it was really us. Our old EPs go for a lot of money now. You know, because they didn’t press very many of them. People are always offering us a lot of money to play now, because we’re a lot more popular than when we were a band. But we think it’s better to keep the mystery alive.”

John, the 19-year-old Fullerton University student with burn scars on his face and a job at the local music instrument emporium. “So, you stayed through the summer?” I made conversation while he watched me strum an expensive guitar. “What?” “Well, you don’t have classes now, it’s summer,” I prompted. “Do your parents live here?” “I don’t talk to my parents,” he told me. “I come from Westminster.” I shook my head. “Have you ever heard of Little Saigon? That’s what they call it. It’s the largest population of Vietnamese in the United States.”

Josh, a stylish young man who approached me after my set at the Continental Room in Fullerton. “So, what are you doing? I mean, what’s your plan? Do you have management?” “Why? Do you know someone?” I responded to his question with a question. His face, full of swagger and confidence at his approach, relaxed. “Who me? No. I mean maybe. Listen, I’m a nobody. I’m a drummer. I like to write songs and I was hoping we could do songs together. Hey, you know what? I’ll Myspace you.”

Who have I heard?

Jody Mulgrew, a real crooner. I love Jody's style and his compact, melodic songwriting. Also, did I mention how handsome he is? Also a gentleman and a wonderful ambassador for his hometown of San Luis Obispo. Check out his music here. 

The Bye Bye Blackbirds played with me on my first night in California. What a treat! They played acoustic, three guitars and three part harmonies with a precision you don't much hear. One part Everley Brothers, one part Elvis Costello, one part completely their own, they may well be my new favorite band. They can be heard here.

Tippy Canoe, aka Michele Kapel-Stone. Tippy Canoe is an angel sent to me, and she sings like one. Baltimore born, Oakland dwelling Tippy has been helping me book this tour and at some point she and her friend Antonette offered to play drums and bass, respectively, as the Cali-Mates. !!! Here is her old timey pop music.

Antonette G, the other half of the Cali-Mates. Antonette is a fantastic human being with a gift for melody. I've only heard her play once, when she came to the Velvet Lounge in DC. That will all change later tonight at the Hemlock. But for now, here she is.

Fort Wife, a duo from Long Beach. Really cool atmospheric music with some stellar guitar playing by one Elise Ewoldt. If you're in a mood or you like Land of Talk, click here.

Greenbelt, MD

One of three planned town cooperatives devised by Roosevelt and his New Deal, and the last one in operation. The townspeople own their own municipality, AND their own bar - fittingly called the New Deal Cafe.

I talked history and drank beer with the locals and played a couple hours' worth of song there on Tuesday, April 20th. "I'm sorry you don't have a bigger crowd," the bartender told me. "Kojo Nnamdi from NPR is giving a talk over at the community center right when you're performing." No sweat, though, because Kojo's next stop was the New Deal Cafe. Check out this picture of me and Kojo in a state of mutual exclamation about a particular version of the song "Stagger Lee (Stack O' Lee)."

The Radio

Sometimes you don't know you're missing something until you run into it. Not that I was unaware that the state of radio in DC is really lamentable and piss-poor. I was, of course. But only when I drive through places where radio functions as a positive force do I realize how much we in DC suffer. Turn on the radio in someplace like Harrisonburg, VA, and you can hear - oh, jeez, Peggy Lee's "Fever." Or the Carter Family. Drive through Charlottesville and you might catch some - get this - interesting modern rock on WRNR. And some oldies I haven't heard in a while: did anyone else kind of dig Poe circa 1999?

The Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar

I've been playing at the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar for years and years and years. I played there the first time I ever went to Charlottesville, and I'll probably play there the last time I ever go to Charlottesville. It's all tea and hummus and houkah - AND weird rock and roll and cool people and Lionshead Beer. I played with Future Islands and Rhythm Bandit and we partied late-night Charlottesville-style. Stay friendly, C-ville. You guys are great.

Getting in Your Car on a Spring Morning and Driving Into the Mountains

We live in a beautiful country.

The Purple Fiddle Inn and Cafe

Um, it is amazing and wonderful to me that places like this exist. Nestled in the Alleghany Mountains in the town of Thomas, WV, is a converted General Store, where they have a stage and they're not afraid to use it. This fantastically quirky place paid me with "dinner and a bed for the night" - a deal too intriguing to pass up. Armed with a GPS and an open mind, I only had to walk inside to be enchanted. Great people, great sound, beer out of a three-tap Kegorator into Mason jars, and the good company of fellow performer Heather Maloney and her team.

All the good buddies out there

Thanks, Andres, Kristin, and Lucy, Jared and Christie, Jacob, Sarah, Tom Dean and all the new friends I made for helping me out and putting me up and keeping Sol-O-Tour '10 from being anything but lonely.

Filmed by "The New Gay" on a stoop on 9th St. NW.

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