I’m going on a weekend tour with Frances Luke Accord from Chicago, and they shared a new song from their upcoming release, Queen for Me. Take a listen to “Over Your Roof.”
We will be playing the Elbo Room in Chicago (April 10), Cafe Rhema in Flint (April 11), and LIVE in Ann Arbor (April 12)!
This morning, I read this fun challenge from Graham Wright (of Tokyo Police Club) to “try to love the music you hate.”
One of my favorite quotes from Wright is, “Do you have a friend that loves the band?…[G]et them to talk about the band – enthusiasm is contagious.”
This is the curse and blessing of teaching guitar lessons.
I like to teach my guitar students songs they like, to hopefully get them hooked and encouraged to practice. I don’t care what a student likes, and I don’t get critical. And after hearing the song ten times, I usually enjoy the song, too.
Here are some songs that have been fun to teach that I now find myself singing-a-long to on the radio:
* * * Taylor Swift * * *
Last night, I was hanging with Kalamazoo songstress Carrie McFerrin at my gig, and she was joking about the current curse of being a woman holding an acoustic guitar a bar or club: dodging requests to play a Taylor Swift song.
I started strumming the chords to “You Belong with Me” and making up lyrics to the song, and we laughed. Carrie then asked, “Why do you know that song? Been covering it for gigs, Mike?”
“Awe shucks, guitar lessons! I just taught it to a student,” I said.
I failed to share how much I enjoy that song now after teaching it.
* * * One Republic * * *
A few years ago, my sister-in-law Brianna asked me if I liked One Republic. I gave her a total hipster/musician “too cool to like radio songs” answer.
Last month, one of my students wanted to learn the chord progression and strum to “Stop and Stare.” It took me 30 seconds to hear the interesting chord change in the intro to be hooked. (That E to Emaj7 change is fun to play.)
I owe Bri a huge apology; this lead songwriter is awesome.
* * * One Direction* * *
Last weekend, during a 12 hour road trip to North Carolina, One Direction’s “Story of My Life” came on the radio. My wife said, “Oh, keep that on the radio. I’m embarrassed to admit I like it.”
I responded, “Oh, I taught this guitar riff to a student last month. I already like it!”
[I’ll add that both my wife and I saw their performance at the Grammy’s and exclaimed how “terrible” this song is.]
* * * Conclusions * * *
My students’ excitement for music has rekindled my own excitement.
Last week, I went on a William Fitzsimmons’s music binge and listened to all of his releases on my iPod for hours, and then picked up my guitar and started learning the songs for the sheer enjoyment of learning them! (Learn a song to simply learn it? I haven’t done that in years!)
OK, I admit, these experiences share a hint of this comic, but so be it.
I’ll be traveling a bit this spring and road-testing some new songs. I’m super excited to share shows with new friends, and introduce you to some great musicians I’ve met last year: Frances Luke Accord, a duo from Chicago who I met in fall 2013, are releasing new music for the tour! Chris Dupont made the top-downloads front page at Noisetrade last month.
SPRING TOUR (Mike Vial is performing solo acoustic.)
March 20 – Davidson, NC Summit Coffee with Rob McHale and Todd Hoke! (8 PM, no cover)
March 27 – Kalamazoo, MI OLD DOG TAVERN (8 PM, $5)
March 28 – Owosso, MI Wrought Iron Grill (7:30 PM, no cover)
April 3 – Lansing, MI The Great Lakes Collective‘s songwriter night at Reo Town Pub (7 PM, no cover)
* * * Weekend Tour with Frances Luke Accord * * *
April 10 – Chicago, IL The Elbo Room with Frances Luke Accord & Chris Dupont (8 PM, $9)
April 11 – Flint, MI Cafe Rhema during Flint Art Walk with Frances Luke Accord & David Stanley! (6 PM, $3-5 suggest donation)
April 12 – Ann Arbor, MI LIVE Ann Arbor with Chris Dupont and Frances Luke Accord (6 PM; $5)
* * * More Travels * * *
April 18 – Festival was cancelled – East Lansing, MI Middle of the Mitten 6 Festival at Michigan State University
May 15-17 – Montreat, NC for South East Regional Folk Alliance
May 18 – Marshall, NC Good Stuff Marshall (3 PM, no cover)
May 18 – Johnson City, TN The Acoustic Coffeehouse (10 PM, no cover)
May 23 -Angelica, NY Black-Eyed Susan Acoustic Cafe (7:30 PM, no cover)
June 23 – Eaton, OH – TAFFYs (8 PM, no cover)
St. Patrick’s Day holds a paradoxical place in my musical heart:
A. I love this day.
Live music is guaranteed to be booked; people are excited to be partying; stout beer is tasty!
B. I fear this day.
Loading in gear is a nightmare; some folks get intoxicated and belligerent; watered-down, green beer is gross!
Last year’s St Patrick’s Day, I performed nine hours of music at three different bars in three different cities. When I returned home at 1 AM, Natalie asked, “How was your day o’ gigs?”
I couldn’t answer her; my voice was shot from over singing.
I wanted to tell her how one drunk guy spit on me because I wouldn’t play “Whiskey in a Jar” again. (I had already sang it in my set; drunk guy forgot.) But hey, I made enough money to pay rent in one day!
This St. Patrick’s Day weekend has been great.
I’ve enjoyed this weekend of gigs, so far. Bar patrons have been nice, my tip jar has been full, and the sing-a-longs last night at mash reenergized me!
But I when I woke up and saw my friend Connor’s tweet about his dad getting hit by a drunk driver last night, I felt that bitter taste in my mouth, again. (Connor’s dad’s OK)
I want to throw out the common reminder–especially you musicians performing tomorrow–to be safe, especially when you are driving home from your gigs. Watch out for those patrons who are slurring their requests for “Freebird”; they will be the same ones swerving on the road.
And let’s do our best to prevent drunk driving.
People don’t make safe decisions when they’re intoxicated, which is why they need to plan their nights before-hand, when they are sober.
Have your designated drivers ready. Have that taxi cab number programmed in your phone. Have a planned limit to how much you will drink.
And don’t forget to tip your waitstaff and bartenders (and maybe musicians) extra well! Remember, they are most likely sober, exhausted, and trying to survive the night without getting spit on…
* * * St Patrick’s Day Gig * * *
Tomorrow, I’ll be performing from 10 AM to 1 PM at Claddagh Irish Pub in Lansing, accompanied by the talented Garret Schmittling!
Related show
OK, the short announcement is I’ve joined a just-formed, independent record label: Maisonneuve Music!
The longer, detailed story:
* * *
For those familiar with my music, you might know how I love to travel to Hamilton, Ontario to visit a beautiful recording facility called Catherine North Studios. I have worked with some amazingly talented, nice people at Catherine North.
In April of 2009, I started my first trips to Catherine North to work on Burning the Boats.
Catherine North, where making music becomes a spiritual experience!
The catalyst of this trip was hearing City and Colour’s Bring Me Your Love, and watching the behind the scenes videos, which was recorded there, with Dan Achen, producer and owner of the studio.
In December of 2008, I sent Dan a Myspace message–yes, Myspace!–about my interest in doing my second release at his studio. Would he write back?
Dan did! He asked to hear my songs. Then, we talked via Skype and he showed me the facility via web cam. I knew immediately this is where I would create my next project.
I was still teaching high school English in Holly then, and my struggle to find a balance in my personal, creative, and professional life had reached its height. There were many moments between 2007-2009 where I was depressed.
As ugly Xmas sweater day demonstrates, I did my best to hide being stressed by being a goofy teacher. I also grew my hair ridiculously long.
(I must emphasize that I loved the teaching part of education, but I often abandoned music to keep up with the work load of grading, planning, and instructing. That ate away at me. I never knew how to keep up, and it never ended. Teachers have the most difficult job on the planet.)
Visiting Catherine North Studios was a beacon of hope, inspiration, and healing for me.
While it was hard for me to find the time to get to Canada during my teaching schedule, we made it work. There was one Friday where I left from Holly High School’s parking lot and drove straight to Hamilton. We recorded all weekend. Monday morning, I showered at the studio, and drove four hours back right to the classroom.
Making a record takes a team, and Dan’s team was incredible. I spent my most time working with Dan and his engineer/producer Michael Chambers, tracking instruments and turning my acoustic songs into full band representations.
After I made a three visits of about three days each between 2009-2010, we had tracked most of the guitars and vocals; the record was half finished. The end was in sight!
The experience of working with Dan and Michael was not only leading to the best music I’d ever made, but also a better place in my life.
When my wife says own many guitars, I tell her about Dan Achen's collection.
* * *
In March of 2010, I went to work like it was a normal day.
While waiting for the first bell to ring and my students to arrive, I was rereading scenes of To Kill a Mockingbird, drinking insane amounts of coffee, and periodically checking Facebook on my iPhone.
I saw a Facebook post from Michael Chambers that said something like, “RIP Dan Achen. We will miss you forever…”
I didn’t believe what I read. Huh?
The bell rang, but I didn’t hear it.
Most of my students were already in their seats. A few tardy students were trying to sneak in without being noticed. I looked up and the room was spinning. I told the class I’d be back in a moment.
I went into the bathroom and threw up.
* * *
Dan was 51 when he suffered a heart attack while playing hockey. There are so many people who knew Dan better than me, but I think Dan had a gift of making everyone feel special, no matter if they were a famous member of the Ramones or a simple high school teacher.
Music brought us together at Catherine North; friendship brought us back.
* * *
So how does all this lead to me joining the label, Maisonneuve Music?
Power couple! Kathleen and Michael
OK, here’s where I get to reintroduce you to the best power couple on the planet: Kathleen Farley and Michael Chambers.
Michael Chambers and I finished Burning the Boats after Dan passed away. And we continued to work on more music projects together at Catherine North over the years.
Michael is incredible.
And incredible people find incredible partners!
Kathleen Farley, Michael’s wife, is a teacher at Harris Institute, a musician, a technology wiz, entrepreneur and inspiration.
We’ve spent quite a few nights in the basement apartment of Catherine North Studios, drinking some Canadian beer, talking about creativity, dog-ownership, writing, teaching, and life!
My wife Natalie finally got to meet Kathleen and Michael, in person, sans Skype, last summer when I recorded, “Love Birds.”
I am really lucky to be able to call these talented Canadians my friends.
* * *
So Kathleen sent me an email in January, titled “Happy New Year — and new label.” Kathleen was starting an independent record label; she asked if I’d join it.
So I have! And the label’s official launch is today! Along with its website, Maisonneuve Music is on Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud.
We aren’t sure where this will go, but I get to spend more time with these inspiring people in Canada. So it’s already a win/win for me!
* * *
Michael and label-mate, Paul Federici, working at Catherine North. Recording can be tiring!
In terms of new music, I’m using 2014 to write. I’ve been writing a song a week all year. I haven’t been sharing many of the new songs yet. Currently, “Burning Bright” is my favorite new song demo.
In January of next year, I plan to reexamine all of the new songs, and some of my favorites from previous years.
Currently, I have about 45-50 songs I wrote during my teaching years that haven’t seen the light of day. I could release new music now, but I want to take time to write new material that resonates with my current life.
I also want my next release of music to capture my spirit when I perform live.
In 2015, I plan to release more music, but I’m not sure what form it will take. Will it be a set of EPs? Singles? My first full-length? I might do something crazy and release a 52 songs project. Or a multi-media poetry/music book. I have half of a book of poetry finished, and I hope to have my first book of poems completed by the end of this year.
Anyways, I’m allowing 2014 to be a year of a lot of writing. Thanks for reading the fun news! More to come. Right now, Lois has news, and she wants to go for a walk.
Lois has news. It's walk time. Please excuse typos.
