Revival

Thought I might try breathing some new life into to this neglected blog by using it to chronicle my recent musical calisthenics. There are a couple of efforts going on. First, I've started returning to my familiar open mic haunts, Amazing Things and TCAN, and seeking out new ones. Also, a month ago I placed an ad in Craigslist (Singer/songwriter seeks musical partners) just to see what would happen.

The ad generated 5 responses that ran the gamut from rockers looking for something different to guys just tired of picking and strumming alone. I've only met up with two of them but both offered enjoyable jam sessions. Where it gets interesting is when you follow the thread of connections. My session with Mike led to two discoveries. The first was the regular open mic at Fireflys . I tried it out the following week. Great Bose sound system and a well-run event thanks to the regular host, Bruce Marshall. But if you're used to the hushed attention you get at a coffeehouse, the vibe you get at a bar is an acquired taste. Personally, I'm not used to having a TV over my head while I play so competing with a hockey game cramps my style a bit.

The second introduction I got at Mike's house is the duo known as Dagmar and as soon as I heard the tune on their home page my ears perked up. This is what I've been looking for amongst the acoustic set - a surprise, a little theater, tight performance, and, dare I say it, originality. The twin forces of Dagmar are Jim Bauer and Meghan McGeary. I won't attempt to describe them but do yourself a favor and search for them on YouTube. I played every clip I could find, bought their last CD, Door No. 2, and even had some back-and-forth emails with the misfits.

Run the movie forward. After a logistical nightmare of getting my kids to their respective team practices last night, I managed to get on the road by 5:30, setting my coordinates for the Tupelo Music Hall in Londonderry, NH. 75 minutes later I arrived, bladder-challenged but fully engaged. I've made the trip because I hear it's an excellent room and the feature tonight is, who else, Dagmar. The open mic is run by Robert Haigh who ran the venerable but long-defunct Old Vienna Kaffeehaus in Westboro, MA.

It was worth the long haul. Dagmar was brilliant. The open mikers represented the full spectrum - they always do - but I did notice one important difference: no one seemed nervous and everyone gave it their all. That is the thing that has been bothering me about many of these open mic venues - so many people get up there and assume the audience's patience is unlimited. They play 11 verses in mumbly, droning indifference, as if being on the stage is enough. Any why wouldn't they? After all, everyone gets applause no matter how lame or lackluster.

Maybe it's my job to get people to play their best, make songs dynamic, learn to get the most out of your guitar, punch it up, send your message. Play to publish.

Or not...