February went by really fast! And there was a lot going on, as usual. But one of the really cool things that I got to be a part of last month, was Theatre 502’s production of Mr. Burns. It was a post-apocalyptic play that ended in a Simpson’s musical. Yes, a Simpson’s musical.
Do you remember the Cape Fear episode of the Simpson’s? How well do you remember it? That’s exactly how Mr. Burns begins. Well, I mean, in a way. I guess technically it began with an apocalyptic event.
I host a monthly show called “Live From Your Living” on the last Thursday of every month. A new guest joins me every month on my couch to share some songs. The 45 minute show is streamed live via YouTube (previously StageIt) so anyone can watch it online, from their living, hence the name. The original title was “Live From My Living Room.” After the third email asking for my address, I changed it to “Your Living Room.
I’m Not Phil. That’s the title of the song I wrote about Groundhog Day. Not the movie. The actual day. Yes, it does seem weird that I would write a song about Groundhog Day. But I did.
I got to thinking about how the groundhog, despite being called Punxsutawney Phil, isn’t the real Punxsutawney Phil. I wondered what it might be like if the groundhog knew that and whether it would be bothered by that? What if the groundhog didn’t think it was fair that the whole country turned to him to say whether Spring was coming early?
Anyway, I wrote a song about it. You can download it for free on my SoundCloud page.
I haven’t played a live show since some time in December. I think it’s safe to say it’s been about a month. I love playing shows. It’s unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced. On the one hand, it’s almost like I’m in my own little world when I’m performing. I often clothes my eyes and get lost in the emotion of the song. On the other hand, I love connecting with the audience, whether it’s eye contact during a song, or having a conversation with them from the stage between songs.
Usually from about November through March of the next year, I don’t book any shows. I use that time to write new songs, record them, plan for the coming year, and sometimes, just take a break.
I never really think of the new year as “starting over.” I still have projects left from last year that didn’t get finished. I can’t very well just leave them and start new projects. Well, I guess I do that anyway, but I still like to get things finished once I start them.