Thursday, November 10, 2011

What I Wore - Bar East show, 11/9/2011

It so could've been such an awful night, but it was awesome.

Oscar, who had done such a fantastic job on lead guitar for my CMJ gig at R Bar, was all amped to back me up along with Curt and Luis. We were adding Jeff on pedal steel for the first time, and it promised to be a rockin' show.

But then Oscar had a kitchen accident and injured a fret finger. He was out. No one was available to step in. So it was just going to be Jeff on steel, Curt on bass/occasional electric, Luis on drums. And me. In a bar I'd never played at before. In a neighborhood I wasn't familiar with. No one was responding to the Facebook invite. People who had told me they were coming suddenly couldn't. I had promised the venue that I'd bring in at least 10 people, and it was looking more like 2 or less. I was panicking.

I thought, "This whole night may go down in flames, but if so, I'm going down lookin' FIERCE. Why not pull a Gaga and perform in my underwear?"

Angie Atkinson Bar East

I call it Urban Prairie Chic.

In keeping with the Old West Victorian Meets New Lower East Side theme, I started with this sheer black dress (Ralph Lauren sample sale, $20). It's actually huge on me, but I nipped the waist with a belt (also Ralph Lauren sample sale, $10) and shortened the skirt by several inches just by tucking the excess fabric under the belt and gathering the excess volume in the back to create a mini-train/bustle. I wore my favorite/trademark pearl studs with one dangling silver feather earring (Charlotte Russe, $8/pair), 'cause it fit. The onyx pendant necklace was a gift from a stranger on the street, my favorite kind of accessory. I loved the way it complimented the neckline of the dress and the whole buttoned-down look of the top. The wide silver band ring is from a Christofle sample sale, and the other ring belonged to my late grandmother. I generally don't leave home without one or both of them on.

I thought it looked pretty bangin', and I guess the crowd did, too, 'cause even people who had come to see previous bands stuck around to listen to what turned out to be one of the best sets I've had, even in the absence of dear Oscar! AND, I exceeded my promised number of attendees! It was such a special night, and I'm so grateful to everyone who made it possible.

Can't let doubt get you down. Gotta keep the faith.
And if you do start to doubt, just sing in your panties.
It really helps.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

How to Win an Angie in Just 15 Songs

I'm always interested in the music that musicians listen to when they're not creating or performing their own. I'm a huge fan of the mixtape...this one's digital so it's easy to share with you guys, but I do so long for the days of the double cassette player creations of my youth.

I was trying to think of a theme, since my personal mixes tend to revolve around themes, and I was listening to one of the songs on this mix and thought, "You know, I would totally date a guy forever for singing this song to me." Inspiration. And here you have it:


SHOW ME, SHOW ME EVERYTHING YOU DO



Cosmo Jarvis - She Doesn't Mind
I was introduced to Cosmo by April; well, actually, by Maya, April's awesome daughter. April and I were able to catch Cosmo play as part of CMJ Music Marathon 2011, which I also participated in, and his live show was as astounding as his breathtakingly intricate, gorgeously executed self-produced albums and videos. This guy is going to be a star. I'm glad I got to see him before he blew up. Oh, and this song is dead sexy.

Ben Lee - Ache For You
Ben Lee is the king of almost embarrassingly real lyrics layered honestly and perfectly over delicious pop hooks. Hey, Ben...duet sometime?

Train - Hey, Soul Sister
Chin scars and ukuleles for the win. I love a good song about weird dudes being in love with their weird chicks. Also, gotta love anything or anybody that references Mister Mister. And how can you not sing along with that hey hey chorus?

Exile - I Wanna Kiss You All Over
A cheesy dip into tasty 70's pop that totally gets my fondue pot simmering.

The Rolling Stones - Angie
If I had a dime for every time a guy has sung this to me over the years...well, I might not be rich, but I could probably buy a really nice bathtub. But for God's sake, don't let that stop you from singing it to me. It never gets old. Still waiting for a guy who can sing it better than Jagger, but...I don't mind hearing anyone try.

Try A Little Tenderness - Otis Redding
I need someone to lip synch/sing this to me very publicly a la Duckie in Pretty In Pink. Like, yesterday.

Bruce Springstreen - I'm On Fire
This is a song about how Bruce Springsteen can't sleep from wanting this woman so bad. I mean. Come on. I'm not made of stone. Also, something about that driving rhythm makes me want to make out in the back of pickup truck that's speeding down a country highway on a starry night. Mmmm.

Backstreet Boys - This Is Us
The BSB have a happy talent for love songs about reassurance, reminding me with their frothy lyrics and electrifying blend of five very different voices into one unique sound that they will, in fact, not hurt me but beg me to let them support and care and be there for me. This song is one of their crowning achievements in seduction by being the nice guy. I hear it; I melt.

Kid Rock - Feel Like Makin' Love
Kid Rock's hip-hop/country/rock take on the Bad Company classic. I love dirty tattooed boys singin' classic rock songs about gettin' it on. Reminds me of Mississippi.

Carbon Leaf - Lake Of Silver Bells
Appealing to the intellectual/romantic side of my persona. This song sounds like a man longing for an Edwardian fairy tale romance, which is so endearing and heartbreaking that I can't even take it. These guys are actually friends of mine from Richmond, VA. Love them!

INXS - Never Tear Us Apart
That incredible kick drum/guitar lick lead-in, Michael Hutchence's creamy-sexy vocals, and that brilliantly 80's style sax solo...this is one of those songs that I often hear in public, like, while I'm out shopping. And when I do hear it, I stop everything and sing along, gawking on-lookers be damned. It's irresistible. Like you could be, if you sing it me. ;)

Chris Isaak - Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing
I love the soulful longing of "Wicked Game," but I prefer this dirty guitar riff jam. A bad bad thing indeed.

The Outfield - Your Love
I don't condone cheating, but I totally support this amazingly sexy song about it. Josie's on a vacation far away...come around and talk it over.

Sam Thacker - No One Needs To Know
I discovered this guy on The Rock Boat IX. Hearing a Georgia boy sing about forbidden love...it's almost too much. Yes, please.

Prince - Gett Off
I really could've put any Prince song on here, 'cause the man rocks my world with his genius. I think I chose this one 'cause it's just NASTY. Mmm.