tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55718023696486942852024-02-19T00:04:48.859-05:00Angie Atkinson MusicAngie Atkinson Musichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047047801826199892noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-54540271835455813902012-09-03T12:30:00.000-04:002012-09-03T12:30:41.622-04:00Playin' In a Bookstore<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7922078808/" title="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8181/7922078808_0d27525c4f_z.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore"></a><br />
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April here! On July 6th, we played at <a href="http://www.midtownscholar.com/"target="_blank">Midtown Scholar Bookstore</a> in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This was Angie's first time playing a bookstore, and I'm not sure if any bookstore gig can ever top it. <br />
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Before we get too deeply into our love for everything Midtown Scholar, let's just get out of the way that we made a completely spontaneous detour to Gettysburg on the way from Richmond to Harrisburg. That's the magic of getting on the road on time. We didn't stay long, but Angie did get a chance for a photo op with everyone's favorite President. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7922149280/" title="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8456/7922149280_a74a2c936b_c.jpg" width="575" height="767" alt="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7922085442/" title="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8181/7922085442_a8e334c97c_z.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore"></a><br />
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When we walked into Midtown to load in, we all had a moment of jaw dropping wonder. We are all book lovers, and an independent book store is a book lover's dream. This one is especially beautiful, with a cafe and a dedicated stage, a second level, and just all around good staff and patrons. Our host, Liz Laribee, was extraordinary, as was the sound tech. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7922084390/" title="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8030/7922084390_cb124bb48b_z.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore"></a><br />
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Unfortunately, I couldn't truly capture the beauty of the space because just that morning I had made an immense blunder and dropped my camera on the hardwood floor at our hotel. Not only was my kit lens broken, but part of it was still attached to the camera. I didn't want to mess things up further by trying to separate it, so I just packed it away to deal with when we got to Boston. But, while I didn't capture many performance shots with cell phone, Angie and I did have an impromptu shoot among the stacks. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7922081296/" title="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8447/7922081296_c26e0995cb_n.jpg" width="275" height="206" alt="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7922080806/" title="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8303/7922080806_17b27bbf12_n.jpg" width="275" height="206" alt="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7922082562/" title="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8305/7922082562_193bf5c88a_b.jpg" width="575" height="767" alt="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore"></a><br />
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We had an enthusiastic, responsive crowd, which always creates a better performance, because it becomes more like a conversation than just someone getting up and singing at you. There was even some mild ribbing from the crowd about Angie's propensity for writing breakup songs. We also really began to discover that Angie's music has appeal across many different types of people, from high school girls to experienced older musicians to hippie poets. That's a great feeling. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7922083900/" title="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8445/7922083900_d2bf4e4692_z.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7922083470/" title="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8295/7922083470_87a3553f7f_z.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7922082996/" title="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8445/7922082996_ded5c79336_z.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Angie Atkinson Midtown Scholar Bookstore"></a><br />
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Angie Atkinson Musichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047047801826199892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-85675176394241263482012-08-25T08:00:00.000-04:002012-08-25T08:00:00.075-04:00Playin' In a Pie Shop<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7854924404/" title="Dangerously Delicious Pies DC by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7138/7854924404_2a68456cdd_o.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Dangerously Delicious Pies DC"></a><br />
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You guys. There are few things in this world I love more than pie. I think I may love pie more than I love Channing Tatum's never ending body. <br />
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Ahem. <br />
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Anyway, when April told me that she had booked a gig for me at a place that sold nothing but pie, my reaction was akin to what it would be if I were told that Channing Tatum was at my door with a bouquet of flowers and a gallon of Gatorade. <br />
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Ahem.<br />
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Anyway, <a href="http://www.dangerouspiesdc.com/"target="_blank">Dangerously Delicious Pies</a> has several locations, but we were set to play the Washington, DC, location. When we left Philly, we drove to my college friend Katie's house in the DC area. She has the cutest kitchen and the cutest daughter and the cutest cats. It'd be easy to hate her if she weren't just so cool. We caught up like no time had passed since college. They fed us burgers and brats and cookies and sweet corn and I don't even remember what else before we crashed in their office/guest room.<br />
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The next day, after some sleeping and grooming (me) and some underwear yoga (Ashlie) and some musician wrangling (April)we headed to DC well before we were due for load in, because not only did we have to pick up Kelly at the train station, but D.C. metro traffic is just the worst. I hate it so much. So we needed plenty of time to navigate. <br />
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But I won't get into the construction or the idiocy or the fact that we drove by Union Station at least 3 times without realizing it. Because none of that mattered because we were reunited with Kelly!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7854924264/" title="Kelly Fragale Ashlie Lauren Smith by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7137/7854924264_6a8f0eff8d_o.jpg" width="575" height="766" alt="Kelly Fragale Ashlie Lauren Smith"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7854924716/" title="Kelly Fragale Angie Atkinson Ashlie Lauren Smith Washington DC by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8289/7854924716_3e5e097a39_n.jpg" width="275" height="206" alt="Kelly Fragale Angie Atkinson Ashlie Lauren Smith Washington DC"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7854924676/" title="Ashlie Lauren Smith Angie Atkinson Kelly Fragale Washington DC by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7279/7854924676_7d421d73ac_n.jpg" width="275" height="206" alt="Ashlie Lauren Smith Angie Atkinson Kelly Fragale Washington DC"></a><br />
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We were about an hour early even with all the traffic, so we went to a local park to do a little busking/rehearsing. We made a dollar and a new fan! <br />
Back at Dangerously Delicious, we loaded in, met the other perfomer, <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/mulemckinley">Matt McKinley</a>, then got the show started.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7854924618/" title="Kelly Fragale Dangerously Delicious Pies DC by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/7854924618_eb0a972827_b.jpg" width="575" height="767" alt="Kelly Fragale Dangerously Delicious Pies DC"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7854924554/" title="Angie Atkinson Dangerously Delicious Pies DC by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8303/7854924554_a083b55199_z.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Angie Atkinson Dangerously Delicious Pies DC"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7854924476/" title="Ashlie Lauren Smith Dangerously Delicious Pies DC by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7273/7854924476_b24245d5a3_z.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Ashlie Lauren Smith Dangerously Delicious Pies DC"></a><br />
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The shop is tiny. The performance area is literally just a corner of the shop. They move tables out of the way to make that space. However, it's great that even in such a small shop, they go out of their way to host live music. Plus, they had a picture of Dolly Parton in the bathroom, and did I mention they ONLY SELL PIE? I dare you to find fault with place like that. <br />
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The set went beautifully. There were some sound issues, causing my mic to go out a few times. But, mama's loud, y'all. I just did it a capella until it was fixed. No sweat. Well, I did sweat, but that's because it was July in DC and the place was packed. <br />
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Set completed, we were able to indulge in some pie. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7854924208/" title="Cherry Pie Dangerously Delicious Pies DC by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/7854924208_f878de9a8e_z.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Cherry Pie Dangerously Delicious Pies DC"></a><br />
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Look at this pie. This pie,y'all. I'm pretty sure I'd choose it over Channing Tatum with a bouquet of flowers and a gallon of Gatorade. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7854924338/" title="Angie Atkinson Dangerously Delicious Pies DC by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7134/7854924338_ba71df6936_z.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Angie Atkinson Dangerously Delicious Pies DC"></a><br />
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While we scarfed pie, we got to enjoy the absolutely bad ass blues of <a href="http://http://www.reverbnation.com/mulemckinley"target="_blank">Matthew "Mule" McKinley.</a> You guys have to check this kid out. I joke often about a singer "takin' us to church," but listening to Matt was truly a spiritual experience at times, especially when he brought out that resonator. I'm so glad I got to share a stage with him. <br />
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<iframe width="575" height="323" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yNbPwfSttkM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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After load out, we drove straight to Richmond. We had an Atkinson Family Independence Day barbecue to get to!<br />
Angie Atkinson Musichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047047801826199892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-32253882587824802182012-08-23T08:00:00.000-04:002012-08-23T08:00:01.214-04:00Philadelphia Freedom<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7842899424/" title="Angie Atkinson busking Philadelphia, PA by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8445/7842899424_1e47bd8653_o.jpg" width="575" height="767" alt="Angie Atkinson busking Philadelphia, PA"></a><br />
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April here!<br />
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We're gearing up to hit the road again for the Midwest leg of the Double or Nothin' tour...and we've yet to finish sharing about the first leg. We can't promise be more diligent this time around with the blog, but we can promise frequent updates on <a href="http://soyeahso.tumblr.com"target="_blank">my Tumblr</a> and <a href="http://angieatkinsonmusic.tumblr.com/"target="_blank">Angie's</a>. <br />
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So way back on July 1st, we had a show at <a href="http://milkboycoffee.com"target=
"_blank">Milkboy Coffee</a> in Philadelphia. This was a unique show organized by <a href="http://www.jasonwatersmusic.com/"target="_blank">Jason Waters</a>. In addition to Jason and Angie, songwriters <a href="http://acousticnicki.com/home.html"target="_blank">Nicki Sbaffoni</a>, <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/jeanettelynne"target="_blank">Jeanette Lynne</a> and <a href="http://www.suzibrownmusic.com/"target="_blank">Suzi Brown</a> took turns sharing songs and stories.<br />
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It was an easy five hours from Angelica to Philadelphia. Upstate New York reminds me a lot of Wisconsin, being so green and dotted with farms and fields. Not having traveled much in New England before, I was struck with how much older the towns and hamlets are. We have a lot of grand Victorians in Wisconsin, but no Colonials. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7842899608/" title="Angie Atkinson Slush Puppie by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8307/7842899608_900818ba1e.jpg" width="275" height="367" alt="Angie Atkinson Slush Puppie"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7842899720/" title="Angie Atkinson by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8430/7842899720_e7ea216aa7.jpg" width="275" height="367" alt="Angie Atkinson"></a><br />
Another thing that New England offered us was a genuine Slush Puppie. Not an ICEE, not a Slushie, but a Slush Puppie. There is a difference. <br />
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We also think it's fun to make the rock star do the dirty work. <br />
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Before we went to the load in at Milkboy, we wanted to check into our hotel. We arrived with plenty of time to check in, change, even get in a shower for those of us who hadn't had the chance that morning. But you know what they say about best laid plans. They are often thwarted by German tourists. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7842899546/" title="Philadelphia, PA by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7106/7842899546_452a5b69cd_o.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Philadelphia, PA"></a><br />
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Yes, that would be an entire tour group checking in. And the hotel had one person at the desk and no clean rooms. Großartig!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7842899490/" title="Philadelphia, PA by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8430/7842899490_375a17ceb5_o.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Philadelphia, PA"></a><br />
After Angie took charge and had very polite but firm conversation with the manager, whom was on site but in the back, we were able to get in the room in time for very brief showers, a change of clothes, and general freshening up. We also had a gorgeous view of the Ben Franklin bridge that we got to enjoy for roughly half an hour. We made it to Milkboy right on time for load in. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7842899770/" title="Milkboy Coffee Philadelphia by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8295/7842899770_4ca5e4973b_o.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Milkboy Coffee Philadelphia"></a><br />
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We were all wowed when we walked in. It isn't just a coffee shop with a little area set aside for musicians, it's a dedicated music venue. They also have absolutely fantastic food. <br />
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The show was beautiful and inspiring. It was a refreshing change from watching a full set of one musician followed by another and another. The artists built off of each other's momentum and were inspired by each others' stories to share more. Every one of them had something special and slightly different to offer. to offer. I didn't get any video, but Ashlie has most of the show on her <a href="http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/23712497"target="_blank">Ustream channel</a>. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7842896406/" title="Jeanette Lynne Milkboy Coffee by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7260/7842896406_a6fc8856f2_o.jpg" width="575" height="767" alt="Jeanette Lynne Milkboy Coffee"></a><br />
I made a few necklaces to sell along with Angie's merch so I could make some extra cash on the road, and I made my first sale to adorable Jeanette Lynne. She and that necklace were made for each other. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7842896360/" title="Philadelphia, PA by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8422/7842896360_1566da4742_o.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Philadelphia, PA"></a><br />
Being of the non partying variety of travelling musicians, we went back to the hotel, enjoyed the view of the bridge and some lame TV, and ate soggy delivery food that took 2 hours to arrive.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7843159608/" title="Ashlie Lauren Smith by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8287/7843159608_7ac62d769a_o.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Ashlie Lauren Smith"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7843159572/" title="Angie Atkinson and Sleeping in Gethsemane by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8444/7843159572_4925f880ed_o.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Angie Atkinson and Sleeping in Gethsemane"></a><br />
The next morning while we were loading the car, Ashlie started talking to a guy because she liked his tattoos. Turned out he was in a band, too. They were checking in after a night long drive from Milwaukee that made me hurt just to think about. They're called <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Sleeping.in.Gethsemane"target="_blank">Sleeping in Gethesemane</a>. Well, I guess they were called that. They broke up pretty recently. <br />
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That day,we came to know what people really mean when they say that touring is not the best way to see the country. I'd never been to Philadelphia before, and thought it was awesome to be there right before Independence Day. Unfortunately, we only really saw any of it from the car. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7842896272/" title="Philadelphia, PA by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8285/7842896272_af1ef01705_o.jpg" width="275" height="206" alt="Philadelphia, PA"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7842896324/" title="Philadelphia, PA by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7132/7842896324_6dce1d9da8_o.jpg" width="275" height="206" alt="Philadelphia, PA"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7843095684/" title="Ashlie Lauren Smith Angie Atkinson by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8427/7843095684_5bccc762a6_o.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Ashlie Lauren Smith Angie Atkinson"></a><br />
We had time to hit up Trader Joe's for some healthy road snacks before we headed out to visit Ashlie's grandmother. She fed us fresh sweet corn, then Angie and Ashlie played a few songs for her. She also let us borrow a cooler for our perishables. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7843095624/" title="Angie Atkinson by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8289/7843095624_543a62fc49_o.jpg" width="575" height="767" alt="Angie Atkinson"></a> <br />
Of course we made the rock star do the dirty work, and it was on to Virginia. <br />
So Yeah Sohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04901533955175295404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-89305224600714914532012-07-12T11:00:00.000-04:002012-07-12T11:00:01.809-04:00The Cutest Town<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7555827408/" title="Angelica New York by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8424/7555827408_d31ac25ddf_o.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Angelica New York"></a><br />
<center>All Photos by <a href="http://soyeahsoblog.blogspot.com"target="_blank">April Brown</a></center><br />
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Nothing could've prepared me for Angelica, NY. <br />
I'd never been to upstate New York before. In fact, this tour is my first real experience in the Northeast corridor above Manhattan. I've traveled a lot in my life, but most of my travels have taken me to Everywhere In The Middle. Out there, rural towns often look similar regardless of where you are; there's a familiarity to the locally owned groceries, the sights of silos along the highway, and the dusty old gas stations. Whether you're in your own hometown or half a country away, rural towns all have the same sort of energy, and the best part is that it always feels like coming home.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7555828110/" title="Angelica New York by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8165/7555828110_93462367db_o.jpg" width="275" height="206" alt="Angelica New York"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7555828402/" title="Angelica New York by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7132/7555828402_d3c0022205_o.jpg" width="275" height="206" alt="Angelica New York"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7555828254/" title="Angelica New York by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7260/7555828254_9ce2e13af8_o.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Angelica New York"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7555827962/" title="Angelica New York by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8010/7555827962_db67cd4837_o.jpg" width="275" height="206" alt="Angelica New York"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7555827260/" title="Angelica New York by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7256/7555827646_a042ee1f9b_o.jpg" width="275" height="206" alt="Angelica New York"></a><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8162/7555827522_a33f400779_o.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Angelica New York"></a><br />
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Angelica was sort of like that, but...different. This little place was so perfect: It looked like the set of a movie. Its town hall and its churches were all perched perfectly in a roundabout that encircled a beautiful park with a gazebo. And just off this roundabout was a gorgeous little cafe called <a href="http://http://www.black-eyed-susan.com/"target="_blank">Black-Eyed Susan</a>. That's where we played. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7555827154/" title="Black Eyed Susan Acoustic Cafe Angelica New York by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8156/7555827154_75997208fe_o.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Black Eyed Susan Acoustic Cafe Angelica New York"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7555827042/" title="Angie Atkinson Ashlie Lauren Smith Black Eyed Susan Acoustic Cafe by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8292/7555827042_f41bdbe621_o.jpg" width="275" height="367" alt="Angie Atkinson Ashlie Lauren Smith Black Eyed Susan Acoustic Cafe"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7555826586/" title="Black Eyed Susan Acoustic Cafe Angelica New York by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7555826586/" title="Black Eyed Susan Acoustic Cafe Angelica New York by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"></a><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7267/7555826586_5f72bee0c3.jpg" width="275" height="367" alt="Black Eyed Susan Acoustic Cafe Angelica New York"></a><br />
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This community is small, but it is so vibrant. The cafe was quiet, and I definitely toned down the usual howling-at-the-moon style of country rock that I do back home. Ashlie and I brought them some piano-and-uke-accompanied, acoustic versions of my tunes. But the support of the audience was amazing; they were an engaged AND an engaging audience. We had conversations, and singing my songs for them felt like just sitting down and quietly telling stories. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7555827754/" title="Angie Atkinson Ashlie Lauren Smith Black Eyed Susan Acoustic Cafe by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8142/7555827754_328f807148_o.jpg" width="275" height="206" alt="Angie Atkinson Ashlie Lauren Smith Black Eyed Susan Acoustic Cafe"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7555827804/" title="P6301654 by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8146/7555827804_24d17477c8_o.jpg" width="275" height="206" alt="P6301654"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7555824952/" title="Angie Atkinson Black Eyed Susan Cafe by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7114/7555824952_f61aaf9781_o.jpg" width="275" height="367" alt="Angie Atkinson Black Eyed Susan Cafe"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7555828612/" title="Angie Atkinson Black Eyed Susan Cafe by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7555828612_a14966a5a5_o.jpg" width="275" height="367" alt="Angie Atkinson Black Eyed Susan Cafe"></a><br />
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Black-eyed Susan is stunningly beautiful, a converted old home in the heart of a row of shops that are so perfect and quaint that they belong in a Norman Rockwell painting. Owners Don and Karen were gracious hosts, helping us all evening long with whatever we needed and feeding our hungry bellies with delicious food made by Karen herself. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7555841238/" title="Angie Atkinson Jim Schwartz Black Eyed Susan Acoustic Cafe by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7136/7555841238_7346ddfeaa_o.jpg" width="575" height="451" alt="Angie Atkinson Jim Schwartz Black Eyed Susan Acoustic Cafe"></a><br />
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We also got treated to Jim Schwartz, a local musician who kicks off the music weekends at the cafe. He was so delightful...his whimsical set and charming conversation after were among my favorite parts of this tour so far.<br />
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<iframe width="575" height="431" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xf_jSbWE7ec" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Can't wait to go back the next time we're in the area. Angie Atkinson Musichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047047801826199892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-9323297124604678402012-07-06T08:00:00.000-04:002012-07-06T08:00:00.712-04:00On the Road: Johnny Rockets Lounge<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7512445800/" title="Angie Atkinson Kelly Fragale Six Flags Johnny Rockets Lounge by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7260/7512445800_183f74897d_o.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Angie Atkinson Kelly Fragale Six Flags Johnny Rockets Lounge"></a><br />
<center>All photos by <a href="http://soyeahsoblog.blogspot.com"target="_blank">April Brown</a></center><br />
This whole tour has been a labor of love. <a href="http://soyeahsoblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/tuesday-tunes-rehearsing-everywhere.html"target="_blank">Personnel changes</a>, scheduling snafus, logistical nightmares. There was even one venue that went out of business a month before tour. It was almost like the universe was daring me not to do it. But I stood up and said, "You know what, universe? Poopy on you." And I dove head first and hit the road. <br />
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Guitarist Kelly Fragale, tour manager April Brown, and yours truly braved the tear-inducing traffic of the George Washington Bridge and made our way up to Queensbury, NY, where we played our first gig, <a href="http://www.sixflagsgreatescapelodge.com/explore/johnny-rockets-sports-lounge/"target="_blank">Johnny Rockets Sports Lounge</a> at Six Flags Great Escape Lodge. We were immediately met with obstacles: small crowd, no readily available electrical outlets, a new PA system that we'd just bought and were guinea pigging, and a Yankee game to compete with for audience attention. At first it seemed almost like a cartoon drawing of the Most Awkward Gig Imaginable. <br />
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But it was amazing.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7512445954/" title="Angie Atkinson Six Flags Johnny Rockets Lounge by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8011/7512445954_ef6fcacc1f_o.jpg" width="275" height="367" alt="Angie Atkinson Six Flags Johnny Rockets Lounge"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7512445762/" title="Angie Atkinson Six Flags Johnny Rockets Lounge by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8283/7512445762_9888e15d08_o.jpg" width="275" height="367" alt="Angie Atkinson Six Flags Johnny Rockets Lounge"></a><br />
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The PA sounded great, we got tips, we sold two EPs, three people signed up for the mailing list, and we even got 'em all to turn away from the Yankee game! Plus, after the crowd had cleared out, the bartender, staff, and their friends stuck around and listened to Kelly and me just jam for awhile, taking turns sharing songs and stories. It couldn't have been more fun or memorable.<br />
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I also got to sport one of the fabulous pieces made for me to wear on tour by Rachael Oglesby of <a href="http://softspoken.etsy.com"target="_blank">softspoken</a>. SO gorgeous. Thank you, Rachael! <br />
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Oh, and the best part? THE most comfortable beds ever. Thanks, Six Flags and Johnny Rockets, for getting us started off right!So Yeah Sohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04901533955175295404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-64508236362793236702012-07-05T17:37:00.000-04:002012-07-05T17:37:07.500-04:00Softspoken<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7509853380/" title="Angie Atkinson Softspoken Crochet Fringe Top by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7273/7509853380_4bbaa5a405_o.jpg" width="575" height="767" alt="Angie Atkinson Softspoken Crochet Fringe Top"></a><br />
<center>All photos by <a href="http://soyeahsoblog.blogspot.com"target="_blank">April Brown</a></center><br />
What a performer wears can be almost as important as lyrics and melody. Angie always chooses her performance clothes carefully, thinking about the venue and what mood she wants to set. As she's talked about <a href="http://angieatkinsonmusic.blogspot.com/2012/03/window-shopping-on-tour.html"target=
_blank">before</a>, dressing for a coffee shop gig is completely different from dressing for a gig at a dive bar. Packing for tour is especially tricky, because you have limited space, but still want to look and feel your best on stage. <br />
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Recently, Angie was fortunate to partner with Rachael of the Etsy shop <a href="http://softspoken.etsy.com"target=
_blank">softspoken</a>, who sent over a package of some really wonderful handmade pieces for Angie to wear on tour. The tops are so beautifully crafted and soft, and fit Angie's style perfectly. She chose this gorgeous fringed crochet top for her second show of the tour, <a href="http://www.black-eyed-susan.com/"target="_blank">Black Eyed Susan Acoustic Cafe</a> in Angelica, New York. <br />
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Since Black Eyed Susan veers more toward fine dining (the food is absolutely amazing, by the way) Angie chose to layer the crocheted top over a black tank dress instead of wearing it with her usual short shorts. Still a bit bohemian, but also a sophisticated choice. <br />
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Check out the <a href="http://softspoken.etsy.com">softspoken</a> shop as well as Rachael's <a href="http://softspoken.blogspot.com"target="_blank">blog</a> for more of her incredible clothing and accessories. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7509853202/" title="Angie Atkinson Softspoken Crochet Fringe Top by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8156/7509853202_679d34e8a0_o.jpg" width="575" height="767" alt="Angie Atkinson Softspoken Crochet Fringe Top"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7509853124/" title="Angie Atkinson Softspoken Crochet Fringe Top by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8021/7509853124_4fcae74b4f_o.jpg" width="275" height="367" alt="Angie Atkinson Softspoken Crochet Fringe Top"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7509853032/" title="Angie Atkinson Softspoken Crochet Fringe Top by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8282/7509853032_2535fe885f_o.jpg" width="275" height="367" alt="Angie Atkinson Softspoken Crochet Fringe Top"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7509853280/" title="Angie Atkinson Softspoken Crochet Fringe Top by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/7509853280_9aaaf52757_o.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Angie Atkinson Softspoken Crochet Fringe Top"></a><br />
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<br />So Yeah Sohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04901533955175295404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-14926006552542616292012-06-28T20:47:00.000-04:002012-06-28T20:47:34.967-04:00BarbicideHey all, April here!<br />
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Angie and I are furiously preparing to hit the road today for the Double or Nothin' Tour, but first I wanted to share another side of Angie's brilliance.<br />
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If you don't know already, one of Angie's many hats is that of actor. She's been working on a new show called <i>Barbicide</i>, currently in development by the <a href="http://www.thetheatreproject.org/"target=
_blank">Theatre Project</a>. Written by Sean Pomposello and directed by Christian Amato, Barbicide is a new take on Sweeney Todd. "Imagine if Jack Kerouac, Jim Thompson and Mario Puzzo were to open an unauthorized parody of <i>Sweeney Todd</i>. It would be <i>Barbicide</i>, a tasty, noirish revenge play of interwoven monologues, underscoring the consequences of coincidence and fate."<br />
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When I got to the city last Wednesday, Angie met me at Penn Station and we went straight to Moustache Greenwich Tonsorial, a barber shop (see what they did there?) in the Village that hosted the show's staged readings. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7460387448/" title="Barbicide Staged Reading by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8001/7460387448_1c9ef8dfc7_o.jpg" width="575" height="431" alt="Barbicide Staged Reading"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7460387624/" title="Christian Amato Barbicide Staged Reading by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8019/7460387624_a9df108505_o.jpg" width="575" height="767" alt="Christian Amato Barbicide Staged Reading"></a><center>Director Christian Amato introduces the show</center><br />
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The show's 4 actors play a total of 7 characters, switching effortlessly between the roles using just their bodies and voices. Arthur Aulisi, as Todessco/The Judge, even has several conversations with himself. <br />
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Angie plays Jo, the 1964 Queens street beat version of the <i>Sweeney Todd</i> character, Joanna, a lovelorn orphan(?) being raised under the controlling hand of The Judge. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7460387942/" title="Arthur Aulisi Barbicide Staged Reading by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7260/7460387942_bb6cbd9cea_o.jpg" width="275" height="367" alt="Arthur Aulisi Barbicide Staged Reading"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7460387714/" title="Angie Atkinson Barbicide Staged Reading by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8163/7460387714_f3b4903a51_o.jpg" width="275" height="367" alt="Angie Atkinson Barbicide Staged Reading"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7460387348/" title="Douglas Sharf Barbicide Staged Reading by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8145/7460387348_4f588c05c5_o.jpg" width="275" height="206" alt="Douglas Sharf Barbicide Staged Reading"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7460388216/" title="Paulette Oliva Arthur Aulisi Barbicide Staged Reading by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7272/7460388216_3836c1f930_o.jpg" width="275" height="206" alt="Paulette Oliva Arthur Aulisi Barbicide Staged Reading"></a><br />
Clockwise from top left: Arthur Aulisi as Toddesco/Judge; Angie Atkinson as Jo; Arthur Aulisi, Paulette Oliva as Ms. Lionetti/Beggar Woman; Douglas Sharf as Ant Knee/Tony<br />
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Angie will have the privilege of continuing the role when Barbicide opens at the <a href="http://www.theplayerstheatre.com/"target="_blank">Players Theatre </a>in October. It's her first Off Broadway show! <br />
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Even as a staged reading, the show is mesmerizing and brutal. It's gritty and hard, set in a time when Times Square was a playground for pornographers and prostitutes and violent crimes were soaring. I can't wait to see it fully realized. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7460388314/" title="Barbicide Staged Reading by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8152/7460388314_b78873d80a_o.jpg" width="275" height="206" alt="Barbicide Staged Reading"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7460388390/" title="Barbicide Staged Reading by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7120/7460388390_f1512def2c_o.jpg" width="275" height="206" alt="Barbicide Staged Reading"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7460388498/" title="Angie Atkinson Barbicide Staged Reading by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7107/7460388498_5a18a3b2ab_o.jpg"width="275" height="206" alt="Angie Atkinson Barbicide Staged Reading"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7460387292/" title="Christian Amato Barbicide Staged Reading by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8160/7460387292_24e0ef6493_o.jpg" width=width="275" height="206" alt="Christian Amato Barbicide Staged Reading"></a><br />So Yeah Sohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04901533955175295404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-71706460762009167822012-05-22T08:00:00.000-04:002012-05-22T08:00:10.915-04:00Nashville, Y'all!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7246292470/" title="Performing Writer Fillin' Station by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7102/7246292470_fd46a63382_o.jpg" width="575" height="770" alt="Performing Writer Fillin' Station"></a><br />
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A few months ago I submitted to play at a weekly singer/songwriter showcase in the Nashville area called <a href="http://www.performingwriter.com/Welcome.html"target="_blank">Performing Writer</a>. They were hosting a competition for a chance to open for Loretta Lynn. Essentially every week for 10 weeks they would, in addition to their regular weekly showcases, have three singer/songwriters perform a set, and those three acts would be voted on by secret judges and by audience members. Whoever won each week would then be submitted to Loretta Lynn's management for consideration to open. Well, the Performing Writer people really liked my music but ultimately decided that it wasn't quite the match for Loretta that they were looking for, so they declined to have me in the competition. But they did invite me to come down and play a regular showcase with them whenever I found myself in the area. <br />
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Then one day in March, I got an email from Cathy at Performing Writer telling me that one of the competitors had withdrawn and could I please come to Nashville to fill the spot in the lineup. The gig was about a week from when I got the email. Well, my first question was obviously, "I don't know. CAN I?" It seemed like such a great opportunity, but the logistics of it would be difficult to figure. But I put my faith in the universe and put my intentions out there and went straight to my amazing network of family and friends to see what I could do. Sure enough, I was able to make it happen. I got a plane ticket from some SkyMiles that my parents had saved. I found out that a dear old friend of mine from Mississippi was now living in the Nashville area, and I asked her if I could stay with her; thank goodness, she graciously agreed. But I still needed a guitarist to accompany me, and since I couldn't get any of my NY peeps down there, I had to go local. So get this: my ex-husband's best friend had a friend in Nashville who had a friend who could do it for me. And even better, this guy was also an accomplished uke player. Amazing, networking. I was all set! Goin' to Nashville, y'all! <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7246292720/" title="Angie Atkinson Suitcase by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7102/7246292720_f4fd16d9a6_o.jpg" width="575" height="575" alt="Angie Atkinson Suitcase"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7246292620/" title="Taylor Swift Throw by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7228/7246292620_9070e36287_o.jpg" width="575" height="575" alt="Taylor Swift Throw"></a><br />
I was in heaven from the second I got to the airport. I loved all the country kitsch that decorated the place, along with the welcome announcements from country superstars that are piped through the sound system regularly. I was welcomed by my dear friend Heather, who then drove me to her amazing home out in Murfreesboro. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7246292832/" title="Murfreesboro TN by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8167/7246292832_41cb776ec4_o.jpg" width="575" height="575" alt="Murfreesboro TN"></a><br />
It was so nice to take in all that gorgeous farmland and huge blue sky. I love living in New York City, but sometimes I forget how amazing it is out there where there aren't so many tall buildings obscuring the view of all that gorgeousness. It was so quiet and so perfect. <br />
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I relaxed with Heather and her beautiful sons that night, and then the next day I went straight to work...literally. I hung out with Heather in her office for the morning and sent out social media updates and contacted all the other acts that were also playing at Performing Writer that night. I made sure to pass along my information to all of Heather's super friendly co-workers so that they could either come to the show that night or at least stay tuned so they could see me next time I was in town. Then Michael Timme, the friend of a friend of a friend playing uke and guitar for me, came and picked me up, and we went to his place for late lunch and a rehearsal. Michael was a real pro and such a joy to work with. He picked up my tunes very quickly, and after a couple hours of jamming, we packed up our stuff and headed out to the venue.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7246292430/" title="Performing Writer Fillin' Station by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7237/7246292430_5b4da7de5a_o.jpg" width="575" height="575" alt="Performing Writer Fillin' Station"></a><br />
The Fillin' Station was just perfect. What a lovely little neighborhood treat! It was on the outskirts of Nashville, not in downtown Nashville proper, but it was absolutely everything I hoped for and more. The people there were just wonderful. It was so lovely to finally meet Performing Writer host Cathy after so much correspondence, as well as her cohost David (who, PS, has the most amazing hair EVER). I did a brief interview with Cathy, and then Michael and I relaxed and enjoyed some down time at the bar and mingled with the other musicians. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7246292378/" title="Kat Higgins Performing Writer Fillin' Station March 28, 2012 by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7241/7246292378_3bffc14593_o.jpg" width="575" height="575" alt="Kat Higgins Performing Writer Fillin' Station March 28, 2012"></a><br />
First up was a showcase act for <a href="http://www.myspace.com/566151897"target="_blank">Kat Higgins</a>. She was one of the regular weekly showcase folks, not part of the competition, and I was glad for it, because my GOODNESS, what a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zCDVmkNw-k"target="_blank">gifted singer/songwriter</a> she is! Her tunes were so beautiful and her lyrics were so thoughtful and evocative. Keep your eye on this one, kids. She's amazing. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7246292322/" title="Jordyn Mallory Fillin' Station Performing Writer March 28 2012 by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7096/7246292322_93df0cb770_o.jpg" width="575" height="575" alt="Jordyn Mallory Fillin' Station Performing Writer March 28 2012"></a><br />
Then the competition portion began. The first act up was the delightful <a href="http://jordynmusic.com/"target="_blank">Jordyn Mallory</a>, also a Mississippi girl. She was just a little slice of Nashville pop country heaven. She gave a really <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs3Qsy5ZNtg"target="_blank">solid performance</a> of three catchy confections. Always good to see another Mississipian shine! <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7246292278/" title="Nation of Wealth Performing Writer Fillin' Station March 28 2012 by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7234/7246292278_8fdc69d64c_o.jpg" width="575" height="575" alt="Nation of Wealth Performing Writer Fillin' Station March 28 2012"></a><br />
Then there was <a href="http://www.nationofwealth.net/home.html"target="_blank">Nation Of Wealth</a>. These guys were just so much fun. They had actually reached out to me on Facebook before the gig, so we'd been bonding in the bar before the show. They're generally a much louder, harder rockin' band, but they toned down their fierceness for a lovely acoustic set that had me singing along by the end. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7246292652/" title="Angie Atkinson Performing Writer Fillin' Station by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7222/7246292652_cc7a15a084_o.jpg" width="575" height="842" alt="Angie Atkinson Performing Writer Fillin' Station"></a><br />
<center>Photo courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Performing-Writer/119558471435392"target="_blank">Performing Writer</a></center><br />
Then it was my turn!! Michael and I were both really nervous, but with the exception of the "oops, forgot the capo" incident when we performed my single "Right Into You," we gave a really solid performance. It was just so much fun! Michael was great, and the audience was so enthusiastic. The Nation Of Wealth guys were dancing and waving their arms for me in the back. It was over before I even knew it, but I felt awesome before, during, and after. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7246292538/" title="Performing Writer Fillin' Station by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/7246292538_083af8e8e8_o.jpg" width="575" height="575" alt="Performing Writer Fillin' Station"></a><br />
Time to celebrate! Michael and Heather and I grabbed some dinner from the bar, including Fillin' Station bartender Patrick's very own barbecue, smoked in house. Oooohhh, melt-in-your mouth tender juicy goodness. How I love and miss southern food!! We sat back and enjoyed the other acts of the evening, the lovely Deeann Dominy and the soulful Jack Kapanka. Fantastic performances from both! <br />
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Ultimately my Okolona girl Jordyn won the Loretta Lynn competition for the week, but I wasn't surprised. She was just great. Congrats, girl! I'm sure we'll rock out again soon.<br />
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But even though I didn't win the competition, I felt like I won the trip. I made so many new friends and got reacquainted with old ones. I got to be back in the dirty South and taste all of its sweet air, beautiful colors, and delicious flavors. I bought kitschy gift shop treats and stocked up on plenty of stories to tell all my friends back home. I even had the treat of sitting next to the guitar tech for one of my idols, Grace Potter, on the plane ride home! A total win from start to finish. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/7246292226/" title="Angie Atkinson Nashville by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7104/7246292226_6cb516021e_o.jpg" width="575" height="575" alt="Angie Atkinson Nashville"></a><br />
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So even though playing Nashville can officially be crossed off my bucket list, I can't wait to go back. Keep it warm for me, y'all. I'll be seeing you soon.Angie Atkinson Musichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047047801826199892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-74408959069941996952012-03-15T08:00:00.003-04:002012-03-15T08:00:07.123-04:00Window Shopping: On Tour<div style="width:575px;margin:0 auto"><div style="position:relative;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/angie_tour/set?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=45263920"><img width="575" alt="Angie Tour" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/8qQbKCTJ500HtNAtiUmw+g/cid/45263920/id/_UozZL1_QIa9YSssftMLkw/size/c575x575.jpg" title="Angie Tour" height="575" border="0" /></a></div></div><br /><div style="text-align:center"><small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/angie_tour/set?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=45263920">Angie Tour</a> by <a href="http://soyeahso.polyvore.com/?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste">soyeahso</a> featuring <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/chain_jewelry/shop?query=chain+jewelry">chain jewelry</a></small></div><div style="width:575px;margin:0 auto"><br /><div style="text-align:left;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=34610850"><img vspace="4" width="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/34610850.jpg" title="CP SHADES trapeze top" height="50" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=51592471"><img vspace="4" width="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/51592471.jpg" title="Chan Luu a line top" height="50" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=51217313"><img vspace="4" width="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/51217313.jpg" title="CALYPSO ST BARTH floral tank" height="50" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=52499237"><img vspace="4" width="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/52499237.jpg" title="Rag bone tiered top" height="50" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=51634607"><img vspace="4" width="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/51634607.jpg" title="Levi Strauss & Co vintage style jeans" height="50" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=38501099"><img vspace="4" width="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/38501099.jpg" title="TOMS flat heel shoes" height="50" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=51260807"><img vspace="4" width="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/51260807.jpg" title="Caroll rose jewelry" height="50" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=49164883"><img vspace="4" width="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/49164883.jpg" title="Kenneth Jay Lane chain jewelry" height="50" /></a></div></div><br /><br />My summer tour of the Northeast is almost completely booked, and as the weather warms up, I can't help but think about what duds I want to live in on the road and on stage. It's an acoustic tour, and we're playing a lot of smaller bars and coffee shops, and will of course be spending a lot of time in the car. I just want everything to be breezy, soft and versatile. It's fun to <a href="http://angieatkinsonmusic.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-i-wore-bar-east-show-1192011.html" target=_blank>sing in your panties</a>, but sometimes a nice cotton tank top and a good pair of jeans (and some fierce accessories) will work, too. <br /><br />Here are the dates so far. If I'm coming near you, let me know!<br /><br /><iframe id="widgetPreviewFrame" src="http://www.sonicbids.com/2/Calendar/Widget/HtmlView.aspx?artistID=385576&dates=auto&mode=Wide&collapse=true&background=%23FFFFFF&background2=%23FFFFFF&border=%23000000&textColor=%23000000&linkColor=%23128ca8&textSize=12&textFont=Arial&optimizeSize=false&height=575&width=575&pageSize=5" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" width="575" height="575" scrolling="no"></iframe>Angie Atkinson Musichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047047801826199892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-82263846901724492372012-03-02T09:01:00.000-05:002012-03-02T09:01:06.448-05:00On the Road: Millennium Music Conference 2012A couple of weeks ago, I was super fortunate to get the opportunity to play a showcase at the <a href="http://www.musicconference.net/"target="_blank">Millennium Music Conference</a>. I haven't played outside of the five boroughs in over a year, so I was stoked to pack up the car and take the show on the road. <br />
<br />
The day of the show (y'all), we were supposed to meet at my place in Harlem at 11. At about 11:15, the ringing of my door buzzer sent me flying down the stairs, no makeup on, two tote bags and a ukulele flopping everywhere. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6945190907/" title="Joe Wallace Oscar Rodriguez by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7179/6945190907_725c6d74a9_o.jpg" width="575" height="344" alt="Joe Wallace Oscar Rodriguez"></a><br />
<center>Joe and Scar are ready to hit the road</center><br />
Joe (Wallace, on the bass), Curtis (Becraft, on the rhythms) and Oscar Rodriguez (that's Scar to you, on the lead ax) were all waiting on the sidewalk with that happy, puffy, morning look about them. I was definitely sporting that look, too. A Tetris game of packing Curtis's sedan with all our gear and an obligatory stop at Dunkin' Donuts later, Angie Atkinson hit the road! <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6799080018/" title="Well Packed Trunk by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6799080018_89b50858b5_o.jpg" width="575" height="344" alt="Well Packed Trunk"></a><br />
<center>Listen, sometimes you just have to make it work.</center><br />
We had a great drive to Harrisburg, PA. We watched the gorgeous pastoral Pennsylvania scenery go by while we listened to the soundboard audio from our <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsoboivZXkc"target="_blank">last gig</a> at Bar East (oh, hey, we have <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/307342979321728/"target="_blank">another one</a> coming up March 7th!). We talked about music arrangements, shared fun gig anecdotes, and laughed about the dilemma of my horrid sinus infection and laryngitis. How was I going to sing through it? We all agreed that the best prescription would be lots of whiskey. Great minds...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6945191013/" title="Putting on Concealer by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7047/6945191013_732bf8b328_o.jpg" width="575" height="773" alt="Putting on Concealer"></a><br />
<center>Yes, I put on my makeup in the car. No, I was not driving.</center><br />
We were all starving, so we stopped to eat just outside of Harrisburg. We found this amazing truck stop, complete with kitschy gifts and delicious-looking cakes and pies under glass domes at the lunch counter that ran the length of the front half of this little slice of American heaven. We all ordered standard diner fare -- pork chops, cheeseburgers, patty melts, gravy fries, milk shakes -- and relished every delicious bite. The secret ingredient in places like this is love, my friends. We thought about dessert but were far too stuffed to make it happen.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6945191313/" title="Gravy Fries by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/6945191313_a51c8f215a_o.jpg" width="575" height="748" alt="Gravy Fries"></a><br />
<center>Not quite poutine, but it'll do.</center><br />
Shortly thereafter we arrived at the conference. At their base camp at the Radisson, we were greeted by a friendly staff and a lobby full of tables advertising various musician-related vendors. There was everything from guitar picks to custom built cigar-box guitars to recording studios. There were two panels in progress, teaching about the various ins and outs of the music industry, as well as a free dental cleaning clinic set up for us starving artists who can't afford regular dental care. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6945191413/" title="Angie Atkinson Millennium Music Conference by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7188/6945191413_0dc181a23d_o.jpg" width="575" height="798" alt="Angie Atkinson Millennium Music Conference"></a><br />
<center>Yay, badge!</center><br />
We got our badges, sniffed around the conference for awhile and grabbed a drink at the bar. We shook some hands and met a few people, but we were getting antsy and decided to head to the venue. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6945192177/" title="Double K Tavern by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7197/6945192177_33a3688928_o.jpg" width="575" height="400" alt="Double K Tavern"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.doublektavern.com/"target="_blank">The Double K Tavern was the most perfect place I had ever seen.</a><br />
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Buried deep in a woodsy, residential corner of Harrisburg, this wood-paneled haven has a huge circular bar right up front, with a nice big stage and a listening room beyond that. And of course, there were pool tables and jukeboxes blasting my favorite Kenny Rogers tunes in the back. We made friends with owners/proprietors/bartenders Jim and Karen. There was something about Karen that triggered my Mississippi upbringing, and I couldn't resist calling her "Miss Karen." They were frickin' GREAT. <br />
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After the band and I had some hot wings and chatted it up with some of the amazing locals in the bar, we soaked up the the fierce first act, <a href="http://nikkisueandthebadnews.com/"target="_blank">Nikki Sue And The Bad News</a>. I drank a beer, took that medicinal shot of whiskey, took a medicinal shot of hot sauce (you heard me...man, did that open up my sinuses) and Angie Atkinson took the stage. <br />
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<iframe width="575" height="322" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bfTiuURlcYE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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We were definitely a little road-weary, and we were more than a little drunk, but we rocked the Double K down. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6799081752/" title="Angie Atkinson Double K Tavern by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/6799081752_18847eeb91_o.jpg" width="575" height="344" alt="Angie Atkinson Double K Tavern"></a><br />
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With an audience of everyone from chain-smoking grandmas to grizzly bikers, we knew we were playing to a tough crowd that had seen and done a lot of livin'. But I fell in love with them immediately, and I think they fell in love with us, too. I may live in the city and love it, but I grew up in the country, and I love it, too. These were MY people, the people that filled out the cast of characters of my youth and whose influence helped to shape me into the person I am today. These are people with nicknames like Tiny or Big Mike, people who may shout inappropriate things at you, but it's only because they love you so much they can't help it. These are people that you don't sing at or even sing to but sing with, because singing in front of them is like having a conversation.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6945192407/" title="Angie Atkinson Double K Tavern by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7199/6945192407_8df97ce1bf_o.jpg" width="575" height="344" alt="Angie Atkinson Double K Tavern"></a><br />
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We did a cover of Wild Horses, and a couple got up and danced. My heart almost exploded. <br />
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My poor rusty pipes were shot at the end of our fantastically fun set, but we stuck around and had a few more drinks with Jim, Miss Karen, Big Mike and the others. Drinks were bought for us. We watched and loved the following acts, including the fierce <a href="http://koriandermusic.com/"target="_blank">Koriander</a> and the rockin' <a href="http://www.eastcoastturnaround.com/"target="_blank">East Coast Turnaround</a>. We made new friends and celebrated with old ones. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6945192649/" title="Angie Atkinson Band Double K Tavern by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7199/6945192649_8bfb2bd134_o.jpg" width="575" height="344" alt="Angie Atkinson Band Double K Tavern"></a><br />
<center>Joe, Me, Curtis and Aaron. It's okay, he's with the band.</center><br />
A dear friend who lives in a neighboring town offered us his place as a crash pad, so after an exhausting but satisfying day, we made the hour-long trek to his house and promptly collapsed in his various rooms and on his various pieces of furniture. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6799081990/" title="Truck Stop Breakfast by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7194/6799081990_74673beb2c_o.jpg" width="575" height="745" alt="Truck Stop Breakfast"></a><br />
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Bright and early the next morning we dragged our bedraggled but happy tails out of my friend's house and back onto the road. We stopped a few miles out and ate at yet another heart-warmingly middle-American truck stop and enjoyed country fried steak, eggs, biscuits and gravy, and delicious pancakes. Full of food and feelin' fine, we piled back in the car, and Scar said, "Next stop: Annapolis!!" Oh, we wish. :)<br />
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I mean, maybe not this time, but....?Angie Atkinson Musichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047047801826199892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-9357140637660631502012-02-20T09:10:00.000-05:002012-02-20T09:10:21.056-05:00Lulu's Style StudioSo apparently there are perks to being a quirky musician who wears crazy clothes and sometimes blogs about those clothes...I mean, aside from the obvious perk of just being that kinda gal. I was lucky to attend a fabulous <a href="http://lulus.com"target="_blank">Lulus.com</a> Fashion Week shindig on February 10th. I couldn't stay for too long because I had to rock out <a href="http://bareast.com/"target="_blank">Bar East</a> that night, but I had a great time during my short visit.<br />
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I was greeted at the door by an incredibly friendly staffer who immediately gave me a cute little canvas tote filled with goodies. Directly behind check-in was a table for <a href="http://cravebox.com"target="_blank">Cravebox.com</a>, who set me up with a free mini sample box of stuff, including some fabulous skin care products from Amore Pacific. Cravebox is great, 'cause if you sign up (for a very low monthly fee, $10/month), they will send you a box every month filled with deluxe-size samples of fabulous luxury health and beauty goods! And these samples are huge. Often samples are tiny little one-or-two-use dealies, but I'm not even halfway through that delicious Amore Pacific eye cream.<br />
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Hypnotiq Vodka was next in the queue of fabulous vendors, and they gave us all little goody bags full of brightly colored candies and mints as well as delicious free cocktails. And anyone who's been to one of my shows knows that I'm a sucker for a free drink. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6899580603/" title="lulus style studio by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6899580603_15b5e235c8_o.jpg" width="575" height="344" alt="lulus style studio"></a><br />
<center>Fancy shoes and lip tattoos.</center><br />
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I kind of had to breeze quickly through the room, but I picked up some fabulous treats from <a href="http://www.corsilver.com/"target="_blank">CorSilver</a>, <a href="http://www.mereadesso.com/"target="_blank">Mereadesso Woman</a> (amazing lip balm!), <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TeNatura"target="_blank">Tenatura</a> (via Etsy, also delish lip balm), <a href="http://popbeauty.co.uk/"target="_blank">Pop Beauty</a>, <a href="http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/"target="_blank">NYX</a>, and a variety of others. They even had a few racks of fantastic clothing pieces from which each guest got to select and take home a free piece! Unfortunately I had to leave before the giveaway, but in my canvas goodie bag was a variety of coupons for free or discounted products also sold through Lulus.com!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6899580985/" title="lulus style studio 2 by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/6899580985_bc4f7f1379_o.jpg" width="575" height="344" alt="lulus style studio 2"></a><br />
<center>Spin the wheel for even more amazing prizes!</center><br />
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I had a fantastic time mixing and mingling with other fashion bloggers and sampling all the lovely pretty girl treats. You can check out the official recap <a href="http://www.lulus.com/blog/fashion/lulu-s-nyfw-style-studio-event-recap-part-1.html"target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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When I got home, I perused Lulu's to see if they had anything that would work for playing gigs. I consider what I wear to be an important part of the whole performance package. I think a lot of musicians are the same way. Even if they <i>look</i> like they just rolled out of bed and came to the show, there was usually some thought put into picking just the right t shirt. As I was window shopping, I put together some fantasy performance outfits with pieces from Lulu's and other online retailers.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Coffee Shop</b></span><br />
<div style="height: 575px; position: relative; width: 575px;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/angie_coffee_shop_gig/set?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=43636887"><img alt="Angie Coffee Shop Gig" border="0" height="575" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/XCadvq5Hob1vKz9q4bYwdg/cid/43636887/id/Pw62GW11T4Wfm89oCaPy3w/size/c575x575.jpg" title="Angie Coffee Shop Gig" width="575" /></a></div><br />
<div><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=48839110" rel="nofollow"><img height="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/48839110.jpg" title="McQ by Alexander McQueen genuine leather jacket" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=50825377" rel="nofollow"><img height="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/50825377.jpg" title="Cute Mint Green Dress - Polka Dot Dress - Babydoll Dress - $35.00" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=47350811" rel="nofollow"><img height="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/47350811.jpg" title="John Lewis orange socks" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=29477369" rel="nofollow"><img height="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/29477369.jpg" title="Jigsaw cotton scarve" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=50825797" rel="nofollow"><img height="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/50825797.jpg" title="Steve Madden Banddit Stone Leather Slouchy Belted Combat Boots -..." vspace="4" width="50" /></a></div><br />
The first is for a coffee shop gig. These shows are usually acoustic and very laid back. They also often happen on a weekend afternoon, so it's a much more casual atmosphere. I usually dress like I would if I were meeting someone at the coffee shop for a date. The dress and boots from Lulu's are a great mix of sweet and rugged, and I added some fun items from across the pond, including an Alexander McQueen leather jacket that costs about as much as my rent. But, these are fantasy outfits, so a girl can dream big, right?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dive Bar</b></span><br />
<div style="height: 575px; position: relative; width: 575px;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/angie_dive_bar/set?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=43637611"><img alt="Angie Dive Bar" border="0" height="575" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/MQb7UywGXBLbPgDEHuwSOQ/cid/43637611/id/qYinc5_QSXqM0I5jCTviUQ/size/c575x575.jpg" title="Angie Dive Bar" width="575" /></a></div><br />
<div><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=45655272" rel="nofollow"><img height="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/45655272.jpg" title="Blank NYC black legging" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=42279651" rel="nofollow"><img height="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/42279651.jpg" title="Chelsea Crew lace up boots" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=41470252" rel="nofollow"><img height="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/41470252.jpg" title="Gold ring" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=46377577" rel="nofollow"><img height="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/46377577.jpg" title="Silver feather earrings" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=50856374" rel="nofollow"><img height="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/50856374.jpg" title="Burning Airlines.com | Rolling Stones" vspace="4" width="50" /></a></div><br />
While I love doing a little acoustic jam at a coffee shop, I think my favorite places to play are dive bars. The drinks are cheap and I get to rock out with a full band, getting all sweaty and ferocious. Everything in this set is from Lulu's, except the t shirt, which I already own, and the jacket, which I really wish I owned. I'm also really craving those faux leather leggings. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Lounge or Club</span></b><br />
<div style="height: 575px; position: relative; width: 575px;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/angie_club/set?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=43640105"><img alt="Angie Club" border="0" height="575" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/DT3pXH3mc+XNwsTIxtoQ/cid/43640105/id/YgE-bzaYTZSQJhJkTrguEw/size/c575x575.jpg" title="Angie Club" width="575" /></a></div><br />
<div><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=41480327" rel="nofollow"><img height="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/41480327.jpg" title="Bustier top" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=42773688" rel="nofollow"><img height="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/42773688.jpg" title="Alexander McQueen black jacket" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=42773681" rel="nofollow"><img height="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/42773681.jpg" title="Alexander McQueen black jacket" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=42372394" rel="nofollow"><img height="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/42372394.jpg" title="Black sequin shorts" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=49864936" rel="nofollow"><img height="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/49864936.jpg" title="Fishnet tight" vspace="4" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=1099679&.svc=copypaste&id=42465863" rel="nofollow"><img height="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/42465863.jpg" title="John Fluevog high heels" vspace="4" width="50" /></a></div><br />
Lounges and clubs give me a chance to go all out and add some real drama to my performance clothes. I'm very much drawn to the Victorian aesthetic, but also, as a girl raised on Madonna, I sometimes like to just perform in my <a href="http://angieatkinsonmusic.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-i-wore-bar-east-show-1192011.html" target="_blank">underwear</a>. This outfit features a bustier and sequin shorts from Lulu's. I consider sequin shorts to be a potential staple in my performance wardrobe, but haven't quite found the perfect pair yet. These look like they'd fit the bill. Again, another fantastically expensive Alexander McQueen jacket makes an appearance, alongside some equally unattainable Fluevog boots.<br />
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Overall, there were a lot of cute things at Lulu's that would work for my performance wardrobe and for every day wear. (I'll talk to you guys about the art of layering eventually.)<br />
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Hopefully Lulus will have another event in the fall...if so, I will definitely be there, and hopefully won't have to leave so quickly!<br />
<br />So Yeah Sohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04901533955175295404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-11922599651238258612012-02-01T11:00:00.000-05:002012-02-01T11:00:02.309-05:00OurStage Update<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6651069475/" title="Ukulele Love Song Art by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6651069475_4577918800_z.jpg" width="575" height="575" alt="Ukulele Love Song Art"></a><br />
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April here! Just wanted to give you a quick update on last month's competition at OurStage.com, and how you can help out this month. <br />
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The video for Ukulele Love Song finished 58 out of 123 Country videos in January! It was 18 slots shy of moving on to the semifinals, so we're confident that we can make it this month. <br />
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The prize is $100 if it wins the Country Videos channel, and $1000 if she is number one across all videos in the finals. <br />
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OurStage is a unique competition site, in that it's not just about sending your fans over to vote for you. It's not a popularity contest. You have to listen and judge a variety of songs within a genre. It's not only a great way for emerging artists to gain exposure, it's a great way for fans to discover new artists. <br />
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If you've got some time to kill and want to listen to some new music, give it a shot. If Angie is in the top 40 by the last week of the month, she'll move on to the next round. <br />
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Here's how it works. Go to <a href="http://www.ourstage.com/register_user"target="_blank">OurStage</a> and register as a fan. Once you're in, go to <a href="http://www.ourstage.com/profile/angieatkinson">Angie's profile</a> and become her fan. This is not necessary, but it can make judging easier. I'll explain how in a bit.<br />
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Now you're all ready to judge. You'll want to click on the "Judge" link on the left hand side under "My Apps." <br />
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This month, "Ukulele Love Song" is entered in Country Videos and Folk. We also entered my favorite Angie song, "Just by Being You" in the Female Singer/Songwriter competition. Just click on any of those channels and you're ready to go. You can choose to judge two songs head to head, or stack rank four songs at a time. Being Angie's fan on OurStage means that her entry will come up sooner in the judging. I'll usually do a little judging while I'm randomly browsing or reading blog posts.<br />
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Another cool feature is that you get a Judging Influence ranking. This is based on how much time you actually spend listening to the songs, how often you judge, how much consideration you put into your voting, etc. If your influence increases, your votes mean more. <br />
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And hey, if you think that another song you hear is better than "Ukulele Love Song," vote accordingly! Artists don't improve by having smoke blown up their asses. They improve from honest feedback. <br />
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So it's definitely not as easy as just clicking over and voting, but we think it's awesome that she's getting pitted head to head with others in the same genre. I've personally discovered several new artists that I enjoy through the voting process. <br />
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Give it a try, and leave a comment if you have any questions.So Yeah Sohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04901533955175295404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-51847752995533693342012-01-11T11:00:00.000-05:002012-01-11T11:00:11.890-05:00Get Your OurStage On!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6651069475/" title="Ukulele Love Song Art by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6651069475_4577918800_z.jpg" width="575" height="575" alt="Ukulele Love Song Art"></a><br />
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Hey everyone! This is April. I'm Angie's best friend, manager, musical collaborator and soon to be tour manager. <br />
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We hope you've had a chance to listen to <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_11648875"target="_blank">"Ukulele Love Song"</a> and watch the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QadcT0Mmp7k"target="_blank">video</a>. <br />
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We just entered the song and the video into competition for January at <a href="http://ourstage.com">OurStage.com.</a> Angie could win $100 or $1000 if she makes it to number one!<br />
<br />
OurStage is a unique competition site, in that it's not just about sending your fans over to vote for you. It's not a popularity contest. You have to listen and judge a variety of songs within a genre. It's not only a great way for emerging artists to gain exposure, it's a great way for fans to discover new artists. <br />
<br />
So we're both aware that these days, getting people to get engaged beyond hitting the "Like" button on Facebook can be as big an endeavor as trying to herd cats while stapling jello to the wall, but if you've got some time to kill and want to listen to some new music, give it a shot. If Angie is in the top 40 by the last week of the month, she'll move on to the next round. <br />
<br />
Here's how it works. Go to <a href="http://www.ourstage.com/register_user"target="_blank">OurStage</a> and register as a fan. Once you're in, go to <a href="http://www.ourstage.com/profile/angieatkinson">Angie's profile</a> and become her fan. This is not necessary, but it can make judging easier. I'll explain how in a bit.<br />
<br />
Now you're all ready to judge. You'll want to click on the "Judge" link on the left hand side under "My Apps." Angie is competing in both Alternative Country and Country Videos. Just click on either of those channels and you're ready to go. You can choose to judge two songs head to head, or stack rank four songs at a time. Being Angie's fan on OurStage means that her entry will come up sooner in the judging. I'll usually do a little judging while I'm randomly browsing or reading blog posts.<br />
<br />
Another cool feature is that you get a Judging Influence ranking. This is based on how much time you actually spend listening to the songs, how often you judge, how much consideration you put into your voting, etc. If your influence increases, your votes mean more. <br />
<br />
And hey, if you think that another song you hear is better than "Ukulele Love Song," vote accordingly! Artists don't improve by having smoke blown up their asses. They improve from honest feedback. <br />
<br />
<br />
So it's definitely not as easy as just clicking over and voting, but we think it's awesome that she's getting pitted head to head with others in the same genre. I've personally discovered several new artists that I enjoy through the voting process. <br />
<br />
Give it a try, and leave a comment if you have any questions. <br />
<br />
<br />So Yeah Sohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04901533955175295404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-49678569555453720822012-01-09T08:26:00.000-05:002012-01-09T08:28:43.980-05:00Ukulele Love Song music video, y'all!2012 has already gotten off to great start.<br />
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I admit I was feeling a little overwhelmed after the last quarter of 2011, which was amazing but also so jam-packed busy that it left my poor little Angie batteries drained. But then I went and realized I had THE best fans, family, and friends in the whole world after you guys helped me to reach my $1k goal with the IndieGoGo project! With the help of the project and some other donations from my super generous circle of peeps, I now have the fundage to record a fantastic EP for you guys. I will keep you posted as those efforts progress.<br />
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Also, I promised y'all that if I made it to $1k via IndieGoGo that I would release a new song and accompanying music video. Well, my mama raised me to be a woman of my word, so I went and did just that.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QadcT0Mmp7k" width="560">&amp;lt;br&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br&amp;gt;I&amp;amp;nbsp;</iframe><br />
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I was going for a specific aesthetic with this one. It's a song about crazy/stupid love from afar, so naturally I thought, "Well, obviously, it needs to be a crazy YouTube fangirl video." Or, you know, my own tongue-in-cheek version of that. I wanted to keep it lo-fi -- me and my FlipCam on a random Wednesday, playin' dress-up and dancin' around in my underwear (actually that's a fairly typical day for me). And I wanted it to be just the right combination of earnest, heartfelt, playful, and totally psycho/silly. I think that, between my insane shenanigans and the absolutely fierce editing work of my dear friend Catherine Anastasia Nelson (who also worked on the <a href="http://youtu.be/PBv24iuVrZI" target=_blank>Right Into You vid</a>), we pulled it off. <br />
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If you dig the tune, you can motor on over to the right side of this page and sign up for my mailing list, which will give you access to a FREE download! <br />
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I hope you like the vid. And the song. And, you know, tell all your friends. And thanks a million, y'all, for helping me kick it off right this year. <br />
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<br />Angie Atkinson Musichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047047801826199892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-49738665567114468212011-11-10T17:21:00.000-05:002011-11-10T21:34:32.163-05:00What I Wore - Bar East show, 11/9/2011It so could've been such an awful night, but it was awesome.<br /><br />Oscar, who had done such a fantastic job on lead guitar for my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olZfXxF0xkI&feature=related">CMJ gig at R Bar</a>, was all amped to back me up along with <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Curtis-and-the-Dilettantes/148212215190637"target="_blank">Curt</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Pedro-the-Little-Red-Roosters/11847824195"target="_blank">Luis</a>. We were adding <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000633039285"target="_blank">Jeff</a> on pedal steel for the first time, and it promised to be a rockin' show. <br /><br />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 <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/BarEastnyc"target="_blank">bar</a> 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.<br /><br />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?"<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6332774387/" title="Angie Atkinson Bar East by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6095/6332774387_296e651c82_o.jpg" width="575" height="767" alt="Angie Atkinson Bar East"></a><br /><br />I call it Urban Prairie Chic.<br /><br />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 (<a href="http://www.charlotterusse.com/"target="_blank">Charlotte Russe</a>, $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.<br /><br />I thought it looked pretty bangin', and I guess the crowd did, too, 'cause even people who had come to see <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Peter-Litvin/160038530692193"target="_blank">previous bands</a> 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.<br /><br />Can't let doubt get you down. Gotta keep the faith. <br />And if you do start to doubt, just sing in your panties. <br />It really helps.Angie Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01029515679199285887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-79917714760256179232011-11-05T17:09:00.000-04:002011-11-10T20:28:02.279-05:00How to Win an Angie in Just 15 SongsI'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. <br />
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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:<br />
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<center>SHOW ME, SHOW ME EVERYTHING YOU DO</center><br />
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<b>Cosmo Jarvis - She Doesn't Mind</b><br />
I was introduced to <a href="http://www.cosmojarvis.com"target="_blank">Cosmo</a> by <a href="http://soyeahsoblog.blogspot.com"target="_blank">April</a>; well, actually, by Maya, April's awesome daughter. April and I were able to catch Cosmo play as part of CMJ Music Marathon 2011, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/AngieAtkinsonMusic#grid/user/1F4CC2248C023C37"target="_blank">which I also participated in</a>, 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.<br />
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<b>Ben Lee - Ache For You</b><br />
Ben Lee is the king of almost embarrassingly real lyrics layered honestly and perfectly over delicious pop hooks. Hey, Ben...duet sometime? <br />
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<b>Train - Hey, Soul Sister</b><br />
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? <br />
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<b>Exile - I Wanna Kiss You All Over</b><br />
A cheesy dip into tasty 70's pop that totally gets my fondue pot simmering. <br />
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<b>The Rolling Stones - Angie</b><br />
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. <br />
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<b>Try A Little Tenderness - Otis Redding</b><br />
I need someone to lip synch/sing this to me very publicly a la Duckie in Pretty In Pink. Like, yesterday. <br />
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<b>Bruce Springstreen - I'm On Fire</b><br />
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.<br />
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<b>Backstreet Boys - This Is Us</b><br />
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.<br />
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<b>Kid Rock - Feel Like Makin' Love</b><br />
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. <br />
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<b>Carbon Leaf - Lake Of Silver Bells</b><br />
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. <a href="http://www.carbonleaf.com"target="_blank">These guys</a> are actually friends of mine from Richmond, VA. Love them! <br />
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<b>INXS - Never Tear Us Apart</b><br />
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. ;)<br />
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<b>Chris Isaak - Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing</b><br />
I love the soulful longing of "Wicked Game," but I prefer this dirty guitar riff jam. A bad bad thing indeed.<br />
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<b>The Outfield - Your Love</b><br />
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. <br />
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<b>Sam Thacker - No One Needs To Know</b><br />
I discovered <a href="http://www.samthacker.com"target="_blank">this guy</a> on <a href="http://therockboat.com"target="_blank">The Rock Boat IX</a>. Hearing a Georgia boy sing about forbidden love...it's almost too much. Yes, please.<br />
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<b>Prince - Gett Off</b><br />
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. <br />
<br />So Yeah Sohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04901533955175295404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-84272902513623905652011-10-25T23:24:00.000-04:002011-11-10T20:28:26.272-05:00"Right Into You" Official Music Video!!So October has been a CRAZY busy month. I've been a horrible blogger, but I need to get on it...I have so many stories to tell you guys. Can't wait to share videos and photos from <a href="http://www.cmj.com/marathon/"></a> and of course, the premiere party for my music video. Speaking of which, have you seen it yet?<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PBv24iuVrZI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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More to come...stay tuned!Angie Atkinson Musichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047047801826199892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-69478143841918847412011-10-19T11:52:00.000-04:002011-11-06T20:48:23.970-05:00Question.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6320804398/" title="Angie Atkinson CMJ 2011 by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6055/6320804398_ce8eabc485_o.jpg" width="575" height="767" alt="Angie Atkinson CMJ 2011"></a><br />
Recently I've had to compose a lot of "elevator speeches," or little blurbs to describe my music in a short amount of time.<br />
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The other day I described it as "music for the woman in the cotton dress, watching the sunset while she folds the laundry on her front porch in Wyoming."<br />
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On <a href="http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=332683"target="_blank">Sonicbids</a>, I put it this way: "I'm a Mississippi girl living in Harlem. I love boys, and I (apparently) love getting my heart broken, and I love writing songs about it. Sound-wise, I like landing somewhere between Pump-era Aerosmith and The Dixie Chicks. In short, I'm a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll. But nothing like the Osmonds, unless you count the dimples."<br />
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<a href="http://cmj2011.sched.org/event/5d8cad9299323e17f150ed3e448d0fb0" target="_blank">CMJ 2011 Music Marathon</a> summed me up for their line-up page thusly: "Country girl in the big city marries her two worlds."<br />
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How would YOU describe it?Angie Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01029515679199285887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-48177208291807647212011-09-29T13:38:00.000-04:002011-09-29T16:51:18.497-04:00Cessation SensationsSo I've been a little loathe to discuss this, 'cause some things I just don't like posting in public places...particularly things that bring me shame. But it's something that support will help me get through, so perhaps opening up about it here will be a good thing.<br />
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I have been a cigarette smoker since 1999. After several half-hearted attempts at quitting, I managed to stop for two years, from 2007-2009. But then elements of my personal life started to collapse, and my resolve to stay cigarette-free collapsed with them. I started up again and have been happily puffing my health and youth and life away ever since.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6195732637/" title="cigarette warning by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img alt="cigarette warning" height="767" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6180/6195732637_49026b93bf_o.jpg" width="575" /></a><br />
I found this on the ground about three months ago and took a pic...took me this long to actually listen to what it said.<br />
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Until Sunday. At 5:40 a.m. on September 25th, 2011, I smoked what has so far (one day at a time) been my last cigarette.<br />
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I've found that quitting this time has been surprisingly easier than it was the last time, though that's not to say that it's been EASY. Withdrawal from any addictive substance is never a party, and it's been interesting cataloging the ways in which I've been affected. The first three days were all about the physical symptoms: my heart was beating harder, my whole body was tense, I felt like the veins in my neck were going to bulge and pop out, and I was itchy and twitchy to the point that I just wanted to tear my skin off. <br />
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Tasty, right? And this is something I LOVED doing...sheesh. And while the physical symptoms have subsided some in the past 24 hours, the emotional symptoms are just beginning. It's going to be a lot of hard work, but I'm determined. And here's why.<br />
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Nicotine is as addictive as heroin. Nicotine will get you to spend $12 on a pack (thanks, NYC) and justify it in your mind when you chose that pack over a couple of days worth of meals. Nicotine will tell you that it's OK to run late for work so you can stop and buy a pack. Nicotine will tell you that feeling good for the five minutes you're smoking is worth the smell, the cost, the social rejection (strangely smokers aren't as cool as we used to be), the risks of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, emphysema, wrinkles/premature aging, and all the other horrors brought on by those little white toxin-filled sticks. Nicotine will convince a singer that she's not hurting her voice by smoking.<br />
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Nicotine is that little brat who said he was your friend in high school but was actually talkin' smack about you behind your back the whole time. No more, dang it!<br />
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I've had a couple of band rehearsals since I quit, and I gotta say, even just in this first week, there is a MARKED improvement in my voice. Subway stairs are not as daunting. My skin looks and feels better. And I just feel better about myself, knowing I'm finally taking control over something that has controlled me for 12 years. <br />
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So yeah...if you run into me and I'm a little edgy, please don't take it personally. I'll level off and be back to normal soon enough. :) 'Til then, thanks for supporting me and my music and giving me yet another reason to leave my bad habits behind! <br />
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All my love,<br />
-a<br />
XOXOAngie Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01029515679199285887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-44184816645617579012011-09-28T12:12:00.000-04:002011-09-28T13:24:09.826-04:00Angie Interview at Easily Dunn<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6192016575/" title="Angie Atkinson by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6192016575_554a1e2ca3_o.jpg" width="575" height="383" alt="Angie Atkinson"></a><center>Photo by Jeff Clark</center><br />
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Hey folks! I dipped into the world of sponsoring other blogs this month. One of them is Easily Dunn, a lifestyle blog by the ultra cool Jamie. She devotes space to interviewing each sponsor each month, so they're more than just a sidebar ad. <a href="http://www.blog.easilydunn.com/2011/09/26/sponsors-meet-angie-atkinson/"> Check it out!</a><br />
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Angie Atkinson Musichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047047801826199892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571802369648694285.post-40111599239160331082011-09-09T13:00:00.000-04:002011-09-26T09:43:16.538-04:00Willkommen!Hello, awesome people, and welcome to the Angie Atkinson Music blog! <br />
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I'm still buzzing from my latest gig at my favorite spot here in the city,<a href="http://www.gizzisnyc.com/"target="_blank"> Gizzi's Cafe</a>in the heart of The Village. I have the day off, which is a rare treat. I'm watching <i>Star Trek: The Next Generation</i> reruns on NetFlix while anxiously awaiting the even rarer treat of lunch via delivery (a greasy cheeseburger and fries…I can't wait). And I am filled with gratitude. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/afropuffgirl/6184058668/" title="Angie Atkinson Gizzi's by afropuffgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6162/6184058668_e4a176a1ef_o.jpg" width="575" height="771" alt="Angie Atkinson Gizzi's "></a><center>Outside Gizzi's. Photo by Mark D. Whyte</center><br />
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Just last August, after an epiphanic summer stint at <a href="http://www.texasshakespeare.com/"target="_blank">Texas Shakespeare Festival</a>, I returned to New York City with a few songs and a brand new dream. Well, sort of an old one, really. I've always wanted to be a singer, but I sort of fell into acting because I enjoyed the safety barrier of playing a different character. As an actor, you're truthful and honest on stage, but truthful and honest inside someone else's skin. As a singer, it's just you up there. Just you and your feelings, and that's a scary proposition. <br />
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But I bit the bullet and dove in head first. And in the space of a year, I wrote and made demo recordings of an entire album's worth of material, released a <a href="http://angieatkinson.bandcamp.com/"target="_blank">single</a>, shot a music video, put together an amazing group of musicians to play gigs with, played a whole bunch of gigs with said musicians, and started the ball rolling on what has become one of the most fantastic rides of my life, which is sharing my music with all of you.<br />
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Right now I'm amping up for a busy fall. I'm getting ready to launch an IndieGoGo project to raise money for studio time, so I can finally record and produce the album I've been working on this year. I've got a lot of shows coming up this month and next, including the premiere of my music video for my single, "Right Into You," at Gizzi's at 7pm on October 21st! I'm also going to be a part of <a href="http://www.cmj.com/marathon/"target="_blank">CMJ's music festival</a> this year with a 7pm set at R-Bar. I can't wait! I hope to see all of your beautiful faces at these and all my other upcoming shows. <br />
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Which reminds me...<br />
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I overcame a lot of obstacles and fears to get here. It feels amazing to be in this place of exciting new beginnings, and I couldn't have done it without all the love and support of my amazing fans, friends and family. You guys have absolutely blown my mind and made my heart explode by encouraging me and believing in my dream. I'm so grateful to have such an awesome support system, which is why I started this blog. Since you guys have made this journey possible, I want you to go on it with me. And I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I do! <br />
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Now, if you'll excuse me, that greasy cheeseburger is here. And Jean Luc looks like he's about to say something important.<br />
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While I enjoy my burger, here's a video of my cover of Lady Gaga's "You and I."<br />
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<iframe width="575" height="322" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pWL8WH1ZUOY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
Angie Atkinson Musichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047047801826199892noreply@blogger.com0