ROAD TRIPS !
Tis The Season
11-26-10
Holiday Bazaars and parties are coming. We've already played a couple and are looking forward to more. Everybody (well, most everybody) is in a great mood.
10-18-10
O...M...G ! ! Just played the Dogtoberfest at Pacific Dog Park in east Vancouver. Puppies everywhere. Poop on the speaker cords is not a problem. Barking as accompaniment to our songs is no problem. Concentrating on singing the lyrics and playing the right chords - PROBLEM ! Wow. Talk about over stimulation ! Countless dogs off leashes running between our legs as we perform, the visual and audio distractions were almost too much for the first few minutes, but Christi maintained and sounded great. Amy didn't miss a beat on the guitarwork. Took a little adjustment, but we got used to it pretty quickly. Literally hundreds of dogs. We brought our little mechanical mascot-cat to sit on one of the hay bales for interest - and boy did it spark some interest ! Dogs sniffing and freaking as the cat "meowed" and wagged its tail. Very entertaining as if there needed to be any more activity. Booths to peruse. A K9 unit demo. An electric squirrel on a line track driving dogs MAD. Their own water fountain. Dog Olympics (one lady had treats in her hand for her dogs potential performance in the competition, and 3 other dogs sat in front of her waiting for command and reward ! It was GREAT ! The whole day. Yes, we'll do it again. Now, then - When is the kitten park going to open ? ? ?
In September, the 5-piece band did the Vancouver Mushroom Festival. The City of Vancouver's Downtown Association holds gatherings like this frequently. I am especially proud of Christi because she wouldn't touch a mushroom with a 9 1/2 foot pole. But she was glad to perform as we were surrounded by 'shroomage and she sounded awesome as usual ! We were coined "the perfect band" for the event by the association's director so we of course will be glad to do next year's event as well. When someone really likes us, well, we like that in a person !
10-13-10
We've done festivals, fairs, markets, fundraisers, and pubs. Summer is over now and back into the bars and parties for the band. On our few roadtrips this year we've visited the squirrels and goats, and eagles, and kittens (REALLY FOUGHT the urges to bring them all home...) The musicians in There She Goes cease to amaze. With each gig we get tighter, with each practice we are a little more TSG.
Took drive out to Roloff Farms near Hillsboro, OR. Met Amy Roloff and talked to her a bit about her charity organization and goings on at the farm and elsewhere. If you didn't know the Roloff family has a reality based show on the TLC network, Little People, Big World. The parents, Matt and Amy are dwarfs. They and their 4 kids have a pumpkin farm near Portland. Matt is a go getter with a huge pool of ideas that he executes and Amy lectures around the country. She is so cool, and a seemingly tireless personality. She describes the throng of people that tour their farm every fall as "a bunch of people come over to our house. It's a big party". We have tried to involve ourselves with her golf tournament and fundraisers but were never available enough to do so. We pledged to her to try harder to be there for her 2011 tourney and auction. Talk about tireless, while we waited to speak with Matt, he had his blackberry in gear and was apologizing for having to take care business issues. As we sat with him, though, he was engaged and wanted to address everyone that came to him and had a genuine smile for each of us. What a great group of people.
07-12-10
It's really been this long since an entry? Ok. Let's catch up.
We played for the West Columbia Gorge No-Kill Shelter and Furry Friends fundraisers last fall, as wells as the Spokane Fall Folk Festival. All were successful and many new friends were made. Weather has cooperated throughout and many contacts and friends are ever-increasing. This past winter was more family-oriented and gigs were less than in other seasons, although the duo did play a couple of private functions in downtown Portland and Vancouver. March opens up the Farmers' Markets so we have been graced with performing as a duo and 5-piece band at Vancouver's and Battle Ground's markets. Outdoor markets are nice venues as shoppers are always appreciative. We've gotten a reputation now for having a nice selection of freebies at our band table both for kids and grown-ups alike. Items like bubbles, toys, umbrellas, cd's, a tiara (yes, that's right), beach balls, Frisbees, etc. Everyone seems to enjoy the sidewalk chalk at outdoor markets. Everyone.
The band played at the Brickhouse in Vancouver in March. Wow that was fun and well-received ! Looking forward to playing there again. The duo performed at the Quenett Winery Tasting Room in Hood River, Oregon. Very cool people. The tasters liked our "classic rock" selections there. Who doesn't ! We also played at their new digs at The Old Mill in The Dalles, OR. It's now called The Sunshine Mill housing the winery, a bottling site, spaces upstairs for other artisans, and of course another bigger tasting room. The roof is going to host parties, and they also have a little amphitheater outside. It's all very cool. As of the beginning of this year the duo will be playing at Star E Rose coffeehouse on Alberta St. in Portland, OR. on every 5th Sunday. That happens a handful of times each year so we'll remind you of each time we play there. Please sign up for our email newsletter. They go out to you every now and then and when something spectacular happens. We seem to lead a semi-exciting life as a band and personally so you never know what the news will be !
Keep in touch.
08-23-09
OMG. Have you seen the pictures of our squirrels at the rest area on I-84 east? (Look on the "Contacts" page) Well, on our way back from a wedding gig up at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, we took a slight detour this past Sunday to say hi to our little furry friends at Memaloose State Park Rest Area on eastbound I-84 between Hood River and The Dalles. You see, on our way to Yakima to play the folk festival there, we stopped for a stretch at this unassuming little rest area. Wow! Squirrels everywhere! Nothing like it! It was like the end of that goofy "Mars Attacks" movie with Tom Jones singing at the cave.Very friendly, very cute, very snack-oriented, very cute, very unafraid, very cute, (I know. But they're CUTE!) Each one with a name, each one with a personality, each one coming closer to the point where lap sitting and arm tugging was the way to get a sunflower seed or peanut from one of us. Sweeeet ! Oh, and let's not forget the baby lion we got to hold at the Clark County Fair! (picture on "Contacts" page) Just waking up, the baby was put on Christi's lap for a bit and was apparently very comfortable in her arms. She can check that off her list of "things to do before I die". Adorable.
07-13-09
Played a great show, not too hot, was a great time at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver on July 4th. Many were celebrating in the park and all the musicians were fantastic! FVTV was there filming bits and pieces. Music started at 10 AM and went on til 9 or so. Our new friends of Johannin put on a great show as usual, TSG rocked, and we all enjoyed ourselves.
06-14-09
Traveled to Port Angeles for two shows. Driving, company, shows, scenery was all great. Tattoos adhered, though no Sasquatch spotted. (boohoo). Christi had quit smoking the day before the trip began. Amy the day of. It was not a dull time. Lots of sunflower seeds, chips and energy packets ("pink things" because of the pink packets this liquid energy "drink" comes in) Party requests still coming in for summer. We hate to say no.
06-07-09
Played at Matrix Coffeehouse in Chehalis, WA last night with Vegetable Kick, a young punk-style band with appreciative followers. Matrix is a larger coffeehouse, very open & great for live music. It was Anthony's birthday so of course Christi did her perfect impersonation of Cher singing "Happy Birthday". We asked what he wanted for his birthday earlier in the week and his response was the same as ours always is: To have a gig on my birthday"! (we performed on Christi's birthday this year and last). Well, there's your birthday wish, Anthony.
Friday night we performed at a soggy Craft in The Village, a monthly evening market in Uptown Vancouver, WA. Still lots of vendors, sometimes you get rained out...Looking forward to July 4th in the park (Esther Short Park) next month. Maybe we should write a song called "Sun"...We're pushing for the band Johannin to get booked with us (we played after them at Red Room last week)
About the Red Room gig- Johannin is an awesome entertaining and uplifting group. You MUST catch one of their shoes. I mean shows. Alot of fun.
05-28-09
Wow. For "Behind The Riff" (Vancouver Channel 11) we have been filming performances, songwriting sessions at Christi's house, and recording sessions at Fresh Tracks. Cameras coming down from the ceiling on booms and panning in front of us, a guy walking slowly around us with a hand-held, questions about the writing, traveling, shows, goals, our history, etc. We thoroughly enjoyed it all. Trust me! The Gig Harbor show on May 9 seemed weird after that since there were no cameras following us around. Played The Red Room in Portland a couple of times this spring so far. What a great little place! Dave Hannon and Johannin were there this last time. What talent. Very cool people, too.
04-18-09
We are in the process of booking our summer shows and staying busy in the studio recording our new CD. We have over 30 original songs to record and we can’t stop writing. Hey it keeps us off the Dr. Phil show. We just appeared on Good Day Oregon (Portland's Channel 12). It was fun but we had to do the piece at 4 in the morning. I didn't know we could even talk must less play and sing at that hour. We are getting ready to do a piece for an upcoming show called Behind The Riff. This is a new show focusing on local bands. We will keep you posted on when it will air. Thanks to all of you that come to our shows. We are excited that some of you are singing our originals back to us. We love hearing from you so feel free to give us feed back on the shows you caught.
09-27-08
Busy week in the recording studio for us. Jon at Fresh Tracks Studio in Portland is our hero. He may seem intent on working, but his sense of humor is great and along with his experience and easy going nature he makes recording and mixing amazingly smooth.
We'll be performing at the Spokane Folk Festival this year. Couldn't be happier - we're in the Sasquatch Room! You know how we have a huge place in our hearts for the elusive and genteel beast. Maybe he'll come by to check out our show...
08-31-08
The show at Esther Short Park was great! There She Goes beach balls everywhere, great sound maintenance by Shaka Sound, folks were dancing (we like that), the folks from Nettlingham Audio (our cd mastering masters) were there enjoying the day's music, as was Vancouver's mayor, The Honorable Royce Pollard (who politely declined our invitation to sing with us onstage, but we'll keep working on him...), it was a great day for a show, listeners were into it and so were we.
8-23-08
We went to see guitar goddess Jennifer Batten and our friend Lynn Frances Anderson perform in Portland last night. It made us want to practice more. Wow. Jennifer's style is astounding as is her virtuoso rank. Jeff Beck has been fortunate to have her on stage with him. Lynn's aggressive vocal and guitar style is so up front that the audience has no choice but to listen. A few years ago she commented on Amy's more gentle approach to guitar. Amy's style has gotten a bit harder though now that she and Christi have so much more to say...It's always great to see live music, especially local, especially good quality. TSG and LFA (and perhaps Jennifer B?) will team up sometime soon for a show. Well worth the cover price.
08-16-08
Bookings are coming in left and right (and we love that). So on the road to Port Angeles for a last minute schedule change, we got on the highway from Vancouver only to sit in traffic for 1-1/2 hours while every fire department in and around Clark County put out a brush fire that had crossed I-5. The temperature was supposed to get up over 100 degrees that day. We met families and other musicians (what a small world), one of whom asked Christi, "How are you on water?" We both wondered what boat we would be going out on as Christi answered, "You mean like skiing?" "No" He said. "I mean drinking water." Har Har. We had been sharing our bottles of water with other drivers, but we were fine. We watched as travelers took advantage of the down time and skateboarded on the highway (who do you know really that can claim honestly to have skateboarded on I-5? I feel special.). People walking their puppies (very sweet...) No stress as we did not book a gig for that night. So easy does it. We've decided that we want a reality show based on us and our road trips. Always something interesting happens. Film at 11.
07-13-08
Yakima Folk Festival this weekend. Christi's vocals rocked the place once again. Always a trip to go there or to any remote town where live music is hard to come by. The culture factors are wonderful. The people are wonderful. The drive is long, but, as you know, never a dull moment because EVERYTHING IS FUNNY ! Having pulled over in a turnout for a break, the semi-serious conversation that Amy & Christi were having continued out of the car. As Amy is leaning on the car talking, Christi is facing her and the highway. Across the road was a hill occupied by goats. One goat started to walk uphill. Then another. Then another. Then many. Then all. As Amy spoke, Christi was looking in mild disbelief at the seemingly never-ending exodus of goats. And laughing. "I'm being serious here, C. What in the world is so funny?" When she turned around to look the throng was still moving uphill, to dinner we guessed...but just forever.
6-22-08
Our busy season has begun. Various winter gigs were welcome and fun. Songwriting is like a deluge on practice nights and during the day we leave each other phone messages with song ideas and melodies. At practice we sometimes put our foot down and say to each other, "We are NOT writing new songs tonight: only work on the ones we have now and clean them up..." We have not accomplished this very often. We realize that this is a GOOD problem to have. Another problem we don't have is boredom on the road. Last fall we had finished up a weekend of gigs in the Port Townsend area and thought a trip to Canada was well warranted. On our drive there and our very long wait in line at the border, a strange and curious phenomenon occurred in Christi's van that I have only encountered as a preteen with a few close friends. Christi's left upper arm was mysteriously adorned with temporary tattoos of kittens and flames. My arm was affected as well with similar markings that could only be translated as the effects of fatigue and silliness. The occupants of the cars around us in line were in awe and wonder ( also known as "what the hell?"-ness )
The constant search for the elusive Sasquatch is always on our minds as we drive through the woods of Washington and Oregon. We'll keep you posted of any sightings...
Farmers Markets are proving themselves to be not only fun but quite a contact arena. Sales of our 4-song cd are way up, friends are being made, musicians find us approachable, even in the hotel's hot tub. The response to our music is great. Christi's lyrics are incredible. Our harmonies seem to strike the audience. We are looking forward to the upcoming festivals, too.
OUR FIRST ENTRY
9-30-07 Festival season is coming to a close. Most of the outdoor concerts are thinning out. Their winter schedule is not set yet but will be posted soon.
Spring brought a burning need to record. They put together what they had time for to take on the road with them to the festivals for which they were scheduled. TSG's 1st cd, Navigate The Flame, was born. They were able to go into Fresh Tracks studio in Portland and work fast to create their 4-song disc. Jon Lindahl is great as the mix man. TSG is apparently pretty easy to work with as is Jon. They are considerate and cooperative although determined to get the sound they want and not afraid to voice it. And are a hoot to be around! Touring is exciting even just in the Pacific Northwest and performing is what they live for. The more the better.
Above and below are some stories From the road:
The farmers' markets around Seattle that we have traveled to have been so much fun. The patrons were very responsive and appreciative. We've gotten great reviews and contacts for future shows from them. The small indoor venues each have their own characteristics and clientele. The Buzz in Sequim has a great acoustic sound and even with Amy's lighter voice and of course Christi's stronger projection is no problem to entertain without amps. The Olympic Coffeehouse in Port Angeles is set up so that everyone in the place enjoying the computers set up there can hear. North Pacific Coffee Co. in Tacoma has customers that love to hear our stuff. I think they especially like the fact that two women can sing Alice In Chains and pull it off well! Our originals go over really well there. At The Mandolin Cafe which seems to be made for live performances the crowd is very mixed and very interesting. The wifi access lets people get real comfortable. They seem to enjoy the music we give them. A few hoot and holler but most nod their heads and may as well snap their fingers like in the 60's at the spoken word cafes. Bars are a hoot. At The Depot in Yakima this summer the response and excitement was go great Christi & Amy have deemed this show the best gig ever! Not only did the audience have their hands in the air after most songs, but the chefs and wait staff stopped in to lean against the doorway and enjoy our sound. That was really cool. We love it when the audience loves it. Always a great time though, on stage and on the road. Driving back from the Tumbleweed Folk Festival in Richland, Washington (where we rocked perhaps a little harder than expected for the trad folkies...) we saw some mountain goats in The Gorge. "Where do they sleep?" Christi asked. TJ's answer was, "In sheeping bags!" That's the least of the yukking-it-up on the road for TSG.
Less traveling perhaps in our winter schedule, but no less gigs.
Our cd is doing well. People are picking up copies at all the gigs. Among other stores, Real Deal Records is carrying it in Vancouver, Wa. The response is so unreal we can't WAIT to get back into the studio to put out the next full-length cd. We have many songs to choose from and we'll let you know which ones make the cut and how things are going in the recording end. Feel free to email us or blog on our myspace site. Keep in touch.
- C & A
