I was very good this weekend.
Along with the studio work I set a goal to go see about three shows locally, all with the purpose of trying to eventually book shows. To entrench myself more in the “scene.” Whatever the hell that means. It all sounds so mercenary, and it is, of course. But I don’t know how else to go about it, and they were, at least, all people I respect and like.
BUT…
Thursday was the first show I wanted to go see, but I ran until about 11:30pm at the studio and missed it. Friday’s show was in Athens and when the time came the prospect of driving out there was a bit much. So, I resolved to make sure I went to the show on Saturday.
Except, of course, I didn’t go.
But I DID say I was very good this weekend.
I opted out of the show Saturday because I was invited to Linda Bolley’s birthday party. Linda plays in Gentle Readers, and also plays with Michelle Malone’s touring band. She was nearly in the Million Box until the Michelle Malone thing happened. I like her a lot, too. So, I went there instead. Which turned out to be the right thing (from a mercenary and mental standpoint) to do.
But lest the loyal reader feel I have suddenly developed an outgoing personality, I spent five minutes after arriving sitting in my car, debating on whether I would wimp out and go back home. I went alone, which was shocker #1. It was a party bound to be full of people I didn’t know (even if we all were local musicians for the most part), that’s #2. And #3 from the invitation I knew that 2 people had been invited who had a public distaste for me (which, to my knowledge, is the sum total in this city of people who do. Well, that I know of anyway).
But, still, I went in.
They weren’t there. But plenty of people I knew were. The first person I saw was Rob Gal (my producer and bandmate, for anyone who has come in late) and John. Michael and Sheila Lorant were there (they’re in Big Fish Ensemble, Michael played drums on Slumberland). Becky Shaw, who I met recently at Rob’s studio, was there. Sue Witty and her manager Alayne were there. Michelle Malone. Sonia Tetlow lives there, and was there. Greg, Lee, and of course, Linda (who lives there, too, and it was her birthday, after all) from Gentle Readers were there. And Cooper Seay (she was in Viva la Diva and the Ellen James Society) was there.
I don’t list them to name drop. Frankly I assume most people reading won’t know who the hell they are anyway. But apart from Michelle, I knew them all to some extent, and talked to them all. Cooper I see very rarely, I met her when I was still in Radiant City, I’ve always liked her. But I don’t really know her at all, and was surprised that she knew me, walked over and called me by name. She’s moving to London soon and is having some party beforehand and invited me. Becky I met recently and have seen her a lot at various random places since. The rest I know pretty well and like a lot. There were a lot of other people there who I didn’t know and didn’t meet.
But my point is, I felt… well… when I released Slumberland I felt, for the first time, like I was a Musician. It felt real. I have vacillated since then, between retaining that sense and not, but overall, I still feel it. Being at the party, talking with friends there, and acquaintances… okay, I feel silly even typing it… but I felt like I was an Atlanta Musician. I felt like I belonged, rather than like some upstart or party crasher (figuratively-speaking), which I realize is how I’ve felt since Radiant City started.
See, some of you might not understand why I say I feel weird to be told how much someone I know likes my music, or when I get asked for an autograph or something. But to me, I’m just this shy goof who’s managed to string together some lucky breaks, book shows and record a CD. So, it felt strange to be surrounded by established people in the Atlanta music scene and suddenly realize that I must be one of them, too, in some capacity.