Writing From Philadelphia - Artist vs. Audience

Friday August 21, 2015 - Cheaha Brewery in Anniston, AL:

I'd like to tell you all something about singer-songwriters, in case you might not have considered the many variables that make our shows awesome.  When I'm hired to play music I want to do a good job, not unlike anybody else at any other job.  The sound of a show directly impacts both the audience and the artist. At some venues, more the audience and at other, more the artist.  (For example, at a small rock venue if the sound isn't good you won't hear much except a loud drumbeat - this affects the audience.)  At Cheaha Brewery I spent my first two sets wondering what was wrong with the sound and as a result the show was a bit of a nightmare.  I finally stopped mid-set to find the owner and ask him what might be wrong.  By the time the sound was fixed my show was nearly over.  So, was I pissed?  No.  I still got paid.  Was I disappointed that I didn't provide better entertainment for the patrons?  Yes!

All that being said I did still warm a few peoples hearts with my music.  Below is a picture of my new fan Shannon who bought three of my albums:

Later that night I decided to take a picture with the cop who was stationed to drive around preventing drunken outbursts (small town vibe;-):

Saturday August 22, 2015: Caldwell Tavern Anniston, AL

Something that I discovered this night was that small towns can be ridiculously divided!  The people who hang out at Cheaha Brewery do not like the Caldwell Tavern.  Those who spend time at Caldwell do not like Cheaha.  So the plus side for me was that I got to perform in front of two opposite groups of people for my two nights in Anniston, AL.  

Sunday August 23, 2015 - I GOT LOCKED OUT.  I was supposed to be staying with a friend in Marietta, GA and his automatic door lock seemed to be broken.  I spend about 30 minutes trying to figure it out and then decided to go to a double feature (two movies) at a nearby theatre.  I haven't seen enough new releases this year anyhow!  My friend flew in around midnight and upon his arrival realized that the lock actually WAS broken.  (I had been concerned that my "blond" gene kicked in again;-).

My show on Monday August 24th happened to be canceled due to every single other band canceling so I ended up having one more day off.  But that same day I was contacted by a music booking company in Philly and they added one more show to my roster.  So it all evened out in the end.

Tuesday August 25th at Capri Theatre in Gaffney, SC:

I got to host the open mic night at this venue - meaning that I played 3 songs in between each artist and then introduced them as well.  I met some awesome people here, and saw a cool historic artifact in the middle of the town (the cabin of one of the town founders, preserved as it was.)

Here's a video of me singing "Let's Sing, Always" at the Capri:

Wednesday August 26th at Acoustic Coffeehouse in Johnson City, TN:

A picture of the two fabulous ladies who make up the band "Brief Awakening" -a band from Asheville, NC - who were on the bill with me that night:

I made some new friends/fans that night and three of them helped me load all my equipment back in my car after the show.  Here's a pic with one of them:

Thursday August 27th at WDVX's Blue Plate Special in Knoxville, TN:

This was quite possibly the most important show I've done in August - any show on the radio is nerve wracking because SO MANY people are listening to you.  I was incredibly nervous and I think I hid it quite well.  

Here's Robbie Fulks doing his soundcheck:

And me, pre-show:

Some pix/vid from during the show:

It was such an absolute pleasure to open for this guy.  I LOVED them.  So cool.

Now I'm in the green room waiting to soundcheck for my show at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia - It's amazing to actually HAVE a green room.  I'm moving up in the world!

Catch you all soon..

xo,
Elle

A Road Made of Lakes, SC & AL

Sunday Aug 16, 2015 The Rusty Rudder in Mount Pleasant, SC:

I enjoyed this show.  While many restaurant gigs are purely money-makers for a touring musician (I say "purely" because often the patrons think of you as their live juke-box) this restaurant seemed to have many music-loving patrons.  Besides getting paid, the customers clapped and the staff complimented me.  Fun stuff.

I had a few lovely days off in the Charleston, SC area and was excited to spend time with these munchkins:

The picture above was taken at the children's museum which was quite impressively set up, using scientific facts and experiments to create fun games for the kids.  Fun+knowledge = well rounded children. We made paper airplanes in their arts and crafts room.

AND that whole day rain was dumping down.  Apparently its quite normal for the streets of Charleston to flood.. Looking something like this:

We just barely managed to stay dry.. And making faces never gets old.

While in Charleston I was also able to visit the Boone Plantation which is a childhood dream of mine.  I used to watch the historic fiction series North & South (Patrick Swayze, Kirstie Alley, Forrest Whitaker, & many more peoples' big debuts as actors).  I am pretty sure that this plantation became so famous BECAUSE of North & South.  My childhood knowledge of American History definitely expanded as a result of the show.  Here's my favorite point of view:

Thanks brother Joe for taking me there!

And the next day it was time to head to Alabama for more shows.

Thursday Aug 21, 2015 Maggie Meyer's Irish Pub in Huntsville, AL:

Let me show you an example of how close I like to stay to the venues where I'm playing.  I find that the less stress involved the better my show will be.  

I stayed at an AirB&B and was very intrigued to find a green tea flavored KitKat bar.  My host must've gone abroad at some point.. Looked cool and tasted gross!

The show was good.  I was impressed by the caliber of minds who were in my audience that night.  First night in Alabama = success.

After another two hour drive down to Anniston, AL I have arrived at a gorgeous B&B which has maintained it's historic structure in an amazing way.  The fastest way to go upstairs to my room is via the old servants staircase, a gorgeous wooden winding thing! I feel like I'm staying at Downton Abbey.  Here's my room:

I am here for two nights, with two shows at different locations.  I'll let you know how it all goes in the next blog entry!

Until then..

Elle

The Carolinas Are Calling Me

Sunday Aug 9, 2015 Good Stuff in Marshall, NC:

Talk about a warm welcome - this place is a gorgeous small town and although the audience NUMBERS were low, the APPRECIATION was high.  Had a great time.  Looking forward to going back next year!

After the show I drove over to Celo, NC, which is a small community next to Burnsville.  For the next three nights I got to stay with some good family friends, go swimming in the most gorgeous of rivers, pick and eat fresh blueberries, breathe in the fresh air, and in between shows, relax.

Monday Aug 10, 2015 Crown Station Pub in Charlotte, NC:

This was probably the most disappointing show I've had on this leg of the tour, because the bar didn't seem to be a music-lovers-hang.  The customers seemed intent on watching reality tv.. However, I made one new fan who is extremely excited about my music, and the manager was very sweet.  It's most effective in these situations to live, learn and keep a positive attitude.

The next day it rained:

I had Tuesday Aug 11th off so we went to a different part of the beautiful river and swam some more.

Wednesday Aug 12, 2015 Front Street Public House in Burlington, NC:

I woke up early on this day to do a promotional interview with a radio station in Atlanta, GA for my Friday show in Decatur, GA (which I am at now; having arrived early I decided it was time for another blog entry :-).

Then, after a delicious breakfast of healthy pancakes, fresh blueberries, & freshly whipped cream, I packed up my car, bid farewell to my friends and hit the road.

The show on Front Street was a great time.  The bar was full of music lovers.  I made tips, sold merchandise and most importantly, connected to my crowd while I was performing.  

After the show I drove to Garner, NC where I got to stay with some more friends!

BTW: the placement of the above marshmallows was accidental!

We roasted Marshmallows, sipped red wine and conversed.  Right before bedtime they showed me their baby turtles! They are the cutest.  One of them stayed comfortably on my hand for ten minutes without wanting to run away.  I think it could sense that I have a pet tortoise at home :-) Miss you Czar!

The next morning on my way to Charleston, SC I stopped by my friend's work place, where they make magnets and stickers and certain objects which would be a great addition to my merch case!  We'll be in business soon.

Thursday Aug 13, 2015 The Mill in North Charleston, SC:

Me and my brother Joe catching up before my show:

This was a very cool and unique show because I was booked alongside another female singer-songwriter who was fabulous and slightly different than me, while coming from a similar background.  Here's a little video of her:

Here's a video of me, performing "Want You to Know":

ONE VERY COOL THING:

Check out this Root Beer.  It is ACTUAL beer.  6% alcohol and tastes exactly like Root Beer.  Amazing and delicious. 

I am now at the Java Monkey in Decatur, GA, about to start my show for the night.  I walked into the bathroom and I saw this:

I couldn't agree more.  Thanks for reading my blog everyone!  I'll check back in with you soon :-)

xo,
Elle

Mrs. Hockett Goes On Tour

As some of you might remember, my tour was intercepted by none other than my very own wedding!  I am now a married woman and here are two pictures from the big day:

We had a lovely honeymoon in Quebec and Maine and now my tour has started up again.

Wednesday August 5th The Legendary Dobbs in Philadelphia, PA

I received a warm welcome by some fellow musicians and enjoyed being on beautiful South Street in Philly.  Something very cool that happened was that I met one of my Facebook friends in person - she had friended me because of my music and circus experience and she just happened to be playing the same show as me in Philly.  Small world.  Meet my friend Julia:

Here are some pictures from the Air B&B where I stayed, less than a mile from where I was playing, on the third floor of a beautiful town house with an enchanting spiral staircase leading up to my room.  Check out the street sign ;-)

Goodbye Philly!

Thursday August 6th The V Spot in Scranton, PA:

The only thing I used to think of when I heard the name "Scranton, PA" was The Office.  Now, that name to me signifies kind and friendly people, music lovers, a diverse crowd, and people who look you in the eye when they speak with you.  Here are some of my new friends:

Friday August 7th Avenue 209 Coffeehouse in Lock Haven, PA:

Check out where I got to stay during this show!

This was a lovely show.  It was mostly middle aged to elderly people and they absolutely loved my music!  Very encouraging :-)  I'm looking forward to playing there next year.

Saturday August 8th The Purple Fiddle in Thomas, WV:

What a gorgeous location this was.  Not only physically but the vibe was just amazing.  As I played my two hour afternoon set the room gradually filled up and then a downpour started.  Truly the most magical afternoon I've had in a while.  

After my show I took some pix with new fans and then checked into the hostel upstairs.  (One couple I met who had previously checked me out online wrote a list of artists I reminded them of.  See below :-).  Luckily I got some rest time before checking out the nighttime band around 10 pm.  They were just excellent - a female fronted folk-rock band.  

It's was a wonderful week all in all and now I am in Marshall, NC getting ready to play a show at Good Stuff.  They just fed me the most delicious burger I have had all year!  I am not over-exaggerating.  See pics below.  The first one is my view driving into Marshall :-)

That's all for now.  Catch ya later!

-Elle