Walked from the Wisky-A-Go-Go to the Wiltern.
I didn't use any gas or oil in doing so, and it took some time, but it was great. That's what I like, to have enough time and money to do whatever I want. Yesterday I had both. What a great day! Actually, I got to hang out with three of my favourite people yesterday. Daniel, AJ, and Jason. One works at a record store, one plays in a famous band, and the other one plays in a famous band. And I walked to all three yesterday. 'Twas an adventuresome day.
A beautiful day!
Yep. Time and money, money and time. Had lunch at Island records, pretty cool, and then I started walking towards Amoeba on Sunset. Took awhile. There I saw the bearded brother AJ, who welcomed me into his arms, and suggested that we meet later, at midnight, for a brew ha-ha. Which we did, but first I had to walk to Jason Falkner's concert at the Wiltern. That took awhile, too. I got to ponder my life as a Lucky Boy. Enjoying LA's breeze (cough) and scheming on how I'm going to make the best Calico Soul record yet.
Got to the Wiltern at 6 pm. Much too early. Doors not open yet -but lines around the block already. I just walked up to the front door, and at the same time a girl was buzzing in (an Angel disguised as the girl who sells drinks behind the concession stand) and I said "Calico Soul" into the buzzer, and I'm not sure if it was me or the Angel, but the door just opened. Quite surreal. They waved me in. Aw, it was probably the Angel, 'cuz I'm not THAT famous yet, and just so you know: angels are usually black. Doesn't mean that all black people are angels, just that all angels (that I've met) are black. This is roughly accurate, given a plus/minus error of .00007 percent. Anyway, tha vibe was definitely with me.
Then it was just me and this girl and Jason in the Wiltern. Wow! It was completely empty and completely beautiful. It has a rare mystique. He said that this was "A dream to play here ... just like growing up in NY and then playing Radio City Music Hall, or something!" So cool! And I just said, "I'm PROUD of you, man! I'm very proud of you!" What an incredible accomplishment. And then the people started filtering (running) in and the mood started to change into oneof those rock concert moments, with security guards and all ... and the Angel was gone (I KNEW she didn't work there!). Got my backstage pass set up, and I was ready to tackle tha night.
Jason's set was great. All original stuff. Very melodic. He dedicated one song to Ray Davies of the Kinks (who just got shot!) and the whole night was hued with a kind of magic. Great sound, lights, camera, ACTION! His voice sounded like a keenly attuned, sly melodious happy circus kid, tickled-pink by the fact that he was playing the Wiltern. David Bowie (um ...) plays there in a couple o' days. Pretty sweet for you, Jason! And then Travis came out and played a song with him. That was awesome! Great music was made last night, friends.
And someone said to me, "Cool hat, man." I said, "Thanks ..."
Please also remember, everyone: The Ipod is your God!
(All of you who were there will get this ...)
So the concert was hip, fab, on fire ... and then the aftershow-party began. One of those Hollywood aftershow-parties, you know, with boogie people and aspiring starlets, and the like. And chixx galore, very hot and yet amazingly superficial, and one turned to me with bedroom eyes and said: Oh hi, my name is so-and-so, and I just thought, "Oh, Gawd, I'm outta here!" and gave Jason a hug, and turned and walked. Gotta keep it real.
Outta there. Hopped in a cab and jetted back to AJ at the record store. Midnight. Beers and grub at his house. Good fun, music ... the perfect day.
Thank you, friends. Peace.
-Todd 007