Long Beach, CA
Ok, ok… so I’ve been a little behind in terms of getting this page updated with my travel stories… I know, I know! I’ve been a little busy lately… no excuse, I know. In any case, where were we last… oh, yes… LONG BEACH, CA! Yep, after a great time down in San Diego, CA performing at Lestat’s and hanging with my friends (both old and new), I made the drive up to Viento y Agua in Long Beach, CA to play another solo acoustic set.
The opening act "Mexika" doing their percussive magic. So cool...
Opening the night at Viento y Agua was this really, REALLY cool act called Mexika. These guys played authentic, indigenous instruments from old Mexico (which was originally called “Mexika”, apparently) that included everything from sheets of slate to gourds floating in bowls of water to pan flutes and other weird wood instruments that made sounds like a jaguar, a cricket, and tons of other wildlife. Amazing… definitely check them out if you have a few minutes to surf around online.
After Mexika did their thing, I went on for about an hour. I had a great time and went through a fun set of both old and new tunes. A good crowd came out for the show and I met some new fans while hanging with sold old friends, too!
A couple die hards from Los Angeles made it down for the show in Long Beach! Thanks, guys!
After I wrapped up my set, a very cool local act by the name of Paper City brought their folky, 50′s style trio up for an hour’s worth of pretty cool tunes. If you’re in the Long Beach area, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these guys. Very cool sound, a great attitude, and just all around fun. Paper City.
When things settled down and I packed up the truck with my gear, I drove north to visit my friend Christine up in Venice, CA. We cruised down Main Street, walked past the taco trucks, and went to this cool spot called Holy Guacamole. Now, this is not the chain restaurant by the same name I found in Long Beach a while ago. This place is legit and really delicious. I ordered up a super burrito and, I kid you not, this thing was bigger than my forearm. I’m not sure if that’s amazing because of the sheer size of the thing or embarrassing because my forearm is smaller than a burrito. Hmm. Either way, it tasted delicious! I only wish I had a picture to share with you guys (shame on me for forgetting to document one of my meals!). In any case, we chowed down, then hit the hay in anticipation of some surf the next day. Unfortunately, it was not to be as conditions went flat the next morning.
Skeletons and coffee... Not a bad combo.
I took a chance to do some booking and promo work while having breakfast with my buddy Jesse and his newborn son “Teddy”. Cool dudes, insane French toast, eggs, bacon, etc. and good conversation. Always enjoy catching up with Jesse when I’m in town as he knows the BEST spots to eat. This time, we went to this cool joint in the Farmer’s Market off of Fairfax. Once I remember the name, I’ll let you guys know. It is worth every single penny. Wow. (Again, no food pic! What the?!)
After wrapping up with the boys, I headed north to my gig in Santa Barbara, but wait… there’s more!