Big news and good times for Sunday.

First, the big news: In the morning, Ken Nottingham came by with Carrie Wicks and we completed tracking for the upcoming Creeping Time album! This thing has been one and a half ‘official’ years in the making, though many of the songs are much older. Turning out to be a really great album with lots of creative pieces. We are fully embracing the idea of doing things in the studio that we won’t necessarily replicate live. Though we can come pretty dang close and we surely put forth the emotional content. Later that evening I sang all my backup tracks, and viola, we are ready to mix! Get ready for a fall release…

Pies and Pints turned out to be a much needed improvement. After last week’s slow night, this week turned out to be a great one. Lots of great pickers turned out and sat in. Jim Marsh was in town from Maine and supplied bass for the first set! Its funny how music and relationships are just plain easier when everybody’s having fun and there are people there to support you.

0 Comments | Posted by Michael Spaly in Recording Studio, Shows

This is the New Music poster that stands at the entrance to Barnes & Nobles music department.

Hmmm, is this 2011 or 1972? Let’s see, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Robert Plant, and Santana…

0 Comments | Posted by Michael Spaly in Random Info

Wrote this song shortly after we arrived in Boston. I re-recorded it since the original was just a straight-to-mini-disc-while-inlaws-sleeping-in-other-room-michal-on-phone type of setting.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

0 Comments | Posted by Michael Spaly in Songs

A solid night of music and a slow night of fandom. Very few folks to play for last week at Pies and Pints. Probably more people on stage than in the audience.

At one point there was some contentiousness between Pat and the wait-staff. He’s been pushing to get an electrical socket changed out for months (even a year?) to no avail. When he mentioned it through the microphone, it set off a sticky conversation that nobody wanted to be a part of. Yikes!

0 Comments | Posted by Michael Spaly in Shows

Shortly before showing up for the weekly Pies and Pints Sunday night Folk Review, Tom let me know that Johnny Fitzpatrick was back in town and would be showing up to play. With my parents and family in tow, we arrived early for dinner. Much to my amazement, I saw Matt Herron sitting there on his computer. Matt left town last Fall to work in Antarctica and has since been traveling and calling Wyoming home base. Johnny and Matt are two of my favorite musicians to play with. Tons of heart, super tasty fills, and all-around great guys. Needless to say, I was pretty psyched.

As mentioned previously, my parents were in town for the week. One of my favorite aspects of Pies and Pints is that it is family-friendly. Hence, my parents stuck around with Oliver to watch the first set, though Oliver didn’t quite stay awake throughout. I always love playing when my parents are around. They were so instrumental in keeping me playing and encouraging throughout my entire life, that it makes me feel great to have them in attendance whenever possible.

Not much more to say about the night except that the music was downright delicious.

Matt, Johnny, Tom

Oliver sleeping on Grandpa

0 Comments | Posted by Michael Spaly in Shows