kimandseana

I died and went to my Rock N' Roll Heaven

I have found a new reason to travel to Orlando, Florida.  It is not
for the amusement parks, water parks, or various other tourist
attractions.  It is not for the beaches and year round perfect
temperatures.  It is for the hidden treasure that I was lucky enough
to discover.  Orlando happens to be the home of the Hard Rock
Memorabilia Warehouse.

The story goes as follows:  I may sort have been snooping around the
Hard Rock building when I met a man named Don Bernstine.  This man
happens to have the coolest job on the planet.  He is the manager of
acquisitions and artist relations for Hard Rock international.  This
means his job is to basically talk artists out of their rock n' roll
memorabilia for the various Hard Rocks all over the world.

When the memorabilia isn't at one of the Hard Rock locations it lives
in this magical warehouse in Orlando...and guess who talked Don in to
giving Kim and I a tour?  Moi.

The first thing that struck me upon walking in were the rows and rows
of guitars.  There must have been 400 of them at least.  All signed by
a musical great.  I actually got to hold one of Tom Petty's twelve
strings.  There were also racks of clothes worn by everyone from
Madonna to Blondie to Bob Dylan.  Brian Wilson had a couple of pianos
there as did Elton John.  The harpsichord the Beatles' used to record
the Sgt Pepper's album was there.  And speaking of the Beatles, there
were stacks and stacks of original photos as well as hand-written
notes from John Lennon to people in the studio during the recording of
his last album.  One note in particular was p.s.'d "I agree.  -Yoko
Ono".

This warehouse was stacked full of music history.  As I walked through
staring at posters signed by Queen and Pink Floyd, I kept hoping it
would all come to life.  It was truly an amazing afternoon.

Don-you are the freaking best for hooking us up!!!

xo
Seana

I don't know how she does it, but when Seana opens her mouth, magic happens.  Like this. Somehow, because of some random conversation Seana had, I am auditioning for Colleen, the woman who books bands for the Hard Rock Café in Orlando!

Seems Seana met Colleen at the Joe Bonamassa show and all I know is… days later, here I am, playing my songs for Colleen on a small stage next the green rooms.

I decided to play "No Place I'd Rather Be” - a song I wrote a while ago about bliss.  It's about feeling love and knowing, in the moment, that few words can capture the sense of well-being and... knowing you're just where you need to be.  The song shows off my voice, but really, I played it because I know that when the singer is in bliss, it's hard for the listener to resist bliss themselves.

Colleen totally got it, and she promised to call me if she saw an opening.

This road trip just keeps getting better and better. And I think... there's no place I'd rather be!

K

When Joe Bonamassa picks up a guitar, it is hard to find the words to say just how talented he is.  Last year, Joe was named "Best Blues Guitarist” by Guitar Player Magazine in their annual Readers Choice awards.

We had the honor of watching him play this week.  Seana and I just fell into a trance while Joe laid down mad blues and rock riffs. His voice is beautiful, but the finger-work, now that's something else. He has the ability to take the audience on a mind-blowing journey with his solos, the perfect medicine to heal the madness. For just about an hour, I forgot everything around me and just got lost in the music.

It's exactly what I hope to do an audience when I play. Reminds me what the music is for, ultimately.

Hugs…
Kim

Hey, these words are from my song, “Cheers” that I wrote a while ago.  There’s something about the way this whole trip is taking shape.  It’s as if we’re being led along the yellow brick road. One chance meeting leads to another and new opportunities keep popping up.  Lately I’m thinking that all I can really do is let go and trust…

Here are a few lyrics from “CHEERS”:

If you're taking the fall then cheers to what may claim you
I know nothing at all except fear can only break you
So hold onto your faith,
No matter what it's face
Cuz soon you'll know your place
You'll stay here until the end of night
But you'll wake up early from the daylight
And lead you out the door  
Back to what you know

Xo, Kim!

As we head from Tennessee into the deeper South, the music’s gonna change. Bye bye, country.  Hello, rap!  Get ready, Kim. 

I’m making a brand new playlist of great rap artists.   And it’s all about the rhymes.

OutKast
Ludacris
Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz
Goodie Mob
(and my personal fave) Gnarls Barkley

WORD.
Xo, Seana.

I was raised with Southern manners—learning early to be polite, and always acknowledging people. Meeting strangers is an opportunity to learn something, or maybe even make a new friend.

Here are some guidelines:

1. Smile. People can’t resist a good smile.  Show teeth.
Advice:  Floss daily.  Think about whitening strips
2.  Ask good questions.
Advice:  Listen to the answer
3. Make sure you find out one unique fact about each person, something entirely theirs.
Example response:  “Wow.  You can actually balance a fork on your nose?  While juggling?”
4. Don’t ask for their number. Do offer yours.
Exception: If the guy’s cute, make him work for it.
5. Always leave them laughing.

<3
Seana

Well, we have clean clothes again! 
The situation was getting pretty desperate.

I picked out some music for doing the laundry, good for cleansing souls and socks at the same time.

Ryan Adams, “It Takes Two”
Sufjan Stevens, “Falling Awake”
The Decemberists, “Song for Myla Goldberg”
Joan As Policewoman, “The Ride”
Band of Horses, “Monsters”
Beth Orton, “She Cries Your Name”
Bob Dylan, “Subterranean Homesick Blues”
The Decemberists, “I Was Meant for the Stage”
Fiona Apple, “A Better Version of Me”
The Decemberists, “Billy Liar”
Feist, “My Moon My Man”
Gnarls Barkley, “Crazy”
Psychedelic Furs, “Pretty in Pink”

Til next time,

Xo, Kim!

Eric Church is an artist whose story is as sweet as his music!. Seana and I got invited to his sound check – and even got to meet him –  and, nice as can be, he told us how he broke into the scene here and how his persistence totally paid off.

Eric’s desire to play had him itching to leave college – he just wanted to be a musician so badly and didn’t see why he should finish school. His dad made him a deal – he promised to pay for Eric’s first six months of life post-school if Eric stayed to get his degree. Clearly Eric had to say yes – but right after graduation, he headed for Nashville to make that six months count. He played at all the local clubs and worked on his songs.  He knew that the six months would go by awfully fast, and that he had to get his name out there. So, smart and resourceful, not waiting for someone to hand his career TO him, Eric got busy – he opened the phone book, looked up all the big publishers, and went from door to door until he found someone who’d sign him.(Song Tree). A few years (and a lot of songs!) later, Eric signed with Capitol Nashville, and today, he has the career  he always dreamed of.

You really get the sense here in Nashville that the dream is close.  You can meet the people you need to meet, and they’ll talk to you.  They’re accessible and human.  In New York or LA, it all feels so abstract – there are the big super-powers, and the guards outside, keeping them far away. Nashville, on the other hand, has small town manners and people here believe that good songwriting shouldn’t go unnoticed. 

I Heart Nashville
~ xo. Kim

Who is Irving Azoff you ask? Only a legendary man in the music biz – I’m talking manager, label owner, agent and movie producer. He manages artists like The Eagles, Jewel, Van Halen, Seal, Steely Dan, Christina Aguilera…. So when Seana spotted him in Nashville, and walked right up to him with some lie about knowing his daughter, I was FREAKING OUT.   And then, before I knew it, I was playing a song for him!  It was amazing!  And get this – the best part – when I finished (and he told me I was on pitch) Irving said, and I quote “You have a shot to make it in this Biz”.

OMG! I couldn’t believe those words came from Mr. Azoff himself. He seems, if he wants to, he can brutally honest – so his positive words meant the world to me and reinforced my belief in myself and my desire to make music.   So then, I handed him my demo.  A musician has to be prepared, right?

Seana, I owe you big time. Thanks Girl… 

Kim :)

We’re on the road to Nashville, and I could not be more excited.  Three reasons:

1. Nashville's nickname is "Music City".  Yes, please!
2. Southern boys.  Yes, please!
3. SOUTHERN COOKIN'!!!

I may be a big city girl now, but I spent my formative years in sweet home Alabama - and I was VERY well fed.

You might think I am referring to homemade Southern cooking but guess again.  Don't get me wrong.  There is nothing quite like my Nanner's meatloaf sandwich or fried green tomatoes… however, the FOOD CHAINS down south are what make my mouth water.

The best ones are:

1. Waffle House- It is open 24 hours for everyone's convenience and the waitresses are the nicest you will ever encounter.  My favorite menu item: Patty melt with hash browns scattered and double covered.

2. Krystal's- White Castle is its northern rival but, in my opinion, can't hold a candle to this yummy mini-burger chain.  My favorite menu item: 5 cheese Krystal's with cheese fries and an extra large diet soda.

3. Cracker Barrel- It’s all about the chairs on the front deck. My
favorite menu item: country fried steak with chicken and dumplings and mashed potatoes and gravy.

4. Milo's- My FAVORITE burger joint on the planet.  They are famous for their sauce, sweet tea, and the extra piece of meat they put on top of the burger patty.  My favorite menu item: Cheeseburger and fries with an extra large sweet tea and 2 extra sides of sauce.

5. Taco Casa- The first one was in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, but they’ve branched out to various other locations in the South. My favorite menu item: Messe Nachos!

Just you wait, Kim. Road food is about to get really good….

xoxo
Seana

If you love music, you’ve got to love Nashville, because music spills out of the bars onto every street downtown.  Crowds are big, drinks are plenty, and the overall vibe is one of happy people having good time.

Seana and I hit "Songwriter's Row" one night, settling in at the Broken Spoke Saloon. Total Nashville. The stage itself was a replica of a country home with a wrap-around porch.  How could you not feel welcome playing here?  Seana and I don't really play country music, but our songs were still welcomed and appreciated.  Seana has that whole Southern Blues background, and me... well, my style definitely comes from the lone singer-songwriter genre.  All in all, it was great playing here, seeing another part of the country and meeting musicians with a country point of view.  We loved Adam Burrows.  (myspace.com/adamburrows) His music is more roots/folk than traditional county.  He has a Paul Simon-esque style to his phrasing and beautiful picking patterns. Definitely check him out.

:) Kim

HEY! Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!
Enjoy the holiday, eat lots of food, and remember to give thanks.

Love, Kim and Seana

Seana and I caught the musical phenomenon, Mucca Pazza at the Empty Bottle in Chicago.  It’s refreshing to catch a musical act that has totally reinvented the wheel.   The Bank describes them as an “astounding circus punk marching band.”  They are!  They have 30 members--trumpets, trombones, tubas, cymbals and more.  They costume themselves entirely in marching band attire. This group not only plays stellar music, they’re theatrical, inviting and inclusive – they brought us into their world.  Half the band brassed it up on stage, while the others flooded the crowd or jumped on top of the bar. I would never have thought I’d dig the marching band thing, but these people were genius. They put a contemporary twist on the music, and the crowd went wild!

Seana and I had a chance to talk to Mark, the director, after the show.  It was cool to get some background info.  The guys and girls are truly in it for the love of music and community. They have been together for 3 years and have accumulated quite a following—building their fan base on word of mouth.  Once people catch a show, they are completely hooked!  Also – get this - any money they make goes right back into the band for equipment, costumes, and development.

Talk about doing things their own way -- Mucca Pazza hauls all of their instruments and gear on bicycles. They are working on getting a totally “green” bus to get them from one gig to the next – but until then, they (literally) pedal their own music.

Check them out here http://www.mucca-pazza.org/ or at http://www.myspace.com/muccapazza

Kim

Getting Deep, with the Chicago Deep Dish

I was told that I can’t leave Chicago without sampling their famous deep-dish pizza. I went to Pizzeria Uno and ordered up my own personal pie.  It was huge!  I dug the sauce and the toppings--chicken, spinach and mushrooms—no cheese for the lactose intolerant me.   In the end, the pie, although delicious, was  a little heavy for me.  Dare I say…I like thin crust better. 

But now I put the two questions out there: 

Is pizza still pizza without the cheese? What’s best, thin crust or deep dish? 

You tell me.

- Kim

When I was fourteen years old, I got to hear Taj Mahal sing a rendition of "Corinna".  I was hooked.  Ever since then, I’ve had a passion for The Blues.

So, I was excited to go to Chicago, a place known for the Blues.  I was even more excited when I found out Chico Banks was playing.  I have followed his music for some time -- but have never seen him live.

Chicago Blues has a particular sound different from styles of The Blues – in Chicago, The Blues have more of a rocking, electric sound.  You can hear this in the music of Otis Rush, Paul Butterfield, Michael Bloomfield, and Magic Sam.  These guys are masters of this messy and raw sound that is at the root of Chicago Blues.

Chico is considered "new" Blues, in the same vein as Susan Tedeschi, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Johnny Lang.  There are definite hints of traditional Chicago Blues style in his music but he throws elements of funk and jazz throughout to give it more spice.   Despite some rumblings from traditionalists, I’m all over what this wave of Blues artist is up to.  It’s a perfect evolution of the style.

At his show, Chico arrived just in time to hit the stage (the other guys were early, but not him!  I can relate). He was backed by a drums, bass, and keys.  His played the guitar effortlessly and was heavy on effects and pedals during his solos.  The guitar solos had so much personality that, at times, they seemed like songs within songs.  His voice was a perfect match to his music -- never forced, never too much -- it just lived within the notes.

I had an amazing time at his show.  In the vein of the "new" Chicago blues he kept things upbeat and every song seemed to have a different influence.  One minute it would be a traditional twelve bar blues tune.  The next minute it would be a funky New Orleans influenced beat.   This is the new sound coming out of Chicago, and to this Blues fan—it’s alright!

A little History:

The Blues were born in the Mississippi Delta. The basic components of the "Delta Blues" were a string guitar and a harmonica, but during the 1940s, the blues migrated to Chicago. The "Chicago Blues" revolutionized the music industry and musicians from all over the nation flocked to Chicago.

Chicago has so many great Blues players but also some amazing contemporary artists so coming up with a “Best of ” playlist was quite difficult.

Here are my old-school faves (Muddy Waters, Koko Taylor) and also, some emerging up-and-comers-- impressive beyond words!

Listen Up—Kim’s orders!

From old to new:

1. Muddy Waters
2. B.B. King
3. Buddy Guy
4. Koko Taylor
5. Chico Banks
6. NYCO
7. Brighton, MA
8. Sufjan Stevens
9. Dude N’ Nem
10. The Sea and Cake

My Kind of Town, (Chicago is).

     Soon I won’t be able to say the words, “I’ve never been to Chicago.”  Yeah, we’re on the road to Da Chi, aka Chi-Town, The 312, The Chill, The Big Onion. (Okay, I did the Wikipedia cheat.)  Kristen, our CMJ connection, sent her Chicago connection my demo – How sweet is that?!!   I’m not sure what’s going to come of it, but we’re “going where the music takes us,” (our new motto).  And it would be stating the obvious to say Chicago is a city where music happens.

     Easy examples are recent artists like, The Sea and Cake and Sufjan Stevens, (“Come on, feel the Illinoise”) plus more established artists like Liz Phair and historic greats like Koko Taylor and that whole string of incredible Blues singers.  I’m going to give myself a History of the Blues homework assignment while in town. 

    Seana and I are are planning to hit up the locals to find the best underground clubs and the hottest up-and-comers. (Stay tuned, stay tuned.) Reuben from Quintus (check out our video on them) hooked us up a band called NYCO.  Can’t wait to meet them.  I’m prepared to be spontaneous…ready for whatever magic may happen in The Second City, Paris on the Prarie, That Toddling Town…

See you in Chicago!
~ K

Traveling through PAOHIN

Send us your roadtrip favorites.

Pink Moon-Nick Drake
Dixieland Delight-Alabama
Me and Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin
Postcard From LA-Brian Simpson
Walkin' (For Your Love)-Widespread Panic
Wildflowers-Tom Petty
New Slang-The Shins
Steve McQueen-Sheryl Queen
Black Horse and a Cherry Tree - KT Tunstall
Devils and Angels - Toby Lightman
Mr. Brightside - The Killers
Aeroplane-Red Hot Chili Peppers
Life on a Chain-Pete Yorn
Is She Really Going Out With Him-Joe Jackson
Blue-Jayhawks
Curbside Prophet-Jason mraz
Military Wives-The Decemberists
Jenny Says-Cowboy Mouth
Evil Edna-Bob Seger
Rocky Racoon-Beatles
Brian Wilson-The Barenaked Ladies
Till I Get to You-Nikka Costa
Life is Short - Butterfyl Boucher
The Anthem - Good Charlotte
Beautiful Day - U2
The District Sleeps Alone Tonight - The Postal Service
Paranoid Android - Radiohead
Doo Wop - Lauren Hill