Had a blast playing my first ever "busking" gig at Park(ing) Day at Courthouse Metro yesterday. It was for the international event, which encourages people to think about how we use our public spaces and turns parking spaces into small parks. Crowd favorites included The Mary Tyler Moore Theme ("You're Gonna Make It After All") and some originals of mine, including "Seekers of the Truth and the Impossible," "Faces Shine Back," and "Winter of My Youth." I played a mix of greatest hits from my old bands Monotremes, Funny Boy, and The Sprogs.
Word on the street has it that Saturday night's show at the funky Artisphere space in Arlington, Virginia was the last gig for the current lineup of Alma Tropicalia (pictured to the left). That's too bad because it seemed like most of the pieces were coming together for DC to have an excellent Brazilian tropicalia rock band firmly entrenched.
Nevertheless, it was a strong show in the long room in the Rosslyn neighborhood just across the Potomac River from Georgetown. The latin flavor was heightened by the 50-piece female drum band that opened and came on at the end of Alma Tropicalia's show as well. There was a lot of fun new music in the set, a killer background projection of Mad Men-like 1950s films, and all kinds of good vibes.
Too bad Alma Tropicalia, featuring my good friend Gordie (formerly in my last band, The Sprogs), seems to be making some changes to a pretty solid lineup.
Perhaps Gordie and I should reform The Sprogs or start a new band. I know I often say it, but I'm starting to get itchy to be motivated to writing lots of songs again. I've been on hiatus a little too long. With that thought, here is one of my favorite self-penned tunes that has yet to formally go into the recording studio. What do you think? Should I get a band to "rock it up," write a b-side to go with it, and release a new single?
