Reed's Journal

5.8.2012

When I wrote my December blog, I mentioned that I’d made several goals for the new year. Two of those goals were really small: make my bed everyday, and drink 64 oz. of water a day. I think it’s important to focus on small goals, as they make the larger ones feel more attainable. Let me tell you, I’ve done a damn good job making my bed and drinking my water and it’s paying off. Those larger goals are slowly but surely getting crossed off the list. It’s become my new mantra: “Make your bed, drink your water.” It’s a constant reminder to myself that everything will fall into place. That being said, I haven’t written a blog in FOREVER because I’ve been so wonderfully busy. Here are a few highlights from the past couple of months:

University of Idaho:

Forever one of my favorite places to play, the Vandals have been huge supporters of mine for the last few years. I love going to Moscow, and it seems that every time I go back the audience has grown (I guess that’s the point, isn’t it?). This time around we did a little bit of extra promotion, and it certainly paid off. First, Matt Maw of the University of Idaho Argonaut wrote this wonderful review of my EP. Thanks Matt! I also played KUOI, the campus radio station, which was a lot of fun. Many thanks to Anthony Saia for that opportunity. The last bit of promotion was one of the stranger experiences I’ve had as a musician. I was told that other acts had gone from sorority to sorority and played songs to each house in order to get the girls out to their show. I was a little out of my element, but I’m certainly not above a little door to door salesmanship. We walked down Sorority Row, knocked on every door, and sang to anyone that would listen. The girls were all very obliging and we gained some new fans out of the process. I was a little thrown off when one of the frat boys knocked on the door mid-song because he needed to borrow one of the girl’s bras though…

As for the show, it was wonderful. My first solo show in quite a while, and I was fortunate to do it in front of one of the best listening audiences I’ve ever encountered. I played a slow, intimate set and enjoyed a lot of great back and forth banter with the audience. Here’s a nice picture summary of the trip:

Note to self – Idaho is much colder than Texas:

Performing on KUOI:

My stage setup:

Performing at the SUB Ballroom:

Houston:

I’ve recently started playing with a wonderful singer/fiddle player/songwriter named Phoebe Hunt. We met at Folk Alliance and somewhere along the way our musical paths merged into one big highway. We’ve played several shows together in the short time that we’ve known each other, including Dosey Doe’s and McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, both in the Houston area. Lots more to come!

“Ghost In The Attic” at Dosey Doe’s

“Acrobats & Soldiers” at Mucky Duck

Joe Pug:

One of my favorite songwriters and a hell of a nice guy. I was extremely excited to be put on the bill with Joe Pug at The Parish in Austin. He’s on tour now in support of his new album The Great Despiser. Highly recommend that you catch a show if he’s coming near you.

Opening for Joe Pug at The Parish:

Cactus Cafe:

One of my “bucket list” venues when I moved back to Austin (Paramount Theater is the other…working on it). I’ve never replied “yes” more quickly than when they offered me the support slot for Jessica Lee Mayfield. I played as a trio with Phoebe and Pat Harris and I wish I had a recording of this show. They’re both wonderful musicians and it was one of those nights when everything fell into place. The songs, the banter, the crowd…it was all perfect. There are lots of exciting things coming as a result of this show.

Cactus Cafe: