So we've landed in New Orleans. We're at a rehearsal spot - a converted house resting on Euterpe Street. But I'll get to NOLA later. I have to update everyone on the last day or so in Sarasota, Florida.
I didn't think I had any connections to Sarasota until I realized I made a used car purchase in 2001 ( my 2006 4-Runner named Tyler Durden) from a couple who lived in Sarasota. I still have the Honda of Sarasota sticker on my ride. So in part being in the city was ironic. We arrive from Tallahassee with two hours before load-in a Pastimes Pub.
We set up shop at these dope ass resorts right off the beach where we only have two hours. Spending the night is not an option because we have to meet industry peeps the next day in NOLA. The Pub provided food so we were set. I went to the beach alone to have a talk with the Universe and let me tell you, standing on the beach facing the ocean at sunset is a gift. Riding in a van, watching the scene change from trees to mountains to dessert and then back to trees is great, but to stand in the midst of how the natural universe reveals itself is what makes me know, without a doubt, that God is a rewarding entity. I was thankful and I left a message in the sand to show my appreciation.
Well . . . all things peaceful soon change. We load up and get to Pasttimes Pub. This joint is bar centered with a stage that could easily be a cousin stage to the Cavern's in Dallas. The room is bigger than Cavern's though. Initially, I tried to make myself at home, but the room was cold. I'm not lying. People would speak, but my smile wasn't doing it, so I jetted. I always take a walk in the city I'm in. As I walked along the block I discovered a gem of a restaurant called MUNCHIES. They open late and close at 4:20AM because "mama don't cook after midnight." Already!!! On my walk back, I was witness to some dude cussin his girl and telling her to leave him the fuck alone. Yet and still, she followed begging and pleading for him to stop and talk. So much for a peaceful Sunday. When I made it back, others had arrived.
I met Olivia. She introduced herself and hung around for conversation. She told me about her band and invited me over to meet everyone. I sat with them, but after that, no one had conversation for me until the wild kid of Olivia's fan base arrived. He comes off real cool at first. He approaches the table talking loud, smiling, in good spirits, and eager to see Maid M. His name is Rock something and he's billed by Olivia's group as the hottest beat man in Sarasota. I hear beats and I get amped. Nick (who is at the table with me) brings up my skills and we go outside to share. Well, this kid is tight. He's gifted. His main influence is Rahzel because he's all mouth on the beat making. He even adds elements of scratching where I hear some KRAFTWORK influence. Needless to say, talent does not an MC make. While under the impression that we were going outside to cipher, we ended up getting a one man show. My advice to the kid in the green jacket is to learn to share your art and learn what the fuck a cipher is. This does get under my skin with Hip Hop's love children. They are born into a world that they don't really understand. Hip Hop has never been a one man show, especially on the sidewalk in a cipher. So we go back inside because it's time fo the show to start.
We were headlining before a band called MAID MOSEPHINE and the EQUINES. A fairly new band with three females and two males. One of the dudes played xylophone - this alone made me stick around. Honestly, the music is very different. Even Olivia, who played bass in the band, couldn't give me a description, but it's very Eurocentrically American pop-rock driven, I instantly knew the boys I roll with really didn't care for the sound. They started getting antsy and by the third song, only Nick Jay and I were in the pub viewing and eventually, I even lost old Jackulous. However, I hung around because it takes balls to be new and to perform. Also, I had an epiphany during the opening act. It dawned upon me that we had been opening for JJ GREY and MOFRO, hoping to hit it big with their listeners and hoping to get respect from a band who is intrinsically already where we are trying to be. Not that MISS M and her crew were looking for some stamp of approval, but I know from this experience what it's like to be opening for a band and have no one - not even the opening band present. My love for position, gave me full out appreciation for MAID M. I even heard two songs that had groove and stuck with me: "Just Call Me Alice" and "Broken Up Static." One love to this group of musicians who should stay strong.
So after their set, it's our time and we give a flawless show. So flawless that toward the end of the set, this bald dude dressed all in black begins bashing the audience for not dancing. He goes so far as to make references to the crowd acting "Amish." This makes people get up and have a good time to our music. After the set, Johnny, the bar man and manager looks reborn. He's excited about ensuring our return. This feels good. Also, Luca, the other dude who helps run things gets a thumbs up on being ace in making sure we had everything we needed. After the show, I meet Melissa and Kristen who traveled from Tampa to see us specifically. Our reach is touching people. These two ladies came out on a school night and I just want them to know - I won't forget the sacrifice. I failed classes trying to see R. Kelly in my college days. This was before I knew he had a fetish for middle school girls. ANYHOOOOOO. I also want to shout out to Sophia who has friends ALL OVER EVERYWHERE and offered support. She was great. And I can't fail to mention D. He was celebrating his birthday and a break-up with his girl all in one Sunday night, witnessing a band he'd never heard before. Thanks D!
So after the show, we're packing up and preparing for this long ass drive to NOLA. I'm in the back of the van changing shoes and on the back patio of the club next door, there is loud, obnoxious banter from patrons that sounds like a drunken conference on the use of the word Nigger. It's being slung, sprung, and slipped from lips in all kinds of ways. I guess the people realized how loud they were talking because one them steps into the alley sees us and says, "Oh snap, there are people out here. There's even a black girl." Then without a second thought, I hear this voice say, "What's up my niggas?" I go to the bathroom no longer emotionally attached to non-blacks saying, "nigga." I'll let every man pave his way to hell or heaven in his own way.
When I return, there is a black dude talking to the band. He's a DJ and his name is TOKEN. I immediately laugh because my only reference to any black dude referred to as TOKEN is the cat on SOUTH PARK. Then this DJ cat looks at me . . . looks at the band . . . and calls me the TOKEN of my group. Now to an extent, I saw his point. As the only one of any African background in my crew, sure, it would appear that I'm the TOKEN or a TOKEN. However, TOKENS are for game machines and I'm no TOKEN. Fuck that. So TOKEN gets a CD from the fellas and promises to play Gypsy Woman in the club where his crew hangs out as well as hit the boys up on MYSPACE. Please remind me to tell you about the 45 plus year old sister in the Black bike club we met on the first tour who was aptly named BLUNT MONKEY by her crew.
We sign a drum head, posters, and a CD for Johnny the barkeep/manager and make our way south to NOLA where there are no TOKENS . . . only smiling faces of hopeful people. People who have a sense of themselves more than ever before.
So far, reaching out to Nicole, eating lunch at Deja Vu, and watching Eddie Murphy and Dave Chapelle on Bravo's Actors Studio have been the highlight of the day. I'm now at a rehearsal hall about to get down to one of the main reasons I exist. MUSIC. I have a photo shoot tomorrow with JAFAR who's work I absolutely adore and I hope to see DJ Bombshell Boogie while I'm here becasue she's doper than dope itself. I'll be in touch. Our hotel is off the French Quarter, and I plan to get FRENCH QUARTERED (not tokened) during this trip, so check in later....I'll have more to tell. Reporting from the JTNL tour . . . LOVE Mo