I am back in Austin after 5 days in Kansas City for Folk Alliance International. 3,000 folky folks took over two hotels for around-the-clock festivities. I slept 10 hours the whole time I was there between the workshops, official showcases, unofficial showcases, and late night jams. It was awesome. Al Gore and Graham Nash even came by to hang out. I shared a room with filmmaker Sara Terry, who's incredible film FOLK premiered at the festival. The film follows the lives of 3 different folk singers in very different stages of life/career, and features footage from Folk Alliance and the Kerrville Folk Festival. I want my parents to see it.
The picture above is from my showcase in the "Poltz/Pressman Sanctuary of Jamz". I had a blast and some of my favorite musicians attended and gave me sweet feedback (including HalleyAnna, Elizabeth McQueen, Steve Poltz, and Raina Rose.) Poltz even talked about my performance the next day in a workshop he did on performer authenticity (hilariously entitled "Letting Your Freak Flag Fly.") WHOA!
Photo credit goes to my new friend Frag, who documented the weekend here.
The picture above is from my showcase in the "Poltz/Pressman Sanctuary of Jamz". I had a blast and some of my favorite musicians attended and gave me sweet feedback (including HalleyAnna, Elizabeth McQueen, Steve Poltz, and Raina Rose.) Poltz even talked about my performance the next day in a workshop he did on performer authenticity (hilariously entitled "Letting Your Freak Flag Fly.") WHOA!
Photo credit goes to my new friend Frag, who documented the weekend here.
I got to hang with my NW homegirls, the Shook Twins! I met them in the mountains several years ago where we worked on a farm and jammed after work, and then they descended upon my house in Austin for jams during SXSW 2013 with our pal John Craigie. Man, I love these ladies and they are incredible performers, songwriters, vocalists, and multi-instrumentalist. They head out on an album release tour next month and our hero Steve Poltz is touring with them. Go see them. Don't miss it. Anna Tivel plays fiddle and sings with them, and she also happens to be one of my favorite voices and songwriters. I'm already scheming a way to make it to their Bellingham show at the Wild Buffalo on April 24th.
Folk Alliance was a week of 3am selfies, sleepless nights, and early morning writing sessions at the Union Station (across the street from the hotel). While sitting at the train station writing, a woman with a clipboard came up to me. Apparently there was a modeling convention happening, and she tried to get my name and tell me where to go. HILARIOUS.
This video is a nice little slice of the crazy late night jams. They were different every night- different rooms, different bands comprised of amazing famous people who never sleep. I somehow happened to end up where Poltz was jamming several nights in a row. My pal is a rock star y'all. He can get the people going like no other. I danced like a crazy Riverdancer one night, and then like a crazy Marilyn the next. So so fun.
Another word on Poltz, he completely KILLED his official showcase. He played in the biggest showcase room, a room with a schedule full of famous folks and grammy nominees including Sarah Jaroz and John Fullbright. I spoke with Fullbright the next day, and he said he didn't even want to go up on stage after Steve because it was the best live performance he'd ever seen. WOW. My buddy is killing it and it was such an honor to sit in the audience, surrounded by the Poltz posse, laughing and cheering and being rowdy and inappropriate.
Another word on Poltz, he completely KILLED his official showcase. He played in the biggest showcase room, a room with a schedule full of famous folks and grammy nominees including Sarah Jaroz and John Fullbright. I spoke with Fullbright the next day, and he said he didn't even want to go up on stage after Steve because it was the best live performance he'd ever seen. WOW. My buddy is killing it and it was such an honor to sit in the audience, surrounded by the Poltz posse, laughing and cheering and being rowdy and inappropriate.
Here's the Jewel + Steve Poltz story, as told at Folk Alliance International 2014. I've heard this story so many times and it never gets boring. He is a master storyteller.
The soft hours of the morning- Carrie Elkin, Andrew Pressman, and myself.
I met a lot of people, felt a lot of feelings, and learned that airport people hate bathroom selfies.
I felt elation, pain, loneliness, love. Surrounded by talented folks who have dedicated decades of their lives to their craft, I saw how far I have to go- the road ahead that I am just starting to step on to.
I've got a lot of work to do, but I've got friends to help me through.
do be do.
Love,
Daisy
I felt elation, pain, loneliness, love. Surrounded by talented folks who have dedicated decades of their lives to their craft, I saw how far I have to go- the road ahead that I am just starting to step on to.
I've got a lot of work to do, but I've got friends to help me through.
do be do.
Love,
Daisy