Merry christmas all!

Booked at six lounge through January

Come see Lucas and me every Tuesday from 9-12 for a rollicking good time. That place is always just old fashioned good fun, so we're both looking forward to our continued residency. But watch out for Tara's mysterious grappleberry bud lights, right Lucas?

Florida bound

As strange as it is traveling to the south for the holidays, I'm really looking forward to spending some time with the (snowbird) folks in Saint Augustine. I may be wearing shorts and sunblock, but the same Christmas smells of cookies, turkey, bacon, coffee, and various boozes will still tempt the nostrils and waistline. And most importantly, I know that mom, dad, my brother mark, and the creaky-boned Sadie pooch are all there right now and I'll see them in a few short hours (with airski soon to follow). It's not new hampshire, but I suppose it gets cold enough in northeast florida if the front is right, dipping into the 30s if we're lucky - just to the point where you can see your breath and get that crisp wintry smell. Whereas we used to fly down from the almost impossibly cold NH, encountering 30 degrees in Florida was still a tropical vacation with shorts an t-shirts all around. Meanwhile, Florida-dwellers shivered and swore in their ski pants, goretex and gloves and we all looked at each other like we were crazy. And in our own way, we all were. But that's why life is great, because now we're the ones in goretex.

Why isn't palindrome a palindrome?

The best four dollars I've ever spent

was on breakfast tacos.

My favorite jeans ripped

and now everyone will think i'm a hipster.

Come see us at Six Lounge tonight - 9-12 p.m.

It's official. Today doesn't feel like a Friday.

Do you ever feel like some weeks you don't deserve for it to be Friday yet?

It's snowing in Austin...

Everybody drive crazy!

why do some people

go to coffeeshops to sleep? that would be like going to a bar to sober up.

Our new mailman

can't find our mailbox. Amazing.

Tethered to technology

On Saturday, Arin suggested that we picnic with Thanksgiving leftovers and wine. As we walked out the door, I went to pick up my iPhone and she told me to put it down and leave it so we wouldn't be interrupted. I didn't even realize how much I use and rely on the damn thing. And it was awesome not having it for an hour. No dings or bloops from calls and texts, no vibrations from incoming e-mails from gmail or work, no games, no music, no online poker... nothing. All we had was peace and quiet, and a conversation that we both could be totally engaged in. We actually looked up and around us, admiring the incredibly beautiful fall day.

Several beautiful trees were in front of us, and I wondered how their bark could look so dry and dead while having branches that were so alive and green. Neither of us knew what kind of trees they were, or what they could be. "I'll google it!!" I exclaimed as I reached into my pocket. But I found nothing. And it was wonderful not being able to find out instantaneously - we had to rely on our imaginations and conversation to try to figure it out together...

The gift of Austin coffeeshops

After working from home in Austin for over a year, I've dedicated a lot of time and effort to finding the best coffeeshops in town. Each coffeeshop has a unique personality with sometimes vastly different clientele, and each is suited to my different moods and objectives for the day.

I've come to the following conclusions:

Dominican Joe is a place to go when you're feeling put-together and want to get some damned work done. It's a great place with a great cause, but makes "charity" perhaps too convenient such that you feel good just by buying a cup of coffee. I'm still convinced that some people get dressed up to go there, so if I'm not in tip top shape I avoid it at all costs.

Bouldin Creek is the place I go when I'm too lazy or too busy to have showered that morning (or I'm just in dire need of an amazing veggie chorizo taco for lunch). The coffee is OK, but the side conversations never disappoint, spouting from the mouths o anti-global warming advocates, Leslie enthusiasts, hungover rock stars, and haughty college students akin to the douchebag Matt Damon owned in Good Will Hunting. ("See, the sad thing about a guy like you is in 50 years you're gonna staht doin some thinkin on your own and you're gonna come up with the fact that there are two certaintees in life. One, don't do that. And Two, you dropped a hundred and fifty grand on a fuckin education you coulda got for a dollah fifty in late chahges at the public library"). But mostly, cool people and a cool scene.

Once Over is an as of yet undiscovered place I go when I'm feeling anti-social or have a ton of work to do. Awesome view of Bouldin creek and yummy espresso.

Summer Moon is one of my favorites with by far the best coffee of the bunch. If only they could solve that pesky wi-fi problem, it may just become my semi-permanent office. mmmm hand roasted coffee...

I don't go to Starbucks unless it's the drive-thru and I have a gift card.

Chilly show last night

Pics to come!

Lucid Dreaming

Had one last night - I forgot how ridiculous they can be. I was swimming somewhere near the tropic of Cancer and happened upon two of my day-job bosses paddling around on floats watching the Big Lebowski as it was being projected onto a gigantic cave wall. As usual, my mask was leaking. As I tried to rinse it, the mask was sucked from my hands by some unstoppable and unseen force. When I dove down under water to try to retrieve them, I was engulfed by thousands of incredibly large fish. I wasn't able to get to the mask as I swirled in and out of the mouths of fishmonsters, but as I bellied up to the surface, somehow, it hit me - I'm dreaming. I love that rare moment when it happens, "OK. Sweet. How do I do something awesome without waking myself up?" For a lack of any better ideas, I went for the standard flying around thing. Though I was in the middle of the ocean, I did my best to find a light switch, or will one to appear, just to see if I could make it work (does anyone know why light switches don't work in dreams?). I never did come across one; instead, I was jolted back to reality by the grumbly microwave repair man slamming on the front door. He has a case of the Mondays too.

Come get famous!

I'm looking forward to Sunday night when I'll be playing with Lucas Cook to support the release of his Austin State of Mind single release party and live filming at Beso Cantina. We start at 8:00PM Sunday, November 22nd. If you come, you may just end up on TV so bring your partypants.

kickin the bug.

Sitting in bed with our stuffed moose drinking eggnog coffee to soothe my scratchy throat. Might be one of those John Lennon "Twist and Shout" type dealie's tonight (I'm knackered, mate).

What ever happened to Velcro?

Lucas and I need a name

Free beer and 20 percentage points from here on out to whoever coins it.

I just read a sign in the men's bathroom, "if you think you might be pregnant, avoid drinking alcoholic beverages." If you're in the men's bathroom with a bun in the oven, I'd say drinking is the least of your problems...

It still blows my mind that I can wake up in New York and eat lunch in Austin

Redbull Night

In spite of the earlier start, a whirlwind trip to New York demanded chemical intervention. What an amazing night to play outside - thanks to all who came out!

People in new york have such tired faces...

Bigfoot doesn't believe in me

Crazy Germans

For an IT consulting project, I've been writing back and forth with a German doctor. His English is good, but just off enough to make the little follies hilarious to me. For example, he uses the word "nude" instead of "plain."

"Abel, I'm afraid I'm not experienced in nude HTML editing."

Why are all these crazies going postal???

Fort Hood, Orlando -- do they think it's 2012?

I have a problem with sports teams buying championships.

That would be like a shitty singer buying a number one hit on Billboard. Oh wait...

Watched mall cop last night

How do people feel about this movie? Didn't it get tops at the box office for a few weeks? Either I have a different sense of humor, have no sense of humor, or maybe I just needed to be in a different sort of "state," because it was more of a head-scratcher than a bellylaugh-inducing good time. Either way, I would wrestle Blart to get my hour and a half back.

It's Friday Somewhere!

The Ex-Con Magazine Salesman

I rushed home yesterday because I desperately needed to use the facilities, only to be accosted by a chatty and intense ex-con trying to scam me into buying a bunch of crap I don't want for more money than anyone should ever pay. If I wanted the Ladies Home Journal, it would already be sitting by the pooper where it belongs. Kindly remove yourself from my driveway and let me go pee. Thanks.

Great show at six last night!

Photos to come...

Quote for the day

"Writing is making a mess and then cleaning it up."

Warmth.

Chupacabra

That's the word of the week.

Why does this take up space in my head?

Existence has no opposite, because it doesn't exist.

Couple more shows in the bag

Lucas and I have had some great shows in the past week. The first on Saturday celebrated the three year anniversary of the Good Life barbershop, and in addition to making up most of our set on the spot, we ate and drank incredibly well, not that we needed to after the tour de fat. Sean Hayes put on an inspiring show as they wrapped up their tour - in case you haven't heard him, look him up. Our show at six lounge on the following tuesday night was a great time - thanks to all who came out.

Tonight Lucas and I will be getting together to come up with some new Ideas for tunes based on the tried and true approach of using a random word to be the basis of a new song each week (I think we decided "coca cola"). As long as this crazy storm keeps shooting east, we should be in good shape for another rocker tomorrow night, and we may just have a few more tunes to throw your way.

Couple more shows in the bag

Lucas and I have had some great shows in the past week. The first on Saturday celebrated the three year anniversary of the good life barbershop, and in addition to making up most of our set on the spot, we ate and drank well (the cider was delicious), not that we needed to after the tour de fat. It was great to see Sean Hayes play live. It was an inspiring show - in case you haven't heard him, look him up. The show at six lounge on the following tuesday night was a great time - thanks to all who came out.

Tonight Lucas and I will be getting together to come up with some new Ideas for tunes based on the tried and true approach of using a random word to be the basis of a new song each week (I think we decided "coca cola." As long as this crazy storm keeps shooting east, we should be in good shape for another rocker tomorrow night, and we may just have a few more tunes to throw your way.

HAT NIGHT!

Rained in! Sentenced to the bar! Good thing they have beer there...

Tonight! Six Lounge!

The rain has stopped, and tonight should be another wacky good time with Abel and Lucas. Last week our show quickly ballooned into 4 hours, and ridiculousness ensued. Last week there was even an absurd amount FREE PIZZA. Now that's not a bribe to get you out, but it's certainly worth knowing, wouldn't you say?

Looking forward to tonight with my boy Lucas!

Music Featured on Austin Humane Society Website

I just happened upon an e-mail in my box from the Austin Humane Society, and they want to feature my tune, Maggie's Farm, from Notes from Berlin on their website to support pet adoption. Not sure if it's up there yet, but check it out and grab a new pooch while you're at it.

Creative Juices

Did a bit of recording this weekend, and you may just see a few original tracks coming from Lucas and Abel in the near future. Stay tuned...

Tuesday Night

Catch Lucas and Abel at Six Lounge this Tuesday night from 10pm-1am for another rollicking good time.

Every Tuesday at Six Lounge with the Infamous Lucas Cook

Friend and fellow jammer Lucas Cook (of Lucascookus fame) has invited me to join him for acoustic duo gigs at Six Lounge every Tuesday through the end of October. Joining forces has been an awesome move for both of us, so come see it happen live on Tuesdays from 10pm to 1am.

A fiery hiatus.....

Wow, it's been a crazy few months.

For those who don't know, an apartment fire on Riverside Drive claimed everything to my name several months ago, including all of my instruments, gear, recordings, and in-progress tunes. Ouch.

Arin and I made it out safe, as did the other 30 residents, but what used to be our home was reduced to a steamy pile of ash. The response of our insurance companies have been incredibly dodgy, even criminal. Good thing I believe in karma.

Honestly, it's been a tough few months and getting back into the music scene as well as the gigs I had to back out of without a guitar, sax, PA, etc., both literally and emotionally. BUT, thanks to the incredible support from the Red Cross and our families and friends we are well on our way to recovery. Thank you so much to everyone who offered anything they could in the past few months. Without you, I would have gone completely bonkers.

We have a new place, I have been able to replace some gear, and I'm once again playing shows and doing my best to unleash my inner demons with the power of my pen. It's only a matter of time until everything comes out through the new tunes I will undoubtedly write in the aftermath.

Upcoming Shows with Rival City

April 7th: Lucky Lounge with Boombox
April 17th: Rob's in San Marcos
April 23rd: Darwin's on 6th
April 26th: Club Revolution in Corpus
May 2nd: Darwin's on 6th with Shazz
May 9th: Some Club in Laredo with Shazz
May 30th: Club Revolution in Corpus

TONIGHT - LUCKY LOUNGE

SXSW Show at Darwin's This Saturday!

Cedar St. Tonight

Then we have Lucky Lounge tomorrow and Rob's in San Marcos on Friday!

Jammin with Banjo Jim

Cafe Mundi

Hey all,
I'm playing another coffeehouse on Wednesday that was highly recommended venue by a singer-songwriter
friend. It's comfy, original-music-friendly and has some tasty coffee drinks and European beers. Lane Hiers will be joining me once again, so come out for a hearty jam.

More about Cafe Mundi:

"a pleasant vibe, reminiscent of the coffeeshops of old Paris"- Austin Chronicle

Located at 1704 East 5th St., minutes from Downtown Austin, Texas.
Quietly tucked away from the roar of the city, nestled in our
beautiful outdoor garden along the tracks. You can enjoy parrot
watching, wonderful local art exhibits, live music to quiet time under
the crate myrtles, fantastic coffees and pastries, dynamic daily lunch
specials, and Monday night movies...come see for yourself!

http://www.cafemundi.com/

Rival City at Darwin's - Saturday at 10pm

Gig at Lucky Lounge - John Popper Jamming with Boombox

Crazy times at Lucky Lounge the other night. Rival City was pretty stoked to play there again after a few weeks away, and the groove was on. Just a few minutes after Boombox started, John Popper of Blues Traveler stepped up on stage and jammed. I've seen him a few times, but never with a hip-hop group. It was awesome.

Show tonight at Clementine Coffee Bar

I'll be playing at Clementine Cafe from 8-9pm. What makes it an
especially groovy coffee shop is that it has beer -- bonus (last time
I went, they even had coffee porter, mmmmm). So here it is...

Clementine Coffee Bar - 8-9 pm - Friday, Jan. 16
2200 Manor Rd
Austin, TX 78723

Coming up next will be Cafe Mundi on January 27th from 7-9, following
a jam in CO with former DC bandmates next weekend. Got some great
feedback from the Tiniest Bar in Texas, so we'll be playing there
again soon (Joe, you down?).

Gig at the Tiny

Had a great time at a cool little venue on west 5th called The Tiniest Bar in Texas (a bit of a misnomer).  A bit like the backyard of Botticelli's, but with more of a Texas twang.  

Lane Hiers joined me on percussion, making for a unique show and some excellent jams.  Let's hope to bring him out again.