Shows, Sounds, and Ramblings from Abel James

2011-10-29T10:48:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks, check out FatBurningMan.com for free nutrition, fitness, and health articles and a free E-Course!

JUST LAUNCHED A NEW WEBSITE AND BLOG!!!

2010-07-02T16:39:00.002-05:00

Be sure to update your bookmarks and such. You can find everything you need at abeljames.com! Please note that I will no longer be updating this particular blog at blogspot, so mosey on over to abeljames.com!

Nothing like fresh french press on a rainy day...

2010-06-29T14:58:00.001-05:00

Time Change: Now Starting at 10 p.m. on Tuesdays!

2010-06-29T13:37:00.001-05:00

So it won't be as crazy hot, which is nice. Also, we're playing from 9 - 12:30 at Maria Maria Thursdays this month and need to get a good crowd to get the solid residency. We'd love it if you came out to show your support! See you all soon.

Playing at Maria Maria Thursdays in July!

2010-06-25T16:34:00.001-05:00

Play the music you want to hear

2010-06-23T07:40:00.001-05:00

2010-06-18T09:56:00.001-05:00

Life may not to be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance

Word of the day: guttersnipe

2010-06-16T13:32:00.001-05:00

\GUTT-er-snype\ noun
1 : a homeless vagabond and especially an outcast boy or girl in the streets of a city
*2 : a person of the lowest moral or economic station

I must work this into a song.

It's sticky season

2010-06-15T16:15:00.001-05:00

and it's going to be a sweet, sticky show at six lounge. Come hang out with us!

The Evolution of Man

2010-06-11T15:50:00.000-05:00

New shows!

2010-06-11T15:49:00.002-05:00

So, Lucas and I will be playing weekly Friday happy hour gigs at SIX from 7-9 p.m. starting tonight! So come hang out.

Also, I'll be playing electric for Chasing Something Better at the biker rally on 6th street tomorrow from 12-4:30 p.m. Don't forget your chaps.

booking up gigs like crazy ooooeeeee!

2010-06-10T18:34:00.001-05:00

it's going to be a busy summer for my fingers.

Loving the smell of rain

2010-06-09T11:11:00.001-05:00

and the fact that it's not 103 degrees.

"The sun's not yellow it's chicken!"

2010-06-08T08:10:00.001-05:00

Celtics, you were awesome last night. Thank you.

2010-06-07T16:33:00.001-05:00

2010-06-06T17:11:00.001-05:00

"I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been."
- Wayne Gretzky

coffeeshops are quiet

2010-06-02T13:31:00.001-05:00

without all the college kids

It's hot!

2010-06-01T16:33:00.001-05:00

But not too hot to hang out tonight at SIX Lounge! Back from the beaches (with sand in my hair to prove it) and ready to rock.

There's something right

2010-05-26T15:27:00.001-05:00

About drinking coffee out of a beer stein...

The gears are a'turnin'

2010-05-26T15:23:00.001-05:00

The word is out! Look for upcoming gigs at The Pier on Lake Travis, Friday happy hours at SIX Lounge, the Hard Rock Cafe, and Maria Maria (Santana's restaurant)!

I've been churning out new tunes in the past few days as well, so keep an eye out for previews soon!

The stock market is tanking

2010-05-25T11:22:00.001-05:00

Come ease your troubled mind with Lucas and me tonight at Six Lounge before I take of for Florida for the holiday weekend to jam with Banjo Jim!

Despite a freak finger-mangling tubing and wakeboarding "incident" this weekend, I'll be back at it tonight (admittedly, lighter and more "gingerly," if you will).

In other news, we may have some good news to report about playing at some shiny new venues! As a start, we've booked up another show at the Pier on Lake Travis.

Also, pretty stoked about buying a hatchback that absorbs and neatly packs away show supplies like a rockstar. The new tour bus. Zoom zoom indeed.

One man's work is another man's fun

2010-05-19T23:25:00.001-05:00

Screaming electric guitar tonight at Beso Cantina

2010-05-14T17:15:00.001-05:00

Who doesn't like besos and face-melting electric guitar? Get ready for just that tonight at Best Cantina in the Warehouse District where I'll be playing with Lucas, Stacey, and Bruce frmo 9-11 p.m. This is SHARP, folks, not musician time. Apparently Beso's on a pretty strict schedule, so show up early and don't miss out.

I think I just scared the rain away!

Celtics Owned It!

2010-05-14T10:33:00.001-05:00

East coast love!

Three gigs in four days

2010-05-12T23:07:00.001-05:00

Are you ready?

I didn't drink any coffee today!

2010-05-07T17:07:00.001-05:00

Amazing!

Ok, I'll admit, it's 80 freaking degrees in the house because our A/C technician is a hack and it's way too hot for coffee. And I did sneak a "Steaz Organic Fuel" and an iced tea. But I'm still proud of myself, so there.

hellloooo summer!

2010-05-07T16:28:00.001-05:00

thanks for a great show last night, all. and happy birthday jenna!

in other news, it's really hot out.

Now if this isn't roofdeck weather, I don't know what is

2010-05-06T15:10:00.000-05:00

So come hang out with the incidents tonight and celebrate a belated cinco de mayo with some spicy Spanish tunes.

Austin always welcomes you back

2010-05-03T12:06:00.001-05:00

Back to Dartmouth

2010-04-30T09:52:00.001-05:00

For the first time in far too long, I'm scooting back to Dartmouth this weekend for Aires reunion. The shenanigans will be overwhelming, the smiles plentiful, and the cheap beer hangovers in steady supply. Wish everyone could be closer, but we're all fortunate to be able to make it back to our alma mater and see each other. Can't wait dudes.

Breakin in my walkin shoes

2010-04-29T19:33:00.001-05:00

While eating my breakfast this morning

2010-04-29T13:27:00.001-05:00

I watched Dr. Dorothy Height's funeral motorcade whiz by, of which presumably Obama was a part (he's giving the eulogy at the National Cathedral). It's easy to forget that you're so close to the action when you're in DC, but that's a pretty cool "welcome back."

Well hello there dc

2010-04-28T12:11:00.001-05:00

It's nice to see you again.

Come hang out at Six Lounge tonight!

2010-04-27T17:07:00.001-05:00

Seriously, there is NO reason you shouldn't be outside as much as reasonably possible today. It's not even fair to the rest of the country that it's this awesome out. So come raise a glass with us to celebrate. 9 - midnight on the roofdeck at Six Lounge.

Woot woot

2010-04-26T11:47:00.001-05:00

“It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to." - W.C. Fields

The Austin Airstream

2010-04-23T14:52:00.000-05:00

The Incidents tonight at Six Lounge

2010-04-22T13:33:00.001-05:00

Tuesday was awesome, let's shoot for making Thursday even better. Come hang out with Lucas, Stacey, and me tonight and shout out whatever you want to hear. Just be careful what you wish for...

Awesome Show at the Pier!

2010-04-19T10:25:00.001-05:00

Although the lightning that lit up half the sky was menacing on the drive over, we had a GREAT and receptive crowd. A beautiful place on a freshly refilled Lake Travis. Thanks to all who made it out - looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Wisdom for a rainy day

2010-04-17T11:08:00.001-05:00

"ignore the protestations of sensible people and their conventional caution." - Felix Dennis

Nothing like a flat on the way to a gig!

2010-04-15T19:57:00.001-05:00

Happy Tax Day!

2010-04-15T13:00:00.001-05:00

Come celebrate your gigantic refund at Six Lounge with the Incidents! Another Incidents show coming up this Saturday evening at the Pier on Lake Travis. Awesome!

Tip of the day

2010-04-13T08:55:00.002-05:00

Don't: sneeze while holding a full cup of coffee. Learned that one the hard way.

Do: come hang out at Six Lounge tonight 9-12. You know the drill.

Happy Hour on a Saturday

2010-04-10T13:27:00.002-05:00

At the thirrrsssty nickel. Catch Lucas and me from 4-7:30.

Woke up this morning and had them Statesboro Blues

2010-04-09T15:09:00.001-05:00

Incidents Tonight - 9-midnight

2010-04-08T12:33:00.000-05:00

Great Vibes Last Night!

2010-04-07T10:32:00.001-05:00

Thanks for all the positive vibes at Six Lounge for the solo show. And for all of you asking about corporate gigs, sounds like a plan guys. Glad you dug some of my new tunes and as of yet unheard covers. Let's do it again sometime, eh?

Some Pics from Last Night - Catch Me Again Tonight at Six Lounge

2010-04-06T13:46:00.002-05:00

Solojam at the Thirsty Nickel Tonight 7-10:30 p.m.

2010-04-05T09:09:00.001-05:00

Hi All,
Come catch a solo acoustic show at the Thirsty Nickel tonight on Sixth Street, from 7-10:30. Lots of new-ish originals and such, and many cheap drinks. Not bad for a Monday, I'd say.

Here's a clip!

old. crow.

2010-04-02T19:33:00.001-05:00

Sometimes

2010-04-02T09:57:00.001-05:00

you just really deserve the weekend. You know?

why is it

2010-04-01T12:52:00.002-05:00

that after you take sunglasses off of the top of your head, it feels like they're still there?

Day so far:

2010-04-01T12:52:00.000-05:00

Wake up to glorious sunshine and a warm breeze.
Cleaning at Castle Dental.
Green chili enchiladas at Kerbey Lane.
Spicy sweet coffee and more sunshine at the Green Muse.

How austin is THAT???

why is it

2010-04-01T12:49:00.000-05:00

that after you take sunglasses off of the top of your head, it feels like they're still there?

happy census day, and what a beautiful one it is...

2010-04-01T09:03:00.000-05:00

don't forget to send it in, folks. and then come see the Incidents at Six Lounge, playing from 11 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

...

APRIL FOOLS!!!

!
....

.

waa waaa.

Six Lounge. 9 p.m. - midnight, as usual. What a DAY!

It's going to be another beaut at Six Lounge

2010-03-30T09:44:00.002-05:00

So strap on your dancin shoes and 10 gallon hat, because we're not messing around.

9-12 tonight. Six Lounge.

Dartmouth Aires win the WERS All A Cappella Live Competition!

2010-03-29T11:25:00.002-05:00

Congrats to the Dartmouth Aires, my singing group from college, for winning WERS 88.9's All A Cappella Live Competition. Still got the chops!

New Press Shots! Thanks Arin!

2010-03-29T10:42:00.002-05:00

Abel James, Lucas Cook, and the Incidents Selected as "Last Call's Pick of the Month!"

2010-03-28T14:10:00.000-05:00

We've been selected to highlight as Last Call's Pick of the Month! Movin' on up!

crap. the coffee isn't working.

2010-03-26T12:47:00.002-05:00

i guess that goes with the territory of living a double life, with my rockstar doppelganger beating up on my prim and proper 9-5 persona. i always appreciate the juxtaposition of the two worlds, where each informs the other and adds a little spice or a little order do my life. i think the thing that really keeps me going is the hope that each, in its own way, makes me better at what i do. life has many lessons, and those i learn onstage aren't lost when i'm faced with an otherwise daunting presentation or interview. if i were a superhero, i wonder which would be my secret identity...

bottomless cup at dominican joes

2010-03-26T10:31:00.001-05:00

yep, one of those days

I just saw two grackles mating. grim.

2010-03-25T15:21:00.001-05:00

Also, come see the incidents tonight at Six Lounge.

Closing Out One2One

2010-03-22T10:13:00.000-05:00

2010-03-21T19:11:00.000-05:00

I would make a miserable mormon because they don't believe in coffee. Coffee is pretty much my god.

What a day!

2010-03-21T11:56:00.007-05:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, this one is going to be a doozy. On the final day of a wild south by southwest, I'll be playing a solo showcase tonight at 8 p.m. sharp playing my original tunes (with some new ones thrown in there for good measure). Following that, I'll be stepping back on stage on screaming electric guitar and backing vocals to support my good friend Lucas Cook at 11 p.m. THEN I'll be resplendently roaring back to stage at 1 a.m. for my full band showcase, backed up by the Incidents. This will all take place at One2One bar downtown.

We would be privileged if you could attend. And if you come to the 1 a.m. show, let's end the wildest south by ever with an exclamation point rather than an ellipsis...

But of course, next week we'll be back in regular action with gigs on Tuesday and Thursday nights at Six Lounge and Saturday happy hour at the Thirsty Nickel. So really, the fun never ends.

What a show last night! Thanks all!

2010-03-19T13:03:00.002-05:00

Straight from Tom Waits

2010-03-17T14:38:00.002-05:00

“I think everyone believes in something. Even people who don’t believe in anything believe that.”

"We are monkeys with money and guns."

Great show last night!

2010-03-17T11:24:00.000-05:00

Thanks to all those who made it out. Got some more fun ahead with an incidents show at six lounge 9-12 tomorrow, followed by a sxsw showcase bonanza at One2One bar pretty much all night on Sunday. Stay tuned!

shit makes the flowers grow

2010-03-16T12:36:00.001-05:00

ps - how can they wear such skinny jeans with potbellies?

2010-03-15T12:25:00.003-05:00

Hipsters keep walking by my window

2010-03-15T12:25:00.001-05:00

glory to sxsw

a computer can beat me at chess

2010-03-13T15:20:00.001-06:00

but not kick boxing.

Got some brand spankin new live tracks from the incidents!

2010-03-12T13:10:00.001-06:00

Check out our tunes at www.myspace.com/theincidentsmusic. Look out for the original tunes Damn Particular Man, Can I Get You, and Gonna Live While I'm Alive. Let us know what you think!

this town is about to go bananas

2010-03-12T08:30:00.001-06:00

lots of shows coming up, folks. and much craziness in store.

Strawberry Kombucha. Yessss...

2010-03-11T16:49:00.001-06:00

"Life never works out according to plan. But it always works out."

2010-03-09T10:50:00.001-06:00

78 and sunny today? Sounds like cause for a celebration, Austinites...

2010-03-09T10:41:00.001-06:00

Six Lounge. 9pm-12am. Come happy, leave happier.

Surprise Gig - Thirsty Nickel 4pm-7:30pm TONIGHT!

2010-03-06T14:47:00.002-06:00

Come hang! Awesome drink specials on an even awesomer day.

325 East 6th Street

oh. yeah.

I LOVE coffee

2010-03-04T15:50:00.003-06:00

I want to drink it by the bucket

Crap, I think I'm the old man!

2010-03-04T15:50:00.002-06:00

It's going to be another beautiful night in Austin - it's almost not fair.

2010-03-04T11:34:00.001-06:00

Come out and meet the Incidents: Abel James, Stacey McCann, Lucas Cook and Shawn Tuthill and rock out all night at Six Lounge!

2010-03-02T13:40:00.001-06:00

life would be funnier if people actually slipped on banana peels

2010-03-01T16:42:00.001-06:00

2010-03-01T16:29:00.001-06:00

The butterfly dreams of flight
Through the glass

"Canada

2010-03-01T16:13:00.001-06:00

is kind of like your attic. Sometimes you forget it's up there, but every now and then you go up and find lots of cool stuff."

second degree burn from the frosting on a pop tart. amazing.

2010-02-27T11:50:00.001-06:00

Just kidding - the show is back on!

2010-02-23T13:32:00.001-06:00

Come join us from 9-12pm at Six Lounge!

SNOW IN AUSTIN! SHOW CANCELLED TONIGHT!

2010-02-23T09:22:00.002-06:00

The weatherman wasn't crying wolf this time. I love the smell of snow. Oh, how I've missed it...

So break out your snowpants, goggles, and neckwarmers if you need to go out tonight. But because Austin is such a wimp, we won't be playing our show tonight at Six Lounge. And that's probably for the best, because Lucas and I wouldn't want to be responsible for you crashing your Ferrari on the way to our show in the paltry half inch of snow. Or whatever.

Booking for SXSW (unofficial, at least) shows has begun. I'll keep you all updated.

Homeward bound

2010-02-17T09:03:00.001-06:00

For the first time in more than a year and a half, I'm heading back to New Hampshire tonight. What a crazy life this has turned out to be...

Happy fat tuesday

2010-02-16T10:45:00.001-06:00

Come celebrate with Abel and Lucas at the Tap Room at Six Lounge from 9-12pm. Got some ugliness in my throat today, so it might be some john lennon shake it up baby type action. Oh yeah.

"The Incidents" at Six Lounge starting in March

2010-02-13T16:59:00.001-06:00

We're going to be playing full band gigs Thursday nights at Six Lounge from 9-12pm beginning in March! Boom!

kombucha

2010-02-12T13:47:00.001-06:00

makes me feel like a rockstar.

Bumpersticker of the day

2010-02-11T10:09:00.001-06:00

"Fight the Stupids."
- Some Bookstore, New Orleans

Cereal is underrated.

2010-02-09T09:20:00.001-06:00

HOLY CARP!

2010-02-05T11:35:00.001-06:00

Sometimes I get into this strange state

2010-02-05T11:31:00.001-06:00

where I feel like I've stepped out of myself and I feel like the present is an illusion - I can't understand, or believe that what's happening now is actually happening. Then something snaps me back to reality because you realize I have to react. Difficult to express and incredible to experience, it's neither good nor bad. If anything, I'd lean toward the experience being good, because it forces me to take myself less seriously. Is there a name for this (like there's a name for deja vous)? There probably is, but it's in greek or something... I need to brush up on my latin - all I remember is semper ubi sub ubi...

In that spirit, the quote of the day is: "A gentleman need not know Latin, but he should at least have forgotten it."

Also, if "alow" means "below," then why wouldn't you just say below? And I'm not a fan of acronyms that are more complicated and difficult to remember than their "antecedents."

Phoenix

2010-02-05T09:48:00.001-06:00

For frogs, they put out some pretty cool music. After hearing an interview on NPR, I was intrigued by their influences and the very fact that they are a French but still managed to be semi-mainstream in the US. On top of that, I kinda dig it. Check them out on lala or Pandora (I just made a station - let me know if you want me to share it with you, eh?).

This rain is getting booorrrrinng

2010-02-04T15:08:00.001-06:00

Nifty new digital recorder

2010-02-04T15:07:00.001-06:00

is treating me well so far. I have live shows recorded, but now I need to figure out how to get them to people. Even compressed, our 3 hour show is over 200 megs (I could get it smaller, but not a whole lot without mangling it into a meaningless series of garbles). Give me a shout if you have any ideas...

Wow

2010-02-04T15:05:00.001-06:00

is it friday yet? Holy guacamole.

Dueling Guitars at Six Lounge Tonight 9-12!

2010-02-02T13:50:00.001-06:00

Here's to no rain!