Planning a CD release party is kind of like planning a wedding. At least the way my band and I do it. We always have to get as many musical guests as possible and make the evening as complicated as possible. That’s what makes it fun, and potentially AWESOME for the audience. However, that is what freaks me out in the end. With so many balls in the air, you just have to assume something will blow up. Manage your expectations, and then you can have fun no matter what. So, last Friday night, that is what I was doing. We had 6 guests in my set alone, at least that many more in Kevin’s set plus The Laurel String Quartet.
If you don’t know the back story, Kevin Bowe and I decided to do a dual CD release party and team up with Rock the Cause. Why not, we thought. We’re both going to be there anyway, so let’s go for it. And we did. I was releasing my second covers EP Hiding Under the Covers, Vol. 2, and Kevin was releasing an album of originals called Natchez Trace that he’s been working on for the past 5 years. Both albums have killer guests, and we wanted the live show to have that same feel.
We got to rehearse with most everyone ahead of time (once), and then a few people in sound check. Everything went great. Then a little bit of anxiety kicks in. Are people going to show up? Are people going to like the new songs? Are we going to completely lose our shirts? Are we gonna completely blow all these new songs? etc. We’ve spent months planning this, these CDs are like our babies, we want everyone to love them. As people start to trickle in, I start to calm down. Kevin and I have this goal, we just don’t want to embarrass ourselves. As long as we can avoid humiliation, then we feel pretty good. Low standards are the key to success in this business.
Amazingly enough, the evening went off without a hitch. Every single guest star was amazing, prepared and they rocked it. I got nothing but glowing feedback about all of them. We sold a ton of cds, t-shirts, and coffee mugs (yes, I have coffee mugs). It was arguably the best show we’ve ever put on. I couldn’t be happier. I have to give it up to all my guests. Thank you guys! Ellis, Lisi Wright, Desdamona, Ben Lubeck, Johnny Solomon and Molly Moore of Communist Daughter, and The Laurels String Quartet. You guys are all so cool, and we were so lucky you shared the evening with us. Scott Herold, thanks for all your hard work. You are a beast. And lastly, my band (Kevin, Steve, Peter, James and Mike Brown on sound) you guys make it so fun for me. I couldn’t do it without you. xoxo
Ali
p.s. Now go buy our CDs!!!!! (mine is available now at Electric Fetus, CD Baby, and most importantly right here on my website!)
Kevin’s is available for download on iTunes and all the other online sites, plus he now has hard copies at kevinbowe.com.
No shows booked at the moment.
So I have been hearing you on The Current and perhaps Cities 97. I saw that you were going to be at Northrup Summer Music Series yesterday. I braved it. I couldn’t get a single co-worker to tag along (what!). You were awesome. It was the first time I had heard you live. All I can say is that my co-workers missed out on an awesome lunch hour and an opportunity to hear some of the best talent around these Twin Cities. They apparently want to act their age! All the kids dancing – just icing on the cake.
WHOSAYSTURNING50MEANSNOFUN!