Pandemic Update 

Wouldn't you know it, we release an album, go on a little vacation, and then the world goes to hell.  Like everyone, we've been laying low since the pandemic started.  I work in healthcare so I've been going to work every day like normal, except I'm busier and working long and weird hours.  Ron is in multiple high-risk groups, so he's been staying home.  We were really sad when the Tucson Folk Festival was cancelled and so were any potential future gigs.  We've done a few livestreams on Facebook, including one with our friends The Fallen Stars where we were able to raise over $500 dollars for BEAM, which was awesome.  But even so, it's difficult to play on a livestream.  It feels a little like you're playing into the void.  A big part of live performance is that connection with the audience, even if you're fighting with the football game or espresso machine in the background.

Moving on to happier things, I bought a really cool guitar (pictured above) and it sounds fantastic.  I don't really know a lot about guitars.  I just know whether I like how something sounds and how something feels when I'm playing it.  And I know I like how this guitar sounds especially with Ron's guitar.  There's a bit of learning curve for me with it because it's got a bigger neck than I'm used to.  I'm very used to the little Martin guitar I've been playing for years, so...practicing (which I always need to do more of anyway).  We're also working on some new songs because once this whole thing is over (whenever the heck that is), we are itching to get back out to play live and to record some more and we would love to have new material worked out.

    Stay safe out there (or rather in there) everyone.  Wear your masks.  Check in on your friends.  We'll see you when this is over.

    Good Work 

    We've been busy the past few weeks.  It's been a lot of work to finalize our album--listening to the masters to make sure that everything is as good as we want it to be, finalizing the artwork, making sure the printer/duplication has everything they need, setting up a pre-sale (working on it!)...This is the first time we've ever put out an album and it still feels like we are flying by the seat of our pants

    Of course, we've been really, really lucky to have a lot of guidance and mentoring from Bobbo Byrnes, who is one of the most generous and talented musicians in Orange County.  Seriously, if you haven't already, go listen to what he does both solo and as part of his band The Fallen Stars.  It's awesome.  (He also was our recording engineer/producer which is probably a big part of why our album sounds so good).

    A black and white photo of four people standing with arms around each other's shoulders.  On the left is a tall man in black with an Elvis-type pompadour (Michael Ubaldini).  Next to him is a man in a hat with a bandanna around his neck (Mark Huff).  We are to the right of both of them, smiling.  Ron is wearing cuffed jeans and Jen is in a black dress and light colored sweater.

    We've also been playing some shows.  We played a gig at Michael Ubaldini's Outlaws of Folk Series.  We'd never played as part of this and it was a new venue for us as well.  I can't speak for Ron, but no matter how much I do this, I always feel a little bit of trepidation playing in a new venue, outside of the "bubble" where we usually play.  I get a little nervous about fitting the "mood" (for lack of a better term) of the place.  But of course everyone was super cool and talented (check out Mark Huff and The Pollen Collective), like they always are.  It's just funny what sticks with you and what you can't let go of as a performer, even after years of doing it.

    We have one more show coming up tomorrow (February 8) at the Beach Hut in Huntington Beach, a showcase hosted by Chris Cruz.  See our shows page for more details on that.  Then we have our album release party coming up February 22nd!  We want to see you all there!

    Upcoming Album! 

    Look for our album "Better Days", on sale on 2/22/2020.

    It's a 6-track EP, with four of our original songs and two covers ("Willin'" by Little Feat and "Return of the Grievous Angel" by Gram Parsons/Tom Brown).  This album is ten years in the making (sort of...we've only been recording it for about 10 months, but we've been playing together for 10 years), and we can't wait for you to hear it.  Check our Shows page for information about our release party!