For the second year in a row, winter has become a time for writing and recording.  This year is a little different though, I’m taking a more open ended approach.  The Restoration and I have been hard at work at Sound of Music Studios in Richmond, VA, working on a set of rock n’ roll tunes that should one day jump out at you from your car’s sun visor.

In the meanwhile, we’ve been youtoubing it up here and here and here.  And say hello at our next DC show, March 4 at Velvet Lounge.

-Face

Meet my first ever official backing band, The Restoration:

Mike Sammartino- Drums

Jason Mendelson- Bass

Aaron Thaul- guitar

Jackson Styron- steel guitar

Come see us this Sunday at Wonderland Ballroom (DC), December 13 at Rock & Roll Hotel (DC), and January 12 at Sidewalk Cafe (NEW YORK). As always, check the calendar for full details, facebook to RSVP, or sign the mailing list to stay updated:

I tend to get behind on things, and one of them was keeping this blog updated.  It’s October!  I’ll talk more about the band in my next post.  In July and August Adrian Krygowski and I played 18 shows together across the South, Midwest, and back down the East Coast.  We played coffee shops, bars, coffee bar shops, art galleries, fancy restaurants, radio shows, and awkward outdoor patios.  This photo album  tells more of the story.

I really want to get back to the Midwest, there was something about the vibe there that drew me in.  Unfortunately upper Midwest winter will keep the tour limited, but keep a lookout for me in December.  And yes- I’ve been writing.  Writing has just become a part of being alive at this point.

Here are a whole bunch of captioned iPhone pics from the tour.

Second bit of new news- I am about to play my first full band show.  This has been in the works the whole summer, but really came together the past few weeks since I’ve been back.  It’s a five-piece wall of alt country sound with guitar and pedal steel!  We are playing our first show in DC this Saturday night at the Electric Maid- hope you can make it.

Hey all! First and foremost, thank you guys for the feedback you’ve given since last month’s release of ‘How the Story Goes.’  I wanted to make a CD that means as much to someone I’ve never met, spinning it on a late night drive, as it does to friends who’ve lived through some of the stories, and as it did to me putting it together- from the bedroom to the studio.  I love hearing back from you about it all, even if it makes me blush!

In the hopes of spreading the love a bit more, I am headed out this week on another whirlwind tour.  I’ll be traveling and sharing the stage with DC’s finest folkster, and good friend, Adrian Krygowski.  It will be his last tour before he moves to Nashville with the big wigs.  We start in Johnson City, TN, travel as far north as Duluth, MN (I swear it’s not Canada) and work our way back east! We hope to make lots of new friends, and see some familiar faces too.

If you want to follow our exercise in organized chaos, or maybe even catch us one night: https://www.facebook.com/events/149394208518142/

Check back to the Reverbnation calendar or facebook page for updated show info, and to #adrianfacetour2012 on twitter, where we will ‘live-tweet’ the tour, and post pictures.

For those of you in DC- I’m having an informal kick-off tomorrow night at my usual haunt, the Wonderland Ballroom, with Johari.  We start at 8, and the request line is open.  Oh and…more musical surprises for you when I get back, let’s just say it involves a little dance

Stay cool,

Harris Face

Aaron Thaul for the opening set and for backing me up (in more ways than one), Wendell Kimbrough for a great opening set, Anita Leechor my performer-friend-fan-advisor (who had a huge impact on the arrangement of the album), Don Williams for backing me up like a boss, Drew Ullman for live sound engineering, Adrian Krygowski for helping run the show (and getting me out on the road again this summer), Russ and Black Fox Lounge for opening up the space, Jonny Grave for giving me a NASCAR pit style string change mid-set, Miguel and Alan at Sound of Music Studios, Andrew Sawyer for the artwork, Hundred Dollar Bill for the poetry reading, Matt Hyson photography, all the Modern Times Coffeehouse musicians, Bill Martien, Noah Silver, Alex Grushin, Jason Mendelson (behind the video camera!), Maureen Nelson, Alissa Taylor, Amber Dutton, Martha Bass, Zoe Unruh, Brittany Trewin, Jenny Lloyd, Matt King, everyone I can’t wait to see in NY next week, Neil, Linda, and Debra Schwartzreich for everything, Bert & Lisa, Chris Thompson (who first inspired me to write songs), Noah Litvin for the website, Mike Siletti, Daniel Riff, Bobby Harvey, Jordan Ferchill (Mr. “Texas Prime”), Elaine Meese, Ben Leuhrs, Andrew Senter, Eric Reif (who watched me write a song about an escalator on the 96 bus,) Mike and Jayni for breaking the seal on the CDs with me over a drink, and anyone I didn’t mention but surely should have!

Digital on iTunes, Bandcamp or Amazon

Physical on CD Baby or at one of my shows (duh!)

And streaming on soundcloud and spotify.

What’s my favorite so far? Bandcamp.  I get virtually 100% of the revenue from there, and you can also stream the full songs (not just a sample) before you buy anything.  I am practically giddy with excitement, please share these links in the interest of a strong debut!

Thanks again to the long, long list of people who made this EP happen, and continue to support my music.  I’ll be celebrating at my DC release show tonight at Black Fox Lounge, and with my New Yorkers on June 15 at Sidewalk Cafe.  Much love,

Harris Face

“Missed Connections” will be available for free download after my radio show at WRGW Friday morning at 11.  Stream here http://www.gwradio.com/home/listen-to-wrgw

May 12 at at Legendary Dobbs in Philly (10:30)

“How the Story Goes” will be available in print and online on June 7.  The DC Release Show is on Thursday June 7 at Black Fox Lounge with  Wendell Kimbrough and Aaron Thaul. 7:30.

New york on Friday, June 15 at Sidewalk NYC at 8.

Chicago, with Adrian Krygowski at Uncommon Ground on July 29

Thanks!

This Tuesday I’m heading back down to Richmond for a showcase at the Camel.  Here is the event if you’d like to join.

In April I’ll be putting up a song or two from the CD, and keep an eye out for the artwork as well!  April is a busy month for the DC singer/songwriter scene too, and I’ll be happily celebrating the releases of new music by Adrian Krygowsky and Noah Silver.

Till next time.