I know, I know. I do not update this thing nearly enough. It’s a problem. And the first step is admitting it, yes? So, I’m on my way.

So, why the update today? What makes today SO special? Well, if you were here at The Bluebird last night, then you already know. If you weren’t, well, I’ll explain. . .

Last night was the much-anticipated Joseph Arthur show. In case you are not entirely familiar with Joseph Arthur (for shame!), I will tell you just a bit: Joseph is a singer/songwriter/painter/awesome-ist (a new word I am trying out) from the NYC. He’s put out almost as many records as Ryan Adams (well, not really, Ryan Adams’ output is on par with The Beatles, all their solo work and the re-masters that just came out combined. . .but I digress) and is a generally beloved figure in the singer/songwriter/artsy realm. For more specific info: www.josepharthur.com

Anywayz, I hung around for soundcheck last night and I am most happy that I did. It was kind of awesome. First off, JA (I shortened it) has quite the set up – your basic gear that had been way enhanced, lots of looping mechanisms that I can’t even begin to understand and a huge blank canvas that he paints whilst performing on stage – so add paint supplies to the set up list. It was kind of fascinating to watch the set up. . .There was just so much involved. It made my tiny brain hurt.

So, they get set up and JA comes in to check. He, none-too-surprisingly, sounds great in our tiny room. Loves. He runs through a slew of songs, each sounding better than the last as the levels became perfected. Lovely (with an edge).

Then it was time for a break and for dinner. It was then that I had the good fortune to meet JA. Nicest. Man. Ever. For real. Add to that, charming. We chatted about the tour so far, cracked-wise, talked a little about The ‘Bird and a lot about tattoos. He became fascinated by one of my tattoos and the idea behind it. We compared tattoos and tattoo stories and by the end of the conversation, he had pretty much decided that he would get a replica of my tattoo. It may seem odd, but I was totally and completely flattered by this. Here is a man whose art I love and respect and HE liked something I had designed. Sigh. I’m such a “fan girl” sometimes.

So JA set off in search of food and the audience started to flood the doorway. The seating process usually takes about ½ hour.  Once everyone was seated JA walked through the door, right to the stage, stepped up and started painting the massive blank canvas and then went right into the song. And this is how the rest of the show went. . . Many a song, interspersed with painting, sometimes the two were happening simultaneously. It was amazing to watch. To hear. Everything. I have never seen anything quite like it. Each song was so intense. His voice, if possible, sounded better than it did during soundcheck. And the painting that he completed by show’s end was pretty rad, too! The only problem was that it all ended too soon.

Side note: Reese Witherspoon showed up about 2/3 of the way through the show. Her mom had seats and she hung out for a bit. Random. And, yes, she is just as pretty in person.

After the show, while the crew was loading out, JA was a champ about hanging out, signing things, posing for pictures, chatting, etc, etc. It was fun to watch the interactions. I managed to score a great print of one of his paintings and a CD OF THE SHOW, complete with JA’s black Sharpie interpretations of my tattoo and, apparently, his future tattoo. Um, kinda super cool.

Also, I think it’s worth mentioning that his crew was also pretty great. Just really nice guys. They were all such a pleasure to be around and did such a good job in all capacities.

I hope they come back soon.

And you should, too.

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