Thursday Hooray!

Being in Mexico reminded me how powerful Frida Kahlo’s art and iconographic persona are. Her photo and reproductions of her work are all over the place there. Such a legacy. I really love her work, even though some of her pieces are very disturbing. It is all very vibrant and intense and emotional.

A Big Journey

The Mad Tea Party “Rockin’ the Rockies 2010” tour began with an epic drive (25 hours all together). It started on Monday at 11 am when we picked up our friend Daniel Wills, a musician who has decided that he needs to travel around the country for awhile.  When he heard about our Colorado trip, he offered to help drive us out there. We were grateful for his help, and he was grateful for the ride.

Our journey included a stop in Nashville where Jason recorded a song with Marshall Chapman. Marshall is an amazing person/musician.  She has done SO much with her life. Right now she has a part in a major motion picture, sharing scenes with Gwenth Paltrow.  Stay tuned for more info on that. Marshall was close friends with Jason’s dad, Tim. The song Jason sang on was one that Marshall and Tim had written together. He sang Tim’s part. It was a touching experience to say the least.

The drive was actually pretty smooth, considering how long it was. We switched drivers every 2 hours or so, which kept us relatively fresh. The middle of the night was the hardest part, of course. Luckily, Daniel was fun and interesting company and a good driver. It was so neat to get to see the heartland of the U.S.A. We had a big breakfast in Kansas. We got to Denver about 2:00 pm on Tuesday and we dropped Daniel off at a hostel. Then we went to my Uncle’s house near Boulder were we were pampered and able to get a good night’s sleep.

If only I could describe the enormous, breath-taking views we saw on Wednesday when we drove from my Uncle’s house to Salida, Colorado. My camera certainly couldn’t capture them. The stunning scenery was unlike anything I have ever seen. Our show that night at the Salida Café was really nice. Not a wild one, mind you, but a good night in a sweet venue with a crowd of interested, attentive listeners. It was the perfect place to get our tour legs back on. We spent the night in the venue owner’s cozy house and got up early on Thursday to head to Steamboat Springs.

All I gotta say…

…is our van better not look like this next week in Colorado!

Thursday Hooray!

Next week Mad Tea Party embarks on our second annual “Rockin’ the Rockies” Colorado tour. The dates are up on our website. Our first Rockies tour was sparked by a slot at the Denver Ukefest. We’re not playing the festival this year, but it’s happening again and it’s a sweet time if you live near there. Here’s a video with footage from last year (we’re on stage for the big group jam at the end if you look closely). It makes a strange sound at the beginning, but hang in there. My favorite part is the interview with Aaron Keim of the Boulder Acoustic Society. He really is always that articulate. Anyway, we’re pretty overwhelmed getting ready for our big tour, but we’re really excited, too!

Guilford and Groceries

On Saturday evening, since we had a gig in Charlotte, we got invited to play a few songs at a birthday party there for someone I went to Guilford College with. I have to admit, I was nervous to play in front of people that I knew from college (I didn’t play music back then), but it actually turned out swell. There were lots of young kids there, so we pulled out some old Mad Tea Party songs which were a hit. You can click here to see a video from of us playing “Like a Monkey Likes Coconuts” at the party. I am glad that Jason and I can adjust our music depending on the situation.

We left the party and swung by a friend’s house to borrow some speakers then headed over to the Common Market, a super-hip grocery/bar/deli. We set up in front of shelves of dry goods right in the middle of the store. A bunch of nice, attentive people showed up and we plugged in, cranked up and rocked out. There was dancing and laughter and joy in the grocery. Truly, it was a total blast. You never know what to expect.

After the show, we returned the speakers to our friend, Josh Daniel of the New Familiars. He and Sam Quinn (of Sam Quinn and the Japan Ten) and Justin and Pat (also of the New Familiars) were working on a recording. They asked Jason to lay a fiddle track on the song that they had just recorded. So he did. Of course I think what he did sounded cool as can be. I forgot to take any photos. We had a fun late night with those guys, and then we did one of our wee hour drives home.

Now it’s time to look ahead to our upcoming Colorado tour!

Cavorting in Charleston

On Thursday night Jason and I drove down to Charleston so we could have extra time to hang with my friend Amanda and her family before the Mad Tea Party show Friday night at the Mill in Charleston. It was great to see her son Hugh, who is 13 months now and walking and starting to talk and charming as all get out.

Our show was ridiculously fun. The Mill is super cool with retro decor, awesome art and really great staff. The sound was top notch (thanks, Jason!). The nice-sized crowd was a mix of fans and new folks, and everyone was really responsive. We were sooooo happy that people kept the dance floor hoppin’.

What can I say? We rocked the night away.

Thursday Hooray!

Years ago I met Kelly Breiding at the Mount Airy Fiddler’s Convention. At that point she was quiet and shy and just discovering her singing voice. We actually played in the band contest with George and Caroline Pond (remember that, Caroline?). We played a Hawaiian song, which instantly disqualified us, but it was a gas. Fast forward to 2010 and Kelley is kicking ass and taking names. I was lucky enough to catch some of the Kelley & the Cowboys set at ElvisFest the other weekend. And some nice person took this great video that night…

Mexican Vacation

Just a quick post to acknowledge the fact that our Mexican vacation was sublime. We thoroughly enjoyed the sunshine, the ocean, relaxing, tropical drinks, yoga, long walks, exploring, laughing, etc. One night we ended up playing music for a rowdy group of locals that kept buying us beer. You can see a gallery of photos from our trip here.

Crazy Saturday

A lifetime ago, right before we left for our week in Mexico, Jason and I had a very full Saturday. It started in Winston-Salem, at Electromagnetic Radiation Recorders (where we recorded FOUND A REASON). We were there just long enough for Jason to lay fiddle track on a song for the upcoming Bo-Stevens record. I thought what he did sounded great, and I can’t wait to hear the finished project!

Then we were off to Greensboro and Harvey’s Kitchen to help Save the Monkeywhale! Check out the Monkeywhale site to see the fantastic videos/photos that Harvey and Carolyn and their crew put out. Mad Tea Party played two previously un-recorded songs for our videos. Both love songs. Harvey had us doing some really wacky things in the kitchen (and in a couple other spots in their apartment) and I am VERY interested to see how our videos turn out. Maybe a little nervous, too. He says expect them around Valentine’s Day. Love love love.

From Harvey’s Kitchen we headed to the Holiday Inn in Chapel Hill for ElvisFest. What a complete blast THAT was. For real. I got to talk to several kick-ass Mad Tea Party fans, and (bless their hearts) Ukulele Rockstar fans! (If you’re reading this, thanks again for the support! It means SO much to me!) In addition to catching up with cool folks, I got to enjoy music by Pinche Gringo and Kelley & The Cowboys and several other bands I could mention if I took a second to try and remember. Jason sat in on fiddle with Rev. D-Ray & the Shockers (a direct result of a jam I happened to catch a piece of on video last year). Our set was really fun. The crowd at ElvisFest was super duper. We were all rockin’ out. What a great feeling.

We drove through the night back to Asheville to catch a plane to Mexico!

(Oh, I almost forgot - I’m quoted in this article about ElvisFest in the Raleigh News & Observer.)

Thursday Hooray!

When this is automated post comes up, I’ll probably be sitting on the beach in Mexico. Technology is so cool. This video is a collaboration of two of Asheville’s great talents – Floating Action and photographer Sandlin Gaither. I have included Floating Action as a Thursday Hooray before, but I dig them so much here they are again. It’s a new year after all. Have a great day!

Unplugging

Just a quick note to let you know that right after Mad Tea Party’s set ElvisFest on Saturday Jason and I are heading to Mexico for a bona fide vacation. I almost can’t believe it. We are SO ready for warmth, relaxation and time for healing from the sorrows of last year. It’s also going to be good for me to unplug for a bit, as much as I enjoy the connections I make through the internet. So enjoy your week. I am going to set a Thursday Hooray to post while I’m gone, just for fun. But other than that this Ukulele Rockstar will be off the radar. Ahhhhhhhhhhh.

Thursday Hooray!

Let’s hear it for Quintron and Miss Pussycat.

Bushman Ukulele Video Contest

Caroline Pond and I (aka Sugar & Spice) made this video the other day and entered it in the 2009 Bushman World Ukulele Video Contest. There are a ton of interesting and excellent entries in the contest from all over the world. Ours hasn’t been listed on the website yet, but it will be soon. At some point soon you’ll be able to vote for a video at www.bushmanmusic.com – if you want to vote, go ahead and register for their email list and you’ll be notified when the voting starts. We sure had fun making this video! Special thanks to Jason Krekel (guitar) and Justyn Thompson (camera).

Lord willin’, look for more Sugar & Spice in 2010.

Ringing in 2010

I’m happy to say that Mad Tea Party had a blast on New Year’s Eve and the days leading up to it. Great times with our dear friends, and lots of good music. Thanks again to everyone who came out to our show with the Bo-Stevens and Easybake at the Garage in Winston-Salem. It really was a “Rock ‘n’ Roll New Year’s Eve” as advertised. I am very very very lucky and loved.

I am SO ready for the Year of the Tiger!

New Zombie Boogie Tees!

photo of mad tea party by jenny viars

Thursday Hooray!

It’s the end of the year and of the decade so I thought I’d mention a few albums that rocked my socks off this year (I think all of these acts have been a Thursday Hooray at some point in 2009). I am sticking to Asheville indie artists, most of whom I know.

I’m sure I’m forgetting someone.

Please support these guys!

In no particular order:

Floating Action – Self Titled
Angi West – Love is a Special Way of Feeling
Reigning Sound – Love & Curses
Jar-e – Chicas Malas
Cary Fridley – Fare You Well
Ear Pwr – Super Animal Brothers III
Wiyos – Broken Land Bell
stephaniesid – Warm People

photo of angi west and friends by sandlin gaither

It’s My Birthday!

Looking Towards 2010

This week I celebrate my birthday and the New Year. (On NYE Mad Tea Party is playing at the Garage in Winston-Salem with the Bo-Stevens and Easybake.)

2009 held more loss and sorrow than any year I’ve lived through. It also held incredible joy and beauty and magic. Here’s to more of the good stuff in 2010.

Mad Tea Party opening for Southern Culture on the Skids at the Cat’s Cradle 12.5.09. Photo by Jonathan Lee (cjonathanlee@gmail.com).

Krektones Kristmas

Press Release from the Krektones

“Like great Kaiju Godzilla descending on peaceful winter wonderland (see press photo), most excellent rock n roll descends upon sacred holiday!” – ishiro honda

Christmas night (Friday December 25) will see the debut of a new instrumental combo to Asheville’s  Broadways (which I am told is a prestigious hall of music and drink).

The Krektones play instrumental rock n roll of and inspired by Link Ray, Ventures and Herb Alpert.

Consisting of members of the Kurmudgeons and the ill-fated Diaboliques (still wrapped up in French court) the Krektones (consisting of Gay Wille Krekel and h. Westmoreland) seeks to bring together all of the fine musicianship from both afformentioned combos into one kickass, burnin’, sweat-inducing extravaganza!

A perfect end to a day of awkward family get-togethers and seasonal bliss.

Snowstorm!

Oh Sh*t! the Video

MTP and SCOTS, Chapel Hill

On Saturday, December 5th Mad Tea Party had the distinct pleasure of opening for Southern Culture on the Skids at the Cat’s Cradle  in their hometown of Chapel Hill. Wow. I’m pretty sure the show was sold out, and the energy was electric. Pinche Gringo played first, and they rocked it. Then it was our turn – what thrill it was to play for such a big, enthusiastic crowd. SCOTS tore it up as usual, and there were lots of extra hijinks and special guests (Santo!) and antics. Jason joined them on fiddle for their encore songs. It was all very exciting. We were glad to have Jason’s sister Emily along with us to help out and to to add glamor and goofiness to our Mad Team. The night stretched into morning at the afterparty at SCOTS’ drummer Dave Hartman’s totally hip house. During the party, Dave got me to sign his ukulele (the second one I signed that weekend!). What an honor.

Jason is on the right...

At Dave's house...

To top it all off, on Sunday we went out to Kudzu Ranch Recorders, Rick Miller’s recording studio, and Jason laid a fiddle track on a new SCOTS recording. Sweet!

It was awesome. Mad Tea Party is very grateful to SCOTS for letting us open for them, for being so nice and inspiring, etc, etc, etc.

Pinch us now, please!

MTP and SCOTS, Asheville

Photo from block_dog on Flickr

A week has flown by and I am just now posting about our show last Friday opening for Southern Culture on the Skids at the Grey Eagle in Asheville. It was SO much fun and I have a few photos to share. The Mad Tea Party set rocked (Henry Westmoreland joined us on sax for a few songs), SCOTS rocked, Jason sat in with SCOTS (which rocked), I got to autograph a ukulele, and friends and family made the whole night extra sweet.

(Read a nice review and see videos here.)

Old drawings of SCOTS

Mary's wig matched the drawing!

Thursday Hooray!

I have been wanting to make a “commercial” for Peter Hurney and Pohaku Ukuleles ever since I got my custom flaming uke back in late January. Well, here it is, finally.

And I must shout out to a little other product placement that can be found in this video. My bracelet is by Devochka Designs (I met them at the Hellbilly Hootenanny) and my earrings (which are hard to see, but are super rad sparrows) are BeBop Earbobs (made by Jason’s sister, available online and in Asheville at the uber cool store Hip Replacements). Just a few holiday gift giving ideas if you participate in that ritual.

My life is full of magical items from creative spirits.