This post is kinda late… oh well.

Canada Day this year was pretty awesome.  I started out with a block party.  I helped set up and tear down, I played music, and I fell into the dunk tank innumerable times because whenever the kids missed the target, they would so kindly walk up and hit it with their hand.  It never stopped being funny… for them.  I also floated around to help with whatever else I could.

Then after a quick nap at home, I headed out to my weekly Live Music Wednesdays show at Bean Around the World.  Two amazing acts from Abbotsford came out to play: Barbara Swain and Cale Stanage.  They brought a good group of people with them too.  Barabara’s voice is like an angel and Cale’s songs are so fun - one of his songs borrows the line “I scream for ice cream, you scream for ice cream, we all scream for ice cream.”  We were all sing along to that one.  When I played my set, I felt so alive.  The audience was really energetic.  People were clapping to the beat and singing along and cheering with enthusiasm.  I wish all shows could be like that.

To cap off the night, a group of us watched the fireworks from the park.  What a perfect day.

I’ve come a long way in the last year or so (some might think it’s in the wrong direction, but that’s debatable) in regards to preparation for playing a show.  Back in the days when I took voice lessons, I would be very strict about how I get ready to perform.  I would have a specific vocal warm up routine, I would refrain from drinking anything caffeinated or alcoholic, I wouldn’t have any dairy, I would go easy on the carbs, and I would basically build myself up into nervousness.  With all the pressure of having to make everything right and believing that all the elements had to be in place for me to sing on key, I could not be able to relax.

This was nonsense!  Relaxation is a very important part, if not the most important part, of singing.  A singer who is uptight is more likely to forget lyrics, hit bad notes, sing without conviction, and bore the audience.  

Recently I’ve tried another approach: having a good time (“We’re just to guys and we’re having a good time, having a good time, having a good time”).  I will still pay a bit of attention to what I eat and drink before a performance, but I don’t worry about it.  For example, I don’t drink a big milkshake before a show (that’s just playing with fire… a dairy overload causes phlegminess), but sometimes I’ll have a beer before I sing (it’s relaxing and enjoyable).  I still warm up my voice sometimes, but the main difference is in the mindset.  I look forward to the show.  I don’t worry about all the little details.  One time I even played without a set list… and you know what… it was fine.  I knew what songs to play.  When I just relax on stage, my performance seems more natural and the audience picks up on that.

Last night I played a show at the Live Music Wednesdays (which I host) and I came across something else that tampered with my relaxation.  When the show started there was almost no one in the audience.  This was very discouraging and I know that my downcast-spirit had an effect on my performance.  It makes sense - singing is a very emotional experience, so when my emotions are lost somewhere else, I can’t pour my whole being into the song.  But after a while, people started showing up.  For the last two thirds of the show, the coffee shop was almost packed.  And I really noticed the difference in how I performed.  With this new energetic crowd, I became more energetic and broke out of my shell to expose who I really am as a singer.  It was quite interesting.

So to all performers out there, my lesson to you is to be aware of your emotions as you perform.  If you are worried or discouraged, this will come out in your performance.  Try to understand where your emotions are coming from and decide if there is something you can do to change them.

I went to another open mic last night.  It was a good experience, but nothing glamorous.  Open mics involve staying up all night in a crowded room listening to a lot of bad performances (and being blown away when someone half-decent takes the stage) only to play just a couple songs when your name is called.  It is unlikely anyone will buy your CD or even remember you the next day because most of the people just came to play their own stuff - they aren’t really interested in listening to the other acts.

Open mics are to a new singer-songwriter as moring sunrise shoots are to a new photographer, or as blogging is to a new writer.  They are good practice and they do help to get your name out there, but, in a way, you have to force yourself to go to them.

For as realistically dull as I made open mics sound, I actually did have a great time last night.   There was one girl who had a fantastic voice, and there was another group that was fun to listen to.  And there were a handful of other decent acts as well.  And of course, I got to play, which is always enjoyable.  There is something indescribable about shaking off my nervous twitches, stepping on stage and just givin-er.  Some people actually started dancing to “Shame on Me“, which was so awesome to see.

Tony actually came with me to the open mic and we shot some video footage for a Jeffisode (…that’s right… I’ve combined the word episode with my name, Jeff,  for my new web reality series).  I believe this one will be for Jeffisode #2.  Stay tuned.  I believe we’ll post Jeffisode #1 (behind the scenes of the music video) pretty soon.

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