Don't Just Peep in the Window! Tonight, Proyecto Lando @ La Pena!

Last night we were rehearsing again for tonight's gig at La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley. It's a show of adventurous and original proportions, mixing tunes by Peruvian percussionist/songwriter Pedro Rosales of Rompe y Raja with Afro-Cuban and even R&B elements (that's where I come in, singing Fallin' by Alicia Keys over a lilting landó lament). I also recorded my version of the tune for the new CD, available in limited quantities tonight.

As we rehearsed in a copy story on Solano Avenue in Albany, passers-by pressed their noses to the glass and tried to peer over posters taped on the closed doors. On the one hand it was lovely to know we drew attention, this cast of well over a dozen musicians rehearsing complex music with driving cajon- and cajita-based percussion.

On the other hand, a peevish voice in my head said, sure, they stop and listen now, but come time to fill a concert hall as an artist you practically have to donate a kidney to get an enthusiastic audience in the seats. Now, there are probably many factors at work here -- I'm just being honest about the feeling it brought up. I definitely don't advise browbeating people to get them to come to concerts -- though some might argue that it doesn't matter HOW you get them in the door so long as they're pleased once they get there. One reason we might have attracted so much attention last night, too, was the peep-show element: Hide something (even in plain sight), and people want to know what it is. Another might be simply the street music factor: There are lots of folks walking up and down Solano Ave, and they might have been pleasantly surprised by the sight of musicians shedding inside a copy shop. Finally, it didn't cost a thing for them to look through the window, whereas it will cost a few dollars to come see the live show tonight.

With that said, hope to see a good crowd there! Time to get ready for soundcheck!

Saturday, December 19th, 2009 8:00 PM
Pedro Rosales CD Release
La Pena Cultural Center
3105 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94705
510-849-2568
Tickets: $15
http://www.lapena.org