Day 6: Portland, Oregon
Kinko’s Fiasco
Just in case you are ever there. The Kinko’s off of the Hollywood Transit Center in Portland, Oregon does not deserve a damn dime of your money. I scooted up there to print out my lyric sheets for the Eugenio’s show tonight and we’ll call him Rick (because it rhymes with what I would call him if I were one) gave me a load of shiz. I spent about three bucks on 6 pieces of paper before I approached the counter to see if there were a cheaper option. They had these little design center computers that you can insert your credit card into and work. Trouble is, each piece of paper you print comes out on this super-glossy sexy paper. $.49 a pop! Forget that.
So, I kindly approach the counter and ask Rick, “Hey is there a cheaper option”. Moreover, this is the Public Transit Tour, ‘an exercise in sustainable living’. And here I was clear-cutting forests with a mouse-click. All I needed was for Rick to print off 20 separate word documents. But, apparently Rick and the Kinko’s clowns wanted to battle. “I can’t print word documents, I’ll have to open each of these - save them as a PDF - then, print them. So, you have to put in an order and I could have it done by 4:30 tomorrow.” OK, sure I need these for the show tonight so that don’t fly, Rick-diculous!
Forgive me, but Microsoft Word is a fairly popular program. And if I may say, this was a Kinko’s - isn’t Kinko’s a print shop? Oh well, I thanked Rick for his time and headed back to Hawthorne to the UPS store on about 40th Ave and SE Hawthorne, and Aubrey, behind the counter made short work of it. Thanks. And let that be a lesson to you Rick. Please don’t put digital jack-assery between us humans. Life is so much sweeter when you serve the people not the policy. Shoulda done betta. But, all is well now, and it’s off to Eugenio’s on Division Street!
Rocking Eugenios for a Tumbleweed 20
I played Eugenio’s on Division last night. The show was a smash, how could it be anything else when the vibe they’re cranking out is so pure. If you haven’t dropped by this little joint at 3584 SE Division Street in Portland, Oregon, then don the flops and shimmy down there so I can say I told you so. There is nothing more rewarding than giving music to people like the crew and stumble-in’s at Eugenio’s.
At the outset, I didn’t know how it was gonna roll - the temp in the room was making me pour it out. I intended to take a few breaks, something I rarely do. I usually rock straight through. But, I am learning to Grow Slow on this trip courtesy of the people I am meeting and the experiences I am having.
Eugene (the owner and peaceful party-animal patriarch of Division Street) has a penchant for putting anyone and everyone at ease immediately. It took me a few tunes to figure out the re-verb settings on his house PA system. He’s got a little Peavey 4 input jobby-job tucked in the corner that fills Eugenio’s to the rafters with tone. He is a fellow musician and he knows just how much amp to have for his space. Anyone unhappy with the set-up he provides is just gettin all “orchestratic”. More on that later.
Between sets I’d head out to the patio to dehumidify and feed the demon. With a smoke, open eyes, and a conscious mind, I watched Melissa work through the longest Kata I have ever been privy to.
The Tom Waits Turn-up
I was being reserved in my delivery. I always am conscious of the space I am playing, and at this particular time of the day families were coming through the doors, so, I kept it low-key and clean. I started to play Aries and a Father and his two kids walked through the door. I don’t think that “drag me through all the beds that you’ve unmade” is a proper lyric to be sung in front of children, so, I cut it short and came back to it later. Once the little ones were in their beds, I cranked up the ‘Verb’ and played “Cold Cold Ground” by Tom Waits.
[insert video] = video will be coming soon!
That’s when I opened up and began puring it out. I went back into my original tunes and closed out the night. I’ve got video of the gig that I will upload later.
Last Call Victory and the Matchbox Marauders
Eugene busted out the bathroom Guitar that he’s got stashed for these types of situations and he started teaching me how to play surf guitar. We sat on the patio outside busker-style, only lacking the tip-hat. Hours like minutes. Good Times.
After Kate and Eugene closed up shop, we all went down to the Victory for last call. One drink became two, became a bottle and it was down the street to the Matchbox Lounge. A trio of wily jackasses about to burst through the doors and get whatever they got.
Eugene and I started talking tunes and bands. He is in a few; The Ultronz for one. He gave me two CD’s the day before and I have yet to give them a spin. Not for lack of interest, but time. I’ll put it on when I get home and throw a little party.
Kate’s Place
At the end of the night, Ashley, the girl behind the bar gave us the biggity-boot and Kate was kind enough to let me crash on her couch. We sat up for one more beer on her couch, and talked about Division Street and being an acquaintance of Eugene’s. He’s one of those guys with which you immediately slip into a life-long friendship. Effortless and Easy.
Kate has a wealth of respect for her local father figure, and she is a big piece of what makes Eugenio’s happen. The place reminded me of my favorite restaurant back home, Malee’s Thai Bistro. I manage the bar there as a day-gig. Until I can live the dream to it’s fullest extent.
A steady “day-job” is key to forming this independent record label, SuperNormal Records. Seed money is needed and my bar-job provides that for me and affords me to live the dream to its fullest extent as it is currently defined.
As far as the Rock-N-Roll job goes; I have never wanted to need the gig. I think that an artists creativity is squelched when there is an intense struggle to survive off of the fruits of performing live at small bars and rock clubs to pay the rent. Again, Grow slow is the key. Once the situation is a bit more comfy, then by all means let the dream take over. But, I would argue that you cannot successfully force anything in this world, especially if you love it.
I have seen too many fellow artists chase the dream without a solid plan and most of them work in call centers now, and are 20-30 overweight and the dream is not deferred, the dream is dead for them.
Kate and I wrapped up our conversation and she went in her room to bed and I snoozed in the living room listening to the fading chorus of the late-night revelry of Division. Cars and laughter. Goodnight, Portland.
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Tags: oregon, portland, Public Transit Tour, records, supernormal, tyler
