2009 to 2010: Top Things that Tickled Kara of TSAN

There is such a communal sense of wrapping a year up when a new year arrives. All of the "best of 2009" and "top 10 (or whateva') of 2009" drive me a little crazy. I mean, really, must we summarize EVERYTHING? And why does this typically only happen at the end of a year? Of course, really, I get it. It just mildly annoys me. Kinda like all the labels we all have to label ourselves with all the time... everything must have its place... everything must be categorized and organized and regulated and identified...

So I know for a fact that I certainly can't beat "em"... so I guess I'll join this collective summarizing to a small degree. Here's a list of a few things that happened this year with Team Smile and Nod that really tickled me. Yeah, that's right, tickled.

Things that Tickled Kara of TSAN in 2009 (all lists MUST have titles):
*We played 11 shows (including Columbus Pride Festival!). My goal was 10. Bonus.
*Some people said nice things to us about our music at the shows.
*Positive words were written about us... Curve Magazine, Feministing, Columbus Underground, Columbus Alive, etc...!
*Anneli Rufus (author), Nicole J. Georges (author), and Jon Peterson (Shakin' It Radio) gave us some super-kind quotes.
*Jeffrey Brown drew a comic about our CD!
*We did a sweet give-away for Pride with Queerics.
*We put together a bunch of YouTube videos.
*Our tunes were played on some cool radio programs (KAOS, Queer Sounds, Shakin' It...)

So that's my list of summary. Pretty awesome, eh? This year will also rock. A new CD is in the works. Awwwww yeaaaaahs...

In summary, damn, it's snowing hard.

Not so Scary Clips of TSAN live at Oldfield's on High on Halloween!

Here's a clip of us playing "Scrooge". Thanks a bunch to Brenda for the footage!

Is something still cheesy if it’s done with full awareness of the cheese-factor?

Oldfield's on High is a bar with that regularly hosts live music in the OSU campus area. We were invited by Pinebox and Jester Jack Band to do a show with them on Halloween night. We went on first around 10:30pm and played a 45 minute set. The sound system was pretty darn good and the guy running it was quite nice. There was a super-nice woman named Brenda who was taking video of all the acts. I had the chance to talk with her later... definitely an awesome person. I'll post her footage when she gets a chance to upload it.

Backstage while Pinebox set up, I got a chance to talk with Greg from Jester Jack Band. Greg just joined their band a month ago as the bassist. A few years back, we was part of Willie Phoenix’s band. We bonded over the stickers on my guitar case. Yeah, cheesy as it is, I do put stickers all over my guitar case. Where the heck else should I put these cool stickers? I mean, I’ll only put a select few on my car. Is something still cheesy if it’s done with full awareness of the cheese-factor?

<-----Kyle from Pinebox.

Pinebox did a great set. They create an awesome, chill environment. We all swapped CDs. Adam digs our song, “They Grow It.” (Thanks, Adam!) Kyle took photos while we played, so I tried to take some good ones of them to return the favor. (Thanks, Kyle!) We’re looking forward to our show with Pinebox on Nov. 21st at Vic’s.

Adam ---> from Pinebox. Adam and I have matching shirts.

Rich and I stayed for a good chunk of Jester Jack Band’s set. They are a jam band. They did a really good cover of a Pink Floyd song (yeah, I know them well enough to know it was Pink Floyd, but not well enough to name the ultra-popular song that was covered). Jack’s voice is good and his guitar playing is excellent. The drummer was solid. Really, the bassist, Greg, was amazing especially as he’s only been with them for one month.

<-----Logan from Pinebox.

So that's that. I was jazzed b/c my phone said 1:30am when Rich and I left the

bar.

Unfortunately, time changed that night, so it was 2:30am. So it goes.

Spooky Eye-ball Clown OR Cute Bumble Bee???

Why hello! We'll be at Oldfield's on High on Halloween night!! I'm trying to decide if I should be a spooky eye-ball clown or a cute bumble bee. I guess it will depend on my mood that night. Halloween is definitely my favorite holiday. Good times to be had. Oh yes.

WHAT: Show featuring Pinebox, Jester Jack, and TSAN!
DATE: Saturday, October 31st
WHEN: 10PM
WHERE: Oldfield's On High
2590 N High St
Columbus, OH 43202
COST: TBA
WHO: Anyone and everyone over 21

CHECK OUT THE BANDS HERE: http://pinebox.org/ AND http://jesterjackband.com/
CHECKOUT THE VENUE: http://www.oldfieldsonhigh.com/

September 12th: Team Smile and Nod, Pinebox, Electric Grandmother, and Hotel Eden at the Treehouse!

If you are in Columbus, do come by the Treehouse this Saturday. It's a pretty sweet line-up of electro bands. It also happens to be Electric Grandmother's 100th show AND Hotel Eden's last show in Columbus before he moves to San Francisco. Pinebox puts on a sweet show with a video background (so does EG). Point being... this should be very fun.

In summary, I've been reading a wonderful book called cunt- a declaration of independence by Inga Muscio. I recommend it to everyone. In the world. It is mind-blowing. Often it gives words to thoughts I've had and didn't know how to verbalize. I should have read it years ago when Katie recommended it to me. Don't make the same mistake as I did. Read it now! Cue: Reading Rainbow theme music...

Wholly Craft and Crafty Thoughts...

It's been a while since I've blogged. I feel this odd sense of failure when I don't blog ultra regularly. AHHH... self-imposed guilt is awesome, eh? Thanks, Dad!

Soooo, I've been thinking about a handful of things lately. Here is a list in no particular order:

1. It would be nice to be me and Katie's cat, Murmur. Seriously. She is so loved. And she sleeps so much. And she's so soft and furry. Basically, I want to sleep all day. Bliss.

2. Why do people think I'm a guy? I wish they didn't. 'Cuz I'm not. Damn it.

3. I'd like to do something for Columbus Metro Libraries (http://www.columbuslibrary.org/). The funding cuts they are dealing with are so messed up. It makes me very, very angry. Very angry, indeed. I'd like to turn that anger into action. Some ideas are brewin'...

4. I think depression is inherited.

5. We've got a show at Wholly Craft in August. I'm pretty excited for it. The outside of the shop is pink. Need I say more?



In summary, at some point it might make sense. But then again, it might not.

Sweet-ASS Columbus PRIDE 2009 flyer, eh?

The flyer was created by Jesse Smith... he also did the art on our CD... Thank you to Jesse!!!