Leslie Rich: News

Due to some unfortunate timing issues with some of the other musicians in my circle, or maybe because of the alignment of the stars or the moon in its first quarter, tonight I ended up in a bar in Hopkins, Minnesota. Hopkins is a pretty and typical American town of 17,000 in the suburbs of Minneapolis. Tonight I was faced with an hour and a half show at the Mainstreet Bar And Grill - a place that normally provides a few hours of cover music for its dance hungry patrons every Friday and Saturday night. I couldn't really provide that of course, but did my best, with the help of Jay, Pete and the drummer from tonight's other band (Jack Ruby), to provide something they could perceive as worth their while. I threw in some David Gray, some Mellencamp, some Beatles and a dash of Dylan and had the most fun that I have ever had performing. The people of Hopkins and the few people of our own that came out provided cheering, clapping and some dancing and so here I am at home, with some beer in my belly and cash in my pocket. If I ever had any doubts about my choice to chase this dream, tonight I feel completely. Re. Born.
I'd like to thank everyone that came out and provided a little sustenance for my soul.

"Fling yourself into the flow. Don't be afraid. The whole logic of the universe is contained in daring. I had to throw myself into the current, knowing that I would probably sink. The great majority of artists are throwing themselves in with life preservers around their necks! And more often than not it is the life preserver that sinks them".

The above quote is attributed to Henry Miller and kindly donated to me recently by the ever tuned in John T Stewart.
One evening, on the staircase of Area 52 here in Minneapolis, dressed in a kilt and denim jacket, JK in a Tinkerbell outfit (minus the wings), we were talking to Mr Jason Wahl wearing a perfectly normal black two piece single breasted suit and tie... wearing a mask. Jay was apologising for not making it to JK's next rollergirl bout and suggested catching the next one. That'll be on the 18th, JK mentions to Jay's apology face. He then informs us both that he and the Skullcranes will be in Iowa city that night.

I've never been to Iowa city, but suddenly wanted to be there more than anything. Over the next few days I realised that, although I think you are all fantastic friends and fans, what I want most is to be able to turn to you and tell you that I can't possibly make your party/auction/rollergirl bout because I too am in Iowa City. It doesn't have to be Iowa City of course, it could be anywhere, but I realised that unless I apply the above quote now I'll NEVER get to Iowa City.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone that made it out to Kieran's last night.

I have this thing about live music. Basically, although we spend most of our time buying and listening to CD's, and the musicians of us (probably) spend way too much time trying to capture our music in a recording, the thing that really matters is when you get that moment seeing an artist produce a bit of magic on a stage. Like catching Led Zeppelin at The Fillmore West in '69, Jeff Buckley at Sin-e before getting signed, the Sex Pistols at Manchester's Free Trade Hall in '76 or Jimi Hendrix closing Woodstock (the list could be endless) it's all something that you can't possibly re-live, re-capture or relate to anyone else. It would always just be a bit of spark and magic that you carry with you.

I think last night was one of those times for me. I enjoyed being part of it myself, but the main thing for me was to be party to Finnegan's high musicianship reeling us in, Joan Coffey taking the city (And us) apart song by song and the Skullcranes musical abandon, bringing to me to tears with their irreverence and class. Things like that can't be planned – the right people in the right mood, the right musicians on top form and the sound system behaving itself (All down to Jay and the boys for getting it set up right) – It could be all down to the gods, stars or feng shui. You would just never know.

Joan will be back in the Cities sometime in the future, and we may well have other nights like last night then, but if you didn't make it last night I just couldn't possibly re-live, re-capture or recreate it for you!

Joan Coffey is coming to Minneapolis on Tuesday 28th March. She's as Irish and as awesome a singer/songwriter as you'll ever meet. She'll be playing two glorious shows at O'Donovans on the 31st March and the 1st April. I will be joining her on stage for these performances for three 45 minute sets - So, if you're out for the night somewhere and you want to have a nightcap before going home, then you should pop round to the bar. Music starts at 9:30. There is also a show at The Acadia on the 5th. There will be more, and I promise to keep you updated.

We've been having so much fun in the studio at the minute, recording about one track every session. All of the songs that I've written since moving here all gel really well and I think the rest of the Rocket Rejects are feeling it too. So far we've had a bunch of extremely roudy sessions recording, The Battle Done, The Driving Seat, Invincible and a re-recording this week of Do You Wish Sometimes... We've recruited the help of Pete McCauley from the band Eddie Mac to do some guitar work and he's just awesome. Caleb Peterson from Diesel Jenny has also been sitting in with his flute, harmonica and a wonderful box of tricks. As we get work done I'll keep you informed - Inbetween having WAY too much fun.