Performing

Last night I performed at what's now become ground zero for the LA singer/songwriter scene: Monday Monday.The Monday Monday series at The Hotel Cafe was originally started by singer/songwriter/FOH mixing extraordinaire Joel Eckels at Room 5 in January of 2013 (after filling the p...

Vanessa Wheeler at El Cid | Photo by Hannah Verbeuren Last Monday I judged an open mic contest at El Cid in Silverlake. There were 22 acts who signed up in advance of the night (many curated by El Cid's booker Michael McCarthy). I'd never been to El Cid before and was pleasantly...

I'm still buzzing from my show this past Saturday night. I performed at this new series in LA called The Shine. They've been described 'If TED Talk, Hotel Cafe and The Self-Realization Fellowship had a love child, it would be The Shine.' Pretty darn accurate. The Shine hosts bi-m...

Rebecca CrabI just played a new songwriter series billed as #songwritersundays at The Fox and Hounds in Studio City, CA. They have built up quite a supportive crowd of musicians and music lovers for this Sunday series. Without fail, every Sunday the place is packed with an audien...

I just got back from a nice trip to the Midwest for a couple weddings and a camping trip with Dad. It was a nice break from LA and I was reminded what nature looks like when it's not starved for water. While in Madison this past weekend we decided to grab dinner at the beautiful...

Open mics are a great place to gain experience. When you're starting off, you should be playing anywhere and everywhere. Your first 30 or so shows won't be paid. As they shouldn't be. You're most likely not very good yet and don't deserve to be paid for these performances. Open m...

Photo by Roman SobusWow. I just had 3 of the most amazing shows of my career. They weren't the biggest audiences I've ever played to or the highest paying shows I've ever had and they weren't the best musical performances I've ever given.These were some of the best shows I've had...

I just returned from a 3 week tour visiting about 15 states and 3 seasons. Yay America. Most of these shows on this run were on college campuses. I do a fair amount of college shows. They're fun. They pay well. And the audiences are mostly very attentive. However, once in awhile...

You may not get Phish. But that's because you've never been to a show. Phish isn't their hits (they've had one - 20 years ago). Phish isn't their albums (however some are pretty damn good). Phish isn't just the music (however they're all masters on their instruments).Phish is abo...

My ears are ringing.I bring ear plugs wherever I go. They're in a little plastic pinch-to-open container on my keychain. I put them in whenever I'm at a loud concert. Well most concerts really. Except for those at the Hotel Cafe. Because they know how to mix. It's a listening roo...