Rise Up, The Sweetness
Something big has happened. Really big.
I have no idea how I can possibly articulate just how much as happened since my last writing.
But let me say this: Memphis was a GREAT success. & Chloe, Aly, Doug & myself are taking off to Europe in April as a new band called The Sweetness.
My mind has been blown by the generosity of people. Everything has been falling into place so perfectly & quickly. Never have I felt more sure about a project, & never have I been involved in a project that everyone around me feels so sure about as well.
Last week was a whirlwind just as I predicted. I was up, at the earliest, until 6am playing showcases & jamming in stairwells, every day. Our little posse of musicians picked up quite the following from our guerrilla style shows, & even more from the intimate bedroom concerts we were a part of. I met a lot of incredible musicians, & countless respected industry folk. I’m not exaggerating when I say that everyone I talked to was really excited about the four of us playing together. That there’s magic & chemistry. Something special.
So we left Memphis on Sunday & went to Evansville, Indiana, for the next leg of our travels. Doug had to go back to Austin to work, so it’s just the 3 ladies for now. We stayed with the amazing David K Wells, who has been working as a publicist for Aly & Chloe, & his lovely wife Elaine, who once again spoiled us like crazy. Such wonderful generous people!! We all spent hours & hours talking & working on our macs together, sorting out all the business we need to sort for Europe & beyond. We played a few nice shows – a house concert at the Wells’ place, a bar show at Lamasco, & a restaurant show at Cafe Arazu. Now we’re in Evansville, staying with my friend Graham’s parents (his dad being the famous James Campbell, an amazing clarinetist & founder of Festival of the Sound). We played last night at Rachel’s Cafe, opening for the loudest band in the world (at least in that cafe), the Pom Poms. They were actually really great, but it was an interesting combination of bands… oh well!
I’m really quite overwhelmed right now. There’s so much I want to write about, but I don’t know how to do it. Just trust me that there’s some seriously crazy good stuff in the works right now, & that you’re all going to be hearing a lot about The Sweetness in the future… We’re reuniting with Doug in Austin for South By Southwest, & we’re going to unveil the band officially there.
Oh, & one more thing: I’M BUYING A CHADWICK FOLDING BASS. It’s going to be in my hands in a matter of weeks… So excited!!!
& here’s a video of the band from Folk Alliance!
Congratulations! Catie loves the bass that you’re playing here, and the folding one as well! We’re looking forward to hearing more about your new band.
I’m sure all of us that love you are making excited Harpo Marx faces in front of the screen while reading this post. Knowing how much you venerate antlers, I wouldn’t be surprise if one of those bras were yours!
I’m very happy for you, Sammy. You deserve this and much more. I love you
Have fun, Sammy. Make the most of it. Being old is not bad either, and I am maling the most of it.
It is the travel and is travel what counts from year to year.
Love, Vanaema
Hi, Sammy Vanaema and I are very excited about your trip in April. You will see and meet many
people on your travel, some nice , some not so nice some of them you dont even want to meet. Chalk
this under heading calle experience. There will be some very wonderful memories made of traveling.
By the way. I was the one who typed Vanaemas note and I invented new word “mailing” meaning
”making”
Have fun.
Vanaisa
Hi Sami: Can’t tell you how impressed I am with your music and vocals. This group is
just perfect for you, congratulations! I know your trip to U.K will be a tremendous succss
Hope you managed to land near some of my relatives. Certainly Marna in London. Send your
itinerary as soon as you have it arranged. Love & hugs, Nanaaaa
Hi
Saw you at the rock bar in Doncaster and you were immense so thanks for a great evening. My son plays in a band called the Colliers who supported you – lead guitar. Consequently my wife and daughters had seen you the week previous in the garage bar and told me to go see you if I had the chance. Anyway when The Colliers were again supporting you I came along.
Music superb, you have many talents and I wish you every success and will come to see you again if you return in the autumn..
best wishes
Jim