I don’t think I can really express how amazing last night’s show at The Little Red Studio was. The space, usually an erotic performance theatre, was rented and was well, a really comfortable place to be. (Everyone stayed dressed, however, for better or worse.) The crowd was wondrous. As the first act, it meant the world to me that people came on time. I haven’t asked the numbers yet, but I feel like I played to at least 50 people. And people laughed when I was trying to be funny and sang along when prompted.

But the other musicians… Schrodinger’s Cat was probably the most impressive celloist I’ve ever seen or heard. Up there in his black hoodie, clawing at his instrument like a madman… it was wonderful. The sound cut out halfway through one of his songs and the entire room went dead quiet, so we heard him regardless. I saw Jill Tracy a year ago at Convergence 13, but to see her in this more intimate setting was beautiful. She was joined by Nathaniel Johnstone of Abney Park and Paul Mercer of The Ghosts Project. I can’t get enough of her voice and songwriting.

And then The Ghosts Project came on. The best comparison I can come up with is the live album on Ummagumma (pink floyd) mixed favorably with Godspeed You Black Emperor! and a healthy amount of dark. To say it suit my mood would be criminally understating the situation.

After their set, Nathaniel led the group in some of his solo work, and then every musician of the evening climbed back on stage for two improvised songs. I tell you, it was beautiful.

The show was put on by the astoundingly talented duo Bl00 and Red. (Red, aka Libby Bulloff, is pictured above stalking about through the empty space during load-in.)

I’ve been invited to play my first real gig as a solo accordionist/song-writer. I’ve been playing on the streets for almost three years now, as well as at various parties and bars, but this is my first bona fide “show”. I’m opening for Jill Tracy, who I saw and heartily enjoyed last year at Convergence 13 in Portland, and for The Ghosts Project [warning: link goes to myspace], whom I’m excited as hell to see, and for my friend Nathaniel Johnstone (violin and guitarist for Abney Park) who is performing with his solo project for what I believe to the be first time. Also on the bill are Schrödinger’s Cat, whom I admit I haven’t heard.

It’s an early show, so if you want to hear me you’d probably best show up at 7:30.