As I walked I thought about all the things that I could have and should have done in my life.
I thought about the job that I fucked hated but needed to stay at in order to pay for things.
My big show was coming up in a few weeks. My bills were coming in.
I couldn't leave the job now. No way.
Then I stopped thinking about that and decided I needed to go somewhere.
But where was I going? I was in Limbo.
I walked over to Ludlow Street and stood in front of Pianos for a while.
I pulled out my phone and checked my Facebook, E-mail and Twitter. I knew the bouncer would let me in the club no problem. I would probably get drunk, dance with some chicks and get a number, take a cab back to Queens and then complain about how much money I shouldn't have spent.
Been there, done that.
"Not Tonight" something told me "Not tonight"
The head busboy came outside for a smoke break. We knew each other from when I promoted dance parties at Pianos. He was a drummer/musician as well.
We talked about the struggles of the music business and record labels and all the other shit artists complain about when they get together.
Our conversation was suddenly interrupted by drunk British cat who walks over to me, puts up his fists and stands in front of me like he wants to fight.
"You don't want to do that" I told him.
This prompted him to drop his hands and walk away.
The busboy began to laugh. A smirk fell across my face, as even I was taken aback by the power of my Jedi Mind Trick.
We continued to talk for a while then I decided that wasn't the place I should be, so I slapped him a pound and left.
"Hmm Rockwood Music Hall might be a good place to go" I thought as I passed the jammed packed venue. But I didn't know anyone on the bill so I continued on.
" I should go see Cathy-Ann play" but Staten Island was too damn far and it was already 9:30. There was no way I would make it on time.
Then something told me to go to the Sidewalk Cafe. It didn't matter who was playing, that was were I was supposed to be.
The strange feeling pushed me into the Sidewalk Cafe, right past the bar and into the back room. I saw Amos (Simple) at the soundboard and gave him the peace sign as I headed downstairs.
The extra chairs stacked in the basement looked as beautiful as any work of art I'd seen in any museum. Flashbacks of Joie DGB giving advice to some new comer to the Antifolk scene, Lachcoming down stairs with the tip jar to catch the tip dodgers, and Paleface playing guitar at the spot between the bathroom door and the wall (He said that spot had the best acoustics in the house) flashed through my mind on the way to the bathroom.
I washed the Billy's Antique's furniture dust from my sneakers, washed my mouth with Listerine,
and headed upstairs.
The girl on the stage was unfamiliar to me but had a very beautiful voice and an amazing knack for stage banter. She sort of reminded me of Amy Hills. I made my way to the back of the club.
When her set was done I complimented her on a job well done and headed back downstairs to call Kathy Zimmer to discuss my next show.
My phone call was interrupted by Amos (Simple). " Do you have tracks?" He asked me.
"I have my album"
"No, I mean tracks without vocals, the next act hasn't shown up and is not answering her phone. Do you want to come upstairs and rock?"
I remembered I had a book bag full of instrumentals from going to Lach's Webster Hall open mic every tuesday. "Yeah I'm good. Let's do it!!"
"Ok so you're on next" he said and headed back upstairs.
"Kathy i'll give you a holla later. I think I just got a gig."
Next thing you know I was on stage in front of the very talkative crowd. I did Nothing But Pain, Run, and I Do it All for you and when it was all over I had them asking for my Twitter address.
What a night! Once more I had escaped Limbo.
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