EDIE'S

I Ain't Eddie Murphy (Edie's My Name)

2010-05-15T18:42:00.000-07:00

Good grief! Time does fly when you're having fun. Been busy these days writing and recording lots of new stuff. Even done some collaboration which has been very inspiring, and has definitely lifted my songwriting to new level highs.

Anyways, I wanted to post my latest musical endeavor...RAP! That's right. This fiddle girl has got it goin' on, G.

My new rap tune was inspired from the angst that never got expressed from the numerous name calling I endured as a kid and partly from the confused emails I get from Eddie Murphy fans who stumble on to my website.

Okay, Eddie Murphy fans... for once and for all "I Ain't Eddie Murphy (Edie's My Name)."

BACONSTOCK/Dan Janisch/Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T14:50:00.000-07:00

Well, it seems my entries occur on a monthly basis and it'll have to do I suppose.

October proved to be an inspiration music-wise due to some very fun, spontaneous gigs. On Saturday the 17th, I had the good fortune of fiddlin' and singin' with former bandmates and new members of Murphy's Flaw (Donn Cunningham-guitar, John Bryan-banjo, Matt Witler-mandolin, Peter Blackwelder-fiddle and Paul Dorn-upright bass) at an outdoor charity gig which was the fall harvest festival for Tierra Del Sol (a great organization I might add).

Then the following weekend (10/24) played again with Donn, John and Paul as part of Baconstock over at The Cinema Bar.

Baconstock was a hoot! It was a special 3-day music fest/going away party for The Cinema's beloved bartender Sara Bacon who is leaving for Maine in a week or so. Everyone played in such fine form and the joint was jumpin'! Here's a pic (borrowed from Facebook, thanks Hampton!) of Sara gettin' her grove on and me grinnin' away during Dan Janisch's set.

So, I'm hanging out on the back patio taking a breather from all the Baconstock festivities and I notice all these cool Halloween posters promoting Dan Janisch's "Vicious Draculicious" show. So I ask Dan, who's coincidentally taking a breather too, about his show and he invites me to play a tune special for his Halloween gig.

Well, that show was last night, and man did I fun playing "Devil Went Down To Georgia" with Dan and his god-damn awesome band! The Cinema Bar was all decked out in Halloween gear: smoke poured from a coffin, spiders and ghosts dangled from the ceiling and cool black lights lit the joint. "Devil" and Dan's encore of "She's So Wild" were highlights for me.

And now, I get to do Halloween all over again! My favorite LA rockabilly singer, Brian Hogan, is having me sit in tonight for a special spooktacular set over at The Fox and Hounds Pub in Studio City. And yes, there'll be a repeat performance of "Devil Went Down To Georgia." I can't wait!

With all this performing activity, I'm feeling inspired to get my solo act out there on the scene. Stay tuned...

I will miss you dear Amy

2009-09-30T16:54:00.000-07:00

I just heard the very sad news that fiddler/singer/songwriter Amy Farris died over the weekend. I'm at a loss for words and can't believe she is gone.

Amy was so talented and had this magical energy every time she played and sang. I am deeply honored that she touched my life with music and friendship.

My fondest memory of Amy are the few, but very fun fiddle jams we had over iced coffee, giggles and girl talk in her cozy Silverlake apartment with her cute little dachshunds Frances and Keysha.

Amy, I miss you.

PICTURED: Me and Amy peforming with the Hollow Trees at a children's winter festival Dec 2008 and of us twin fiddlin' at the Cinema Bar Sept 2008.

The summer has passed me by

2009-08-31T22:00:00.000-07:00

Figured I'd better hurry up and write a little quickie blog so that there's at least one entry for August.

Been keeping a low profile music-wise, but having a little fun checking out the off-the-beaten-path film stuff Hollywood has to offer. Found a great cinema hangout (other than the Cinema Bar) over at the Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax. They even serve free Tecate beer! Diggin' it so much, I'm gonna become a member.

In honor of all the Beatlemania going on these days surrounding the upcoming release of the Beatle Rock Band game, the fine folks at Cinefamily are presenting their British Invasion program at the Silent Movie Theater every Thursday night starting this week (9/3/09). They're even gonna play the Beatle Rock Band game on the big screen. Sounds like fun.

I highly recommend checking this particular cinema scene out!

Star Sighting: Elvis Costello at Amoeba Records

2009-06-30T20:20:00.000-07:00

FINALLY! I got to reap the benefits of living in L.A.

Last week, 6/22/09 to be exact, I saw Elvis Costello perform a free show at Amoeba Records THE COOLEST record store in Hollywood AND it was worth every minute of my 4 hour wait.

First, I'll start out this entry with a really good Elvis photo from Amoeba's website and then post pictures from my sucky camera.

I ran into some friends there (shout out to Cleo, Laura, Doug & Kent) and made some new ones too. Pictured below are my Cinema pals Laura and Doug and Steve, a jazz guitarist I met while standing in line along Ivar.

I LOVED THIS SHOW! Elvis performed mostly new material from his latest album Secret, Profane & Sugarcane and a really cool Grateful Dead cover of "A Friend Of The Devil."

And now, the show from the perspective of my sucky camera.

This in-store concert and Elvis's new CD has truly inspired me right now. My favorites are "Down Among The Wine And Spirits," "My All Time Doll," "Crooked Line" and "Sulphur To Sugarcane."

Here's a good crowd shot courtesy of Amoeba.com:

My inner-teenager was so thrilled that with the purchase of a CD you get a free (and way cool) Elvis Amoeba poster plus Elvis's autograph on any one item you choose. I had him sign my poster. Picture taking wasn't allowed in the autograph line, but I was able to sneak this one.

All in all a very fun event! Thanks Amoeba Records and Elvis!!!

In other news, I'm in the beginning stages of recording my DIY mini-CD. It's going pretty good too. Gonna lay low performing solo-wise to dedicate time to recording, but will be playing a few gigs with Murphy's Flaw.

Hopefully, July will have more entries than lately.

Entry #15 Spinal Tap Unplugged

2009-04-25T16:22:00.000-07:00

My concert tickets for Unwigged and Unplugged at the Wiltern arrived this morning. Woo-hoo! The show is tomorrow (Sunday 4/26) night and my sister Christy and I can't wait!

Unwigged and Unplugged is Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer. You know, the Spinal Tap dudes! To celebrate the 25th anniversary of This Is Spinal Tap, the famous trio is currently on tour performing all their Spinal Tap and Folksmen (A Mighty Wind) hits acoustically and it goes a little like this . . .

It's been a while since my last post. Been busy working on my new website ediemurphy.com which is up now! My blog is up on the website too.

My next post will likely be about the Unwigged show. I love everything about those guys. I dig what the do! When I grow up I wanna be Harry Shearer.

Entry #14 Happy Easter

2009-04-12T08:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter everyone! Thought I'd make a quick little post to brag about my friend Peter Kavanaugh. I'm so thrilled that Pete will be playing guitar for my big solo debut, and even more thrilled to discover that he's a songwriter too!

His tune "Pendulum Swing" aired on the Discovery Channel's show Time Warp ("Blades and Volts" episode) last Wednesday. Pete and his band we're also IN the episode too. Way Hollywood!!

So I proudly introduce to my under-a-dozen blog readers, Peter Kavanaugh's "Pendulum Swing" featuring Todd Eckart and Laura Jo DeWitt on vocals and the The Phat Cat Swinger horn section.

And if you're a swinging gate like me, I highly recommended this swingingest dance hall over in Pasadena with live swing music from none other than The Phat Cat Swingers with Peter Kavanaugh on guitar. See ya there, daddy-o!!

Saturday 4/25/09
7:30 - 11:00 pm
Pasadena Baptist Church
75 N. Marengo Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91101
Cost: $15.00

Get there at 7:30 if you want a fun, easy and quick swing dance lesson!!

Entry #13 Hollywood hangout to close the weekend

2009-04-05T12:42:00.000-07:00

Another Hollywood live music venue that I enjoy supporting is The Grand Ole Echo over at the Echo, a cool club in that hipster neighborhood Echo Park. The GOE kicks off it's new season today.

My friend Christine Ortega will emcee today's big event and sing a few tunes too. The show will feature: Old Californio releasing their new record, Whispering Pines opening and the pride of the Golden State, I See Hawks In LA closing the night.

In between sets, head outside to the back porch for burgers on the grill and live acoustic music from banjo player Tommy Santee Claws.

The GOE is a free all ages show held every Sunday from 5 - 9 pm through the end of summer at The Echo, 1822 Sunset in Echo Park.

See ya there!

Entry #12 London calling

2009-04-01T11:27:00.000-07:00

Happy April Fools Day everybody! What better way to spend it than doing taxes while watching all the G-20 hullabaloo in London.

Yep, this fool is tackling her finances while watching Londoners attack the Royal Bank Of Scotland and the GOP announce their budget proposal on MSNBC.

Right now the President and First Lady are heading over to 10 Downing Street for the G-20 dinner prepared by Jamie Oliver aka The Naked Chef.

It's wild seeing the throngs of protesters crowd the streets of London given that I was there exactly a year ago. It was a very quiet time then, and also very expensive. It was a little over 2 US dollars to 1 British pound. Now it's $1.43 to £1.00.

These are my pics of London I took last spring, including a sucky self-protrait in front of Buckingham Palace.

Entry #11 Where Is My Mind?

2009-03-22T02:37:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm still busy making charts and demos for the guys. Thought I'd be done by now, but have 3 more songs to go. Hoping to knock out 2 later today.

My sister Christy insisted I post my latest DIY recording demo that I sent to the boys for reference. So here it is, my version of The Pixies Where Is My Mind? along with some web pics I found from surfin' the 'net.

BTW, I got the chords from a terrific fan site, FrankBlack.net, which has an awesome TABS section of pretty much everything Frank Black did as a solo artist and as Black Francis with The Pixies. So, thanks for the tab Derek (ProverbialCereal)!

This tune served as my introduction to barre chords. As you can hear, the G# chord gets botched a couple of times.

FYI for you younger hipsters, this song came out originally in '88 on the The Pixies Surfer Rosa album (pictured) and not from the Fight Club movie soundtrack, though a great film nonetheless; and a cool use of the tune!

Geesh, this entry took a lot of time. I couldn't figure out how to upload an mp3 on Blogger and went to the trouble of creating a dang video instead. The upload took forever too! OMG! Kinda wonder if it was at all worth it. Gonna look into maybe starting a podcast or something on this blog.

Entry #10 Happy Pi Day and Happy Birthday Albert Einstein!

2009-03-14T18:05:00.000-07:00

Ah yes, yet another geek reference. Oddly enough, I was terrible at math and science which makes me a dumb geek, but a geek nonetheless.

Shout out to my 3 followers . . . THANKS! Woo hoo! I'm on my way to internet stardom.

In other news, I'm so happy to announce that Dan Janisch will be headlining my birthday show May 13 at The Cinema Bar. His latest CD Medicine Man is really, really good so go ahead and buy it. I'm a big Dan fan and looking forward to his new album due out this spring, which means soon. Yay!

My sister and I are heading out to Taix in Echo Park for Dan's show tonight. Christy is uber fussy when it comes to music and doesn't like local music EXCEPT for Dan Janisch. Now there's an endorsement!

Been busy compiling my set list for the big birthday show. Hoping to finish all my charts and demo recordings for the guys by the end of this weekend.

Happy Pi Day everybody! I'll be celebrating with a visit to the infamous House Of Pies in Los Feliz.

Entry #9 I was a geek, I still am a geek, and I will forever remain a geek.

2009-03-06T21:41:00.000-08:00

Things are back to normal at least for a little while. It wasn't so good last week. A lot of my friends and colleagues were laid off recently, and it got me nervous as well. Currently, I'm still employed and relieved.

Feeling optimistic about my artistic endeavors however small. Got a nice compliment from someone out in cyberland. Zuniwind commented on my YouTube Lou Reed cover saying "love your version, can you do another video breaking down the chords and picking ? keep up the great playing eddie !"

Okay so he misspelled my name, but how cool is that?!! I'd say way cool. Thanks zuniwind!!

Well, I've put together my band for the big solo debut birthday show on May 13 at The Cinema Bar. Peter Kavanaugh, guitarist, and Million Dollar Dan (aka Dan Dungan), upright bassist, will accompany me as I sing, fiddle, pick the mando and even strum a few chords on the guitar! I'm real excited. These guys are super talented and very dear friends. It's gonna be a blast!

I'm also booking a headliner act, but that still has yet to be confirmed. Stay tuned.

Okay, now to the geek portion of the show, er . . . uh . . . I mean entry . . .

Here's the thing. I love and admire top lofty musicians in all genres and can be musically snooty with the best of them. Ah, but those close to me (and now blog readers) know I have some scary skeletons in my music closet and every once in a while they creep out.

My TV viewing somewhat matches my musical taste. MSNBC , BBC America and VH1 Classic are the only channels I watch but that's another story or entry or whatever or not.

Anyways . . . the other day VH1 Classic aired, One With Everything, a live concert of Styx performing with The Contemporary Youth Orchestra, and damn it I enjoyed watching it. That concert took me back to the days of high school when I listened to REO Speedwagon while going to countless rehearsals/auditions/concerts with the BCC Youth Symphony, Florida All-State Orchestra, All-County Orchestra (in Broward), and Coconut Creek High School Orchestra (not to mention the numerous school musical pit orchestras). But I never had the opportunity to combine both! Rock out while playing the violin? Man, those CYO kids were so lucky. I wasn't a fan of Styx or Journey back in the day, but I dug all their cousin bands like REO, Loverboy, Billy Squier and countless others just as embarrassing. Check out the YouTube clip. You can't help but smile seeing those kids having so much fun and playing with such joy WITH Styx in 2006! Who da thunk?

Anyway, I was so inspired that I wanted to keep the geek flame burning and made a donation to VH1's Save The Music Foundation. Music education helped a tasteless violin geek from a cracker town trailer park develop a true understanding and appreciation of the finer arts.

Another great rockin' music program is Electrify Your Strings! led by Mark Wood of Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Viper Violins fame. Above is a pic of me test driving one of Mark Wood's Vipers.

Rock on trailer park orchestra geeks!!

Entry #8 My artistic life is becoming less boring

2009-02-20T22:29:00.000-08:00

I'm pleased to announce my big debut show as a solo artist is officially booked on my birthday May 13 at my beloved Cinema Bar in Culver City.

Gives me plenty of time to put together my material and a band!

So, things are starting to pick up musically.

Just realized, I've got a birthday theme going today. Today is actually my brother Dave's birthday. Birthday shout out to my bro!

This entry's short and sweet.

Here's a pic of me fiddlin' at The Cinema Bar back in Sept 2008 courtesy of Ames Flames Evil.

Entry #7 My life as an artist is SO boring

2009-02-17T21:28:00.000-08:00

Feeling unproductive music-wise. Been working way too much, but at least I'm making extra dough and still have a job unlike most these days. It certainly hasn't helped me as an artist though.

This blog has been so spotty much like my music these days. I was hoping that my time off last January from steady gigging was going to help me focus, and blogging about it would generate some excitement. Instead, I've gotten lazier. Even had a sinkful of dishes that accumulated over an embarrassing amount of time. Thankfully that chore is finally done as of 30 minutes ago.

My bluegrass fiddle studies continue to improve, but not at a pace that I'd like. Practiced for an hour tonight and felt better about my playing.

Still diggin' my guitar. Man, I really love that instrument. Been writing numerous snippets of songs, but nothing good. Finally, wrote a complete song a week ago that I actually like. Hoping next weekend I can record a little demo.

Speaking of girls and guitars, I saw Amy Redford 's indie film "The Guitar" on cable last night and liked it. It's a good little movie. I particularly liked that the story is about a girl who finally pursues her childhood dream of playing the guitar. I know so many girls who aspire to play an instrument, but instead they date a musician. Being a muse my ass. Come on girls, WAKE UP!!

Last Saturday's Valentine's Day was a trip. Unfortunately that "Monthly Intervention" open mic was a total bust for me. I was hoping it was a little songwriter thing with a low key audience of older folks. Instead, it was a wierd surreal COMEDY open mic. Shoulda called first.

Christy killed with her original comedy songs, and I was very impressed with her perfomance. We both had a good time watching the bizarre, yet entertaining event.

Well, look at that. I've written something tonight.

Entry #6 Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T11:02:00.001-08:00

Music is in my heart today, and what better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than with my sister, Christy.

We've decided to perform our new material at an open mic in Burbank called the Monthly Intervention.

I found it and a bunch of others at openmikes.org.

The Monthly Intervention is actually inside The Burbank Moose Lodge. My dad was a Moose member back in Florida years ago. He was also with The Elks and The American Legion.

To hell with chocolate. My sister and I will be playing our hearts out and thinking of Dad!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Entry #5 Who I'm listening to

2009-02-12T17:31:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd make a quick entry before heading out to Beverly Hills to see my sister's show Comedy 90120 tonight.

Two songwriters I really admire both have new albums due out this month.

Randy Weeks was THE Los Angeles local hero at The Cinema Bar, and is now in Austin and taking the live music capitol by storm. His new CD "Going My Way" comes out Feb. 24, but my pre-order copy arrived in the mail today! Run and get yours at his website.

Peter Fahey, another Cinema favorite, will be releasing "Thunder Underneath" on Feb. 17. This album also features Randy on the guitar. In fact, I'll be at the Cinema Bar tomorrow, Feb. 13 (Friday the 13!) for Peter's show at 9:30 pm. Come join me! You can get digitally download Pete's CD at Emusic (I love this site) or get the actual CD at CD Universe. This is a terrific album.

Entry #4 Way overdue

2009-02-07T20:37:00.000-08:00

Wow! Time really got away from me. This entry is long overdue.

So far my life in L.A. consists of working way too much, sleeping and fitting in some music when I can. On Jan 18th I performed at the West L.A. Farmer's Market with Murphy's Flaw which went pretty well. There's even video of it! I'll post a little clip from the show in my next entry.

For now, here's me playing a new song I learned two days ago. It's Lou Reed's "Satellite Of Love" with a special guest appearance of my cat Puddin'.

This video was recorded when I first woke up which is when my voice is at it's lowest. A perfect time to sing in Lou's vocal range, although I'm playing a half-step up from original key of F. Plus playing in G is way easier!

Oh, and keep in mind that I've only been playing the guitar for 3 months now.

Hope you like it.

Entry #3 Comedy 90210

2009-01-22T09:12:00.000-08:00

"Beverly Hills that's where I want to be!"

Yep, I'll be there tonight.

My sister Christy co-hosts a new comedy show with Stamie Karakasidis called "Comedy 90210" every Thursday night from 8-10.

Lots of funny comedians with lots of TV cred and no cover. You'll love it!

Roxbury Cafe has a good menu too.

459 N. Roxbury Dr. (cross street Little Santa Monica)
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Comedy90210.com

Entry #2 Inauguration Day

2009-01-20T20:22:00.000-08:00

It's funny how some days I feel so uninspired. The day after my first entry I was thinking "this whole blog thing is stupid." Still kinda do, but decided I'm not gonna judge what it is I'm doing. I'm just gonna do it.

Today Christy, my sister and personal hero, came over for breakfast. We watched President Barack Obama take the oath on television while enjoying veggie omelettes.

It was pretty special.

Christy volunteers at the USO at LAX every Tuesday morning. That's right people, she is a good American. Inspiration has begun to sink back in after spending Inauguration Day with two good Americans, Christy Murphy and Pres. Barack Obama.

To commemorate the event, here's a picture of me and Christy who is wearing her USO shirt.

Entry #1

2009-01-18T15:41:00.000-08:00

Oh, the pressure of what to say on Day 1 of my online journal!

About me: I'm a musician (fiddle, mandolin, singer-songwriter, some acoustic guitar) in Los Angeles. I play fiddle in a bluegrass band called Murphy's Flaw and with a good ol' acoustic country band The Hello Darlin's.

I've also performed with Dime Box Band, The Hollow Trees, Dafni, Wil Forbis, Sarah Stanley and Ghost Town.

In my quest to seek attention on the internet, I'll be posting some music clips of my work as a fiddler, singer/songwriter and whatever else I feel like expressing.

Thanks for stopping by!