We’re Still Here
2020 was not a bright year for live music or the events industry. The Shakedown played 3 shows in 2020, by far our lowest total since we started the band in 2010. As it turns out, this just isn’t the time to encourage people to sweat all over each other on the dance floor. We’ll see when that changes, and we’re still here in the meantime.
I madly miss playing live music. I miss playing with my bandmates, who I consider family. I miss playing dance parties – particularly for our wedding clients. I miss the insane tightrope performances of the tribute shows. I miss the comradery of being amongst bandmates, getting lost in the performance of a song, and the afterglow of the show after we’ve landed the plane.
I deeply sympathize for those of you who’ve had your weddings cancelled, drastically re-arranged beyond recognition, or simply pushed to “TBA.” Having planned my own wedding in 2016 with only a few hiccups, I can’t imagine the heartache, headache, and chaos (financial and logistical) that the pandemic has caused your plans.
Performing music for people is in my bones. Losing the rhythm that comes with regular gigging has been tough. However, I have a lot to be grateful for as I look back on 2020.
My wife made it through her pregnancy without any health issues and with complete grace. Our first child, June, arrived in October, and she has brought a level of joy to our lives that I couldn’t have imagined prior. She loves big smiles, cuddling and stroking her dad’s arm hair. I think she’s going to play the drums or the piano, but I’ll do my best not to push music on her as I find that often backfires with kids.
Me and June Bug.
Writing has been a mental salve for me in 2020 and relatively cheap therapy when I’m freaking out. I encourage everyone to write it down, even if you don’t end up sharing it with the world.
Somewhere along 2020, I started to hear my own songs again, which I’m thoroughly grateful for. I wrote my first song in 10 years, then a second, and I’m chipping away at some more with zero expectations of what they will become, other than recorded in some capacity. This year, I gave myself the permission to create my own music again. The simple act of sitting down with my guitar, my voice and some weird lyrics has been deeply satisfying to me. Don’t worry, I won’t bust these songs out at Shakedown shows for those of you who just want to keep it to the classics…
As we live through various forms of isolation in 2021, I hope you find space and give yourself permission to create in some capacity, be artistic, entrepreneurial, or perhaps through physical movement. I don’t think the medium matters. Simply showing up and creating something new has helped me this year and I hope the same for you.
I’ve read some great books in 2020, for anyone looking to fill up their list. Here are some I particularly enjoyed.
Heart Full of Rhythm – The Big Band Years of Louis Armstrong – An in-depth look at one of Louie Armstrong’s most productive periods. He’s the original American band leader.
Love In The Time of Cholera – I don’t read a lot of fiction, although I should. This novel is wildly poetic and just seemed appropriate to read during a pandemic. I can’t imagine reading it in Spanish.
Rocket Men – It sounds ridiculous, but I wasn’t “into Space” until reading this book. I am in awe of what these men accomplished during another divided time in American history. I never thought about the dark side of the moon and what that would be like until this book.
Empire of the Summer Moon – I found this to be a fascinating history of the Comanches, the wild, violent history of the Texas frontier and the remarkable story of Quanah Parker and his family.
How To Write One Song – I wrote at least one song this year! I think this book helped! Thanks Jeff Tweedy!
Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting. For all the new parents out there, this book has been helpful for my wife and I as we’ve formed our decisions on how to parent June.
Chaos – Charles Manson, the CIA and the Secret History of the Sixties. Tom O’Neill’s interview on Rogan compelled me to read this book. This book was published against all odds and it stands up as a testament to his decades-long perseverance to shed light on the Manson Family murders. Our country’s history is just nuts.
The Fish That Ate The Whale – I will never look at a banana the same way. Sam Zemurray was the best and worst of America. The part about Lee Christmas is worth the price of admission alone. I immensely enjoy Rich Cohen’s ability to weave his personal story into a greater historical narrative. It also makes me miss New Orleans.
Please drop me a line if there are any books that gripped you this past year. I kinda want to start a virtual book club in 2021. I’m just putting that out there.
So The Shakedown is in limbo as we wait for some combination of loosened Executive Orders, flattened curves, available vaccines, immune herds, open venues and ready clients. If you want to support members of The Shakedown in the meantime, (virtual lessons, listen to original compositions!) here’s how you can reach some of us in alphabetical order:
Alan Thompson – You can catch Alan on the radio at WNCU Monday through Friday 7AM-11AM and on WUNC Mon-Tues 2pm-8pm Sat-Sun 12pm-6pm. Some of his original compositions can be found here.
Brevan Hampden – Brevan can be reached for percussion, drum and beginner through intermediate piano lessons here.
Darion Alexander – Darion’s available for virtual bass lessons, and other music production needs here.
Keenan McKenzie – Keenan’s original music can be found here. 2021 is the year you stop worrying and learn how to play the clarinet!
Nick Baglio – Nickybagz is available for lessons here. Join the masses for nonstop drum-tainment here.
Tamisha Waden – Tamisha’s compositions and numerous collaborations can be found here.
I’m deeply grateful for the countless shows I’ve played with these people and the many other great folks who have joined The Shakedown in the past. Here’s to stepping back onstage together soon.
In 2021 I encourage people to try to listen to each other patiently, particularly when we disagree. So many of us are scared, frustrated, lonely and trying to figure it all out. Even as musicians and audiophiles who use our ears for our livelihood and well-being, I’ve noticed how it’s become easier to tune out the voices we disagree with and see opposing points of view as adversarial. I don’t think that’s healthy. I’ve found Arthur Brooks to be a helpful source of perspective during this contentious year.
Something that’s helped my mental stability throughout 2020 has been trying to limit my use of social media. I don’t think social media is an effective way to communicate and have conversations about incredibly nuanced, in-flux and uncertain topics, of which we’ve had to face many this past year. I recognize that’s a bit confusing as I just directed you to a bunch of social media profiles, but perhaps treat it like advice around alcohol: you don’t necessarily have to cut it out entirely, just maybe cut back some. It’s so easy to get sucked into the endless scroll…
I’m optimistic about 2021, even if live music doesn’t come raging back to stages and venues. It will come back eventually and The Shakedown will form like Voltron. We’ll be here on standby in the meantime. Stay safe and healthy in 2021.