Recapitated

Last night was a break-through. Not that our first weekend show in Nashville was an overwhelming success. Given the last-minuteness of the show, and GhostFinger cancelling, there was not a large turn-out, but it might have been my favorite show so far. Having a stripped-down power trio last night - with Nathan Thomas on bass, and Aaron Tosti on drums - I felt more free to crank up the guitar and get a bit rowdy. At rehearsal before the show, Tosti reminded me of how wild those Traveling Mercies shows were back in the Spring of '08 when I first came to Nashville. It spurned me on to get a little sweatier. While my songs are my pride and joy, I feel a renewed commitment to putting on a real show.

It was also great getting a chance to talk with local songwriter Derek Hoke. After Jacob Jones finished his set (which was great, by the way), Derek and I chatted til the bar closed. We've already made plans to get together soon to write a tune together. How Nashville!




Although we didn't get any video last night, you can really feel the energy in these photos Meagan took.

After we played, I snapped a few photos. Here's Jacob Jones soaking in the spotlight, and we have Aaron Tosti and Nathan Thomas looking at something really cool on Nathan's phone.




I'm gonna try to make this blog more than just show reviews in the future, but I've been lucky enough to be pretty busy lately. I promise to make more quality time with you, girl.

Home Away from Home

Tuesday was the best show I've had in Nashville thus far. We played to the fullest room yet, and the band sounded great. It was the first show with Ethan as utility man, switching between guitar, baritone guitar and lap steel. Here's a few clips from the night. My buddy Lonnie from Seattle was in town for a business trip and made it out, so it was great to play for someone from back home.


"Across the River" from I'm Gonna Live The Life I Sing About In My Song


"Idle Hands" from Shouting At A Silent Sky


"Ain't No Grave" from Hey Lazarus!

So it turns out the 5 Spot is my latest "home away from home." After playing our second show at the 5 spot in less than a month, l was pleasantly surprised to find an email waiting for me at home asking us to play the 5 Spot again this Friday (tomorrow)! We are opening up for Jacob Jones (who really impressed me when I saw him at Dino's a couple weeks ago) and GhostFinger. It's a sort of "East Nashville Neighborhood Party" so it's great to be included, and with our first Friday night show, it should help establish us a bit more around town.

Joey Sanchez won't be able to do this last minute gig, but we are lucky enough to be joined by our good friend Aaron Tosti on drums. Aaron, or as he's more frequently known as Skwid, played my first show in Nashville with me back in June 2008 before my brother joined me for our Traveling Mercies southern tour. Looking forward to playing with him again. I'll let you know how it goes (or if you're in town, join us)!

About Last Night (at The 5 Spot)

Despite the fact that we were the only band scheduled last night (due to an emailing mix up) we had a great crowd (quality not necessarily quantity) and a full night of music. Our friend Stephen Sebastian was there and so we had him play a few songs to get the night rolling. I love his voice, and he's one of the rare performers who doesn't need a band behind him to get people tapping their toes and feeling the groove. After his short and sweet set, we took the stage. Our band has expanded since the Family Wash show, we now have Josiah Holland playing keys with us. He's most recently been seen playing bass with The Lonely Hearts and keys with his brother Will Morgan Holland. At our first show, last week at the Family Wash we introduced ourselves as Shane Tutmarc & the Oceanic 2 (since it was the night of the big LOST final season premiere) but last night we were Shane Tutmarc & The Enablers. I kinda like the sound of that, might use that one again. Here's a photo Meagan got on her phone's camera:



Our friend, local photograher, Emjae was also on hand to capture the night. Here's her gallery.

We played a 10 song set, pulling songs mainly from Hey Lazarus! and Shouting At A Silent Sky. After laying off of the Mercies stuff in Seattle for the last year, its been fun pulling out those songs again. There is a freshness to them that is undiminished. Here's the set-list (with a couple random video links):

1 Fair Warning
2 Honey I Choose You
3 Idle Hands
4 Across the River
5 Next Best Thing
6 Never Turnin' Back
7 Lost Myself Again
8 Mortality Blues
9 Death & Texas
10 Ain't No Grave

Next up, I have another solo gig at Drifters on the 18th. We'll keep ya posted with more going on here as we get settled in Music City!