January 2012: Day 10

1/18/12: SoundPony, Tulsa OK


I was a bit nervous for this next gig. The booking agent at SoundPony was hesitant to book us. I tried getting booked there before, with no luck. Then when I contacted them about booking Memphis Pencils and Candy Lee and the Sweets, they said they'd book us, but only if we could get MP to play. I guess they're pretty selective of the bands that play there. It's more of an artistic, hipster type crowd. It says on their website that they don't let jam or cover bands play, and that they want original sounding music. I thought this was pretty cool, which is why I wanted to book us there. So I set it up, and MP was unable to make it. Warren was also sick that night, so we had to play as the
Semi Sweets again.


It turns out that I had no reason to feel nervous. The ladies, Dan and I rocked it out. We sounded awesome, and the crowd was pretty respectful and attentive. My old friend, an amazing singer/songwriter Miles Ralston, sent a few of his friends out to come watch us play. They were very nice. His mom also came out. She's supported my music for a while. It was cool to meet her in person.


The bartender at SoundPony was very nice. He said he enjoyed our music and he offered to put in a good word for us to the booking agent. The Sweets and I really enjoyed the venue. It was a small place, but there was a lot of character in it. There are newspaper clippings and pictures of bicycles all over the restaurants, along with old bike wheels, handlebars, and other bits of bicycle frames. There is also a disco ball which hangs above the stage, sending little dots of lights revolving around the front of the room. It gave a nice, almost romantic feel to the place.

Audrey Hepburn and the Daleks

JC quote in the Women's Room
@ SoundPony

One of the first things I did when I got to SoundPony, after a 2 hour drive, was go to the bathroom. The first thing you notice when you enter the women's room is that it is plastered with graffiti. As I looked around the small stall in which I did my business, I saw that there was actually some pretty cool graffiti in there. There were various stencils, including one of Audrey Hepburn, and the Daleks from the TV show "Dr. Who." I looked to my right and there written was a neat quote that said "The cave you fear holds the treasure you seek." I recognized this quote from Joseph Campbell, a professor of comparative mythology whose teachings have greatly influenced my lyrics. He is the one who coined the phrase "Follow Your Bliss." David said the artwork in the guys bathroom was also cool.

The Men's Room @ SoundPony

Emily was also excited to see that at the back of the venue, near the bathrooms were arcade games. Her favorite is "Rampage." She definitely geeked out for a bit. Needless to say, we'd all like to return to SoundPony. Looking forward to it when I return back to town.

Emily geeking out to some old school arcade games