These Streets Turn You Into Someone Else. . .

So I feel I've been getting a healthy dose of the city, seeing the intended and the unintended. Art and music are my priority. The scene for it here is amazing. As imagined in my mind.

Stopped by the Whitney to check out the current exhibits and their permanent collection. Separated by 5 floors, each one held a character of its own. It was awesome seeing an original Demuth. Just being that close lets you almost feel the brush strokes and the energy from each movement to create a singular idea. It was quite moving and inspirational to say the least.

After went and had probably some of the best ramen I have ever had. This little restaurant called Ippudo had a variety of different style of noodles and broths. I had a heavy spicy miso which gave my sinuses a quick flush. Definitely recommend if you want some extremely flavorful ramen (with great sake too)!

Also got a chance to walk into my first Guitar Center which I have to admit was disappointed. Even with a great selection and extreme organization I did feel like it was a big toy store for musicians. Not in a good way but more in the very gimmicky: let's buy your first guitar for your 8th birthday kind of feel. Sure they did have some great stuff like this beautiful White Falcon but overall not recommend. I did get to try out some stuff with the salesman really being a salesman than an expert which is sort of maddening. So I guess if you are looking for something specific and just want to try it out, they probably have it in stock. Helped me decide on getting a Swolen Pickle that's for sure.

After that took the subway up to Brooklyn to check out some music. At this restaurant/bar we got to see the Rakiem Walker Experience. Drums, keys, 2 guitars, bari sax and the lead soprano sax. The sound was tight and talk about groove. Like a jazzy Curtis Mayfield funk. The keys held down the groove while the rest of the band did their squeaks and growls, whacks and slides. This is that Brooklyn feel.

Finished off this night with the Broadway show Fuerza Bruta. This definitely was a show experience that I have never had before. The lobby was a bar and as you enter the show room they have everyone stand in the center of a large circle in the middle of the room. It's sort of an interactive show with you constantly moving. Through out the show they are playing house music and it almost feels like a party! Totally different compared to Sister Act. I love it

Apple Day 1 & 2

So upon arriving at 1am and then going out to get sleepy, we lost half a day on day 1. Fortunately we jumped on a subway and went down to this chain called the Shake Shack. Like this was just a plain good burger, minus all the fancy toppings and distracting flavors. Definitely a must try if ever encountered.

After it was straight to the MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art). I have to say it was a breath taking experience. The only trouble was I didn't have nearly enough time to digest all the pieces I wanted to see. I distinctively remember going into this room completely surrounded by a whole bunch of work by Degas. I assume it was pact due to the season but, the moment I walked in this room it was empty. I felt everything go silent and just could hear the sounds of the pieces on the wall. Maybe sounds strange. Maybe just pure bewilderment. But I was completely drawn into that moment.

Next came the BB King night club in Times Square. Robert Cray was in town so it was a must see. The club itself is chill,a little touristy but set aside the gimmicky nature it was a sweet set up. Robert Cray was a beast. His tone and style is that sweet fender slap like Albert King. His tone next to his line up made the whole night worth it. Just an honor to be in his presence.

Concluded the night with an impromptu house party with some jazz cats playing bari sax and this awesome archtop. Rounded out very nicely.


Day 2
Highlights would include walking around town and seeing my first Broadway show: Sister Act! I generally speaking don't care for musicals but I am for sure hooked now. Just a mixture of the music and how everything about the show was tight: entrance, instruments, acting, singing, dancing, and even wrapping up the show was down seemingly flawless. Looking forward to the next one later this week!
We went and grabbed a bite to eat at Carnegie Deli. I wish I had the patience to take a photo of the ruben but. . .man it was just toooooooo good. I understand this whole deli thing. . .got to go try Katz next.
Also walked passed Carnegie Hall and I got chicken skin. Something about being so close just gave me this wild and weird inspiration to play more music. It left me on a good note to end the night. Finding that inspiration is one of the reasons that drew me here. Yet to find what else this city has in store.

-1 Day in New York

So just a quick post, left HNL at 6 in the morning to LAX. What a beautiful sight the sun was this morning and not so beautiful sight at LAX. So add another 6 hours and we arrive at JFK at 1 in the morning. I'll be keeping pictures running and posting up here but a lot of the information and updates will be on my facebook page and my twitter.

Keep with it!

Song Writers Welcome!

Earlier last week I was visited by an excellent lyricist and ukulele enthusiast John Lindhorst. He came by on his first day visiting the islands just to check out some ukuleles with no intention on walking away with one or even having an impromtpu jam session. Yet both happened and we had a great time. He showed me a couple of his songs and I have to admit that they were stuck in my head! While walking to grab some coffee I started to hum his songs and caught myself mid-chorus. He stopped by again two days later with his mini video camera and we had another little jam. Here is a link for the video off his youtube channel of his song, "My Hula Baby and Me." John definitely falls under the category of, "Good Fun Dudes," with a great vibe for the ukulele. So check out more of his songs and keep an ear open for some of his catchy lyrics sung by himself and many other musicians!

John's Youtube

Cherub Acoustic Pick Up

WCP-60G Guitar Pickup

On slow days at the store we occasionally get visited by our surf instructor friend Kevin. He's a good fun guy with great energy to him (and a lot of it). I have had the pleasure instructing him once before on basic improvisation and it was a great lesson. That high energy mixed with the spirit of the jam really brought out an enlightening experience that reminded me the kind of joy that music brings out in people. Really a reminder to what I believe is one of the keys to playing music: Joy.

One day Kevin made one of his regular visits into the store and asked me if I knew anything about amplifying his ukulele. He was weary of damaging his beautiful Kanile'a so he was looking for something topical. I told him about the, "Bottle Cap," pick ups and he was interested by not particularly inspired. He told me he heard of a clip on pick up that was cheap yet effective. Not exactly sure what he was talking about I imagined the idea and realized how effective that could be. What brand does this?

The following week opened as usual. Readying the store, teaching the morning lesson, and a mad rush of customers. Just as I exhaled I started to hear the sound of a distorted ukulele. Not too sure, I expected maybe one of the crazies strumming on a cheapo ABC or something along those lines. Yet, around the corner came Kevin in hand his ukulele with a cord hanging from his uke. Here he was with his clip on mic hooked up to one of those little Danelectro amps clipped on to his board shorts. I couldn't help but laugh to see he had found exactly what he was looking for. With all knobs cranked on max, this tiny amp couldn't the volume. With some minor adjustments the ukulele sounded as it was, just slightly amplified (a good sign of a good pick up).

WCP-60G Guitar Pickup from the company Cherub. With great reviews and it's inexpensive nature I can't see how anyone could go wrong with one of these. If you have an instrument that is too nice for any invasive surgery, I highly recommend this little piece of equipment. It's small and has little padding to avoid any contact damage.

I am not aware of where you can get this locally but you can order it right of their website. And if you do find it locally. . .let me know soon (because I'll be ordering it if not!)