The Hotel Cafe Tour: Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, Joshua Radin, Cary Brothers, and Greg Laswell

Joshua Radin
Originally uploaded by rachelparker

Ok so I know this show was like 2 weeks ago. But I had so many photos to sort through. I've had the boys photos up for a few days now on my flickr while I finished editing the girls photos.

Let me just say I love the Hotel Cafe Tour. It's all so laid back and great music and cool artist. The second time I ever saw sara was on the 2006 Hotel Cafe Tour. Also with Joshua Radin and Cary Brothers. That show also had Jim Bianco and Rachael Yamagata.

The 2008 show here this go round was Sara Bareilles, Joshua Radin, Cary Brothers, Ingrid Michaelson, and Greg Laswell. This time they did it pretty similar to the last tour. Each artist came out did a few songs then they came back out did a few more songs later. With the exception of Sara's set, I would imagine because she had her own band with her because she was already on tour and just kind of merged with them for a few dates. Cary's song Blue Eyes turned into a group sing along. I was a little sad the show closing wasnt a big group number like last time.

But it was Ingrid Michaelson doing a rendition of Fresh Prince of Bel Aire. Then a cover of the song "Creep." But after fresh prince people were yelling out tv shows and she started playing the theme songs. Someone yelled Golden Girls and that one had to have been the best!

I was incredibly impressed with Ingrid and she was hilarious. Apparently she had Chikfila for the first time and loved it. She was like "What's on this chicken sandwich... bread.. chicken.. and a pickle.. and it was awesome." Also we the collective crowd screwed up the clapping on "The Way I Am" have to say that. There are some videos on youtube from that show. If you have time venture over and see if you can find them.

Joshua Radin and Cary were great too. I really like Cary's song that was on Grey's Anatomy which is lame. But I had heard it before then when they used it on Grey's I got excited for him. And Josh seems like such a nice guy. His music is really chill I guess is how I would describe it cause it's pretty soft. He did some new stuff of his next album that hasn't come out yet. Including the duet with Ingrid.

So anyway Sara left me a pass well sara's tour manager but when I saw her at Good Records she was the one who said it should be no problem. So I consider it a collective effort! Ha! Anyway her set was great. I was glad to get to see her do "Oh Darling" the beatles cover. It was nice to see her not behind the piano for once. But she sounded great as usual, I cant say I've ever not heard her sound great. Really great thing about her shows, she always says really hilarious stuff and that night was no differnt. She had a beer with her onstage. It looked like a dark beer if anyone was curious. I think she prefers the premiums cause last hotel cafe tour she had a Heiniken. But she took a drink and she was like "Dont grow up to be an alcohol.. an alconolic.. I couldnt have planned that any better if I tried...... DONT PUT THIS ON YOUTUBE!" And funny enough it's on youtube now. But really good set, it was I think in this order "Bottle It Up" "Vegas" "Love on the Rocks" "Oh Darling" "Love Song" "Many the Miles" "Gravity" I may be missing a song. The two songs I wish I'd get to hear more often are "Morningside" and "City"

Sadly her solo tour is not stopping by here. And she is off the Maroon 5 tour by the time it's scheduled to hit here. So no Sara for a while I guess.

So I've rambled enough about this show I think! Here are some photos!

Greg Laswell


Cary Brothers


Joshua Radin


Ingrid Michaelson


Sara Bareilles


Alrighty! So I may put up some photos I shot at George Carlin the other night. Hopefully I'll get something interesting. I dont want to say what I want to shoot that's coming up because I'm afraid I'll Jinx it!

Later Yall
Rachel

Sara Bareilles

Sara Bareilles
Originally uploaded by rachelparker

Yay Sara!

If you've ever read my blog you will know she is my second favorite artist ever. Who's first.. Kelly Clarkson. That's a hard person to beat but Sara is up there with her. Pure talent. Sara has more talent in her little finger than I think I have in my entire body to put it lightly.

She has always been so nice to me. And honestly during this interview I could tell she was so tired because she was a little more soft spoken than normal. She had showcases all day at SxSw the day before. I believe she had one at 12:30 am even. Then they got on the bus and drove up to Dallas and then she did Kidd Kraddick on like 2 hours of sleep. But she was great during the interview, tired or not she didnt let it show. Hell if I was on her schedule I'd be exhausted.

And you know what's kind of funny or ironic about the whole thing. I dont think she really cares about the success or how well the song is doing. I just think she wants to be able to make music and that's it. And that's pretty refreshing. But once again she's always so nice. And I have to say a recent posting on a certain Hiltons blog said she snubbed autograph seekers. Well good for her. Because she's worked really hard to get where she is. And I've never seen her snub a fan and theyre the ones that count.

Ok I'm going to quit my ramblings! But if you do get the chance to listen to the interview its a great one. And she did this little medley with "In Your Eyes" at the start of it. Which I would say is my doing because I told Kidd she did a kick ass version of it. And Sara was like "Well I dont know about Kick Ass but yeah." And I knew it was one of Kidds favorite songs ever so of course he got her to do it in the medley.

Ok pictures!



Okay so I will get working on Hotel Cafe from last week finally!
Rachel

I Nine

I Nine
Originally uploaded by rachelparker

So the same day Sara was at Kidd Kraddick so was I Nine.. I hadn't ever heard of them but was very impressed. Plus they have a cello in the band which gives them major cool points. They are on RCA and are worth checking out if you have a moment and not to mention they were all really nice.

Their singer was actually sick because they had been flying alot. So she couldn't hear herself at all. I think she did pretty dang good for that being the case.




Rachel

Ryan Cabrera

Ryan Cabrera
Originally uploaded by rachelparker

Ryan Cabrera made a stop at Kidd Kraddick before he headed down to SxSw in Austin. Alot of people aren't to sure what to think of Ryans change of "image." And while his look has changed his music isnt too different and his personality is definitely still the same.

I will say he sure looks like he should be in a Pirates of the Caribbean movie though. But I also do want to point out the really cool Abbey Road tattoo he has.

Another cool thing about Ryan at Kidd Kraddick, I got to meet his keyboardist Chris August. Who is mega talented. Go check out his myspace. http://www.myspace.com/chrisaugustmusic He couldnt have been nicer and he seemed pretty surprised I even knew who he was. If you're in NYC he has a show tonight at I want to say The Bitter End.




Ok I still have I Nine and Sara Bareilles to come.

Rachel

Matt Nathanson

Matt Nathanson
Originally uploaded by rachelparker

Matt Nathanson who's one my favorite musicians ever stopped by Kidd Kraddick last week. He is absolutely hilarious and very talented. His album "Some Mad Hope" that came out last year was one of the best albums released in 2007. If you dont have it go get it because its amazing.

He couldn't have been nicer ironically I haven't met him before. Mostly because I've lost the will to hang out for long periods of time after shows to meet the artist. Which I know is lame but hey I'm getting old in concert years.

The show I did go to of his he had Brett Dennen opening for him at the Gypsy Tea Room. They didnt have a drummer because their drummer went crazy or something. And Matt was reading parts of a Romance novel onstage. He's definitely not a PG rated show but it's a great one. Good times. Check him out get the cd go to a show he doesn't disappoint.




Ok Ryan Cabrera, Sara Bareilles, I Nine, and The Hotel Cafe Tour to come.

:)
Rachel

Randy Travis at Billy Bob's

Randy Travis
Originally uploaded by rachelparker

So a couple weeks ago I shot Randy Travis at Billy Bob's. It was like Country Legends week for me I guess. Billy Bob's always treats me real well. It's one of my favorite places to shoot because of that. Randys setlist was full of hit after hit and he's definitely worth checking out if you get the chance, he is a country legend after all.

Alrighty I wish I had more to say I should. But I dont, I do however have pics for ya! I need to go get ready to shoot Riverdance tonight.





Ok I have KKITM stuff from last week that shouldnt take too long but it wont be till later tonight at the soonest. THEN Hotel Cafe Tour photos :)

Later
Rachel

Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson
Originally uploaded by rachelparker

Last week I finally got to shoot Willie Nelson. I think I was the only DFW photographer that hasn't gotten to shoot him. And the fact that it was with the Symphony was pretty unique too so that's kinda cool.

The only thing that sucks is you're on the side. And for Bernadette Peters the orchestra was moved back a little bit. But for Willie it wasn't. So I was on this stool trying to avoid the top of this cellists head in the corner of my photos. But I think I got some pretty descent shots.




More to come. I'm trying my best to catch up.

Rachel