Gemini Trail: 2010 Tour Notes

Brendan Hogan


I don’t know what day it is and I don’t know where I am.

I’ve spent a lot of time on the road this summer playing songs for people in a lot of different places. 10,000 miles traveled, a few CD’s sold, and approaching 80 gigs played since May. I travel solo. It’s been hard but it’s been good.

I’ve been to Chicago, Cleveland, NYC, Philadelphia, all over Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, central MA, Cape Cod, Red Sox territory CT, Yankee territory CT, up and down the Hudson Valley, and through the center of upstate NY at least a few times. I’ve played 200 yards from my front door and far off in bizarro world. I’ve played after dawn and just before the crack of it. I’ve played festivals, in-studio radio performances, TV shows, podcasts, coffeehouses, cafes, bars, churches, house concerts, courtyards, restaurants, sidewalks, and boardwalks. I even played a psychiatric ward.

I’ve performed for hundreds of people and I’ve performed for one. I’ve sold out places and I’ve been unable to attract flies. I’ve been overpaid and I’ve been way underpaid. I’ve walked on clouds and I’ve had to pick myself up off the ground. I’ve been adored and I’ve been ignored. I’ve slept in my car, on mats, on concrete floors, and sometimes I don’t even get that. Sometimes I get a king size bed.

I’ve spun my wheels. I’ve squeaked and gotten the oil. I’ve been very lucky, very spoiled, stared at, gawked at, drooled over, and very invisible.

I’ve been buzzed and I’ve been beat. I’ve been on time and way off. I’ve rolled into gigs with not a minute to spare and I’ve had hours to kill nowhere. I’ve played for five minutes and I’ve played for four hours. I’ve played well and I’ve played like shit.

I’ve been an asshole and I’ve been a saint. I’ve had to check myself on more than one occasion. I’ve hated everything about myself and thought I was great. I’ve been a fraud and I’ve passed the test. I’ve begged and I’ve been a point of interest.

I’ve built up, I’ve torn down. I’m new in town but I’ve been around. I’ve been in the right place at the wrong time, and the wrong place at the right time. I’ve had thoughts, written songs, and let them dry on the vine.

I’ve wondered what the point is and I’ve stuck my toe right in it. I’ve been encouraged and I’ve been turned away. I’ve heard thanks and no thanks. I’ve heard myself on the airwaves, heard others hearing me as well, and I’ve heard nothing at all.

I know what hard work is. I’m adrift on the sea and swept up in the winds. I see the beacons, hear the horns call, and I wish I didn’t care. I’ve gambled with sailors, I’ve eaten with the crew. I’ve talked with the captain and I’ve done what I’ve had to do. I swab the deck and I soak my boots.

I’ve written too much, talked too much, thought too much, cared too much, been hurt too much, given away too much, but I’ve never played too much. There’s no such thing.

I hope we see each other soon.

To see where the road is taking Brendan next, vist brendanhogan.net.

Comments

[Kimdavidsongigs]

You, quite simply, rock.

[Lydia Warren]

Well said! And nice Ampeg...