June Newsletter

June 3rd, 2009

Transitions…

So many things are shifting and evolving. Before you know it, everything you counted on as true and solid has morphed into something completely new and unexpected. No matter how much we want to keep things the same, suddenly your daughter wants to wax her eyebrows, you get grey nose hairs, and your wife becomes a hot biker chick who rides off into the rising sun.

When I finished “Traveling Salesman”, I wondered if there were any more songs coming. I’ve spoken with many artists about this. We sometimes fear that the last song we wrote is the last song we’re going to get.

But that’s not the case. I’m writing a lot and am starting to own the fact that this is what I do. “Hey Joe, what do you do?” people ask. To which I now respond, “I’m a songwriter and I write songs!”

For a long time I couldn’t say that. It was too weird. But, not any more.

These new songs are different. But, more like an evolution – rather than a departure from the songs on “Traveling Salesman”.

I’m starting to see the stories of my life, and lives of people around me, bubbling up. Sometimes I find myself sensoring or editing out pieces that might be upsetting… That’s when I stop and breathe, and remember to let the song be as it wants to be.

Two Quick Reminders!

Tune into WFUV (90.7fm in metro NY) and www.wfuv.org on Sunday, June 7th, when we join John Platt as his in-studio guests for “Sunday Breakfast”. The show starts at 8am, and our segment airs from 10am-11am.

Once you’ve had your whistle-whetted, don’t forget to come to NYC’s Living Room on Tuesday, June 9th (7pm) where we will join John Platt once again for “On Your Radar”. This is going to be a great show.

We kick it off at 7pm, followed by Sometymes Why (the Neotrad trio of: Aoife O’Donovan (Crooked Still), Ruthy Unger Merenda (The Mammals, Mike and Ruthy), and Kristin Andreassen (Uncle Earl), and the show is wrapped up by Earl Pickens (“Heaps of fun and a whole lot of trouble.”).

Interviews and special surprise guests will be plentiful! Check out my tour page at www.joeiadanza.com/tour for all of the details.

Canvas…

One last thing… I’ve hosted the worlds most wonderful open stage for Canvas Magazine for over a year and a half. It has been a wonderful ride and I’m so grateful to have been part of creating a safe space for people to share their art.

Last month Canvas announced they would cease publication, and so June 11th will be our last Canvas open mic in their space. We are working together to figure out if and how we can transition it to another location.

If you’re in the Huntington area on June 11th, please join me and let’s say a joyful farewell to this great space. Join me also in wishing my friends Tom Pellicane and Matt O’Grady (Canvas’ publishers) a successful journey forward as they re-focus their business and follow their dreams.

Many Blessings to you all my friends! Thanks for listening!