Just Another Folk Singer Online [archive]

Root Canal Conversation

Just Another Folk Singer — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:31:56 +0000

This will be a rather one-sided conversation, I’m afraid.

I am exhausted! I awoke before dawn broke, which is not as much fun as staying awake late enough to watch the sun rise. One of the last times I committed said act was with my dear Lu! We stumbled out of the infamous Niagara’s front gate not too far past closing time, but past closing time nonetheless. Then we wavered around Tompkins Square Park, arm in arm, choking and coughing with full-bellied laughter as we looked for her misplaced van.

Rest assured, dear readers. Since we recognized our ill-conditions and assumed her driving conditions were very likely impaired, we settled into a cozy booth at 7a Cafe for our ritual mastication of veggie nachos and steady caffeine consumption. These things paired with the in-exhaustive East Village philosophical discussion and debate could keep us preoccupied for eternities and hours while our passions were only temporarily squelched by the silhouetted trees and high rises coming into focus against the melted colors of New York dawn. During these lulls in conversation we would sigh heavily over the clatter of forks and knives against plates. One, if not both of us would rest a weary chin in her cupped palm supported by the table top as we stared at the magical melting New York City horizon.

I thought of these moments when I awoke for my scheduled root canal. The sun had not yet risen, and it’s been a year since Lu has left this world. Around this time last year, I was working on a song called “Can’t Go Home Again.” Inspiration usually grabbed me on the bus ride back to Harlem from Hells Kitchen. The chill in the winter air was just starting to bite, and that nip infected me with nostalgia and a longing to return to Illinois and visit my home, my family, or perhaps my youth. The first verse seemed to come fairly easily, but I struggled with the chorus and remaining verses.

Then Lucinda was gone…and every line seemed to have an entirely new meaning. Every word. Each syllable. The rest of the song poured out of me just as easily as the tears rolled down my cheeks.

At the risk of being saturated in sap, I want to share something of my decay. I want to share the part that was saved or at least repaired. The last year, without her, has been uncomfortable and the healing has been painful, to say the least. Nevertheless, winter becomes spring and babies are born, and loved ones pass away, and although some things change, sometimes the tooth doesn’t have to be pulled.

In the words of George Webber, “You can’t go back home to your family, back home to your childhood … back home to a young man’s dreams of glory and of fame … back home to places in the country, back home to the old forms and systems of things which once seemed everlasting but which are changing all the time – back home to the escapes of Time and Memory.” [Thomas Wolfe]

Freak flag

Just Another Folk Singer — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:26:20 +0000

OK, I admit it. I haven’t been posting regularly, but once again, one of my New Year’s resolutions is to begin writing again. The good news is that I have been writing again. I have been writing mostly every day, in fact. I’ve been writing, drawing, singing, and noodling around on the lil’ pink guy. While I have been sacrificing a bit more time to the day job, my heart is still in that hard-to-describe place where that feeling you get when you hear a song that you just love or a piece of melancholy music that takes you away from waking life…somewhere else.

I’m tired of waiting around. I don’t even know if I really am waiting. Some days it certainly feels as though I am. So I’ve opted to do something. Maybe they will be small updates. Some days, I’m sure there will be sketches. Perhaps, I’ll finally get off putting off all that recording I’ve been saying that I’m going to do, but not actually doing. If I’m lucky, I’ll get a head start on this years FAWM and follow through.

It’s easy to blame 2012 for being a crap-tastic year, but in all honestly, and despite the hardships, there was a lot of good things that happened as well. I think it’s really about time I get over my fear of being judged and accepted and just put myself out there, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, and all that jazz.

Some good things included teaching myself how to finger-pick. I saw some very talented kids put on some great rock and roll shows. I got to sing with some of my heroes and peers, whom I admire dearly. I went camping for the first time in half my life and didn’t get eaten by monstrous, blood-thirsty mosquitoes! I had picnics in central park. I started diving deeper into myself to find out who I am, which can only, hopefully, make my songs better. I visited my Mommo (aka grandma) for the first time in a number of years. I played a number of gigs. I started writing and sketching again. I survived a hurricane. I lost 25 pounds (that’s weight not cash).

Yes, I am choosing to be less of a perfectionist and let my freak flag fly. In fact, I’m even designing a freak flag…or jacket rather. Well, it’s another one of those pesky New Year’s resolution things.

For those of you who couldn’t make the first day of the benefit…I give you the first 44+ minutes

Just Another Folk Singer — Thu, 24 May 2012 06:12:19 +0000

Aaron Lee Tasjan (Madison Square Gardners, Enemys), Mystie Chamberlin (Just Another Folk Singer), Jim Boggia singing Neil Young’s “Helpless” along with Jesse Malin, Marah, Willie Nile at the grand finale of the Benefit For Lucinda’s Kids Sunday 04.29.12 @ Bowery Electric (327 Bowery, NYC). Video snippet by David Fleming
Performance #210.

Day 7 - Just Another Folk Singer

Just Another Folk Singer — Wed, 23 May 2012 05:04:20 +0000

Reblogged from New Artist a Day:

http://justanotherfolksinger.com/

Mystie Chamberlain plays under the name of 'Just Another Folk Singer' and she is the first artist that I have taken a listen to and writing about as a result of them following this blog - It's the least I could do.

Chamberlain lives in New York after moving from Chicago and after working as a Merchandise Seller for several artists including Jesse Malin (who is awesome by the way), is now performing as a solo artist and also as part of a duo called 'Teh Typos'.

Helpless

Just Another Folk Singer — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:37:22 +0000

Enjoy the music while it lasts

Just Another Folk Singer — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:32:18 +0000

Snippet of Mystie Chamberlin is Just Another Folk Singer performing “The Musician (Mama Says)” Sunday, 04.29.12, for Benefit for Lucinda’s Kids live @ Bowery Electric (327 Bowery, NYC). Filmed by Jamie Eng. Performance #210.

The angels love you more than you know

Just Another Folk Singer — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:23:52 +0000

Snippet of Mystie Chamberlin is Just Another Folk Singer performing Jesse Malin’s “Broken Radio” Sunday, 04.29.12, for Benefit for Lucinda’s Kids live @ Bowery Electric (327 Bowery, NYC). Filmed by Jamie Eng. Part 1. Performance #210.

Raised on Rock n’ Roll

Just Another Folk Singer — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:18:15 +0000

Love Song for Lucinda

Just Another Folk Singer — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:05:22 +0000

Snippet of Mystie Chamberlin is Just Another Folk Singer performing “Love Song for Lucinda” Sunday, 04.29.12, for Benefit for Lucinda’s Kids live @ Bowery Electric (327 Bowery, NYC). Filmed by Jamie Eng. Performance #210.

10 tix left for Sunday!

Just Another Folk Singer — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:11:24 +0000

The Benefit for Lucinda’s Kids featuring Jesse Malin, Marah, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Willie Nile, Jimmy Gnecco, and more is only 10 tickets from being sold out for Sunday night The Bowery Electric get your tickets while you still can…. or get them for Monday Nights show!!!!!!! So proud of all who worked so hard on this Harry Greenberger, BillieJo Sheehan, and EVERYONE ELSE too!!!!!!!!! and thanks to all the artists donating their time and energy!!!!!!

https://www.facebook.com/BenefitForLucindasKids