Andrew Parker Renga

I recorded a show at Nectar’s in Burlington on October 1st and will be making selected tracks available for download this fall.    This picture was taken from the show by my image guru Shawn Patrick Rice. More pictures and a write up of the night can be seen at Benjamin D. Blooms blog. And for even more pictures of the evening, check out Reid Crosby’s shots. With their own unique styles, it’s amazing to see each photographers interpretation. Thanks to them and every one else who came to the show!

After a great 6 days and Chicago and upper Wisco, I have to say I love the mid-west. A lot of my dear friends growing up live there and it feels like home. The week began with 2 days of R & R in Chi. The city does excellent tours on the water. Highly recommend them. Then, it was time to rent a car and head up to Wabeno.

North Branch was happening. 2 nights of great music, food, drinks and friends. I opened the festival off with a short APR set followed by a collection of Wilco tunes I had learned for my friends who were throwing the festival. They love Wilco. I played Sunken Treasure -> Airline to Heaven, Impossible Germany, California Stars. As Tweedy would say, the crowd pleasers. I closed with “The Line” to people singing and dancing.

Sunday, I headed back to Chicago for another great show at Uncommon Ground on Clark, a favorite. The tight quarters lead to quiet crowds listening closely. It brings the inner spirit out. Plus their calamari is to die for. Sadly, on Monday, I said good bye to the mid-west. Can’t wait to get back this fall!

Upon arriving in Burlington, the reality hit, I was moving. My time in Vermont was wonderful and I am happy to be able to return there frequently for gigs. Now, I am back to Boston and new songs are flowing. I will be recording another EP this summer in my home studio to be released in the fall. It will be titled Issue 5 “something I haven’t come up with yet.” This is all leading up to a full length record to be recorded next year. Sign the mailing list to stay up to date on previews and demo downloads. Peace out and happy summer – though I’d like to see, “Rain Away.”

Tonight I leave for the mid-west to perform 2 shows. One at the rocking North Branch Music Festival on June 24th in Wabeno, Wisconsin and the other will be my return to Uncommon Ground on Clark in Chicago on June 26th @ 8pm click here for Facebook event. For details, click the venues. I will be posting info on my facebook page. See out there!

It’s been two weeks since I got from the Portraits Tour and I have established a few things. First, I am blessed to know so many great people who I can learn from watch grow and who want to do the same for me. Second, I am who I am because of those people. Third, keeping up with a blog and website is time consuming. Fourth, I will continue to work at getting better about talking about the cool stuff I do more regularly so can keep finding that cool stuff out at this website. Fifth and finally, keep positive energy in the world, because you never know who needs some…

Thanks to all of you who came out to my shows on tour! Because of you, it was a great success.

My tour has been eye opening. Rolling from town to town I’ve notice to quote Paul Simon, ‘Each town looks the same to me.’ Madison on a topographical or architectural level looks very little like Indianapolis or Columbus or Bowling Green or Syracuse. But on an economic level, these towns are identical. Closed businesses, boarded up strip-malls and tons of ‘For Sale’ and ‘Going out of Business’ signs. The need for positive music and energy is clear.

When I walked into to Java Cat and met Kim, you wouldn’t have known we were in a recession. Her upbeat personality put me in the right mood, forgetting all the depression I witnessed on my drive down 74 and up 39. She is a musician like myself following her passions and enjoying every day she’s given. Check out her band Dirty Kicks new website.

Right before I got started in my set, two familiar faces walked in with a brand new baby. I couldn’t help and think about the gas station sign I saw, ‘Love.’ Love for living will take us threw this hard time. Life must go on. No, life will go on. It has too. You can live in misery letting the hardships that have hit all of us consume your thoughts or you can be like Kim and go to work with a purpose with hope. I choose purpose and hope…

I played for about 2 hours for patrons of the Java Cat as they ate their gelatos and drank their lattes. Stories were told. Laughs were had. I loaded out around 7:30 and headed to a friend of a friends had some beers and crashed.

I woke up to snow. Awesome. Thanks Wisconsin. Now, it’s on to Milwaukee!

Record Store Day started as an idea by musician/artist, Chris Brown, to bring fans of music together for one day to celebrate their passions while supporting their local retailers. Lines form around the block to hopefully get a piece of history. Main-stream artists and indie-folks combine forces releasing limited addition material targeted around the event. The stores have live music most of the day serving snacks and drinks. It is good people, good vibes.

Why I’ve never heard of this day until Saturday when I arrived in Columbus, Ohio, is crazy. I love purchasing CDs. The packing, the liner notes, the physical piece of music, hightens my experience as a fan. I truly feel a part of the experience. Digital music just has a very voyeuristic feeling. Record stores provide real forums for fans of music to unite and share their love of “Big Star “ and “Gang Starr.”

I had some time to kill before my gig and stumbled into Magnolia Thunderpussy out of pure chance. Record Store Day was in full effect there. After checking a quick set by rappers, Ill Poetic, Illogic, J Rawls and L.e For The Uncool, I chatted with them about their, ‘Ohio Take Over Tour,’ and the importance of Record Store Day. Wanting to support the day, I bought the new David Gray and the T-Bone Burnett produced, Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horse’s record, Junky Star, then, headed up the block for my gig.

Travonna Coffee is located on N. High Street in downtown Columbus. Travis and the fellow baristas serve coffee and yummie bites 24 hours a day. It is a hot spot for students to get their study on not only for its all hours and tasty offerings, but the room is super cool as well. Local art hangs on the walls and beautiful wood floors run the whole the length of the store. I kicked my set off around 8:00 to a room of about 5 people. When I ended around 11:00 there were about 25 people, banging on tables and singing along. Stickers were handed out, CDs were sold, great conversation was had, I crushed a burrito, packed up, and got the car with my expectations blown away.

As hit the road a little after midnight, I could not help but think, “This is why I do what I do.” People took a chance on me and I took a chance back. After a great week on the road, it is clear people need music and they love experiencing it together. I am so happy to be a vehicle for this. We need to keep supporting independent record stores and artists, because they are what keep the foundation of music going. You can’t have a tree with out a seed. Underground, baby. Columbus, thanks for reminding of me of what this is all about!

My tour continues to Madison and the Java Cat. See you all out there on the road!

The road to Syracuse was eventful. I found about this magical place called, the “Mighty Taco.” It’s an independent fast food taco chain in the greater Buffalo area. Do not be fooled, it is no ordinary fast food. It’s magical. I recorded my adventure and will be making the, “Quest for the Might Taco.” After a long 460 miles down 90 and its ridiculous tolls, I rolled into Bowling Green, Ohio about 9:30pm.

Howard’s Club H is historic monument to clubs of the days of old. A cross between a biker bar and garage, stickers are plastered all over the place, there are holes in the dry wall, it smells like and old keg and there is probably not a straight pool stick in the place, but, after all that’s rock and roll. Isn’t it? These venues are dying, most notably CBGB’s. Howard’s is not. As I stuck myself all over the room, I was planting seeds in this place that will hopefully keep it growing with new APR fans to occupy it on future dates.

The show started with Sam Wagner ripping through songs. His fans cheered and bought him drinks, and more drinks and more drinks. I hit the stage about 11:30 and kicked things of with heavy, ‘Drawing Dead’ followed by Nexus. I played my heart and the Howard’s peeps gave me the love back. Cory Breth, a promising local S/S, went on after me playing a mix of pleasing covers and originals to his followers. The night closed with Roy and the Als with Cheese.

I’ve clearly established that Bowling Green State University would have been an incredible place to go to college. As Cory was wrapping up his set, I stepped out to grab a late night bite. Flocks of kids walked the streets looking for people they new, bars to step into for a last call and perhaps find a companion to share the next 8 hrs or if a blessing should happen a lot longer. It was lively. Though I do not envy those kids, I do admire them and their persistence to the game. After all, I was in college once.

As the tour rolls on, I can’t help but feel blessed. Leaving Arlington, Vermont and the Battenkill was very tough to do. But, the tour must go on! And, go on did it ever. I arrived to Syracuse around 6:30pm. It took me a couple of circles around the block, a bathroom break, and Dunkin visit to find Funk N’ Waffles, but I found it. I performed for a “She’s the First” benefit. “She’s the First” is an organization promoting woman’s education. The crowd was caffeinated and the waffles were flowing.

The night started with a sweet acoustic duo featuring Jessica Cunnington and was followed by the local, Syracuse benefit pro, Marcus Belmore. Then, I hit the stage and rocked through a power hour set closing with the crowd joining me in singing “Tiny Dancer,” a favorite of mine to end the set with. The benefit ended with another local S/S Aurla Dahe strumming sweet songs for her sweet voice. The “She’s the First,” peeps meet their goal, I sold some CDs and stickers, the world is in harmony. The Funk N’ Waffles people truly know how to host a party. Thanks guys…

My evening and morning continued with deep spiritual and political talks with new friend Dwight. He served me good brew and made me tasty breakfast in the morning practicing the Indian practice, ‘Guest is God.’ A thoughtful guy, Dwight has reminded me how blessed I am to have crossed paths with such caring, great people. Pay it forward. After an informative tour of the Syracuse campus, the time has come to go on.

To the Bowling Green and Howard’s Club H I go!

Kicked things off yesterday at the Perfect Wife in Manchester.   Great people, great food, great beer, great music with special guest Aranda on a few songs.   Melissa, Amy, and Howard sure know how to treat a traveling musician. After discussion on the East Coast, it was established that the East Coast fully experiences all four seasons.  This makes the people that live there able to know that no matter how hard life gets change is coming.  The night closed with brewing beer with Bear.   Today, has been peaceful.  Breakfast at the Wayside, walks on the Battenkill and coffee at the foot of the mountains.  The word of the day, Joy.  Can’t wait to play Funk N’ Waffles tonight.  Syracuse, here I come!

Hey Fans and Friends,

The dates are out for my tour in April. Click on the venues to be linked to the great venues I will be playing. I need your help getting people to the shows, so, please tell your friends. See you all on the road!

Cheers,
Andrew

APRIL 9TH – TOUR KICK OFF - MONKEY HOUSE, WINOOSKI, VT
APRIL 12TH – THE BEE’S KNEES - MORRISVILLE, VT
APRIL 13TH – THE PERFECT WIFE – MANCHESTER, VT
APRIL 14TH - FUNK N’ WAFFLES – SYRACUSE, NY
APRIL 15TH – HOWARD’S CLUB H – BOWLING GREEN, OH
APRIL 16TH – TRAVONNA COFFEE – COLUMBUS, OH
APRIL 18TH - JAVA CAT – MADISON, WI
APRIL 19TH - UP AND UNDER - MILWAUKEE, WI
APRIL 20TH – UNCOMMON GROUND (ON CLARK) – CHICAGO, IL
APRIL 21ST - BIRDY’S - INDIANAPOLIS, IN
APRIL 22ND – RHOS STREET CAFE – CINCINNATI, OH
APRIL 26TH - BLOOMFIELD BRIDGE TAVERN – PITTSBURGH, PA
APRIL 27TH – THE GRAPE ROOM – PHILADELPHIA, PA
APRIL 28TH - ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL - NEW YORK CITY, NY
APRIL 30TH – THE MUSE – NANTUCKET, MA
MAY 1ST – TT THE BEARS - BOSTON/CAMBRIDGE, MA
MAY 6TH – WELCOME HOME SHOW- PARIMA – BURLINGTON, VT

Portraits Tour 2011 Event Page