Hey Everybody, I'm cool too!

Going to Zebulon in Williamsburg just upped my coolness level by you know, I'd say fifty percent...hahaha! The place was packed and HAPPENING! I especially enjoyed the Japanese Girl Band that performed second on the bill.  These lovely ladies made me realize that me and my lazy hippy self could really stand to up my performance energy…hahaha! 

Check out the upcoming bands!

One thing though - Bring ear-plugs!  I’ve been a musician my whole life – consider myself parcially deaf – and my poor little ears were still ringing like no other!  In fact, the cops came at 1am and made the band quit early because all the neighbors were complaining. Next time I wanna feel hip, and hear bands full of musicians that probably have MFA's and play self-proclaimed ‘noise music’ – this is where I’m heading!  Come join me!

And Your Name Is...?

I was super lucky to catch this guys performance during open stage at The Sidewalk and really wanted to blog about his awesome ragtime music, but there was one problem;  I couldn't for the life of me remember his name! I thought it was Ben or maybe Joe so I googled googled googled, with no such luck.  So... I went back last week hoping to hear him again and this time I came prepared..  His name is...Albert Goold!  I'll be back next week to ask him for a CD. He plays ragtime the way I wish I could, and he's young, and so talented that he probably hasn't even scratched the service of his potential.  He's one to watch!  I like 'Somebody Else' and 'Under The Rubble' so much. Enjoy!

Albert Goold on myspace

R.I.P. Andy. Love, Joy

Andy's Ghost Bike

Today I went to visit my friend Andy Morgan’s ghost bike on Houston and Elizabeth Street.  I walk down Houston frequently as it is near my apartment, but up until today, I haven’t been in the right mind frame and haven’t had the courage to pay my respects to Andy.  Andy was just 25 when he was biking to work and got ran over by a delivery truck making an illegal turn.  He was killed instantly.  I was in Central America when it happened, and like everyone who knew and loved him, I was devastated. 

Andy was the first person that I met when I started college.  He played excellent jazz guitar, and I was a shy, akward 17-year old, and he was so friendly and welcoming and made me feel like I belonged and mattered in the music community.  He was sweet, enthusiastic, and kind. In the years since his death, I have been having a difficult time coming to terms with his passing.  I just can’t understand why the nicest people we know are taken from us.  I am not good at writing about such hard topics, so I am just going to end this with a quote about Andy.

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.”

R.I.P. Andy.  You are so greatly missed.  Love, Joy

and the NEW simon and garfunkel award goes to...

Alastair Ottesen -I haven’t met this guy yet, but I LOVE his sound.  I think I like Little Red Piano and Mockingbird the best. His music makes you just want to kick back, have a glass of wine and just enjoy listening.  Maybe it’s the fact that I walk down Bleeker St. a lot and always think of Simon and Garfunkle and all or their lovely songs and lovely harmonies.  It makes me nostalgic.  But, Alastair has this voice – and a similar sound. Buy his CD.  It’s only $5 bucks and it’s great to support local Brooklyn artists!

Pianos and the City!

Now I know what the deal is with all these awesome street pianos all over NY! Check it out, it's a cool program!

Check out this link: And here's my favorite girl performing on one of these pianos at TS!

I Dig This Guy!

BEN PEGANO -I really dig this guy's sound (and his hair!)  I saw him at the Sidewalk Cafe playin' jazz keys and singin' in this lovely bluesy voice that you absolutely have to hear...It's pretty damn awesome!  I'm excited to hear him perform again Wednesday night at the Sidewalk.  Come out and say hi to me!

Listen to Ben Pegano's Rock the Keys here:

Come on NYC - this is sad...

These are a few of the homeless people that sleep on 8th and Ave B right below where my East Village apartment is. It's hard to describe how awful it feels to end each night walking by all of these displaced people with nowhere to go...In a city where rent prices are nothing short of insane (my apartment - or should I say my shoe box rents for $2,700 a month) the situation is extreme - and heartbreaking.  What to do?

Music and Connecticut - Say What?!

I guess there is good music in Connecticut - who'd have known...hahaha!


I saw the Caravan of Thieves last night  and they are amazing! I love music that can't be captured on tape - that must be seen live, and that is exactly what they are.  A band of young, energetic musicians playing old time music.  Fuzz plays guitar like Jango (have had Jango's box set since I was 14 and I love it!) and the fiddle player is amazing, and surprisingly in tune (I'm always impressed by intonation because that's the bane of my existance!)  The harmonies and melodies are gorgeous and they did a variety of originals and covers.  I only wished my sister who loves old time/bluegrass music and grew up hearing 'The Old Time Medicine Show' with me could have been there!  They tour a lot.  See if they are coming to your town!




Listen to them here!