AUGUST 2011 FRIENDS NOT FANS NEWSLETTER
THIS MONTH'S CONTENTS:
1. Car Troubles, Saoirse in Pictures, and the Family Reunion!
2. Seeking an Intern!!!
3. FOUR New Releases coming soon!
4. Que Viva La Tiny Fists Tour!
4. Que Viva La Tiny Fists Tour!
5. Upcoming Shows & Tours
IMMEDIATE DESTINATIONS:
get in touch NOW to book an event in your town!
AUG 27: Albany, NH
SEP 17: Worcester, MA (Pride Festival!)
SEP 24 - OCT 15: on the road with Anne Feeney!
OCT 20: Oberlin, OH
OCT 21: Kalamazoo, MI
OCT 22: Ann Arbor, MI
OCT 23: Pittsburgh, PA
OCT 28: Boston, MA
OCT 29: Providence, RI
OCT 30: Worcester, MA
NOV: Back to the Roots CD Release Tour w/ spiritchild
JAN - MAR: Evan Greer & Friends Southern CD release tour w/ special guests!
APR: Tiny Fists Tour w/ Bonfire Madigan
JUL: EUROPE!
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E-Mail: evangreer@gmail.com
Website: www.evangreer.org
Collective: www.riotfolk.org
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YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/evangreer1
1. Car Troubles, Saoirse in Pictures, and the Family Reunion
it's almost September, which makes it a perfect time for this parent-of-a-one-year-old to release my August newsletter! this month's issue begins with a cautionary, albeit cliched, tale of life on the road. Our trusty little Subaru Imprez (basically the bootleg tiny version of the outback) finally kicked the bucket in Rural Retreat, VA. I'm not kidding; that's a real town name. Erin was driving and I was in the back with Saoirse when we noticed that trucks were beeping at us and white smoke was pouring from the hood. We stalled a few times and barely managed to roll down a big hill and into a Shell station.
I was a little nervous about the situation. i was dressed really femme and with my hair in a braid, and there was a big bald fellow with white power tattoos all over his arms lurking around keeping an eye on us. Fortunately the South proved itself once again and an incredibly nice series of people proceeded to help us out in various ways. We ended up at a mechanic in Wytheville, VA and learned that we'd blown our head gasket. It would cost far more than the car was worth to repair and couldn't be done for at least a week. We sold the car to the mechanic for $200 and caught a ride to Roanoke where we rented a one way car to get home. I'll miss that Subaru, (affectionately named the Shaky Snail during the steel strings & break beats tour with Broadcast Live) but it's also kind of liberating to not have a car at all.
We're planning to live car-less for a while but we're on the lookout for the perfect touring vehicle. Veggie oil converted RV? Sailboat? Honda civic? You tell me. We're definitely planning some more bicycle tours too as soon ad saoirse is old enough. We're thinking 3 or 4. Anyone bike toured with a kid that age? Let me know, we need advice!
---
What were we doing in Rural Retreat, VA you might ask? We were on our way back from erin's family reunion and a lovely week of camping in the Smoky Mountains
Saoirse really really really liked sleeping in a tent. I'm not sure if i've really mentioned it yet, but Saoirse hate's sleeping. He's a major night time nurser and we wakes up a lot. We co-sleep, which means he sleeps right in the bed with us. It's pretty awesome. In the tent, though, it was even better. We put him right in between us and he would just go back and forth cuddling with each of us to sooth himself back to sleep. We all slept better than we have since he was born!
I was also delighted to learn that Saoirse loves waterfalls just as much as I do. Maybe even more,
Appalachia is so beautiful and all my love goes to the people who are fighting tirelessly to defend those mountains from the coal companies who'd like to destroy them for profit.
United Mountain Defense
I Love Mountains
RAMPS Campaign
Coal River Mountain Watch
2. Seeking and Intern!!!
Want to learn concrete skills for community organizing, fundraising, tour booking, logistics, media, strategic activism, and more?
I am seeking an intern and maybe you'd be a great fit!
I've been realizing more and more lately that I am simply overwhelmed with the amount of work that goes into being a full-time touring musician, parent, and activist. I am seeking someone who is interested in gaining a wide variety of skills while assisting me in doing research, booking, and coordination for my tours. I am not in the financial position to be employing anyone right now (nor would I ever want to be a "boss",) but I could offer a needs-based stipend by kicking back a percentage of revenue from the shows the intern helps book.
I'm flexible, easy to work with, and open to ideas. I am based in Boston but could work with someone over internet and phone as well. You could be as involved as you'd like and work as many hours a week as you like in exchange for valuable training and experience in the DIY music scene and running a combination small business / activist campaign / roving riot.
WHAT YOU LEARN:
*Longterm strategizing for grassroots campaigns, music, and projects
*Research Skills useful for social justice and academic work
*Alternative economic models, financial sustainability, and planning
*Using Google-Docs, spreadsheets, social media, and contacts databases
*Writing great press-releases and interacting with the media
*Cultivating contacts and booking a tour
*Grassroots promotional techniques
*So much more!
I have over ten years of experience as a community organizer and musician and I want to share that knowledge with you. Let me know if you're interested in this idea or if you want to try to pitch it to your school as an internship opportunity. Let's talk!
3. FOUR new releases coming soon!
After taking over two years to record Never Surrender, I'm pretty proud to announce that I'll be releasing FOUR, count em, 4, new CDs in the coming year.
I've already blogged about most of em, but here's a quick summary:
COMING SOON: Split CD w/ Politzek!
This JUST announced: Daily Revolution Records in Saratov Russia will be releasing a split-CD featuring me and Russian anarcho-folk-core singer Politzek (which translates to "political prisoner.") My half of the CD will feature a bunch of rare unreleased live and studio tracks and a few live radio performances. It will be quirky and fun. Highlights include a live version of Bella Ciao featuring Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Wayne Kramer of MC5, Boots Riley of The Coup, and more awesome folks. Also a live radio performance on NPR in Iowa on tour with Anne Feeney on the very last day I ever took an Adderall. that's pretty cool.
NOVEMBER 2011: Back to the Roots CD w/ spiritchild
Get excited because this is unlike anything I've ever released. I've been having an amazing time collaborating musically with my friend spiritchild who is a brilliant and well-respected hip-hop artist from the South Bronx. we've been combining the best elements of hip-hop, folk, punk, and more to create a truly unique sound that you can dance and revolt to. We'll be releasing a single next month so stay tuned!
JANUARY 2011: NEW Evan Greer & Friends CD!
This is the big one. 15 or so new songs recorded elegantly by Jory Leanza-Carey of Broadcast Live fame. Once again featuring a full band of friends, this time including Ghost Mice, Holly from HUMANWINE, Anne Feeney, Born In A Cent, Majesty, Bell's Roar, Broadcast Live, and more! This album is musically more complex and a little darker than Never Surrender and delves into a lot of different stuff like gender identity, self destruction, bicycle militancy, gay irish rebel songs, and more. You're gonna want one.
CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THIS EFFORT BY PRE-ORDERING THE ALBUM ON BANDCAMP!
Once this CD is released, me and erin and saoirse will be touring almost the entire country to promote it! Get in touch now if you want to host us in your town.
Coming SUMMER 2012: Collaborative Electric CD w/ Born In A Cent
I met the awesome kids from NYC's feminist punk outfit Born In A Cent at their CD Release show in Brooklyn last year and we hit it off right away. They're incredible musicians and really amazing people and activists. We've had a lot of fun touring and playing together and we're in the very beginning stages of planning for a collaborative CD. I've always been a punk rocker at heart even though I love folk music, and this CD will be my chance to let my electric side out. I hope you like it! Stay tuned for more updates and music samples coming soon.
4. Que Viva La Tiny Fists Tour
*Grassroots promotional techniques
*So much more!
I have over ten years of experience as a community organizer and musician and I want to share that knowledge with you. Let me know if you're interested in this idea or if you want to try to pitch it to your school as an internship opportunity. Let's talk!
3. FOUR new releases coming soon!
After taking over two years to record Never Surrender, I'm pretty proud to announce that I'll be releasing FOUR, count em, 4, new CDs in the coming year.
I've already blogged about most of em, but here's a quick summary:
COMING SOON: Split CD w/ Politzek!
This JUST announced: Daily Revolution Records in Saratov Russia will be releasing a split-CD featuring me and Russian anarcho-folk-core singer Politzek (which translates to "political prisoner.") My half of the CD will feature a bunch of rare unreleased live and studio tracks and a few live radio performances. It will be quirky and fun. Highlights include a live version of Bella Ciao featuring Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Wayne Kramer of MC5, Boots Riley of The Coup, and more awesome folks. Also a live radio performance on NPR in Iowa on tour with Anne Feeney on the very last day I ever took an Adderall. that's pretty cool.
NOVEMBER 2011: Back to the Roots CD w/ spiritchild
Get excited because this is unlike anything I've ever released. I've been having an amazing time collaborating musically with my friend spiritchild who is a brilliant and well-respected hip-hop artist from the South Bronx. we've been combining the best elements of hip-hop, folk, punk, and more to create a truly unique sound that you can dance and revolt to. We'll be releasing a single next month so stay tuned!
JANUARY 2011: NEW Evan Greer & Friends CD!
This is the big one. 15 or so new songs recorded elegantly by Jory Leanza-Carey of Broadcast Live fame. Once again featuring a full band of friends, this time including Ghost Mice, Holly from HUMANWINE, Anne Feeney, Born In A Cent, Majesty, Bell's Roar, Broadcast Live, and more! This album is musically more complex and a little darker than Never Surrender and delves into a lot of different stuff like gender identity, self destruction, bicycle militancy, gay irish rebel songs, and more. You're gonna want one.
CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THIS EFFORT BY PRE-ORDERING THE ALBUM ON BANDCAMP!
Once this CD is released, me and erin and saoirse will be touring almost the entire country to promote it! Get in touch now if you want to host us in your town.
Coming SUMMER 2012: Collaborative Electric CD w/ Born In A Cent
I met the awesome kids from NYC's feminist punk outfit Born In A Cent at their CD Release show in Brooklyn last year and we hit it off right away. They're incredible musicians and really amazing people and activists. We've had a lot of fun touring and playing together and we're in the very beginning stages of planning for a collaborative CD. I've always been a punk rocker at heart even though I love folk music, and this CD will be my chance to let my electric side out. I hope you like it! Stay tuned for more updates and music samples coming soon.
4. Que Viva La Tiny Fists Tour
Last year there was much excitement about the Tiny Fists Tour featuring me and riot grrl folk punk cello legend Bonfire Madigan. We had to postpone for family reasons but the tour idea lives on. This April 2012 the Tiny Fists Tour returns. We'll be traveling the entire west coast and beyond with two babies and an arsenal of stringed instruments.
lots more details coming soon, but for now GET IN TOUCH if you have any ideas for bringing us to your area. we are booking concerts and workshops now! e-mail: evangreer@gmail.com for all booking requests.
5. Upcoming Shows & Tours
Check www.evangreer.org for a constantly updated list of shows with all the details!
Everything I have confirmed or am working on is listed below. Don't see your town here? Get in touch and we can talk about setting something up! All of my shows are booked by people just like you who want to see music happen in their area. E-mail: evangreer@gmail.com with any ideas!
AUG 27: Albany, NH
@ World Fellowship Retreat Center
7:30pm. Free / donation.
www.worldfellowship.org
SEP 17: Worcester, MA
FULL BAND SET @ Worcester Pride Festival
www.worcesterpride.org
plus super special after party TBA
SEP 24 - OCT 15: on the road with Anne Feeney!
details coming soon, but me and one of my dearest friends, legendary labor singer Anne Feeney, will be hitting the road again on another big midwest adventure. We're headed from Pittsburgh all the way out to Spokane, WA via Grand Forks, ND where we'll be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the North Dakota AFL-CIO. we're booking shows along this route, so get in touch if you want to have us in your town!
OCT 20: Oberlin, OH
Back to the Roots Tour w/ spiritchild
Details TBA!
OCT 21: Kalamazoo, MI
Back to the Roots Tour w/ spiritchild
Details TBA! Sponsored by Kalamazoo Peace Center
OCT 22: Ann Arbor, MI
Back to the Roots Tour w/ spiritchild
Details TBA! @ UMich Ann Arbor
OCT 23: Pittsburgh, PA
Back to the Roots Tour w/ spiritchild
need a show!
OCT 28: Boston, MA
Back to the Roots CD Release Party!
Details TBA! this will be amazing.
OCT 29: Providence, RI
Back to the Roots CD Release Party!
Details TBA! this will be amazing.
OCT 30: Worcester, MA
Back to the Roots CD Release Party!
Details TBA! this will be amazing.
NOVEMBER: Back to the Roots CD Release Tour w/ spiritchild
Northeast and Midwest tour to celebrate the release of our collaborative hip-hop / folk / punk CD, "Back to the Roots." This tour will feature banjos, beats, and lyrics you won't believe. Get in touch now to bring us to your town! E-mail: evangreer@gmail.com
JAN - MAR: Evan Greer & Friends Southern CD release tour w/ special guests!
Erin, Saoirse, and I will be joined by a bunch of awesome guests on one of my longest tours in a while to celebrate the release of my new Evan Greer & Friends CD (not yet titled!) We're planning to head down the East Coast and rabble around the south for a bit then head West as far as L.A. or something like that. Really we'll go anywhere that there's a gig, so get in touch! Special guests will include Broadcast Live, Born In A Cent, and more!
APR: Tiny Fists Tour w/ Bonfire Madigan
Get in touch now to book us in your town!
JULY - AUGUST: EUROPE TOUR
I'm hoping to be able to return to Europe for a tour this coming summer! We want to spend a lot of time in Ireland but I am also hoping to book shows ALL over Europe, so get in touch if you have ANY ideas. E-mail: evangreer@gmail.com
