foggymaymusic

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Foggy May On The Road

I don’t think there is any greater privilege as a musician than to take your show on the road to cities you’ve never been and perform for the locals.  I’m talking about going on tour!  Foggy May wanted to experience this all-encompassing road trip, so we booked our own tour.  In the summer of 2017 we hit Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, Burlington, VT and Ocean City, MD.  The next summer we went south, playing Baltimore, Richmond, Raleigh, Asheville, Columbia SC and the Outer Banks.  The tour concluded at home in Westminster, MD at Chasefest 2018.

This most recent trek down south was completed in a 2018 Subaru Forester.  That’s right; we gigged in a car you can barely make a bulk-run to Walmart in. It wasn’t our first choice, or second or third.  But we knew we had to make the miniature tour bus work.  The vehicle transported two PA speakers and stands, three musicians in the band, a mixing board, a penny board, our luggage, our merch, our amps and our instruments. You know we had to use a roof box.

I have always been interested in live music, traveling, meeting people and just overall partying.  So touring sounded like the thing to do!  When you’re on the road; you have a simple itinerary.  Wake up and complete the drive to that night’s venue. Unload the vehicle, play your music, load the vehicle, get paid.  It’s that straight forward.  And it is actually very liberating.  When you wake up in one city, play in another, and sleep in a different one, you feel like no one can catch up to you.  You are no longer chained to that strict work schedule back at home.  By the end of this run, the vehicle had been on the road at each of the 24 hours of the day at least once.  Each of us had been both awake and asleep at each of the 24 hours of the day on the journey.  It was a sporadic showdown.  

Each city is an opportunity to switch up the set and make that show unique.  We played our own music but also covered a wide range of tunes to keep some bar folk interested.  It’s a task towing the line of pushing original material and covering classic hits. We want to sell you our CD but we also want you and your significant other to bond over that song we just covered that’s been in your lives for who knows how long.  You can’t believe you’re hearing it live at this bar and the two of you singing the lyrics together may have just turned the night into some special for you all.  And that is worth a whole lot.

By crashing with friends, family or just making the all night drive to the destination, we didn’t pay for a place to sleep once. Granted, this was a short run. But sleeping is a big expense for touring bands, and we straight up walked away casually as the looming worries of a place to sleep exploded in the background, detonated by the love and generosity of our family and friends.  All our thanks and praise goes to you guys for helping us out when we are away from home.

‘Is there a tab for the band?’  That question and imminent answer is often the most heart racing event of the day.  If the venue feeds you, and we were graciously taken care of, you may only need to buy one meal a day.  When you wake up close to noon, you don’t have long to go before claiming your free or discounted food.  Stretching your money as far as possible is important if you want to make the tour a success.  We had no room in the Subaru for a merchandise man so we set up CD’s and stickers on a table with a jar for money.  Honor system. That jar bought us a few sandwiches along the way.

Foggy May has only just dipped their feet in the Olympic size pool that is touring.  But the water feels great!  There is so much ground to cover, places to explore, knowledge to gain and it’s all very exciting.  Each show is an opportunity for us to contribute to the night life of that city. It’s a demanding job but a dream job. At this stage of the game, it’s still very physical.  We are lugging all the equipment and playing all the songs.  Touring is an interesting combination of art and labor.  We’re like little Renaissance men traveling from town to town and setting up temporary shop.  It has been a hoot and an honor so far.  

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You're not gonna wanna miss this!  This is your weekend.. see all you beautiful people there <3

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It’s time to hit the road!

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Salute to Skypper

Skypper began his career starting beef with local bands. The lines were first-rate, but he had so much more to offer. So he gave us his tribute to Prince after the untimely death of the superstar. Skypper gained recognition and confidence. He then penned his longest poem to date.. An ode to the resurrected Grateful Dead band known as Dead and Company. Links to all four of his works can be found in the bio of this post. Let's all raise a glass to a rhymer named Skypper. Cheers! Art by Lindsay Chiavacci SEE BELOW FOR ALL THE LINKS TO SKYPPER! 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BCsi6BpDp-i/?hl=en&taken-by=foggymaymusic https://www.instagram.com/p/BDDudMDjp9B/?hl=en&taken-by=foggymaymusic https://www.instagram.com/p/BEgW-qMjp24/?hl=en&taken-by=foggymaymusic https://www.instagram.com/p/Bdn5sPjB8dF/?hl=en&taken-by=foggymaymusic Foggy May

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Foggy May One Sheet

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Okay, the first 'Insta Info' was somewhat hard to read so we made another.  Welcome to our Instagram page!!  We use this website to share pictures and videos updating the people on what’s up with the band. It’s cool to see the feedback from you all! But unfortunately, our Instagram page is the only thing some of you know about us. Some of you still have not come out to a live show! And until you do, this loose electronic connection is all we will have. 

That being said, welcome to our Social Media statistics, our 'Insta Info' if you will. We have taken a look back at all our posts and labeled and categorized them. And in our first 560 posts, we have had some doozies. You’ll see our categories on the left side of the visual piece. We have counted how many posts belong in each category and wrote out the number of each specific post. Up top is a key for you to find any specific post quickly.  The 'Double Posts' are all the instances we posted a picture twice. We also have our Top 10 favorite Instagram posts. 

Why did we do this? We owe it to ourselves and to you to really dissect the content we are throwing out at you. Look at all those live shots. Great! But what’s up with all the random pics? Maybe a few more shots of merchandise and Skypper would be cool. Foggy May are committed to posting quality content. And we want you to commit to attending a live performance. Thank you all for all the support so far, virtual or however.  

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Come out to a live event :)

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Bottom County Festival at St. Mary’s College of Maryland in April 2017. 

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Shot by Lindsay Chiavacci :)

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InstaInfo

Below is a little treat for our Instagram followers.  They love to 'like' but some still won't take the hike out to a show.  We understand though, life is busy.  That's why we did a little extra on our end. "Welcome to our Instagram page!! What a fun two and a half years it has been on here. We use this website to share pictures and videos updating the people on what’s up with the band. It’s cool to see the feedback from you all! But unfortunately, our Instagram page is the only thing some of you know about us. Some of you still have not come out to a live show! And until you do, this loose electronic connection is all we will have.  That being said, welcome to our Social Media statistics, our Insta Info if you will.

We have taken a look back at all our posts and have labeled and categorized them. And in our first 560 posts, we have had some doozies. You’ll see our categories on the left side of the visual piece. We have counted how many posts belong in each category and wrote out the number of each specific post. The top right is a key for you to find any specific post quickly. Below that are examples of all the instances we posted a picture twice. Finally, below that are our Top 10 favorite Instagram posts. Why did we do this? We owe it to ourselves and to you to really dissect the content we are throwing out at you. I mean, Instagram is the only bridge between us and some of you. Look at all those live shots. Great! But what’s up with all the random pics? Maybe a few more shots of merchandise and Skypper would be cool. Foggy May are committed to posting quality content. And we want you to commit to attending a live performance. Thank you all for all the support so far, virtual or however."

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Arbitrary Area

There are two questions that bands get all the time.  They are ‘How did you get your band name?’ and ‘what kind of music do you guys play?’  If you are a musician in a band, I’m sure you’ve heard these before.  And when we’re given these dreaded quizzes, the response is often improvised or we pull out one of the “go-to’s”….’we were young’ or ‘we started playing together in the summer’ and ‘Rock n’ Roll’.  But these simple answers just aren’t true.  It’s time we let the people in just a little closer and strip a tiny layer of the group.  Walk with me back to Foggy May 2010.

Reed and Ben had jammed a few times but there was no real band until David Klima.  The trio was assembled and we unanimously agreed on working together on the same team to play songs.  It was at that moment that we were summoned.  This was not an anticipated ‘call for dinner from mom’ or a feared ‘ring of the bell to come in from Recess’.  Our teleportation from the band room was sudden but seemed expected.  We had no idea where we traveling.  The trek was almost like sleep, it seemed quick but we all kind of felt like the journey was actually pretty lengthy.

“Welcome to Arbitrary Area.”  We heard a voice, felt a presence, but saw no one.  “You boys were summoned here because I have faith in you.  I see your passion and potential and I want to be a part of that.  I summon groups to the Area and give them their identity as a band.  So I essentially play a role in your bands conception.  And who wouldn’t want Me on their side?  My resume is great.  Other bands that have been to Arbitrary Area include Metallica, Green Day, Daft Punk, the list goes on.  I want My artists to take pride in their work, but don’t take it too seriously.  You guys are My little babies and I want to see you flourish and remember to stay hungry.  Some of My bands have made me proud, others not so much.  So follow Me to the starting line of Our journey together.”  And out of curiosity, we followed.

“Arbitrary Area sets the tone for your group.  Decisions will be made on a whim, for no real reason.  Let’s start with your band name.  Press this button.  You’ll see a nine space combo of vowels, consonances, and spaces.  It is this formula that will give you your options for a band name.”

Ben pressed the button.  We watched the fortune teller reveal our destiny.  C, V, C, C...  You could see it in Ben’s face.  “CVCC?” he though.  “What the fuck kind of band name is this going to be?”  We received the rest of the formula.  Ben starts complaining verbally.  “Why did we come here?  Now we’re going to be stuck with some stupid band name.  And for what? His guidance and partnership?  I don’t think so!  We don’t know anything about this guy or girl or thing or how to get back home! ”

“The in-exact science of this Area is the exact point.  Look at your options,” we were instructed.  “There’s  Zetta Nut or Cabbo Ten.  I wouldn’t steer you guys wrong.”

“Ohh I like Motha Hen,” Reed said.  And David agreed.

“Wait, hold up,” Ben spoke up.  “Let’s look at all our choices first.  Then, let’s spend ten minutes with each option pretending that was our band name and we‘ll see how we like it.”

“Nooo!”  David snaps.  “You are missing the whole point.  In the music business, there will be deadlines and restrictions that will not coincide with your creativity.  For those times, you need to remember to give less of a shit.  Sometimes it will be easier to ice over that need for full-fledged meaning and simply act on impulse.  It’s a hard pill to swallow especially when it comes to music, our favorite medium.  But I’m glad to learn this lesson today in such an early stage.”  David was beginning to understand Arbitrary Area.    

“Okay I feel you,” Ben responds.  “Let’s go with Foggy May.”

And all the band members agreed.  We were excited to be collectively called something.  The idea of playing in a band was exciting and got even cooler when we received a name for the journey.  We were complimented on the choice.  They thought it was cool how we chose one of the two band names that used ‘Y’ as both a consonant and a vowel.  Next, we were going to discover the style of music Foggy May will be paying.  We made our way over to spin the wheel of genres but the station was broke!

“I’ve been meaning to get this fixed.  I always like my bands leaving Arbitrary Area with a clear vision of their identity as a group, but maybe this will all work out.  I’ll send you boys off as Foggy May, the trio with no specific genre.  Foggy May can write songs all over the board but in the end, when every song is written by you guys, the tracks are already in the same vein.  Almost like your genre in called Foggy May.”

We loved that idea.  It was explained so perfectly and we couldn’t wait to get back home and begin the journey!  We were sent back to the band room with nothing and everything making sense.  I think it’s safe to say we owe some thanks and praise to Arbitrary Area.

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We hit the road Nov 19th. We'll be traveling around, spreading the good vibes and extending our friendship to folks in different cities. We'll also be playing music. Come to a show and experience the rich culture that is live music. peace!

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Artscape 2016

               The group played Artscape 2016 in Baltimore on July 16th.  We were granted the extreme pleasure of playing our set on the Main Stage.  This spot was earned by placing in a Battle of the Bands at the Hard Rock Café’ in Baltimore on March 29th.  We were so stoked on performing at America’s largest free arts festival.  We were in good spirits the day of the show.  Nothing was going to screw this up, except maybe the traffic.  The smooth cruise to the venue we had in mind turned into a stressful maze through the streets of Baltimore.  Finally we reached the stage but there was no time to spare. We set up quick, had a sound check, and started the set.

               Foggy May had an hour slot which consisted of mostly original music.  We were certainly taken care of.  Our sound was crisp and clear and we knew our music was being played through some great speakers.  Sweet! It was great to see people sticking around and enjoying the show.  They didn’t know us and they could have checked out the other stages or events. Somehow we kept their interest for an hour, or at least I hope so!

               This was a paid gig, which isn’t all too often. We were treated with food, beer, and our own backstage area.  We were used to DIY backyard house shows.  In fact, we played at one the night before in Woodbine, MD.  Needless to say, we felt like rock stars.  But at the same time I didn’t feel like one because I kept thinking over and over how cool this experience was.  A rock star would be more like ‘yeah this is how every show is. Damn, only Bud Light?  Where’s my shrimp?’  

               There was one special fellow in the crowd who was dancing for almost the entirety of our set.  He was up close and was busting moves I’d never seen.  We talked to him afterwards and it was so cool how we brightened up his day.  I can think back to many gigs where there is one person I see out there who is really just digging it.  If there is just one of them at every gig we play than I am more than satisfied.  We are doing our job.  

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November 8th!!!

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Rehoboth Beach

In July 2015, Foggy May set out to Rehoboth Beach in Delaware and spent four days in a beach house to record a ‘it’s summer at the beach’ type E.P. on tape! We were excited to take on this detailed project and decided to bring along Matt O’Brien to document the process via pictures and video. It was a joint operation among the four of us – “recording people recording music”.We didn’t want any interference within the operation. Foggy May would not tell Matt how to film the action and Matt stayed out of the recording process. Neither parties were opposed to suggestions but we liked the idea of having two independent parts working separately but together towards the same goal. The idea was that in the end we would release a CD of music and a DVD of footage.

We arrived and turned that small beach house into a studio. The drum room was a back bedroom that was pretty isolated from the rest of the place. This drum bedroom was also the residence of an apparition of a sailor that David’s aunt had seen once in the closet. It was not a pleasant encounter either. We ran a snake (not the animal silly! The 25 foot long multiple microphone input cable) from the drum room to the kitchen where the recorder was. And it was in the living room where we would record string instruments and vocals. The day we arrived, we worked diligently and deep into the early morning. There is footage of Ben being woken up around 5 AM when Dave and Reed are recording vocals. The band came to Rehoboth armed with a few songs finished, ready to be recorded, and a few tunes that were still being written.We had no specific set plan but were intrigued by the idea of becoming hermits in this house and not leaving until we had created something beautiful.

Day 2 in Rehoboth threw us for a loop. The recorder totally shit out on us. One day we were recording and the next day it would not turn on. We called the local music stores but no one could help. This machine was quite old. With our method of recording taken away from us, we felt like the purpose of the trip was totally defeated. But we made the effort to try and stay positive and productive. We wrote music and Matt filmed us playing songs. On YouTube, there is a video of us playing Soul to Squeeze by Red Hot Chili Peppers in that beach house kitchen. There is also a video of us playing an original, Wet Shirts, on the deck of the house.Even non-musical adventures were filmed. There’s footage of us hanging around the house,going to the grocery store, the boardwalk, the beach. We even handed out a few CD’s during our time in Rehoboth. Although no worthwhile music was able to be recorded, the trip was still fruitful and fun.

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Hugs and Handshakes Recovery Festival!!! Photos by Lindsay Chavacci