My first beer of 2008 was!

A Corona.

Cast of characters:

Bess Rogers- singer-songwriter extraordinaire
Dan Romer - amazing producer who's worked with jenny owens young, bess rogers, and other genius songsters
Jose- lead singer of The Woes
1 extra Corona beer

I drank it in Bar 4, in park Slope in Brooklyn. Came to see my friend Bess Rogers perform with the man who might be spreading his producer magic fairy dust on my material, named Dan Romer.

Totally going against all I thought i knew about myself, I actually enjoyed the beer. What the hell is this world coming to, when I actually enjoy the beer? I told my girlfriend that I enjoyed it, and she was just astonished at me as i was at myself.

I did notice that I drank beer right out of the bottle, rather than put it in a cup. Damn, I'm so not a drinker I have no idea what bar protocol goes. I probably looked like an ass or a fratboy to everyone else (wait...aren't they the same thing?)

Anyway, onto show notes. A girl named Shira performed, who had some really good tunes (interesting chord changes, great voice). I was impressed. Then Dan and Bess played on each other's songs with a pornography of instruments (ukelele, bass, piano, accordian maybe?). Dan had a bunch of catchy tunes, and Bess as always, was incredible. Then they did a Jenny Owens Young cover, which was a neat version of it. I think Jenny Owens was there, but I'm not sure.

Then The Rows came up. Their music was festive, and got me wishing I played New Orleans blues piano. I met Jose the singer earlier that night and he seemed to be a truly genuine and good person. His singing voice reminded me of a little of Tom Waits, but more prettier. I liked it. And one of guys in their band played French Horn, which rocked like Twix rocks my mouth.

Oh, and it was funny. I actually never met Dan before, although we've been playing phone tag the last month and a half. I first introduced myself to him,right after his and Bess's set, saying my name is John, and he was a little dismissive. Then after his set with the Rows, I went back to him and told him it was nice meeting him, and I have a CD sampler for him, and perhaps we can work something out. He took my CD a little disdainfully, but once he read the name on the CD, his eyes lit up, and he yelled out, "You're John-Flor? oh my God!I love your music!" And then he hugged me. I usually don't hug too much the first time I meet people so in a way it was a little abnormal yet phenomenal to me at the same time.

We then talked briefly about how we've been playing phone tag, and how he definitely wants to work with me. Sweet. He's a good guy. I'm exciting to see what can come out of collaboration.

oh, and Bess is supposedly really good with directions on how to drive out of the amusement Park Slope. She gave me directions, but I f*@ked it up anyway.


It was a good day. I felt triumphant. Triumph rules.