Performances

The Confetti Clatter – September 2019

Posted on by John Giotto

The Finale that almost wasn’t

The following article is a fan-submission that focuses on our final performance of the 2019 season in Newark, NY. We would like to thank this fan for his observations and kind words — enjoy!

Fan submission:

My spouse and I definitely do appreciate the music, the joy, that you folks in It’s My Party give as a group.   
 
We’re fortunate to have caught several It’s My Party band performances in the 2019 season! Now, it’s a waiting game of nearly 10 1/2 months until such time when we can again receive that It’s My Party! brand of joy in live concert format.  We are indeed fortunate for those live concerts, and yes, recorded versions do help It’s My Party fans, to varying degree, in filling in that 10 1/2 month hiatus when no live performances are given. 
 
I offer some comments on the last performance of the season, the partially rain-eclipsed scheduled show in Newark on Friday 8/16/2019.  Awesome! …, the “partially unplugged” iteration of It’s My Party, while shorter in concert duration was even richer in presentation & enthusiasm level in some respects. Perhaps in part due to the vocalists being sans bright lighting in their eyes — the lighting gear was not functioning after the rain — and also due to the intimacy and enthusiasm of the audience, interaction with the band members, and adding one more It’s My Party Girl — Sarah briefly returns to make a foursome of It’s My Party girl vocalists — certainly helped.  As well, perhaps being the last summer 2019 opportunity to perform together, and the camaraderie — it is evident — that exists in It’s My Party lent to this uniquely dynamic performance. Oh, and then too, there was that new 3 year old sensation, Bianca — yes, her favorite colors are purple and pink — who sang the concert’s closing song along with the It’s My Party vocalists. She’s a band fan, a huge appreciator, and wow how cool to have opportunity to sing a song as an It’s My Party girl, replete with Sierra’s microphone, and be “killin’ it” at the tender age of 3 years old. The It’s My Party girls, especially Sierra, did a wonderful job encouraging this very young singing sensation, as did the audience. 
 

Bianca closes the night with her rendition of “It’s My Party.”

 
Those who did not wait out the rain surely missed a very special It’s My Party performance, while total it was probably less than an hour performance, none-the-less well worth waiting out the rain, sticking around for, and our making the hour plus travel to get there. To expatiate some, here is more about the 8/16/2019 Newark concert, and about the group.  John, the band manager, early on had apparently been monitoring weather radar on a mobile electronic device. Having some experience with thunderstorms, band performances and safety of band members and audience, John announced that it was not a question of “if,” but rather “when,” the thunderstorms would be tracking over the concert location and suggested to audience members they may consider picking up their chairs and waiting out the storm in safety of vehicles. The concert performance would be on hold, waiting for the approaching stormy weather to pass. Thereafter the majority of the audience dispersed, finding “cover” in one manner or another, albeit some waited out with their chairs on the warm evening, and some umbrellas appeared, … all this before rain started. Well, a possible turn of events and things cleared a bit, and It’s My Party in yeoman’s fashion started performing. Meanwhile, one It’s My Party fan had gone to the nearby grocery store, and decided in waiting for the performance, it would be “ice cream for all” and so bought boxes of ice cream sandwiches for handing out to band members and concertgoers alike. Rain sprinkles came, then rain, then rain and blowing, and of course the band stopped playing. Enough room existed under the pavilion that the audience, now pared down in numbers, was graciously invited to “come in out of the rain” joining the band in veneration under the pavilion to stay dry and safe. And it was Ice cream time under the pavilion, and too for those under cover of the gazebo and the “covered bridge,” for those who chose to partake in the sweet treat. Eventually the two separate banks of thunderstorms ran their course and the weather cleared. So, yep, … time for It’s My Party to perform.  And it was then that the lighting would not operate, so it became the “partially unplugged” It’s My Party performance. And what a performance it was! 
 
One of my observations, Emma, particularly at this 8/16/2019 unplugged concert was really into the performance, more so than usual. The vibes she sent out, in form of vocalizations, energy, and body language said so. If you’ve never seen It’s My Party in live concert, well, you may not realize that certain songs that are performed by respective lead vocalists are “owned” by the lead vocalist. What does that mean?, you may ask. Well, the vocalist and the song simply jive together so well, that the delivery can be received by audience members as nothing short of spectacular, beyond the usual great delivery of sound by this group. Sierra, Emma, and Frankie each exhibit this phenomenon, and too this evening so did the special duet of James and Sarah. Of course, instruments and back-up vocals may lend to this phenomenon. And, yes… it is possible to feel the “owning” in some back-up vocals as opposed to the lead vocal, and yes it can be both in some instances. I’m guessing this “owning” reception may be more likely felt by those folks who deeply connect with music, perhaps some folks may not feel the level of “owning” enthusiasm. 
 

Sarah returns, and with James sings “I Just Want to Stay Here.”

 
It’s My Party concerts provide multiple opportunities for those in the band. James the multi-talented instrumentalist gets in some singing, even Paul the bass player, and sometimes some other band member may get some vocalist line(s). And, yes, there are others in the band who also play multiple instruments and with versatility make the band larger for it. Beyond the vocalists, there is indeed “singing” by instruments. The violin section, in particular, has some showcasing “singing” segments. Respective wind instruments, prevalent saxophone, trombone & trumpet too, keyboards, guitar, bass, and numerous percussion instruments all have their moments and lend to the richness of an It’s My Party performance, and have capability at times to “own” particular parts of various songs.  
 
I’d not wish for rain when an It’s My Party concert is scheduled. Heck, most concert appreciators would not wish for rain when an outdoor music concert is scheduled, albeit folks who do not like outdoor concerts and prefer the indoors atmosphere may make such a wish, in hopes that a concert rain location, indoors, may be utilized. Those folks are in an extreme minority, I’d guess. I’ll say this, … it can be those oddity scenarios, such as when rain has come and gone yet the It’s My Party concert continues to be held, that creates opportunity which leads to unusual bonding moments between band members and fans. I’m fortune to have experienced this on more than one occasion, and the Friday 8/16/2019 Newark concert was indeed among such scenarios.         
 
Not lost on me, that the parents of the young performers in this band have lent huge developmental support to these capable vocalists and instrument players alike, and continue support of these musically talented performers. And for the older band members, long out of JHS, HS, & college, yes we recognize you too likely had some of the same support by parents, teachers, and mentors, and that support has lent to talents you showcase in It’s My Party band.
  
Disney World has been dubbed by its promoters as “the happiest place on earth,” I’ve “been there, done that” on multiple occasions. And while I’ve never been to a Beatles concert, I feel I’ve had enough exposure to numerous other concerts and “Beatles experiences” to have a flavor of what going to a Beatles concert would be like.  For pure joy, given the choice of going to Disney World, a Beatles Concert, or an It’s My Party Concert, my preference is, and continues to be, a concert performed by It’s My Party. Thank You, It’s My Party, for the joy you send into the world and for the unique way in which you do so! 
 

In Closing

Let us know if you have a special It’s My Party moment you would like to share. Contact us by email to share a full article, or simply leave a quick moment as a comment to this post.

Although our performance season has ended, we will continue to work on a new recording, possibly our first “long-player” in quite some time. Also, 2020 is our 35th anniversary as a group, and we are planning a special year. So, keep returning to our newsletter for updates on these events as well as other developments.

 

The Confetti Clatter – August 2019 Newsletter

Posted on by John Giotto

Four Shows in Four Nights

We never turn down an opportunity to perform, which led to an interesting twist to the summer 2019 tour, a cluster of four performances on consecutive nights. This is the first time in group history that we faced such a task, and quite frankly some of us had our doubts. Would voices hold up? Could the crew, many of whom are also musicians, endure four ten-hour days of toil and performance? What would be the effect on the show, especially on shows three and four? All of these questions were answered, and we’d like to tell the story in this edition of the Confetti Clatter.

First Show: Wednesday July 24 Ferris Hills at West Lake

This was the first time we played at this venue, which is a senior living home on the west side of Canandaigua Lake. Claire, the events coordinator, was helpful in making sure we had everything we needed to have the show go smoothly.

We were hampered during set up by afternoon showers, but eventually the skies cleared. The show ran only one hour, from 7 to 8 PM. The residents were not shy about sitting very close to the band and seemed to enjoy every note. Several folks danced or mouthed the words to some of the hits. A big bonus for us was being able to perform for residents of the nearby VA hospital, who were bused in for the special occasion.

One down and everyone was happy, but how would we hold up for the rest of the stretch? Since our next gig was in Hammondsport, there was no sense driving the gear back to Rochester. Instead the crew secured a room at the Canandaigua Econolodge — more on this later.

Second Show: Thursday July 25 Hammondsport, NY

The weather report was questionable for the afternoon, but we received a call at 11:00 from the Trinity with the Hammondsport Chamber of Commerce, that the concert was a go. This show has become an annual for us, and the community always looks forward to our return. Trinity helped by securing parking along the village green for our truck and trailer in advance of our arrival at noon. 

The journey from Canandaigua to Hammondsport is both scenic and hilly. Descending into Potter, NY is always interesting with a trailer in haul! We always stop by the Crooked lake Mercantile, in Branchport, NY for a sandwich along the way to Hammondsport, and this time was no exception. The food and service was top-notch, as usual.

Always look forward to lunch at the Crooked Lake Mercantile

Arriving in Hammondsport, we began setting up. This takes two people about six hours, maybe less, if we don’t carry a percussion player, which was the case for all four of these shows.

Ken, formerly the head of the Chamber of Commerce, introduced us and the show went off without a hitch. The village green was full of appreciative attendees. This is the farthest we travel from our home base, and it is worth every mile. As soon as the concert ended, thoughts of returning in 2020 came to mind. Some of us dined at the various eateries after the performance.

At show’s end in Hammondsport

Show Three: July 26 Veterans’ Gazebo, Honeoye, NY

After the performance in Hammondsport, we returned to the Econolodge in Canandaigua for our second night. The facility was clean and obviously well cared for. I struck up a conversation with the owner about his garden along the side of the building. He shared one of his hot peppers, and said I could take any plantings I liked in the future. We talked about Indian cooking, and then it was on to Honeoye, about 45 minutes to the south west.

The Econolodge in Canandaigua as we depart Friday morning

The weather forecast for Honeoye was perfect, but the clouds quickly accumulated, as they often do in Western New York during the summer. The crew had sandwiches at the nearby ShurFine supermarket, and stopped by at Ward’s Lumber to purchase some tools before the task-at-hand. One of the appeals of performing small towns and hamlets is supporting local vendors, rather than the usual big-box stores. It wasn’t long after we began pulling gear from the trailer that the sky began to look ominous, and distant thunder was apparent to the north. Four outdoor shows on consecutive nights is asking a bit much for this part of the world, and it looked like this one would be cancelled.

Honeoye: Let the set up begin!

Just before showtime, a few raindrops fell, but most of the activity was to the north and south, Honeoye was in a corridor that dodged the major downpours. Admittedly, the crew was a step slower, due to a third show in three nights and the oppressive heat.

The skies cleared somewhat for the performance, and Wendy, the organizer was thrilled with the turnout and performance. It had been six years since we played this venue, and hopefully we’ll return sooner. 

So far voices were holding and the band continued to play enthusiastically. One glitch was the PA system, which failed to output the left channel. We quickly switched to mono for the show, and wondered what went wrong. Would this happen again tomorrow at the next show, with no time to troubleshoot?

Show Four: July 27 Country Club of Rochester 

Our final stop of the marathon was in our hometown of Rochester, NY. The Country Club of Rochester is steeped in tradition, it is the home course of  legendary golfer Walter Hagen, where he began as a caddie. This show was part of an evening dining experience for club members, which included lobster and drink. We performed on the terrace, under an awning, fortunately, as the mercury soared to 89 degrees. The skies threatened, but once again we dodged the rain. It was quite a walk from the driveway to the terrace, and it seemed as if we were in moving slow motion. 

Don “Riffin” Griffin joined us on guitar, here at the Country Club of Rochester

The performance was surprisingly strong, with high marks going out to our string section. We were well-received, with a few members taking cards at the end of the night, while others made positive comments on our Facebook page. As for the PA, the left channel output came back to life; fortunate, but would the problem arise again? The run of four shows was over, and it was time to recuperate!

 

New Show announced, a reschedule of a rain out

08aug6:00 pm8:00 pmGeneva Lakefront Park

The Confetti Clatter – July 2019 Newsletter

Posted on by John Giotto

2019 tour begins at Burgundy Basin

The group opened its live performance tour on June 18 at the Burgundy Basin car cruise. The weather, always a deciding factor, was perfect, which brought out cars in force. The organizers counted 235 cars on the lawn, with an estimated crowd of well over 500 attendees. The vendor sold out food and drink before the end of the night, an indicator of a successful event.

Sierra, Frankie, Emma and young friends before showtime

After shaking off some understandable rust and jitters, the group performed a strong second set. Two new additions to the repertoire, “He’s the Greatest,” and “Path of Love,” were big hits, especially with long-time fans.

The violin section was particularly strong during this performance. Props go out to Matt Doi, who filled in admirably on guitar, and Drew, who covered piano after only one practice. Ed and Jakob set up the sound system, lighting truss and backline, in addition to running sound and lights during the show.

Our next performance is in Batavia, at the Jackson Square alley on July 5. Regulars James and Dylon will cover guitar and keyboards at this show, while Matt Doi shifts to saxophones. Our former singer, Michelle, will be our special guest.

New show added!

We have been invited to perform on Sunday, July 7 as part of the Greece Dairy Queen’s Sunday car cruise. We would love to see you at there. This is our one-and-only show on the west-side of town this year! 

07jul6:00 pm8:00 pmDairy Queen Classic Car Cruise Night

Social media guru needed

It has become clear to us that we are not documenting our live shows or news as effectively as we could. This is the result of one or two people wearing too many hats, and the fact that we are in-the-moment and not observers. We would like to reach out to any of our local followers who may be interested in becoming part of our team as a social media specialist. This assignment would entail taking photos at live performances, photo sessions, and recording sessions, and then adding catchy additions to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you are interested please contact us my email, or by posting a comment below.

The Confetti Clatter – June 2019 Newsletter

Posted on by John Giotto

From Casual Fan to Support Crew Technician

One of the benefits of performing with It’s My Party is meeting so many outstanding people. Sometimes fans become an integral part of our team. Ken Peters, became our guitarist and songwriter from 1986 through 1988. Arne Kraft was our road manager from 1985 through 1986. Cedric Young played guitar for us in the late 2000s. Kevin Plinzke, a friend with a passion for music, was our outstanding sound technician in 1988. Recently, Ed O’Connell, a loyal follower, joined the group in many capacities.

Here is his story: 

Ed was raised in Bayonne and Princeton, NJ in the early to late ’60s. After winning an AM/FM radio in his youth, Ed began tuning into 77 WABC from New Your City and the Philadelphia Sound from 56 WFIL. Listening to these stations, Ed gained an admiration for the rock-n-roll and pop music of the time. Although his aunt was a musical, owning a baby grand piano, Ed never considered himself a musician, giving up on French horn. “I hated lugging that heavy case around and I didn’t think it was a cool instrument,” Ed recalled. However, in high school he joined chorus and in his senior year some members of the chorus, including Ed, began singing  doo-wop songs at school functions. 

During his college years, Ed started to listen to contemporary FM stations, which opened him up to new genres of music. Later on, through his passion for model railroading, Ed met two fellow model railroaders who happened to also be musicians, Bob, the guitarist in Big Tree Road, a classic rock cover band, and Joe, the drummer in Four Man Trio, which covered the music of the ’50s &’60s.

In 2009, while still living in New Jersey, Ed happened upon It’s My Party by way of YouTube. As he recalls, “I was looking for the 1968 hit ‘Will You Be Staying After Sunday’, but did not know the name of who recorded it, since it was by a lesser known group. I Googled the title and in addition to a YouTube video of the Peppermint Rainbow doing a lip-synced performance on a TV variety show, the second thing on the list was a recently posted video of three attractive young women in period outfits performing the song backed by several musicians in black suits.” Of course, he was referring to It’s My Party.

After checking the link to our website, Ed discovered that we were from Rochester, NY, where his sister and mother happened to live. Although Ed did not get a chance to see one of our shows shortly after discovering us, he ended up moving to Rochester, on New Year’s Eve 2010. 

The next three seasons Ed caught about three shows a year. And at our What’s ‘Ur Scoop performance in 2013, he reunited with John Clemente, the author of Girl Groups – Fabulous Females Who Rocked The World, in which John had included It’s My Party. John was the lead singer of the aforementioned Four Man Trio. Surprised to see his erstwhile friend, John sent a selfie of himself and Ed to Joe, the drummer, along with the caption, “Look who I found!”

After following us for several years, Ed asked if he could help in any way, that’s when his involvement began. Ed started out by helping tear down gear at the end of the performances. He organizing skills and trailer packing prowess were evident. Slowly Ed’s involvement expanded. From merchandising, to running lights, and even sound, Ed did it all, providing yeoman service. At the end of the 2017 tour, Ed helped store gear and repair any equipment that may have taken a beating during the touring months. One example was repairing the broken frame of an expensive glockenspiel.

He may not play an instrument, but he is instrumental.

In 2018, Ed contributed to every show, juggling his work schedule as an EMT. Ed has proven invaluable with everything he does for us.  For his efforts, Ed enjoys the camaraderie among the It’s My Party team, which includes hanging out with those who can at an after-gig, late-night meal, usually at Denny’s.

Ed recalled one special after-gig gathering, “While several of us were eating at Denny’s, someone commented on the multitude of talents I had assisting the band. I replied that I could do just about anything except play an instrument. James quickly responded,  ‘He may not play an instrument, but he is instrumental.’ I took that as the ultimate compliment.” 

From left to right: Ian, James, Steve and Ed provided setup at tear down during the 2017 season.

We appreciate Ed and all our attendees, and we are certainly looking forward to our first show of the season on June 18th at Burgundy Basin Inn. We know Ed will be there, six hours before showtime. Ed at times longs to return to New Jersey,  however, in his eyes there would be a price to pay, “You can take a guy out of Jersey, but you can’t take Jersey out of the guy. Maybe I’ll go back there someday, but then I’d really miss It’s My Party!” We would surely miss you too, Ed!

18jun6:00 pm8:00 pmBurgundy Basin Inn Cruise Night

Readers make Guesses on our Cover Song Artist

In our May newsletter we mentioned that our group is recording a cover song from an unlikely artist. We have had three very excellent guesses thus far: Darlene Love, Jon Bon Jovi, and George Harrison, however they are all incorrect. This is a solo artist who also performed with a group and garnered accolades from the music industry. Another clue is that it is male artist. Again, this artist’s songs appear to be very unlikely picks for an It’s My Party cover rendition, especially if you are not familiar with his entire catalog. If you would like to try and guess, please leave a comment.

The Confetti Clatter – August through October 2016

Posted on by John Giotto

Concert season ends in August

August 2nd show at the Charcoal Corral

Our August 2nd show at the Charcoal Corral, always a band favorite

The month of August was very busy for us, a performance at the Charcoal Corral in Perry on August 2 began a string of shows that finished on August 19 on a perfect night in Batavia. Although it was a hot and dry summer in Western, New York, the band was able to perform every show. However, our much-anticipated performance in Hammondsport, NY village green was disappointingly rained into the high school auditorium, where the acoustics of the room were in question and the attendance compromised.

We added more songs to our setlist in August, including the Gene Pitney tune, “It Hurts to Be in Love.” This song was a crowd favorite, and featured James on the lead vocal, with the girls singing the backup vocals. The song also showcased an organ lead by Nicole, our keyboardist. Dylon and Drew charted the keyboard and Baritone saxophone parts on this song.

We’d like to thank Ed, one of our fans, for volunteering to run our merchandise table. Also, a big thank you to Eriketa, who did yeoman’s service filling in for Michelle on two occasions. Finally a shout out to Michael, Ed, and other fans and family members, who helped us both setup and tear down during the course of the performance season.

Enjoy a slideshow of photographs from our August 2 show at Charcoal Corral, taken by Ian Stewart

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Reunion in-the-works

Rhian, Karyn and Cara

Rhian, Karyn and Cara, get together for a recent photo

We have some exciting news to share, a reunion appearance of the 2002 IT’S MY PARTY! singers is looking like a reality. Cara, Karyn, and Rhian performed as the IMP girls in 2002. This trio performed in the Rochester area, and had one show in Chicago. Cara and Rhian left the group in the fall of that year for the opportunity to showcase their talents on American Idol. Later, in 2013, Cara and Rhain, known as the Morgan Twins, got a second opportunity in the bright lights with an appearance on The Voice, reprising  “Fallin’,”  the performance that punched their ticket to the Hollywood round of American Idol. On The Voice, their performance turned all four judges’ chairs during the blind auditions, and found them a spot on Team Blake. After the departure of Cara and Rhian, Karyn stayed in the group through 2003, reforming with Jilly, Kim and Shannon. The quartet enjoyed performances at Frontier Field in Rochester, NY, and in both Chicago and New York City.

We have scheduled an initial meeting of the girls and a rehearsal on November 5. We’ll keep you posted as events unfold.

The group is seeking a lighting technician

The Altman Comet follow spot is missing its color wheel assembly.

The Altman Comet follow spot is missing its color changer assembly.

We have recently been gifted a used Altman Comet spotlight, and for under $100 in repairs and parts, we were able to get most of the functionality of the light to work. Unfortunately, the color changer assembly is missing, and would be too expensive to replace on a used soptlight.

With the addition of the spotlight, we are seeking a lighting technician to run the followspot, as well as the rest of our lighting. Over the years, we have acquired a nice array of lights, controlled by a hand-held device, but have had to settle for a static light show. It is too difficult for a band member to run the lights; they also lack the perspective of the audience’s point of view. If you are interested, please contact us, no experience is necessary.

The Confetti Clatter August 2014 – News Update

Posted on by John Giotto

Group goes into Performance Mode

IT’S MY PARTY! took the show on the road in July, beginning with a return to the Legacy at Willow Pond community on July 11. The weather was ideal, and, although it was the first show of the season, things went well.  Many of our devoted fans were present, some driving an hour-and-a-half to watch us. We performed eight shows in July, at one point performing four shows in a five-day span, a new record for the group.

Setting up in Hammondsport, NY

Setting up in Hammondsport, NY

Unbelievably, all of the outdoor shows went off without a hitch, a small miracle, as Western, New York has experienced an unusually wet July. The nearest miss, was our July 19 show at the Waterloo Premium Outlets, where it rained at the conclusion of the show. One of our new stops was in Hammondsport, NY, a small village at the southern tip of Keuka Lake. There is a small village green with a bandstand in Hammondsport, where the Chamber of Commerce hosts Thursday night summer concerts. Although it was a bit of a tight fit, we are able to use the bandstand. The lawn filled up quickly, and the local Rotarians sold food. We had a perfect night, and all indications are that we will be returning again next year.

Recording Update

Preparations for our live show put the recording of “You Won’t Even Know Her Name” on hold. However, we have booked some time on Sunday, August 3 to complete the recording. If all goes well, we should have the new track available on iTunes and other online stores before September.

What happened to the Music of My Youth?

(The ramblings of a drummer with too much time on his hands)

There was one all-too familiar sound that was ubiquitous to every shopping experience of my youth –  Muzak. Muzak, or elevator music, as we called it, filled every supermarket aisle. I guess the intention of Muzak was to make the shopping experience more enjoyable, but as one of the younger generation, it had the opposite effect on me. I couldn’t fathom any one actually liking Muzak, it was totally unpalatable. If any thing, the “fuddy-duddy” tunes only made me want to exit the building as quickly as possible. Did any one really like this music?  Not only were the songs sleepy, they were not even the original recordings. Later on in life, I would come to realize that the licensing for the original recordings were most likely cost prohibitive. There must have been a recording studio and Muzak musicians who specialized in creating the most drab pieces of music ever recorded. I did a little research, and found out that these light pieces, with few dynamics, were meant to slow down the buyer, so they would take longer to shop. To me, the only possible effect would be to fall asleep in the department store.

Here is 90-minutes of Muzak, if you can stand it:

So, now I’m one of the older generation, and what do I hear while shopping today, the musical background of my youth. Only now, the songs are, for the most part, the original recordings. I guess companies are willing to pay more for the licenses to these tunes. And it get’s me thinking, is the younger generation as turned off by these songs, as I was with the Muzak of my youth? Is the teenager of today laughing at the songs I held so important to my formative years?

Now my initial reaction to these songs being played in stores is one of fury. I mean, don’t get me wrong, they are great songs, but was “Holding on to Yesterday” by Ambrosia meant as background shopping music? Certainly, there had to be a deeper meaning to the song, or was it all created in the backdrop of disposable pop music?

I remember the outrage when Nike used “Revolution” by the Beatles in 1987 to promote their shoes, the public outcry made them drop the ad — I think Michael Jackson was behind releasing the music for this use. But now, would any one complain?

So, as I contemplate this use of the music of my youth, I only have one word of caution to the younger generation who, most likely, wants to exit the store at the first note of “Hot Blooded,” what goes around comes around. Just wait a few decades, and 5 Seconds of Summer, and Mylie Cyrus songs will be scoffed and laughed at in supermarkets by the next generation!

The Confetti Clatter July 2014 – News Update

Posted on by John Giotto

Recording Update

We continued to add tracks to our recording of  “You Won’t Even Know Her Name,” a song recorded in 1965 by the Starlets, and then by Josephine Sunday in that same year. Neither version was a hit, but both recordings are sought after by record collectors. The track seemed like a perfect addition to the IT’S MY PARTY! catalog.

Last month we mentioned that equipment issues forced us to step away from the recording process. The purchase of a Universal Audio Apollo Quad 2 interface solved our previous issues. Now the interface, computer and software are working in harmony to produce nice digital tracks.

On June 15, Matt Doi added baritone and tenor saxophones. Matt plays guitar in the band during our performance season, and in addition to guitar, plays some tenor sax parts. Matt is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, and producer, John Giotto, is taking advantage of his many skills. “I wish I could clone Matt, and place him on more than one instrument,” said Giotto. Fortunately, with the advantage of modern recording techniques, this is possible, by recording overdubs, specifically, recording new tracks, while listening to pre-recorded tracks.

On the following Sunday of June 22, three talented students from the esteemed Kanack School of Music came into the studio to record violins. Daphne, Hassler, and Henry laid down four separate violin tracks, creating a nice layered effect. Engineer, Calvin May moved the microphone after each track to emphasize a particular violin in the ensemble during takes.

Next up, tracking back-up vocals, percussion, organ, and an additional guitar track. Hopefully, we will create the wall-of-sound present on the Josephine Sunday recording.

New performance date

IT’S MY PARTY! is performing on Friday, July 25, from 7-9 for the Village of Webster. Please add this date to your calendar. This spot opened up late on the booking season due to a cancellation, and although we feel badly for the group who had to cancel, we are excited to return to Webster after a ten-year absence. Some of our singers attended school in the Webster district, and we expect a strong showing from the hometown crowd. The venue in Webster is Veteran’s Park, located just north of the intersection of Routes 404 & 250. There are plenty of food vendors in the area, but don’t forget to bring a lawn chair, as seating is limited.

Stretching

(The ramblings of a drummer with too much time on his hands)

Breaking through the barriers that impede us, rather than find the path of least resistance, is good for the soul. In early June, I talked myself into taking the trip to Montreal to attend the F1 car race at Gilles Villeneuve Circuit. Just getting out of my comfort zone, and travelling to a different country took some self-persuasion. After all, with no effort at all, I could get the best seat in the house, in my man-cave, directly in front of the widescreen. The trip provided a needed break, and the race proved to be the most exciting of the season, with Daniel Ricciardo winning for the Red Bull Racing Team.

As an English speaker, visiting Montreal provided some language hurdles, however, as most of the residents spoke fluent English, it wasn’t too difficult to communicate. It was clear, none the less, that I was an outsider, “Dorothy, we’re not in Kansas anymore.” Montreal has the feeling of a European city, and I felt more than the hundreds of miles I was removed from Rochester, NY. I was determined to give a game effort at speaking some French, at the very least, to learn some polite responses. I picked up a few French lines with the help of the receptionist at my hotel, a nice young lady, who wore a backwards baseball cap. I think she got a big kick out of my questions and mispronunciations.

A Bixi bicycle sharing station in Montreal.

A Bixi bicycle sharing station in Montreal.

Once I had my bearings and figured out the subway system, it was time for
some recreation. I enjoy cycling, and Montreal, as it turned out, is bicycle-friendly, with designated, and clearly-marked, cycling routes throughout the city. I did not bring my bicycle with me on this trip, but that was not a problem. Montreal has strategically positioned bicycle sharing stations along its bike routes. The system is called the Bixi, which stands for “bicycle-taxi.” For $7.oo you can obtain a 24-hour subscription to the service. But there is a catch, as the hotel receptionist pointed out, if any of your rides exceed 30-minutes, you incur additional fees. Many a tourist has been surprised by this, and the Bixi is not recommended for visitors, who are unfamiliar with the fee structure. There have been some documented cases of folks buying a three-day pass for $15.oo, and racking up hundreds of dollars on their credit cards. The idea behind the additional fees is to have as many bikes available as possible. So, for a one-hour trip, you should stop before a half-hour, park the bike, then sign in again and take out a new bike, if you want to avoid the additional fees. I took this as a challenge, I would meet the Bixi head-on.

Well, this whole idea seemed overwhelming at first. How would I time my ride? Where was the next station, and was it within a half-hour’s ride? Would I be able to read the instructions at the kiosk? After some research and education on the Bixi, I was ready to take on the challenge.

A Bixi kiosk, it was difficult to read when in direct sunlight.

A Bixi kiosk, it was difficult to read when in direct sunlight.

Initiating a transaction at the Bixi kiosk was a little daunting, it was sunny, and hard to read the French directions on the screen, but, with some guessing, I was able to acquire a one-day pass. I obtained a four-digit code to unlock any bicycle at the station, and proceeded to travel east down Rue Rachel, toward the Olympic Stadium, my desired destination. I was sure I could make it to the stadium in a half-hour’s ride. The weather was perfect, and the ride took about 25-minutes. After a somewhat frantic search, I found a Bixi station tucked under a line of trees. I will say, they could mark these stations a little more clearly. Again, the locals know the locations of all of these stations. I placed the bike in the docking station with a few minutes to spare.

For the return trip, I was determined to take a different route, rather than choosing the safe option of travelling back the same way I came. I used the four-digit code to take out another bike, and proceeded to travel back by way of Rue de Rouen. Rue de Rouen was a smaller street, and did not afford an actual bike lane. I changed bikes again along Rue de Rouen, near a park. After heading north for a few blocks on Rue Frontenac, I finished at the station I started at on Rue Rachel. Conquering the Bixi, as silly as it sounds, was exhilarating, and made it more than a bike ride.

So, what does this have to do with the band? In an effort to improve and refine our act, I watch as many shows as possible. There are many talented musicians in this area, but rather than dwell on individual attributes, I am more interested in how the performers present as a group. How do they take the stage; exit; interact with the audience? How does the set list flow? What do they wear, and do they present a unified image?

I have picked up a thing or two by attending shows. However, as polished as many of these acts are, there is an all too common thread, most recall the same presentation, year after year: the same set list, same order, same banter. This is where we draw the line. Whether it’s new instrumentation, new songs, different stage banter, or improved technology, we will not be complacent.

The line indicates my route, all of the circles are bixi sharing stations.

The line indicates my route, all of the circles are bixi sharing stations.

The very nature of our group is a stretch, and clearly, we are not all things to all people. Does this backfire on us sometimes? Sure! A talent buyer once asked how many hits we played. My answer was enough to give the audience a familiar island here and there, but the presentation was more important to us, along with the ability to play some of the lost treasures of the ’60s and our original compositions. This attitude costs us some gigs, but we are not a good-time party band.

One season we decided to cover a Monkees’ tune, a bit of a reach for the group. After a show in Williamson, NY, an audience member approached the stage and said, “‘The Girl That I Knew Somewhere,’ it just isn’t working.” We are lucky to have such an informed audience. After some reflection, we eventually dropped this tune from our list. An experience like this, though humbling, will not stop us from thinking outside of the box when considering new material. In the words of the late Casey Kasem, “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.”

Then there was the show last season where we unveiled our new string section. Now the safe thing to do is have the keyboard player cover the string parts, but we wanted authenticity. During a break in the music, I introduced the string players, and asked the audience how they liked the sound. The response was lukewarm. Once again, after the show, a member of the audience approached me, and said that he couldn’t hear a single note they were playing. This wasn’t the soundman’s fault, the strings were positioned next to the drums that night, so, when the live engineer tried to bring up the string section, all you could hear were drums. As this was a festival, and we we were not the only act that night, we did not have the proper time to sound check. We could have easily scrapped the whole idea, and gone back to the synth-strings. Instead, we experimented with different microphones and placements of the string section, eventually coming upon the right formula. You can go to our You Tube page and hear the results for yourself. And, for the record, be kind to the soundman, he is a highly-qualified technician, who knows what’s going on.

Changing the vocal line-up, while necessary as girls move on, is, at times, traumatizing to some of our fans. Some followers are so infatuated with one group or another, that they stop attending shows when their favorites leave the group. Clearly, a new group’s first season will not stand up to an experienced exiting trio, but their growth potential has a huge upside. And while we salute the talent and contributions of former members, we strive to create a group sound that transcends any individual member.

Keep stretching, and I hope you will have a chance to watch us stretch as well!