The Circus Life Podcast

"Life is a circus and this is The Circus Life." Justin Trawick begins each of the podcasts he records with partner & co-host Sean Russell with this tagline before introducing Sean, the show's sponsors and the guests for the episode.

The Circus Life podcast airs its 35th episode today, with yours truly as a guest of the show along with the super talented Levi Stephens and Addverb Bottle Co. founder Nathan Cristler! The first Circus Life podcast aired on August 12, 2013 and all the episodes are available both on their website and via iTunes. I listen to the new episodes, which come out each week on Tuesday's, via the Podcasts App on my iPhone as I get ready for work. The episodes are comprised of interviews, stories and performances from musical acts, local business owners and generally interesting people who Justin and Sean come across in their daily lives (hence, my "in").

Justin is a local DC singer-songwriter and does quite a bit of work to help promote other local acts as well through his "The 9 Singer Songwriter Series" and a new video project with photographer/videographer Rafael Suanes, of RCS Photography, called "Unrehearsed DC" in addition to The Circus Life. He also has a band, Justin Trawick and the Common Good, with fiddler Pete Daniels, mandolin & banjo player Josh Himmlesbach and upright bassist Jean Finstad.

Sean is multi-platinum award-winning sound engineer (remember Paul Pfau from last week? Sean did his album, just as a point-of-reference for you, dear loyal reader). His bio lists his work with industry titans such as India Arie, Damien and Stephen Marley, Idan Raichel, KIX, Roy & Yvonne, and Dobe Gnahore.  He engineers for producers such as Gordon Chambers (Aretha Franklin), Rich Harrison (Christina Aguilera, J-Lo),  Jim Ebert (Butch Walker, Cowboy Mouth), Glen Ellis (TroubleFunk, Chuck Brown).

The podcast is recorded out of Cue Recording Studios in Falls Church and, though not the quickest trip from the city, I was happy to make the trek to Virginia for my first show recording a couple weeks ago. I studied Music Industry briefly at JMU and have spent a little time in the studio for various musical ventures. I have to admit, I was pretty excited to be back in the studio environment again.

As I mentioned, I'm a fan of the show and have listened to most, if not all, the episodes, so I had a basic understanding of what I was getting into. I had never met Levi or Nathan before, and honestly, I think it was helpful to keeping the show interesting. Sometimes I think if people know each other too well, especially in a scenario where you are recording voices and don't have the option for video or audience participation, the participants may be too familiar with each other and make references to things that the listener may not understand. In our case, I think the fact that we didn't really know anything about each other allowed for genuine reactions and kept us engaged with each other while keeping it interesting for the audience.

So, I'm not going to tell you about the show, because you should listen to it, but I will let you know that I personally chat about a lot of the different "hustles" I currently participate in - the DC MEETMarket, Ulysses Room and our amazing clients at Tea Time DC, event planning at Strawberry Milk Events and of course, this blog! I also tell my favorite WWII veteran story from when I used to run association reunions.

I am now accepting offers to work in radio by the way. Please comment below or contact me directly. Please & thank you.

I'll also be briefly appearing on next week's episode, airing April 8th with a bunch of amazing people- musicians Mundy & Paul Pfau, rapper Laelo, pie lady Jacqueline Francis, photographer Rafael Suanes and of course Justin & Sean. It's the Pie Show (yes, I got free delicious pie) and I provided the whiskey.

Be sure to listen to the show and check out The Circus Life on: Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. Additionally, videos of the musical performances are posted to their website and YouTube each week!

I highly recommend you also check out  all the guests, but because this post is fairly specific to episode #35 and I'm going to single out Levi Stephens. After spending even more time with him after the show, not only am I a fan of his music, but this guy is a great person as well. He's just kicking off his college tour but for for local DCists, he'll be at the Cherry Blossom Festival next weekend (April 6) and plays at Solly's on U Street fairly often. Dates for his shows are HERE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3C0p4sBWks&list=PL0266F1D2BB513C78

I'd also like to thank any new readers, led here from the podcast! Be sure to sign up for updates to the blog and follow me on Twitter and Instagram!

Finally- support local music, myself & Justin this Friday at The 9 Singer Songwriter Series' first UNPLUGGED show- Friday, April 4th at Hierarchy in Adams Morgan. Doors at 8pm. Show at 8:30. Details HERE!

Weekly Recap: What Made Me Happy This Week Feb. 14-20

I had such a great (though exhausting) week! Here's what put a smile on my face!

•  Celebrating Valentines Day with one of my best girlfriends: Valentine's Day gets a bad rap from single people. No need to sit and whine people! Grab your bestie and make a day of it! This year I grabbed my go-to girl MB and we packed the day full of fun. We started the day at Red Door Spa in Pentagon City where I had a body scrub treatment and massage (thanks to my clients Cindi & John who gave me gift certificate for doing their wedding 3 years ago that I lost then recently found!). I had never been to Red Door and it was quite pleasant, I still prefer Bliss Spa at the W though- that steam room and the brownies in the waiting room are my favs). Next we headed to Lincoln for a Valentines Day Lunch- more on Lincoln in a future post. We took a couple hours to nap & shower then met up again at The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center for a great event called Sparkle Lounge (with a bunch of AMAZING event industry folks) that then turned into the Washington DC International Food & Wine Festival (with a bunch of free wine and liquor tastings)- more on this in a future post as well! We ended the night at The Loft at The Hamilton listening to music, dancing and entertaining a group of 21 years olds visiting from Vermont. 
  

   

• Trips Home: My Navy-jet-flying brother Seth has been back in the States from Japan for the last few weeks for training in Norfolk so I had to make a last trip home to see him before he heads to Nevada for more training today. I was super lucky that he arrived the day before my 30th Birthday party so I had seen him once before. Here's the thing about home...  I had a great night with my brother and his long-time Navy buddy Dan eating at our favorite Mexican place in Virginia Beach then seeing a movie. Then I got food poisoning.  It was TERRIBLE... but I was home. I was in my parents house, the house I lived in more than any other home in my life. I was miserable, but I was home. I was able to curl in a ball on the couch and still participate when our dear friends came over for our traditional pizza night (a tradition since they 3rd grade) - no I did not have pizza. Maybe this sounds ridiculous but if you have to be sick, I recommend doing it at home. **Shout out to my mom who always takes the best care of me**

  

• Capitol Romance:  I should potentially subtitle this one "Social Media Stalking" since it's pretty much why I met Bree, who is the Editor and Founder of this creative, fun and beautiful blog/brand. Bree has been super supportive in the social media realm of some of my work ventures and I have been and on & off reader of her blog (I go through wedding blog phases). She had a meet-up to celebrate her 3 Year Blogeversary and it was open to the public, so I showed up. I'm surprised we hadn't run into each other previously but am excited we've finally connected (along with all the other awesome people I met). We actually have a meeting later today, so I'm sure I'll be gushing more about her then. She's original, smart, dedicated to her mission of helping DC couples and entrepreneurial in all the best ways. Please check her out and keep tuned! @CapitolRomance 
• The 9 Songwriter Series: I met Justin Trawick at Tea Time DC's premier event at the Ulysses Room a couple weeks ago and as a folk music addict and live music lover in general, I was pretty thrilled. Justin is a local singer-songwriter who shortly thereafter won the Washington Area Music Award's Song of the Year (see a video of "All the Places that I've Been") and Folk-Contemporary Vocalist of the Year. Justin has his hands in many pots (also check out his podcast, The Circus Life & newest venture unrehearsedDC) but on Tuesday I was able to support him and experience my first 9 concert series at IOTA Club in Clarendon. The 9 was founded in 2008 and is a touring live music event, based in DC but with performances up and down the coast. The premise is to get 9 artists together in a venue they may not be able to book as solo acts, and then perform rotating sets (the lineup is picked from a hat right before the show). The show is intimate, engaging and full of talent. The artists sit in with each other and also randomly invite each other up on stage allowing for spontaneously inspired moments. It was one of the best musical experiences I've had in DC and I'll definitely be hitting up another show soon! Check out the set list below for the artists I heard! @Wearethe9
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Happy Friday friends!!

Weekly Recap : What I Love This Week

Here are a few things I came to love this week so much, I had to share with you!

• Waterlogued App : This app, available for iPhone and iPad transforms your photos into watercolor pieces of art! I spent way too much time going through my old vacation photos, DC scenery and of course, my foster dog Dori. I think one of my favorite uses for this app is to use it to create backdrops for quotes I like (in conjunction with the Over App)- you saw them here, here and here!
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• Thunder Beast Root Beer : I met owner and brewer Stephen at Tea Time DC's Premiere event Sunday night at the Ulysses Room. He brought a couple kegs of his absolutely delicious and refreshing, non-alcoholic brews. He told me they brew a number of seasonal root beers each year but their flagship has highlights of maple and butterscotch. I don't usually drink sodas but this brew had me wanting more and more! Find out how to get a taste of your own here!
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• Business Cards : I finally have business cards!! I've been networking and walking around town without them for over a month! It feels so good to be able to connect and be sure people know how to find you. I found a general design I liked at Mallory Hope Design on Etsy then worked with her to tweek it and make it my own. I'm working on my personal brand so I decided to promote that on the back of my card.
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• Dori, my first foster dog : I received notification late last week that I had been approved to be a foster mom for Lucky Dog Animal Rescue and I took my first dog home on Sunday afternoon. Dori is a 15 month old Shepard mix. When Dori was born, one of her back legs had two paws on it and that leg eventually stopped growing, so it was amputated and she now has three legs. She is the sweetest and cuddliest and sleepest puppy I've ever come across, but still playful and full of puppy play. She went to her forever home on Wednesday and I know she'll be happy.
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• My Dad : Well my dad certainly isn't new :) But, this picture is an outtake from a family portrait session with Leigh Burnette Photography . Leigh is a super talented up-and-coming photographer based in Virginia Beach. You'll be hearing more of his praises from me when I get around to talking about my 30th birthday party. My dad is one of the most thoughtful, caring men I've ever met and I'm very lucky to be his favorite (and only) daughter!
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DC Art Scene: Hierarchy DC Opens in Adams Morgan

The Washington City paper ran an article recently about the number of DC's art galleries that have closed over the last year. In the midst of this, No Kings Collective, an artist collective known for their pop-up exhibitions and social networking events, in partnership with the Popal family, owners of Napoleon Bistro & Lounge (who I love from my time at Food and Friends having worked with them for Dining Out For Life), Cafe Bonaparte and Malmaison (an inspiring place for coffee btw), have just opened Hierarchy DC.

Hierarchy DC is situated next door to Napoleon on Columbia Road in the always bustling Adams Morgan and, at least while I was there, was also accessible, in addition to their own front door, through Napoleon's basement (turn left for the downstairs bar at Napoleon, turn right for Hierarchy). Hierarchy's concept isn't run-of-the-mill and neither is the space. It's not an "art gallery" and it's not a "bar". It's a transformational space where artists will be able to have pop-up style shows, but in a permanent setting. Shows will typically run a month long, allowing patrons to enjoy a new setting almost every time they visit.

The space can accommodate (just a guess from experience, not facts) about 250 people. They have a dramatic long black bar running the length of the basement space. On Saturday they were serving $3 Natty Boh's (uh, no. I had vodka, thanks for asking... but I know that appeals to some!) and $6 Brewer's Art Beer along with $10 spirits including local favs Sloop Betty Vodka and Green Hat Gin. There's a great space for a DJ in the front of the room where DJ Fleg was spinning some solid sounds for a large crowd of drinkers and dancers.

The exhibition space in "gallery" format will be open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to five pm, with special events (ie: openings such as the one I attended Saturday night) advertised as they happen. They are also planning to have weekly "cultural programming"- but no word yet on their website on when that will start.

The dual installations of DECOY's "North West" and Cory Oberndorfer’s “Pop Sucker” were fun and graphic exhibits for the venues first show. Both shows made colorful references to childhood, DECOY through images of hip-hop cultured children from DC's northwest quadrant, and Oberndorfer through the nostalgia of our sweet childhoods, shattered over time.  DECOY had a booth setup, selling as cute as hip can be goods such as socks, totes, shirts, bows and bags. Oberndorer, also not wanting you to leave empty handed, offered lollipops. (Learn more about the exhibits on Hierarchy's website by clicking the links below).

DECOY: North West

            

Cory Oberndorfer: Pop Sucker

         

The venue has yet to announce future shows, but promised to make announcements in a  couple weeks. I have an inside scoop and trust me, you're going to want to stay tuned!!

PS. I was excited about the opening but was caught up doing some work projects so headed out fairly late. I sent out a quick tweet of my upcoming adventure and was pleasantly surprised at a quick response from Hierarchy! (Have I mentioned my love of social media yet?)

https://twitter.com/HierarchyDC/status/432366434623451136

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