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!

1 Month Blogiversary & Feedback Requested!

Hi followers! I've been writing this blog for one month now!! I'd love to get your feedback on how you think I'm doing- what do you like best? What would you like to see more of? What could I do better or should I eliminate?

Thank you so much for your support! I'm looking forward to continuing to grow SincerelyPete and happy to have you along for the ride!

Sincerely, Pete

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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