I’m trying to find enough time to properly document everything that’s happened in the past couple of days, but I also have some clients for whom I must write software. Since they’re paying the rent and this blog isn’t, guess which one is getting short shrift for the time being. My apologies, Gentle Readers.
I’ve give you the quick version right now…
The MuchMusic Gig
I saw my MuchMusic performance the way most people saw it — on television — during the repeat performance last night at 11:00 p.m., my time zone (that’s Eastern Daylight Time, which for my friends outside North America is in the same time zone as New York City). Murphy’s Law would have it that my least favourite rendition of Sk8r Boi would be the one that ends up on TV. Singing flat, playing some chords that don’t exist outside of jazz or too many hits off the bong and tripping over lyrics, geez! Luckily, the audience was too in shock — Avril? On accordion?! — to notice.
My friend Richard, who works security at MuchMusic, said that VJ Rick liked the performance, and I got a nice thank-you email from VJ Jenn.
I would understand if Avril said “Smithers, have the Accordion Guy killed.” Actually, Avril, if you’re going to send thugs after me, may I recommend t.A.T.u? They could try to wrassle me to death in a vat of creamed corn. I’d put up a good fight.
Still, I kept my game face on, bounced around like a maniac, gave 110%, smiled all the way through and had the legal limit of fun. My thanks to MuchOnDemand VJs Jenn and Rick as well as producer Shelley for having me on the show, my thanks to the crew for welcoming me back as if I were a real rock star, and also to VJ Brad for coming over and saying hi!
(By the way, I think that I’m the Asian rocker who’s been given the most live airtime in the MuchMusic studio — well, at least after James Iha, formerly of The Smashing Pumpkins. I’m pretty sure I’m in the top 5. Asian rock stars, demand to get on!)
TV shoot number two
Hot on the heels of a live TV appearance, I spent this afternoon doing my segment for an episode of an upcoming TV series for the W Network called Living Romance. This particular episode is about serenading, and I’m the “wacky guy”.
They shot footage of me biking about town, wearing the flaming cowboy hat, accordion on my back. Then, a quick interview, followed by a performance. Then, they sent me to Queen Street West to try and pick up girls by serenading them. I was in top form, musically and with the one-liners. I even managed to rope in one or two! I’ll tell that story in more detail later.
Since they couldn’t afford to get the rights to any of the songs I usually cover, I had to write a song while other people were having their segments filmed. The tune’s good — I have complete faith in my ability to arrange chords and melodies — but the lyrics…well, I’ve heard worse:
(Chords for the verse are C-G-Bb-F)
You know, I live to see the smile on your face
No matter where you go you light up the place
You come near, my heart skips a beat, starts to race
You bring me back down to Earth from outer space
And…
(Key change! Chords for the chorus are D-C-G-D)
That’s why it’s no mystery
My head and my heart agree
You and me, we’re meant to be together
(some keyboard noodling goes here)
I also came up with this country-tonk ditty:
(This is a I-IV-V country tune that I did in E)
Maybe it’s true that I just love you too much
But that’s because I need you like a stickshift needs a clutch
Please understand me darlin’, I’m really not that strong
If you’re leaving me, can I come along?
Yeah, it’s totally goofball. Cory and his damned novelty tunes are rubbing off on me.
Lastly, here’s a punk number that the director thought was funny:
You may say I’m a liar
I swear that I’m not
But baby is it legal
For you to be that hot?
Okay, so it’s not Radiohead. I had to make this stuff up in a hurry!