XOYO to Bliss Field's Festival completed!

After the Brighton gig at The Komedia, I played the XOYO in London. The place was a little hard to find, but I suppose you are on the scene a lot the location of the venue is prime location. For me it was a little bit off the beaten path. Showed up to find Vetiver and the Tree Top Flyers had began making themselves comfortable. The venue had new and familiar faces.Introduced myself to the promoter and sound engineer for the night.  The sound guy and I had worked together at a previous London gig, but I couldn't honestly remember. He did resemble Susan Mayer's husband from the ABC comedy-drama series Desperate House Wives.

(Street shot of XOYO)

During my set I played songs off the Ep followed by tunes from my past present and future. I opened the show with 'Try Your Best', a song I play on glockenspiel and violin at times. I'm looking forward  headlining at the The Tabernacle in September because then I'll have full band. Expecting to put together a hand full of artists to be apart of the ensemble. There's also talks of taking an ensemble to the Latitude and Truck Festivals this month. If any of you music goers are in the area around for any of the Festivals you can expect to witness something special.  Click here for more info about the Latitude http://www.latitudefestival.co.uk/2011/lineup/artist/marques_toliver and Truck Festival http://www.thisistruck.com/stages-announced/

One of the most surprising moments happened later that night at the merch table. 

 I was surprised to see Desmond and Patrick, two friends from Florida standing near the edge of where I was selling my records. During my brief 2 years at University, Desmond and I were students at Stetson University's music department. Pat and I met of campus through music buddies and the crew that played regularly at the Cafe Davinci. Because it had been such a long time since my last London gig I was delighted to have friends Will Cameron A.K.A. Glow Hearts, Emile Lucienne, Forest T, and Lucy Mason there. I was also surprised to find out that I had to fans travel all the way from Rome to the gig that night! All in all the show fly. My booking agent from CAA, Emma Banks was in attendance. Ema is like the Queen B when it to the realm of Booking Agents. I'll just say she's the booking agent to the STARS, Anyways I was told home girl was in the audience rocking out to the songs. Flattering. Thanks for coming to the gig Ms. Banks, it means a lot! After the show was over the bouncers tried to scurry us all out. 

(Cafe Davinci Deland, Fl)

Afterwards, we all went to the flat to talk and hang. By the time we arrived to my place the sun was starting to rise. The idea to have Pat and Desmond play the Bliss Field's Festival came up and we all dug the sound of that. We quickly made a plan to rehearse the next morning with double bass and melodica. Friday was the day of the Festival and we managed to make it work. We played in a hand full of songs together and set off for London.

SXSW Recap.

Will do my best to recount the experience, but at some point it all becomes a blur.

Tuesday
3/15/11

10am taxi from the home to London Heathrow. Change over in chicago. T'was told I wasn't able to take autoharp,violin,and bag on plane to Austin. At security check the woman behind the desk looks at my passport and tells me that her last name is also Toliver, but with two Ls. The advantage about traveling to Texas for SxSw is that most of the passenger are musicians themselves that are headed to the conference. The guys from YUCK were on board. Didn't put the two together until the flight home. One of the band members has a distinctive look. If I was a booking I would say he has a high fashion build.

10pm arrived in Austin. Taxi to the house I'm staying at. Other bands and what not may chose to stay in hotels, but there is an alternative to the drab of a continental breakfast. You can always find some person that rents out their home for the conference. Luckily, for me the family that rented their space had a baby grand piano.

Wednesday
3/16/11
10am
Rode into town with the guys that were also staying at the house. Went to meet managers at Austin Convention Center to pick up wrist bands and badges. At the convention center I passed the time waiting for the guys by practicing a few songs outside on the the glockenspiel.

Inside, it was like a Family Reunion of musicians. Cats from New York,Chicago,Florida, and London were all there. A joyous time. After we collected our wrist bands the Team walked over to the French Legation Center for the first performance of the conference. I was playing the Bella Union/Your's Truly stage. A Big Thank You to Bella Union as well. Walking to the gig I began to familiarize myself with the streets. Two years ago I had been at SXSW with Miles(Benjamin Anthony Robinson) playing in his band along with Will (Cameron "GlowHearts"). Half way to the French Legation Center it dawned on me that I had played this venue before alongside Miles. Immediately I was more excited about the gig more than I had ever been. The venue was covered with grass to lounge on with a few tress scattered about for shade. The stage itself was under a huge white tent. After the performance did an interview with the local music blog. A few local music goers had heard about the gig thanks to http://yourstru.ly/ 

After that was all said and done, made a dash over to The Red Eyed Fly for a showcase on the Transgressive stage. When I arrived the sun was still lighting the skys and the southern heat had made its presence known.  Entered through the back of the bar "artist entrance". Because none of the other acts gear had showed up yet I hung around while the camera crew set up. The Transgressive showcase was also covered and posted on SXSW's Official YOUTUBE page. All in all Liam Finn and I got some internet face time.

Thursday Morning  

3/17/11

Claudeen arrives. We have time to catch up while I take her things out of the taxi. She darts insides and get's changed and we ride into town for my gig at 1pm. The venue was a little bit off the beaten path so I didn't think many people would show. All in all there seemed to be a good turn out. During the set a few guys were talking so I had to come up with a way to stay focused inside the song while getting my point across. Managed to change a few of the words so that my disapproval came through. The crowd got it and as a result Claudeen walked over to the talking table and smiled graciously while telling them they were SO LOUD!

http://WWW.CLAUDEENBENOIT.NET

Thursday

17/3/11

1pm gig at Dogfish head. BLUR.

Friday

18/3/11

Yep Roc Music Group didn't happen. I do know that on eith Thursday night or on Friday night Claudeen,Janis, and I went to the TVOTR gig at Stubbs and rocked out backstage with Zoe Kravtiz. LOL. Fun times in America.  That was night of the super moon. The night concluded with everyone going to the barrito truck after the show. 

Got to go to the VEVO Party that Kanye West was playing. Showed up early to the VIP entrance unsure as to how we were going to get in. Claudeen took charge of the situation and we used the "I'm in the Band" card. We walked around to the load in entrance and to our surprise Kyp was standing in line. Once the rest of the guys from the band showed up we got our wrist bands. Backstage ( In the VIP LOL) there were free drinks. Claudeen and I were dancing to the music and all of a sudden Diddy walks up with his entourage of girls (Casey and friends). He hung around for a bit listening to the music. We Had to stand on chairs and couches to see the show. At first glance Claudeen thought Akon was standing next to us, but it wasn't him. Glad I went cause we all managed to get our dance on. 

Mos Def performed along with John Legend, and some other young rappers hit the stage. Oh yeah, Jay-Z made a guest appearance. After the show Claudeen and I made it to the green room were Kanye and Mos, but didn't get a chance to play in front of the guys cause security wasn't feeling it. 

On the last day of SXSW Claudeen and I left the place we were staying at and crashed at this place.

I got in touch with some NEw York buddies I use to play in a band with. Thankfully the house they were stay ing at had more than enough room for Claudeen and I to rest our heads. Had some time to catch up with Johnny and Sean. The whole entire trip was filled with music. 

Sean Walsh and The National Reserve

http://www.myspace.com/seanwalshmusic

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