Sweet guy, stellar talent

This is what my friend Caitlin had to say about me and my show:

"Adam is refreshing and so much fun to see live. After overdosing on way too many lo-fi indie bands, going to an Adam Shenk show is the perfect way to get your polished pop music fix and have an excellent time. I dare you to not sing-along to his 90s R&B covers...his song selection is on point!"


Caitlin Devlin


Check out her blog --> Click here

Holidays

I been off my blog grind for a while...

At home in Virginia spending time with family - MOM, DAD, JEREMY, BRIGET, and the nephews GUS and CAL.

Here's some pics of me and Gus.

I'm excited also to have booked my next show which will be at the Bitter End on January 18.

Been getting some great write-ups on websites such as the Deli. Click here to check it out!

Also got a great write-up in I Heard They Suck Live, complete with great pictures, such as this one, with rapper Heightz:

Churrch

I went and saw Black Swan again last night...

Aaaah I love that movie!!

Tonight I went to my friend's church to hear him sing in the choir. WOOOW it is a Baptist church in Harlem, and damn, that choir could sing!!! Really enjoyed the service.

Ass on the Floor

Loving Diddy Dirty Money's album "Last Train to Paris" especially "Ass on the Floor."

Took a great class yesterday with Neil Schwartz. I went to BDC to take Joanna (hadn't been there in FOREVER) but she was not feeling well so Neil taught.

This is me with him after class, looking a little sweaty lol.

PRINCE

Last night I got to go see Prince in concert at the Izod Center in NJ. My friend had an extra ticket.

WOOOW I felt so lucky....it was amazing! Seeing him perform Purple Rain. Wow...What a musician...His guitar playing...his voice...his moves & command of the audience. I really had no idea about Prince.

I'm going again to see him in January at Madison Square Gardens and I can't wait!!

Gave me goosebumps.

Another Bitter End show

Really had an amazing evening.

Show was awesome. I absolutely love the Bitter End

and I got to talk to Paul Colby, the owner. Really old guy, and so nice.

He said I have something special, I just need to get in front of the right people.

Meant so much to me, he was like "I'm not the easiest guy to impress"

Energy of the crowd was so great. We all had so much fun!

Love being silly and a goofball and just ENJOYING my time with the band and the audience.

I feel very grateful.

Went to get burgers afterwards at Bareburger with Cara, her fiancee Mark, and two of their friends.

Holy shit that place is amazing! They have turkey, beef, ostrich, bison, and more!

Soooo delicious. Their fries and dipping sauces are off the chain. And milkshakes too!!!

GAAAAAHHHH I'm a happy boy....

REHEARSAL

Today was rehearsal day for my Bitter End gig on Wednesday.

Excited for my boy - rapper Heightz - to rock the stage again. We're doing one of his songs where I'm singing on the hook, plus his features on "Saturday" and "If Ya Like This."

I also got my hair cut again by Carlos. He did a nice design, and I'm leaving it long on top. Kinda rockin a mohawk type deal.

United Project

Tonight I got to go see a dance performance from UNITED PROJECT - a group of dancers who have been studying under choreographers Joanna Numata, Dana Foglia, and La Jon Dantzler, three of my favorite teacher/choreographers.

The show was stunning. Mishay Petronelli & Ai Shimatsu, two girls that were heavily featured, were really exquisite, and the whole company really lived in those pieces.

The music was great (lots of Bjork), cool costumes, innovation (one piece was Mishay on a ladder being carried around by four boys and morphed into different positions), and awesome choreography.

Made me happy and proud to be an artist and witness to such amazing artistry.

I'm happy :-)

Black Swan

Went to see Black Swan tonight....

WOWOWOWOWO it was amazing!!

Still trying to figure it out.

Boston College

Had a lovely trip today with The Bloodsugars to Boston College to do a performance.

 crazy knowing that kids in college today were probably born in the 90's

It was a sweet audience of mainly freshmen, and they gave us a standing ovation at the end. They were really into it. It was pretty awesome!

Always love hanging/traveling/playing with Jason, Kenneth and Brendan. Great guys :-)

Benefit

Had a great time performing at another benefit - this was in NJ at Rutgers University for some nursing students raising money to go to Costa Rice during spring break to do some service.

It was organized by Chris Byrd, a dance friend, who is also in the nursing program - there were a bunch of us dancers / artists there performing and I had so much fun seeing everybody!

I sang a bit of Ooh-La-La & then Warning Shot - and it was a nice audience. .. I really enjoy the connection with the audience no matter where I go - it's all about attitude and having fun.

I love dancers and missed alot of my dance friends. I haven't been going to Broadway Dance Center as much anymore, so it was great to see everybody!

Lucius

Caught a great set tonight from the talented Lucius -  Berklee colleagues Holly Laessig and Jessica Wolfe. They are so very talented and the band and sound they have built is incredible.

Songs & artists

I worked more on a song with Ryan James .... we are kinda crazy together LOL!!! The phrase of the night was "That just doesn't sing right"

& then I went to see the beautiful Erin Christine at Bitter End... IT was a good set! She did a new song called "Naked" which was HOT!!!

Crash Mansion

Really enjoyed being a part of "Change Gonna Come 2010" - a benefit for children of South Africa -

Did a great set at Crash Mansion - with Iakov Kremenskiy on BASS (yes, usually my guitar player, he whipped out the bass for this one) and Jeffrey Villanueva on drums.

They both killed, and we were also joined for a couple features by the rapper Heightz.

Chilled with a few friends, and stayed for Pauline Pisano's set - she was awesome!

Pitmen Painters

Went to a great play tonight on Broadway - The Pitmen Painters - knew one of the understudies in the cast. Wow it was great!

Afterwards went out with one of the cast members and her friend. They are from England and they wanted to go to Shrine (where I've played a few shows) - We went and caught the end of this Reggae band, and then there was a DJ playing some awesome throw back stuff. It was great!!

Aabaraki

Went to meet Lily O'Brien (who's doing PR for me) at Bar Four tonight in Brooklyn to see:

Aabaraki - an R&B band, who was awesome! Very neo-soul - reminded me at times of N.E.R.D. songs. They did a cover of "Everybody wants to Rule the World" !!

The Art of Singing

               It was a wonderful day...

1. I bought my nephews presents!!

2. And I got a new awesome coat from H&M

3. I went and got my haircut.... new design shaved...

     This Japanese girl was looking for hair models for designs, so of course I wanted to do it!

    She kinda gave me a mohawk and then shaved a dollar sign into my head and then wanted to shave the word Rich. I don't know why.

Well I wasn't into the idea...don't want people thinking that's my name or that I am rich.

So maybe those vibes were rubbing off....because she misspelled the word by accident. She spelled it R-I-T-H. Hmm.....LOL.....but I still like the design and you can't really tell that it's supposed to be letters.

4. I went and played for a lesson for a voice teacher I've been talking with, Jennifer Hamady. WHOOOOOOAAA I got awesome vibes from her, and had no idea, but she's the freakin bomb singer!!! She has worked with Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, American Idol.....WOW WOW WOW, and she has such passion and positive energy!!

She started crying as she was working with her student - shows how emotionally invested she is.

Can't wait to work with her more, and read her book "The Art of Singing."

5. Then tonight I went to play for "Baby Wants Candy," a musical improv group. They have classes/workshops, so I played for that for a few hours. Good stuff!!

Feeling Good

I love show days....

    I had an awesome time at Caffe Vivaldi...

Held it down with Iakov Kremenskiy, my guitar player...What a guy.

Had fun with the audience, and loved the space... (Caffe Vivaldi)

Kinda in love with doing shows... I feel like they get better and better - mainly in my capacity to enjoy them!

Caffe Vivaldi

Tonight is the night....

I'm playing at Caffe Vivaldi on their wonderful grand piano, with my trusty guitar player, Iakov Kremenskiy.

I'm excited :-)

Burlesque

Hung out in Boston today before coming back to NY, and went to see Burlesque. It was pretty good....very enjoyable.

Christina was awesome, and sexy, and great...

Newbury St.

Look at these cuties - Nephews Gus and Cal

Had a great day.

First up was lunch with Jeremy, Bridget, and the nephews at Symphony Sushi, one of our favorite spots. Delicious!

Met up with Claire Finley, good friend and bass player extraordinaire, who is still living in Boston, making a living here.

Then met up with a friend and fan from Facebook, and had coffee in the South End and walked around for a bit.

Then I took a nice stroll down Newbury Street, stopping at a bunch of stores to do some "shopping" (didn't really end up getting anything)

I was really into this store called Allsaints Spitalfields - awesome color palette (greys, blacks, browns) - good material, vintage t-shirts, leather jackets, cool sweatshirts & shoes/boots. Almost got this sweatshirt that was like $135.

Had some peanut butter oreo ice cream from J.P. Licks, even though it's so cold!!

Now nestled in bed. Goodnight world....

Thanksgiving

Having a great time here in Boston with the fam:

Brother Jeremy,
       Bridget,
           nephews Gus & Cal

and a niiiiiice Vegan Thanksgiving spread ---- WOOO!!!

Also got the flyer for my next full band show, which is with Taylor Greenwood at Bitter End... My buddy Ryan James did the flyer for us...

asfpgoiahwem

Can't think of a subject line!!!! Gaaaahhhh....

Many thoughts running through my head...

Good day tho!

I had rehearsal with Blake (Caitlin Blake) for her joint show with Anna Zoe tomorrow at Caffe Vivaldi (where I'm playing in one week).

And I went to see Mike Dooley tonight! He wrote a bunch of books including "Notes from the Universe," and his new book "Manifesting Change" is just out...He spoke and I picked up a copy of the book and got a signed copy and talked to him for a brief moment. It was great!

Harry Potter

My gig in Boston went really well!

I got to see a bunch of friends, including Stephen Buslovich, Evgenia, Dylan Bullard, Moira Horan...

A bunch of people I hadn't seen in a while!!

I had a nice set, and a few girls opened up with a songwriter's circle - Rebecca Muir, Tavonna Miller, Elise Hayes, and Jess Ross.

Today I had a coaching, kids music party, and then picked up TWO gigs last minute - one playing for a fundraiser, and the other playing for a musical improv group.

Then I went to see the new Harry Potter movie :-)

Boston!!!!

Boston excursion....

I must sleep - taking a bus tomorrow to Boston after work, doing a gig - songwriter's circle before my set with Rebecca Muir, Elise Hayes, and some others...

then hanging out with my bud Stephen Buslovich, and then taking a midnight bus back to NY....I'm excited!!!!! YAY!!!!

GIG!!!!! (God is good)

Iakov

Today I had a writing session with Iakov Kremenskiy - my guitar player for many gigs now for about a year and a half...

This was our first writing session, and I think we came up with a great song! So excited to do lyrics and get it finished....

Epic picture of Iakov at my Bowery Poetry Club gig 8/09

I feel like my creative juices are FLOWING.... have come up with some good material with co-writers in the last week, and can't wait to finish and have some new songs in the repertoire.

Woo-hoo!!!

Pointer Sisters

***I love my students. As I start to teach piano & voice I grow so much....

****I am obsessed with "Automatic" - a song by the Pointer Sisters .... Emily King sang it at her last show....Ugh such a good song!!

mind and body

THERAPY does a mind good... I have been in therapy nearly all my life, and it's done me wonders. I advocate therapy, people!

WORKING OUT feels so awesome - taking care of my body... I've found a solid gym partner in James (I'm giving him some music lessons in exchange), and I really like the Planet Fitness here in Harlem...

Also had a VOICE LESSON today..... gotta keep those vocal chords in shape :-)

Writing

Had a couple students today -

and then

WRITING sessions all dayyyyy........that's what I'm talking about.....it was awesome!!

First up was Amy Crawford, wonderful singer/songwriter and fellow keys player. We've been to a few of each other's shows, and we had been wanting to get together for awhile. It finally happened and we came up with a great song, discovering we blended nicely together....can't wait to finish it!

Next was Ryan James, who I knew in Boston back in the day and we've reconnected here in NYC. He's a great songwriter and producer, and I really like what we came up with as well...

In both cases we did a whole song structure - form, melody, and harmony....so now just have to plug in the lyrics.

I can't decide which song I like better, but I feel so grateful for the opportunity I have to use my gifts and create music with others.........So happy!!!

Beautiful girls & music

1. Recording session with Brooke Forman, for her new song "Benjamin."

     Really love bringing out her vulnerability. She is a young voice with lots of potential and I do enjoy working with her. She is such a cutie - look at her:

2. Went to see my girl Emily King at her spot - Rockwood Music Hall

WOWWW----- I've seen Emily LOTS of times, but this was the biggest group I've seen her with. She had drums, bass, guitar, piano, keyboard, and background vocalist, in addition to her of course. WOW.....and what a bandleader she is. Usually it's just her and guitar, or solo, or with one or two other pieces. She is wonderful, and I'm always so inspired by her performances.

SO tasty, delicious, subtle, sparse ----

and I was thinking, 

if my life boils down to moments, the moments I've spent at her shows have given my life meaning, because I know I've loved something so beautiful. 

Lyrics

Up to my neck in lyrics and mp3's as I learn some songs for wedding gigs.

Had some good lessons today. I love having students, and learning as I teach....Teaching and learning is really one and the same, right?

Kick me down

Early morning with The Story Pirates, performing stories by and for kids at an elementary school in

                 Jamaica, Queens




A kids party at a sick apartment on Park Avenue on the upper east side. Kids seemed a little spoiled, but the parents were nice, and we got a little tip. Always nice and appreciated.

And actually, I talked with a co-worker about rich kids, and really, there are pros and cons to growing up in any economic circumstance. You can't help where/how you were born. I heard once that happiness is measured by your capacity for delight.....or something like that...I like that.

    Had a session tonight with Ryan James, and we started working on a song. We are inspired by bullying and teen suicides. As a gay male, I remember being depressed, and feeling alone in high school. It can be really hard. And I was picked on ALOT in middle school...

Hopefully we can write a good song that's relevant. I look forward to working more with this crazy guy.

Grand pianos

I played piano
     once again
        for this voice teacher
    at       a      beautiful apartment on the upper west side
on
   an
      amaaaazing Steinway

and I thought.....isn't life grand?

Train hard!

I've started bartering with this guy James - I met him through a friend and he is interesting in taking piano/music lessons, and in exchange, helping me train at the gym...

We met today at Planet Fitness in Harlem and it was great!

So basically I look like this now:

Wedding bands / Fierce dance show

Last night, I had a gig / audition with Hank Lane wedding band.

It was super fancy, at the Plaza Hotel...

I was so nervous....I just came out and sang two songs. "Oh What a Night" was kinda a mess. Nobody could hear me because the sound system (also I wasn't holding the mic quite close enough)...

but then later I came out and sang Earth Wind And Fire "September" and it was kinda hot!! So I think it went well....It was cool to see the gig...I mean song after song, of top 40 and oldies.... really interesting.... Hopefully I can do some work like that.. it's good money.

Tonight, I went to see Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, and oh my god!!! 


It was so phenomal..... the whole company was amazing, but it was all about Ebony Williams.... I went to school with her at Boston Conservatory, and she is such a star dancer. She was in Beyonce's "Single Ladies" video... can it get any better than that for a female dancer? That video is one of the most famous dance videos of all time.

Anyway, this program was astounding, and I can't wait to go see more Cedar Lake. Fantastic!

Here is a photo of Ebony, and a picture with Beyonce in a live performance.

Numbness in my face

I went to the dentist today and got a cavity filled.

They had to give me local anesthetic a couple times, because it was painful.

My face was soo numb for a few hours.

I went to see the late late set at Rockwood Music Hall (1 AM)

It was my bud Jordan Scannella, with Josh Giunta and Romain Collins

They sounded amazing!

Acting

Today the great Emily Swanson (Boston Conservatory friend/alum)


came over


to do a monologue coaching


She picked out some great material for me.


Oh my god it was so fun working with her and reading these monologues....


What a great chick!!


Had to scratch that acting bug.


LOL at the picture at the top of this BLOG.

Co-writes / Sonicbids

Worked last night with my buddy Brooke Forman on a new song for her...She's such a cutie:

Right now I'm updating my Sonicbids EPK so I can submit to South by Southwest in Austin, TX. Woo-hoo!!

Indecision

Well it looks like I made the hard decision to cancel a gig. It was a Hamptons gig at a bowling alley, and I just don't think it was worth the time commitment and cost to go out there, especially since apparently business has been slow. (This IS the off-season for the Hamptons, after all)

Have some good things brewing though - writing projects, possible wedding band & jingle gigs, a new PR person (Lily O'Brien, woop)

Let's go November!!!!!

Perfection

I realized today that there is perfection in the imperfections of my life. I am fabulous and my life is fabulous, and I need to see it as such.

Paranormal Activity 2

I saw Paranormal Activity 2 today at the E. 72nd St. Cinema...

IT was scary!!

I like that theater. They only show one movie, and they have a balcony.

Creepy movie...

Family time

Having a great time in Boston with the family.

We had amazing Ethiopian lunch and then a good birthday dinner and homemade cake.

Lots of time playing with Gus.

Great conversations with my parents, and Jeremy and Bridget.

And sitting with Cal.

LOVE my family!!!!

I go back on the bus to NY tomorrow.

Bostonnnnnn

Going to Boston later today for some serious FAMILY time.

Celebrating me and my dad's birthday, though really, his is the big one. He is now 60!!!

I also get to see my mother, brother, and Bridget, and my nephews Gus and Cal. I'm so excited!!

Bear City

Today, I went to a screening of the movie Bear City. My song, "Even So," was in the movie during one of the "love" (sex) scenes. LOL, it was a funny movie, I'll leave it at that.

I was joined by my friend Ryan James, and then we went to Rockwood Music Hall, to see Amy Crawford, and I caught a couple songs by Lucius as well before I left.

Pretty good night :-)

BIRTHDAY

Today was my birthday and it was so awesome!!!

I loved getting so many facebook birthday messages...IT made me feel so loved!

And my love Cara Scherker invited me over and cooked me turkey meatballs, pasta and salad, and even bought an ice cream cake!!! IT was the sweetest thing ever!!! (and soooo delicious) She made me feel so special!!!

Then I met up with another friend and then went SWIMMING at the Recreation Center in Chelsea. That branch is serious about the swimming!!

Had my last gig with Tori tonight. She played the midnight set at Rockwood, and she was awesome!! I'm gonna miss my buddy!!! xoxoxoxo Tori!!!