Incendio 2011

This past weekend was Incendio 2011, a two day wrock festival in Bethlehem, PA. I performed last year when it was just one jam-packed day, but this year, it was just too awesome to contain in a single day. I had an afternoon slot on Saturday, and though there is a magic to performing at night under the lights, I am happy to get a show done early enough to have time to relax and enjoy the other performers.

I would really have liked it if I had been able to get up to Pennsylvania for Friday’s performances as there were many really great acts scheduled, but alas, life intervened. Several of the bands hung around for both days though, so at least I got to visit with them a bit.

I am happy with how my set turned out. You never know when borrowing someone else’s instrument! I performed “The Tale of Tom Riddle” live for the first time. I was glad to add another song on piano to my repertoire, and it seemed to go over well.

I had a little stunt planned for this show and it could not have gone more smoothly. Recently, I was approached by a hop-hop wrock artist called Undesirable #1. He was interested in making a hip-hop remix of my song “Alone.” I only agreed to allow it if he added a rap to the song, and man, did it come out great.

Undesirable #1 performed the first day of the festival, but I knew he was sticking around, so I planned a super secret duet performance. I started out playing “Alone” on the piano as usual, but after the first chorus, U#1 very casually started up my ipod and I heard a gasp from the crowd. I felt like I was on the MTV Video Music Awards as I gestured stage right and said, “Undesirable Number Oooooonnneeeeee!” Richard took the stage and went full force into his rap. It was pretty awesome.

I want to give a HUGE thank you to Tina Wilkins who organized this event. The whole family is super amazing and supportive and I think the world of them. It was so great to see old friends, make a few new ones, and be inspired by some pretty fantastic musicians.

Here is a video of me performing “The Tale of Tom Riddle” shot by the always inspiring MaryBeth Schroeder: