Wrapping up 2012

The Year 2012 ...

What a year for Vintage Blue.   

-  Strike The Mics was released on February 14th after a SOLD OUT CD Release at Subterranean in Chicago 

-  (You have it right?  If not ... https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/strike-the-mics/id493074927) 

-  SOLD OUT show at House of Blues Chicago with our now good friends Marty Casey and The Lovehammers  

-  SOLD OUT Anniversary Party for Shoeshine Boy Productions at Double Door

-  Featured on WXRT - Local Anesthetic with Richard Milne

-  SOLD OUT Thursday night show at Schubas

-  Opened for Fitz & The Tantrums at Summerfest

-  Played VIP Event for Dave Matthews Band

-  Opened for Lifehouse at Worlds Largest Block Party in Chicago

-  Opened for Cowboy Mouth at Sheffield Garden Walk

-  Opened for The Revivalists at Boulevard Bash

-  Opened for 10,000 Maniacs at Guinness Oysterfest

-  RECORD PLAYED ON OVER 160 Radio Station across the Country

-  NATIONAL TOUR
       - Nashville
       - Sixthman in Atlanta
       - WOCM Radio in Ocean City, MD
       - Philadelphia
       - Cleveland

-  INTERNATIONAL TOUR
       - Costa Rica 

-  Two SOLD OUT Nights with SISTER HAZEL AT HOUSE OF BLUES

-  Great shows at Elbo Room, Abbey Pub, Tonic Room, Old Oak, Navy Pier, Fire on Water (WI) and special events with Ingram Hill, Greylan James and many others.

2013 ...

    -  New Record?

    -  Tour?

    -  International Round Two?

    -  Who knows ...         

    

      From all of us in Vintage Blue, we cannot thank you enough for your love and support.  2013 is already off to a great start with A HEADLINING SLOT at LINCOLN HALL!!!  Please keep letting your friends and family know about our band and our music.  We cannot do it without you and your support.  Thank you for all you do.

Ben, Brent, Caitlin, Cesar, Matt, Ryan and Will

 

Day Two - Sixthman

Today we had the chance to tie together a bunch of band history into a neat little package.  Visiting Sixthman was a huge step forward for the band as we continue on our path, wherever it may lead.  The trip was originally an idea by Will Byington to provide an avenue by which the band could introduce themselves, while satisfying all of Hazelnuts that we had met during our time with them.  Funny enough, but we first met Will Byington almost 4 years ago when he took photos at our Halloween party back when we were rocking cover tunes in a different band.

We drove last night after we left Nashville and arrived just outside Atlanta where we shacked up at a Kroger’s parking lot.  After a solid 4.5 hours of sleep for some of us, we woke up, got some coffee and breakfast and took off for Sixthman.

At Sixthman we were so warmly received by Chardy McEwan and the rest of the staff.  The office itself is so open and welcoming, like you would envision the Palo Alto floorplan for Google, except with an added island touch, appropriately enough.  We were given time to set up, get comfortable and chat with a few friends that showed up to greet us and watch us play. 

As for the set, we were asked to play three acoustic tunes and we played “California Road,” “Set You Free” and “Here to Stay.”  We don’t often do acoustic sets any more, so this was a good chance to hone skills and also a good test of how far we have come.  We felt really great about how we played and were really happy that the small crowd of Sixthman employees that gathered seemed to enjoy it as well.

You can find the video of our set here: www.ustream.tv/channel/sixthman-live-loud

After we played we chatted with everyone for a bit and then took off for our long haul to Ocean City, MD.  

Talk to you tomorrow!

VB

Kill 'Em With Kindness

Recently the band was interviewed by SOCO Magazine and Trevor, the interviewer, asked what advice the band would give to aspiring musicians.  Initially our answer was the old cliche about working hard, practicing and being persistent.  While this holds true generally, our band has found that another rule applies in such a more meaningful way.

Kill 'Em With Kindness

2011 has been a lesson in the value of building relationships, making lasting connections and treating people with respect.  Very early on in the history of this band we met a lot of musicians at all levels of success.  But it was the musicians with humility and that took the time to talk with us about the craft, their equipment, etc. that really had a profound effect.

So we took it to heart.  We started paying attention to every person that crossed our path.  Whether it was a sound engineer, a fan, or a generally unfriendly booking agent, we made it our goal to treat everyone with kindness, knowing that it would come back to us someday.

2011 has been a lesson in just how effective this strategy can be.  Recently the band had a chance to play with Sister Hazel at The Bluebird Bar in Bloomington, Indiana and the House of Blues Chicago.  That opportunity was the result of 2 years of pursuit and networking and it could not have worked out better.  We met so many great new people, new fans and new friends.  And to all those new fans out there, we will show you the same thing that got us to the stage in front of our current friends ... kindness.