Mike Fitch

It's About the Journey

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Flogging Molly at Stubb’s – March 21st

March 22, 2014 /

The first time I saw Flogging Molly was at ACL Festival several years ago.  It was a rainy day (back when it used to rain in Austin) and I was watching Citizen Cope on one of the main stages.   The rain made everything feel dreary and Citizen Cope – although I like him – wasn’t exactly adding energy.  Looking for a change of pace, we headed off and sloshed into Flogging Molly.   The energy and watching the muddy mosh pit were exactly the cure and it turned out to be a great day.

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Fast forward to last night and Flogging Molly did again what they do best.  I suppose I’ve seen them a handful of times now and never walked away not feeling more positive about the world.   They played a bit of old and a bit of new and the crowd surged along happily.   Although not a mosh-pitter myself, I don’t mind getting close enough to feel the occasional jostle or have a few sips of beer spilled on my sleeves.

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After 10ish days of SXSW and the brief surge of St. Paddy’s Day, a night at Stubb’s was a perfect way to wind down a couple weeks of being on the go.  Now as spring begins, I’ll meld back into a more natural pattern of the occasional show bookending mostly routine days.  But when I’m sitting at home doing laundry, don’t be surprised if you here me humming “Requiem for a Dying Song”.

Two for Tuesday – Toni Price & Home Slice Pizza

January 25, 2014 /

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It doesn’t get more “Austin” than spending a Tuesday night on South Congress enjoying two local favorites.  Tuesdays at the Continental Club are synonymous with Toni Price and her “Hippie Hour” fans.  The time between sets is just long enough to make a quick dash to Home Slice down the street for some of the best pizza around.

Outside of a brief move to California a couple years ago, Toni Price has been a Tuesday landmark of the Austin live music scene.   Her music stands on its own, but it doesn’t hurt that Warren Hood and Rich Brotherton have both done stints at her side.    And since it’s an early show, you’ll be home in plenty of time to face the Wednesday workday with gusto.

Just because it’s early in the week, doesn’t mean it needs to be boring.   Head on over to SoCo to feed both your soul and your belly.    You won’t be disappointed.

 

Feeling Social?

January 12, 2014 /

The options and uses for social media continue to explode.   One piece of advise I’ve found useful from the start is to have fun, but not dive into every new app that comes along.   I’ve never quite found a place for Pinterest for example.  I’m not sure exactly who (or what) I’d want to Snapchat about.   And although I have a Google+ account – I find it seldom used.

Flipboard looks interesting.   I’ve set up an account and created a couple “magazines”.   Time will tell if I’ll be committed enough to curate valuable content on a regular basis.   And you can find me here on Twitter.   It’s been the most fun of all the sites for me so far.

Hopefully 2014 will be a year of new friends and connections in a variety of real and virtual environments.

January 1, 2014 /

2013 was pretty good to me, so I’d mostly be happy with a continuation into 2014.  I’m not much into resolutions, but one of the things on my “to do” list is to keep trying new things on social media (and in the real world).

Friday Five – Live Music Experiences in 2013

December 27, 2013 /

I don’t get out as much as I’d like, but still look forward to great music when I have the chance.  SXSW has turned into one of my favorite times of the year, but I’ll leave it (and ACL) out here for the sake of digging a little deeper.   Here are five of my favorites from 2013.

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1) Willie Nelson (@ The Backyard) – as iconic as Austin music gets.  What started as a birthday concert for himself, quickly turned into a benefit concert of the citizens of West after the explosion there.  The gesture was quintessential Willie.

2) Ed Sheeran (@ Stubb’s) – I saw Ed twice during SXSW 2012 and haven’t been surprised to see his career continuing to rise.  His fan base tilts toward screaming teenage girls than my usual crowd, but he’s still a great artist.  And Stubb’s is one of the best venues around.

3) Imagine Dragons (@ AT&T Park, San Francisco) – technically opened for Train as part of a corporate event, but they stole the show.  Plus, being able to stand on the Giants home plate was pretty cool.

4) Dawes/Grace Potter/Avett Brothers (@ A360) – my inaugural trip to Circuit of the Americas did not disappoint.  Any one of these bands would have been a good stand-alone show, so it was a great triple bill.

5) Unplugged at Shady Grove – it’s not so much about any particular artist (although they book some great ones), Thursdays from spring to fall often find me on Barton Springs under the trees.   There is a great group of regulars that make each week feel like a reunion of old friends

The internet (spam) of things

November 3, 2013 /

The internet is an amazing place – bringing the world closer together and sharing ideas and information in ways that would not have been possible only a few years ago.  I’m currently taking an informal online course.   I not only exercise learning skills that I use too seldom, but also get to exchange ideas with people from around the world.  The downside is that every opportunity attracts more than a few tactless rubes.   Thieves and crooks are a breed of their own, but here are a few less obvious folks that could use a manners refresher:

Facebook Philosophers – it’s great that you are passionate, but post something positive about your own idea – don’t disparage mine.  We may disagree – but no need to blast what are – at least in theory – your “friends”.

Fake Followers – didn’t this go out in 2009?  I’m amazed that are there are still legitimate businesses that would follow someone in hopes of a follow-back; only to unfollow after the goal is accomplished.  It’s no way to grow your network and those that you do keep will surely see through you eventually.

Cranky Commenters – similar to Facebook Philosophers, but something about commenting on websites either anonymously or under a nickname makes too many people juvenile and mean spirited.

I’m hoping that as the internet and technology become ubiquitous that the users behind the screen names remember the civility they learned in kindergarten.  In the meantime….

Be kind.  Have fun.

ACL 2013

October 14, 2013 /

Another year in the books and here was the agenda.  Highlights for me included: .fun, The Cure, Mowgli’s, Dawes, Grouplove, The National, and Red Baraat.   And then there is Lionel Richie – still not sure where to put this one.  Definitely a consumate professional and musician.  I knew all the songs and the crowd did too.  Having said all that, it’s hard for me to put him in the same category as some previous Sunday closers.

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Friday, Oct 4th

Shovels & Rope, Smith Westerns, fun., Depeche Mode, Muse

Saturday, Oct 5th

Autre Ne Veut, HAIM, Silversun Pickups, Little Green Cars, Grimes, Passion Pit, Kendrick Lamar, The Cure

Sunday, Oct 6th

The Mowgli’s, Dawes, Grouplove, Divine Fits, Toro Y Moi, The National, Red Baraat, Tame Impala, Phoenix, Atoms for Peace, Lionel Richie

Post Script…..I felt bad for the folks that got rained out Sunday on the second weekend.  It was, however, fantastic to see so many of the scheduled musicians putting together pop-up shows to exercise their chops and reward some otherwise frustrated fans.

Friday Five – Burger Joints

October 4, 2013 /

I thought I’d post another Friday Five because I’m not getting nearly enough Chinese spam yet.   So, without further ado….a completely subjective list of burger places that I like.  Most are in the Austin area, but I had to throw in Fatburger because it’s one of the only things I look forward to when business takes me to Vegas.   And I’m willing to give In-N-Out another try when they open here, but I’m not sold yet

Andice General Store (Florence, TX) – well worth the drive, particularly if the weather is nice.  It’s one of those places you debate keeping as a secret, but too good not to spread the word.

Hopdoddy – I wish it wasn’t so popular, but still worth waiting in line.  Possibly my #1 favorite burger anywhere.  And the fries are good too!

Hut’s – I admittedly don’t go here much anymore, but it was a favorite in college and still a good stop.   And speaking of college, while maybe not the best burger, I’d feel bad for making a burger list and not including Player’s

Mighty Fine – really good burger.   They keep it simple intentionally, but lack of options keeps it from being higher on my list.  Plus the decor – while ago intentionally simple (and borrowing from Rudy’s) – doesn’t add anything.

Fatburger – First time I went here was because it was closer than In-N-Out and I was hungry.  Now it’s a must stop when I’m in a town that has one.

 

 

Friday Five – Colorado Summer Activities

September 5, 2013 /

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Skiing was my introduction to Colorado, but I’ve been going more often in other seasons and finding a lot of new ways to have fun.  I’ve only scratched the surface, so these may seem rudimentary but sometimes the simple things are still the best – right?

1 – Fort Collins

2 – Rockies game

3 – Rocky Mountain National Park

4 – Rafting/Hiking/Biking

5 – Any of the other 999,995 things the state has to offer.

Go outside.  Have fun.

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