Featured on Boston Blues Society Blog
While I’m in China, the Boston Blues Society has asked me to write a fortnightly blog entry about my experiences overseas!
The first one was just published today!
Mike Null
Special to The Killing FloorIt’s finally starting to hit me. In less than forty-eight hours I will be waking up on the other side of the world! My life as I know it is about to be turned upside down. My new band, The Soulcasters, will be playing a residency at The House of Blues and Jazz in Shanghai, China, starting next week. I can’t believe I’m going back!
This week has been busy. The band has been getting together every day to rehearse with an enthusiastic and anxious energy that keeps us burning the midnight oil. We have a lot to prepare for; three sixty-minute sets six nights a week is a lot of material for any style of music. That in combination with last minute visa applications and honoring other commitments, this trip is consuming just about every free minute I have.
The biggest priority is preparing for the unofficial ceremony that takes place upon arrival. Every band that gets the gig agrees to host a blues jam every Sunday. After the plane touches down and the band is given an opportunity to shake off a little jet lag, they suit up and head to the club to make their first impressions.
This event is promoted and usually well attended. In addition to the draw from the previous band, the crowd also consists of many of the movers and shakers in the local music scene. The resident band calls up the new band to showcase a few songs and they are given one shot to make a strong impression, a trial by fire of sorts. If the band lacks skill or isn’t rehearsed, there is a good chance they’ll lose a good percentage of the crowd for their entire residency. First impressions are everything, especially in Shanghai.
Fortunately, we will have a chance to warm up before we get on the plane. We’re having our own state-side ceremony tonight at Smoken Joe’s in Brighton. Last year’s lineup, The Mike Null Blues Band, will open, followed by Boston legend Toni Lynn Washington. Closing out the night is the debut of the new Asia-bound lineup, The Soulcasters.
I’ll be writing about it here in more depth, as well. Stay tuned! We leave first thing tomorrow.
Don’t forget about the send-off party tonight! Hope to see you there!
