Strange Fruit

This is an odd time for me. One of those periods where so much is going on, yet it feels like Nothing is happening. (Nothing IS happening!!)

I'm on the road back to LA from a weekend playing with Cash'd Out in Vegas. The opera I'm directing goes into Tech Rehearsals this week up at CalArts and its super-long days and nights of rehearsal until that's over.

Immediately after the opera closes, I hit the road to San Fran, Portland, and Seattle with Cash'd Out.

I've had a stinky cold and cough for weeks, and sang a bunch of shows (and recorded a tune with the Evangenitals!) in this sad state.

I'm so friggin' excited about all the new music the Evangenitals have been recording, our new website that's in the works, and the prospect of some bigger and better gigs. Although the transition time is KILLING ME!!! I'm a real momentum addict, and its hard for me to stay focused during all this "behind the scenes" work and not get freaked out by our empty calendar. I love to PLAY, and if I could I'd wanna do it every day. We're trying to actually execute some semblance of a STRATEGY, though, and that requires some patience... A virtue which I paradoxically seem to have a ton of and none at all, simultaneously.

My mom recently came out for a visit, and that was awesome. I've been watching episodes of Deadwood, which I friggin' LOVE, I'm re-reading Unamuno's Sepulchre of Don Quixote and considering writing my first Philosophical Essay for publication on "blinking"... Which is exciting. I'm going back to Improv classes when the opera is over to finish the program at iO WEST. I'm missing New York and loving LA. I'm nostalgic for the future. I'm impregnating my own brain and about to bloom. Strange fruit coming into season.

I love you. :-)

- Juli

Quiet before the Storm

There's been a hell of a lot going on in my world lately. But somehow it doesn't really FEEL like it. I've discovered a strange equation... if the Evangenitals aren't doing a lot of shows, then I don't feel like anything is HAPPENING. :-)

The FACTS are quite contrary. In many ways, I've never been busier. I'm directing an opera, performing in Cash'd Out, in rehearsal or recording or band practice or traveling every single day of the week. But it's not all the Evangenitals, so much of it doesn't seem real. Weird, huh?

The Evangenitals have just recorded our best music thus far, and it's being mixed and mastered as we speak. We're stepping into the studio once again on Sunday for ONE MORE SONG that's going to be used in a video for The 1 Second Film that's going to make even the hardest hearts feel all squishy inside. We're working on a new website that is looking GOOD and a new logo that makes me feel truly understood as a human and an artist. It's freaking great!

Alas, much of that work is all BEHIND THE SCENES, though, and I'm dying to get it all our THERE into the WORLD to SHARE it with all of YOU!!!!

Soon.

Soon.

It's like Guns and Roses said.... just a little patience. :-)

- Juli

HEROES FOR AUTISM!!!

PLEASE SUPPORT EVANGENITALS EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBER DON SHORT AND THIS AMAZING CAUSE!

Friends and Heroes,

Here comes the big push...
www.heroesforautism.com has finally arrived, please check it out!

Don Short and I founded Heroes For Autism in November, and together with many other people, we have been working night and day to produce something really special. I honestly feel it’s the best work I’ve done, and I’m proud to share it with you.

Tickets are now on sale, and so I’m asking for help. We need to sell 1000 tickets, and this can only be done when we join together.
I am thankful some people have already committed to selling 10 pairs of tickets to benefit this fundraiser. I encourage (implore) you to help out in a similar way. We will gladly recognize on the website anyone who has sold a bulk of tickets.

The show is going to be an amazing night of world class art and music, and it’s going to help a lot of people who deal with the difficulties of autism.
I truly hope you can be part of it in some way.

If you have any thoughts or questions of any kind, please let me know.
Thank you!
Greg



Greg Cohen
310-463-6277
gcohen@heroesforautism.com
www.heroesforautism.com


********
Autism is the fastest growing disease in America today.
It affects more people than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined,
and occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups.
The numbers are staggering: 1 in 150 children
The cause is unknown, and there is no cure.

Heroes For Autism is a one-night only, high-profile celebration of art and music in the name of autism.
NBC's Heroes and Autism Speaks have come together to host a silent auction, featuring mixed media artwork
by its cast and crew alongside artwork by artists who have autism. The evening includes a VIP cocktail
hour and performances Wendy and Lisa’s all-star band, and the celebrity Band From TV, featuring Hugh Laurie, Greg Grunberg, and James
Denton, among others. The star studded event, scheduled for April 19th at the Avalon, is designed to raise
awareness about the epidemic. All money raised will go to Autism Speaks, with a focus on art therapy.
********

The Roof is on Fire!

Check out this awesome video VLOG of The Evangenitals playing on the roof of The 1 Second Film's "Road to Oprah" bus at the recent Jalopy art show at Side Street Projects!

Drum Lessons!

Attention drummers, desiring-to-be drummers, drum enthusiasts, and anyone simply looking to get their true groove on:

Check out Evangenitals drummer David Hurlin's "Drum Theory and Revelation" group on Facebook:
http://ping.fm/g8GRv

AND... he's now offering DRUM and TABLA lessons in the Los Angeles area! Woot woot!

Email him for rates and times.

That's the news, folks. :-)

xo
julio

Backstage

I'm sitting on a stool in the kitchen of the Juke Joint so I don't have to hang out in the crowd between mt songs at the Cash'd Out show tonight. I'm always torn as to whether or not to mingle... I really enjoy being in/around the crowd, I love the feedback and the energy (and the bursts of adoration don't hurt) however, its terrible for my voice, as I end up talking (read: SCREAMING) during the whole show. By the end, my throat is swollen and sore and mad at me.

There's something magical about having a backstage. I really like getting to appear and disappear between my tunes, and being able to rest and focus is a damn good thing. Its a different kind of energy. Having a backstage really makes it feel like SHOWTIME when I walk on the stage. When I have to hang out in the audience then jump up on stage, it feels more like karaoke. :-)

AND when there's a backstage I can do uber-geeky things like BLOG on my BLACKBERRY during the friggin' SHOW!! Hehe...

My Names

1. YOUR REAL NAME:
Juli Crockett

2. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's middle name, father's middle name)
Ellen Savage

4. STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name)
Croju

5. DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Blue Monkeys

6. SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, town where you were born)
Enterprise
(Wow! It's just like Madonna! I don't have a middle name.)

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink, add "THE" to the beginning)
The Red Tonic

8. FLY NAME: (first 2 letters of your 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name)
Jutt

9. ROCK STAR NAME: (current pet's name, current street name)
Mister Turtle Fairview (kinda foppish, no?)

10. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (first 3 letters of real name + izzle
Julizzle

11. YOUR GOTH NAME: (black, name of a pet)
Black Wookie

:-)

Happy Valentines Day

If you need a little pick-me-up on this day of candy hearts and flowers... pay a visit the Smartgals Virtual Speakeasy! Featuring the music of the Evangenitals, it's a fine way to make it through this occasionally weird and difficult day. :-)

http://www.smartgals.org

We love you, always and already!
Juli & the Evangenitals

Playing Musical Life

I'm at the Good Hurt in Venice, watching Evangenitals bassist Keith Lubow play REALLY LOUD old punk with his *other* band, The Bloody Brains. I got out here early in a beat-the-traffic carpool scenario with Evangenitals drummer David Hurlin and we passed the pre-show time perusing fine used books in the Sam Johnson bookshop, right across the street from the Good Hurt. I found a stash of incredible Swedenborg books, which brought back memories of my obsession with August Strindberg back when I was at CalArts.

Earlier today, I got the keys for the Evangenitals new 24/7 lockout rehearsal space in Echo Park at the newly built (and still under construction), sure to be hot-spot Bedrock Studios. Its an exciting time for the Evangenitals... Or course, aint it always?

This past weekend we laid down 6 tracks for a new demo. Listening to the unfinished mixes, I'm already excited as hell. We recorded with Tracy Chisholm at Del Boca Vista studios in South Pasadena, and the whole band now has the recording bug. I'm thinking the Moby Dick EP is our next move, and soon. It was a total joy to spend ridiculously long hours in the studio with the gang, and I can't wait to do more more MORE!!!

Its awesome to be here in support Keith in his "loud" band... in which he is the youngest member by a good 30 year margin. I am really glad I brought earplugs, as I want to keep my hearing orbs in good shape for a long, long time whilst we skip down the wild and wonderful road of this musical life. :-)

God Bless Henry Miller!

"The way of life is towards fulfillment, however, wherever it may lead. To restore a human being to the current of life means not only to impart self-confidence but also an abiding faith in the process of life. A man who has confidence in himself must have confidence in other, confidence in the fitness and rightness of the universe. When a man is thus anchored he ceases to worry about the fitness of things, about the behavior of his fellow men, about right and wrong and justice and injustice. If his roots are in the current of life he will float on the surface like a lotus and he will blossom and give forth fruit. He will draw his nourishment from above and below; he will send his roots down deeper and deeper, fearing neither the depths nor the heights. The life that is in him will manifest itself in growth, and growth is an endless, eternal process. he will not be afraid of withering, because decay and death are part of growth. As a seed he began and as a seed he will return. Beginnings and ending are only partial steps in the eternal process. The process is everything... the way... the Tao.

The way of life! A grand expression. Like saying Truth. There is nothing beyond it... it is all."

- Henry Miller, Sexus: The Rosy Crucifixion I

(check it out, here: http://ping.fm/2zlnn)

Being June Carter

For those of you that are interested (sorry for the short notice):

I'm going to be curling my locks and doing my "June Carter" bit at the VIPER ROOM in Hollywood with Cash'd Out (world's premier Johnny Cash tribute band) TONIGHT (Thursday January 22nd) at 11pm.

We're playing with Hard Fall Hearts, who are pretty awesome. We go on around 10:30/11pm. Our last show at Viper Room sold out, so you may want to get your tickets in advance.

For more info: http://ping.fm/9szli

Love,
Juli

Teachings of the Buddha

Though words are spoken to explain the Void, the Void as such can never be expressed. Though we say "the Mind is a bright light," it is beyond all words and symbols. Although the Mind is void in essence, all things it embraces and contains.

- The Song of Mahamudra by Tilopa

An Evangenital in Spaceland

*** THIS JUST IN ***

Evangenitals drummer David Hurlin is going to be drumming with EZRA REICH (http://ping.fm/f4xDC) TONIGHT (Tuesday Dec 2nd) at 11pm.

Since I can't be there (I'm in San Diego recording Johnny Cash/June Carter tunes with Cash'd Out) I'm hoping YOU can go and see this rare spectacle. :-)

Ezra Reich's music is (in my opinion) like John Maus arm-wrestling David Lynch in a Technicolor water ballet. Yes, you can quote me on that.

Regardless of how you felt about the 80's, you will be sure to appreciate how friggin' TIGHT this act is. I'm talking ORCHESTRATED. With STRINGS, man.

So go do it, dig it, and support our dear David Hurlin on his fantastic voyage. :-)

Much love,
Juli Crockett & the Evangenitals

Awesome Article and Free Show to Boot!

The Evangenitals are playing a free pre-Thanksgiving "Thank You" show on Wednesday November 26th, 11pm at Mr T's Bowl that is sure to be SUPER-AWESOME.

Why? Because our alt-country hillbilly love punk rock revolution SEXTET is taking it to the next level (SEPTET!) with the addition of Killsonic Marching Gang accordion player Ari Desano on this glorious night! Yee-haw!

AND...

We just got an AWESOME write-up in the Pasadena Weekly that speaks in great detail and descriptiveness of what a spectacular LIVE act we are... so if you've been putting off seeing us in the flesh, THE TIME IS NOW!

Check out the article here:
http://ping.fm/X4lEo

Wednesday November 26th
Mr. T's Bowl
5621 1/2 N. Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90042
Seeing Thingz, We You and Under the Asbury are also on the bill.
Evangenitals at 11pm
Call (323) 960-5693 for details

WE LOVE YOU IN THE GOOD WAY!

Juli & the Evangenitals
http://ping.fm/vKQej

Can't make it? No worries!

More upcoming shows:
December 3rd: Mr T's Bowl, Highland Park
December 4th: The Buccaneer, Sierra Madre
December 14th: Redwood Bar, Downtown Los Angeles

A Poem

There is a statue in Baltimore, MD of Edgar Allan Poe in which he is portrayed with an enormous penis, tightly packed in his slacks,
bulging & unmistakable.
I wondered, upon beholding this vision, if it was perchance stipulated in his will that he be portrayed thusly,
in perpetuity.

- Juli Crockett

Brewing tea, listening to some good beats, and getting down with the 5 Rites in the sunlight streaming into my living room. Bliss! :-)

Testing out the Ping.fm, Great Lord of the Micro-blogging Aggregatortomitrons!!! :-)

Stick Figure Renaissance

I'm so friggin' excited to have been turned on to the Paintbrush program for Macs! Ever since I quit my job at the sex toy factory, the one thing that I have missed about my PC was MSPaint and my daily practice of drawing stick figure drawings.

Well... I'M BACK, PEOPLE!!!! :-)


SEE YOU TOMORROW!!!

I like music, and I like YOU!

What an awesome night...

Lisa Dee and I went to see Evangenitals gift from the Lord and bassist (among a multitude of other instruments-player) Keith Lubow play with Deborah McColl at South Pasadena Music. Her tunes were sweet and deep and philosophical and heartbreaking and when she crooned "it's raining, it's raining, but we're connected now" my heart did in fact break open and the tears began to flow. It was such a beautiful set I had to water it like a flower. :-)

The next song, she announced, was co-written by her and her lover, soul mate, and guitarist of 15 years (Keith's dad, guitarist Patrick Lubow). They started the song a month before he died, and they finished it, together, she said, a month after he died. Gorgeous. Lovely. Love. Straight up Rumi and Shams. I dig it.

You can download the song "We're Connected" for free, here: We're Connected mp3.

Post-show, I went back to Keith's mom's house (she and Deborah are both huge fans and supporters of the Evangenitals) and we ended up having an impromptu all-requests Evangenitals hootenanny, with Keith and I on dueling guitars. I, of course, am no match for his ludicrous multi-instrumentalist abilities. It's awe-inspiring how many different things he can play: bass, guitar, mandolin, banjo, trumpet, trombone, ukulele, harmonica... and that's just what was available in the room! I'm sure there's more.

Accompanying us were violinist Andrea Baker (formerly of Evangenitals pal-band Shaped Like a Gun! Small world!) playing the mandolin, her husband (a composer who's name is totally escaping me) playing the uke, and James Graham, mandolin-player and vocalist for Deborah McColl, plucking around on the banjo. Nashville guitar genius Gary Talley of The Box Tops was in the room and listening... however, he was on to drinking wine and off of playing for the night.

We did a ton of Evangenitals songs, including a bad-ass version of The Hole with Keith on the Trumpet, and some really awesome covers of June Carter's "Tall Lover Man", Johnny Cash's "Long Black Veil" (with 4 part harmonies!), and Bob Dylan's "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight". Good times, and such an honor to get to hang out and harmonize with such incredible musicians.

(FYI: There's actually a pretty dope video of Keith, myself, and Evangenitals drummer David Hurlin playing the new Klezmer-punk version of The Hole atop The 1 Second Film's Road to Oprah bus with iJustine and Brookers here: Evangenitals, iJustine, & The 1 Second Film.)

At 2:30am I sold an Evangenitals CD to a nice man visiting from Australia who said that my vocal stylings reminded him of one of his favorite Australian vocalizing twins, from the band "Johnny Cash Converters" in Melbourne, which is a clever play on words in Australia, where a "Cash Converter" is a sort of high-end thrift shop, he explained. The fact that I am the June Carter in the premier Johnny Cash tribute band Cash'd Out made the associations even more aligned. Then he showed me some Australian currency, which is beautiful, and it even has a little plastic see-through window in it. Transparency in Currency?!? Whaaaat?!?!

My Evangenitals heart was stretched all over the nation tonight, though, as guitarist Henry Bermudez was up in San Francisco playing with Unpopable (one of his many awesome bands) at the wedding of balloon artist Addi Somekh, and David Hurlin is in Fairfield, Iowa getting indoctrinated into a new job at the soon-to-be-launched awesome music site 3mix.com and playing some gigs, tonight's with the Jefferson County Green Band.

The gang will all be back together soon, however, for the Evangenitals Family Hootenanny at Molly Malones on Tuesday September 9th. Hopefully a bunch of folks will come out, as every show I get to play with this current collection of Evangenitals is a spiritual experience and I have a feeling the 9th is going to be a new height of sublimation. It's a feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeling.

In other news, I'm officially, thoroughly, and totally addicted to Twitter, so if you find yourself wondering what I'm doing just about every second of every day... I'm doing my damndest to share it. The MICRO-blogging is, I realize, having an effect on my MACRO-blogging, though. After giving mini-updates all day long via text message, sitting down and committing to a full testimonial of the day has proven rather difficult to muster the enthusiasm for. It seems, however, the trick is to have more ludicrously awesome nights like tonight which make me want to share the love and link every single person place and thing that I encountered for the world to see. I'll do my best to say yes to more of these experiences and keep the news a'flowing.

In the meantimes, however, you can totally follow me on Twitter. :-)

p.s.
You can follow David Hurlin on Twitter, too. :-)

p.p.s.
I love you. You know who you are. Yes... YOU! :-)

The Trinity

Evidence of the Union of All Things Betwixt Heaven and Earth in Trinity:
A Visual Essay

by Juli Crockett


Exhibit A: The Triangulum Nebula

Exhibit B: The Jellyfish

Exhibit C: A latex glove found on the streets of Downtown Los Angeles

Mind Body Spirit

Sky Land Sea

Waking Sleeping Dreaming

Hypothesis, Antithesis, Thesis

This is This

I am That


The End.