Hey Everyone! If you’re wondering where I’ve been the past couple weeks, I’ve been planning a wedding to my amazing fiance and drummer Whitney. He and I agreed it would be best to put off gigging until after mid June when the wedding will be over with, and then we’ll be back on the road with new tunes.

We just recorded 7 new songs and are working with some new producers in the Bay Area. We have a casual show at the Cannery in SF on July 3rd, but otherwise are in the midst of planning the wedding and the next big tour.

We’ve set up shop in Martinez as a home base where we now have a great band room in place. We do a lot more driving than we would like to, but we still share a car and believe that friends, family and music are worth it. Thanks for reading. See you soon!

Special thanks to Art Luna for having me, to Ali McNeill for the kind words and beautiful vocals, and to ContrAddiction for bringing people and headlining with great, harmony-driven pop rock. Thanks also to Deanne and her man, Tommy, Kristen, Cara (Kera?) and the friends they brought. Thanks to Jacob and his friends who caught the tail end of the show. Many thanks to John and Judy, Shawn E, Joe B, Richard, and the friends that came with them. Thanks to the friends of the other acts who stuck around. I’ll post pics within the week.

Other than the overamped distortion that came from Luna Cafe’s speakers (last time I will mention this in this post and I apologize for this sound issue), I felt really great about this show because the people who came really understood and appreciated the music. The hoots and hollers filled the room with an ease that is highly underrated. The great thing about this place is the intimacy- when someone makes a comment in the audience, I can talk right back to them and the whole place can hear it. The group really solidifies in a spot like that and I am lucky to have good friends and supportive, helpful musicians around me. Thanks also to Kyle, who got too ill to come but sent an entourage in his place!

The morning after the Sacto show, Whit and I drove straight to LA where we would remain for only 24 hours before driving back. Talk about devotion- he has all the brownie points right now, especially since he did most of the driving. Now I often get asked at shows why I don’t try out for American Idol. The reasons are these: 1. people who get good ratings and are sure to be kicked off because they are so laughable are picked over hundreds of worthier singers because the show needs people to criticize, 2. Idol is for people who can only sing other peoples’ songs- they cannot create anything and are in a sense vocal instrumentalists more than they are artists. I am a songwriter who also plays instruments in addition to being a singer. I don’t sing what someone else told me to and my talent lies in creating and performing original music for those who enjoy it.

With that explanation out of the way, you will now understand why I drove to LA for just one day to stand in a very long line to audition for a songwriting competition show. It’s called Hitmakers and it comes out on Bravo some time soon. Given my liking for Top Chef and the fact that Bravo’s competitions tend to actually pick people with skills in the desired area, this appeared a worthwhile adventure. The inspiring part was sitting in a line of 400 people at 6am. I was number 38 and the songwriters on either side of me were extremely kind and talented. We all shared a fellow feeling (who uses this term who wasn’t forced to read Jane Eyre?) and we all shared our dreams and enabled each other not to take the day too seriously. I’m still trying to remember the name of a songwriter from the Bay Area who sat next to me who plays at the Blue Rock Shoot in Saratoga. He’s married, wears a beanie, is really nice and writes great hooks. I think someone in the West Coast Songwriters Organization will let me know who he is. And Lauren- what’s your last name? I want to google your incredible music..

Whit and I saw family too when we were down there. The trip was very precious (darn conversationalist passive voice). And if I stop self-editing out loud, I may be able to tell you about my first trip to Harris Ranch on the way back. We had eaten at Ginger Grass Vietnamese for lunch in Silver Lake, which puts the place on Center St in Berkeley to shame I’m sorry to say. I tried some amazing tofu. Hours later after tense convos on the purpose of tailgating, we stopped at a strange cowboy wonderland. I read up on the ethics and manner in which our food was coming to us and it all seemed more live, local and sustainable than usual, so I was excited about my prime rib sandwich. Who knew that prime rib comes with big inch-thick layers of fat around it? I should really know this. For those of you who savor this part of the cow, you would have liked it because it was the kind that just melted away so to speak, but I had to partition it off myself. We calmly appreciated our sweet potato fries and pondered the lives of the locals at the bar, complete with dazzling buckles and real big-rimmed hats. I’m not sure that I will go back- maybe just for the vegetable plate since it’s all grown right there and I won’t have to dissect it.

Ok, ok, this is my music blog, so I’ll get back to that. I’m getting married in June, so there aren’t any gigs planned before then, but there’s plenty of recording planned for the new songs so many of you have heard, including string sections and some new accents. So I may blog about recording or about someone else’s show here in the interim. Or I may tell you about our move to Martinez which enables us to keep the music going. This week I’m looking forward to my brother’s Black Lager Mateveza release at City Beer in San Francisco. There’s nothing like good, flavorful microbrew. See you all soon. And thanks for listening.

-Grace

Special thanks to the members of Festizio, the Deborah Crooks band, Kwame Copeland, Mustafa at the door, Marie, Gay and her entourage, Colette, Owen, Maren, Josh, Beth, Susan, Ben B., Michael, Luke, Jacob, John, Stephanie, Nicole, Frank, Rolf, Kirsten, Abby, Catherine, Joe D., Mary Lee, Deborah the film maker, Nat, Kendra, Ben on sound, Tatiana for the backstage viola jam, Jimmy M. and everyone else who was there that we didn’t get to talk to personally before or after the show.

I did not see, but I heard that the rain was pouring hard last night. I was too busy backstage playing a decrepid upright piano while Tatiana soloed on the viola. The fact that the backstage green room flooded while we played came as a complete surprise. This situation became funnier and funnier as the bartender snooped around to find the “source of the water”. Despite the Sunday slot and the pouring rain, friends came out to support our new sound. There is so much to be grateful for. The friends who came out for Festizio and Deborah were super encouraging and we sold a bunch of t-shirts- hope you like them! I hear softness is the best thing about them.

So there will be a video up of at least one song from the show in the next couple weeks, along with some pictures once I gather them from various people.

In other adventures, I saw a show with “7 Orange ABC” at teh Numi Tea Garden. They too, boasted an Acalanes alumn. I see a trend in our highschool. I didn’t connect with every musician while I went there, but we seem to be turning out a lot of rockers- Meric Long, Forrest Day, 7 Orange, Elliot Randall (the list goes on). What was it about this highschool that fostered such creativity and risk taking? Similarly, Berkeley High tends to churn out these jazz phenoms- clearly because of their outstanding jazz program. However, we had no rock program at Acalanes, so all this has to stem from a great choral and orchestral program. I do see harmony as a commonality and vocals as central to these Lafayette artists. Seeing 7 Orange and David Serotkin at the Numi Tea Garden gave me particularly pleasure because I am a tea enthusiast. I like the idea of hearing the lyrics and hearing the acoustic version of a band’s song. I like being able to comment inbetween songs in a room that isn’t too loud, but just right. And I LOVE tea. I’m out of this chocolatey Bailin Gung Fu (spelled right?) red tea from Teance on 4th street and I miss it. I must venture back.

I’m looking forward to mine and Whitney’s wedding in June and to our upcoming shows, though they are sparse due to wedding planning. We’ll be at Luna’s in Sacto on 4/23. Also, Whitney and I are moving to Martinez to save money for touring and his school (he’s majoring in music of course). We’ll be situated there by May 1st, but will be in Berkeley and San Francisco as much as possible regardless. Anyway, I just wanted to express my gratitude for your attendance and support. I can see the hands holding me up as I go through my day. See you soon.

When I went to school at Trinity in Dublin, we read a bunch of plays; one in particular that contained the following line: There is still great heat in the sun. Our professor applied this phrase to everything- the power of old Pagan ritual, the strength of a culture during famine and so on. I’ve been wanting to say it out loud so often lately, as if recalling a profound passion springing up inside of me that I had long forgotten. I am happy to be writing again. That is perhaps the only emotion I can identify right now without confusion. How humbling.

Strangely enough, I had never been in the upstairs of the Elbo Room until this weekend. Rafael, the lead singer of La Gente, performed at Blake’s open mic years ago and blew us away. He moved with an ease and joy that made the meager few feel like a huge crowd that Monday night. At the Elbo Room, his performance was no exception. We barely heard him, having gotten there so late. He rapped on Dogman’s songs. There’s nothing quite like knowing the words to what one is dancing to. There’s nothing quite like that great love of sound; that old friend greeting you with a ballroom twirl; that look from the friend onstage who is glad you came. And more, so much more that words entirely failed to explain.

The next day I somehow made it to Noise Pop’s industry conference, Industry Noise at the Swedish American Hall. I heard a couple creative innovations and ran into some good friends and mentors of the concert world. I saw a couple West Coast Songwriter judges there from the Grammy board. Miles Hurwitz was in good form.

Today I missed what I hear was a fantastic hockey game. I wanted to be watching it with my favorite people, but alas I was doing sillier things. The host of IVTV in Vacaville is zany and fun. It makes sense they have a show entirely focused on music videos (most from local bands). It’s too bad MTV doesn’t do this any more. So we talked about absolutely nothing inbetween each video. Let me rephrase. Since I had never seen the videos before, I got to make things up to say while I intro’d them. I ended up giggling a lot, distracted as I was by the tidal wave that is this weekend. I also performed a couple songs.

There is much more, but my head is somewhere else right now. Thanks for listening. Off to bed.

Adam is very good at sound, but he also has very beautiful toys to work with. The new Freight and Salvage compliments the WCS song competition in a whole new way. The sound is better and the room is rounder and more intimate. The managers are more seasoned. Damon still sells those vegan banana walnut chocolate chip cookies. And now there’s more foot traffic.

The night filled up fast and we felt sorry for those who did not get a spot on the list. Kevin Beadles won “Best Performance” and Laura Zucker won “Best Song”. I’m always happy when she wins- her songs are solid. They are well-constructed and sung confidently and clearly.

Our judges hailed from the Grammy Board: Kaitlin McGaw, Mike Winger, and trumpeter Nick Phillips. They showed enthusiasm and performed well during break. Mike’s new band has a Saturday residency at the Hotel Utah this month, so check him out.

It felt good to be back and see the familiar faces; talk shop with Mike Flemming and Mary Fineman. These are the circles I know well and the chats I am familiar with. I also got to meet Steve Baker, director of the Freight. Tonight I’m off to songwriting class. I hope you’ve enjoyed my accounts of the musical side of life. Thanks for listening.

In my family, there’s no need to go out of one’s way to find opportunities to sing and play. Last night, friends Laura and John hosted a Valentine’s Day gala that was also the most upscale open mic I have ever been to. The Woods clan made the largest appearance, with father, brother and sister with their significant others in tow. Every hour on the hour, starting at 6pm, there was an open mic set, broken up by different food displays and strolls through groups of musical friends. Music ranged from classical (“Never Seen Blue Like That” ala Helena Westenra) to Rock and Motown (Dave sang “Brick House” among other numbers).

My brother sang a superior rendition of Kevin Sandbloom’s “Replay” which he sung to his sweetheart. I jumped on stage to lend harmonies. I ended up playing “Not About Friday” and a new song called “Redo”. If you can believe it, there was actually a grand piano in almost every room. I must have encountered 5 of them. Most of the night, our host John accompanied people. He’s one of those “read the sheet music in real time for the first time and create an amazing solo to boot” people.

Surprisingly, my father did not sing. He usually does, but I was just impressed he was out so late to a party that went till midnight. As always, I just loved another excuse to dress up. My sister’s blue dress and Abby’s purple velvet number made the whole night glow a bit more. And men in suits; songs for days about that phenomenon. This morning, I’m happy in my pajamas, glued to garageband and my journal. See you soon.

Friday evening. Teo’s regular poker night. High ceilings and good company, but I wasn’t there. My friends were and told me later. I was sitting at a piano all night composing. It felt so good to play over and over again; to reharmonize the prechorus; to take all the feedback I go tfrom the songwriter’s circle and just sit with it. I loved writing essays at UCLA so much (nerd alert). Every one was a discovery- the realization of some epiphany. If it wasn’t, then you weren’t writing a good essay. In a good drama when asked which character garners the most sympathy, the answer should be when!? These concepts applu beautifully to songs, and for this reason, I enjoyed my Friday night as emotions pulled back and forth and discovery was made (ah passive voice).

Saturday- Stomping Girl Winery Pinot Noir release party in Berkeley. Deborah Crooks, a fellow musician played among the barrels as Jacob and I examined maps of grape-growing country and tried their efforts. I can reccommend the Split Rock Pinot- mild and oakey; not acidic (my pet peeve). I regaled Jacob with my obsession with Deborah’s fabulous style- musically and fashionwise. She played with her usual fantastic guitarist, but also with a young, vibrant violist who seemed to be effortlessly improvising over the Linda Williamsesque tunes. I must find out her name! Jacob and I then walked to Teance on 4th street and shared a flight of teas. This is my favorite thing to do for those of you who haven’t heard. The large round table at the tea house is so amazing- you have to go there to understand why. People walked in just because they’d heard about it. Anyway, the owner was kind enough to educate us as she poured and we settled on our favorite- Bai Lin Gong Fu red tea. Chocolatey stuff.

Next Whit and I went to the Warrior’s game for Irish Heritage Night. We saw cousin Ava dance at half-time. It brought tears to my eyes. The formations were beautiful and impressive from so high up. The fiddle raised my heartbeat. I’m very proud of my cousin.

Later that night I met up with Julie, Maren, Nikki and my sister at the house of those who shall not be named (I try not to blog directly about new friends lest they fear being googled etc). They were kind enough to ask me to play a song for them. It felt so great to be with my favorite people and their favorite people. I played “Not About Friday.” It’s a bit altered since the last performance and it felt good to move so fast inbetween the chords. The rest of the night is all generosity, dancing, the best part. The part I can’t blog about but inspired me to blog. Things I haven’t done and felt in a long time. The best parts of life that Julie enhances with her energy. The joy of wanting the night to stretch into a big blue taffy (literary mechanisms please subdue yourselves). The comradery of singing lyrics together in a giant club. A lot more than sticks in the memory, slowing amplifying in my aging interpretation.

Sunday Day: Early morning on my sister’s couch. The question of how wildly my arms flailed as I danced last night. I sometimes forget how tall I am and have to hope that no one was injured. On to the coolest event ever. Beerunch. My brother and his fellow microbrew masters threw the hippest event with the help of volunbeers like myself. Like tea, this event was about nuance, process and taste. Oh, and 200 people on a sunny deck eating deliciousness while listening to great music. Check out the Beerunch website for the amazing menu. My favorites were the Mateveza with the best huevos rancheros I’ve ever had and the 21st Ammendment Belgian Ale with honey ham. Nicole and Frank were there with their beer expertise, along with a gaggle of other familiar faces. Tony of Alma Desnuda fame enjoyed the party. Wehelped ready the room together and talked about albums and such.

The party morphed into a day-long extravaganza. I eventually left for a superbowl party in Pac Heights and then a author lecture at the Union Room downtown. I read this book about touring that I really liked, so I got to hear the author speak for a little while. Then it was back to North Beach to meet up with friends. By weekend’s end, I had walked all over the city, sometimes beating my heel-wearing, cab-taking friends and I loved it. Hope this passion stays with me. It can only lead to more blogs and songs. I’m very lucky that you are readying it.

Now the bad news since I just heard it. Apparently a company found out how many web hits “Grace Woods” was getting so they bought the domain gracewoods.com from the owner who owned it since forever ago (an Indonesian lumber company that didn’t even use it) and now they are selling it for 2,588 bucks because they are currently receiving revenues from people going there by accident and seeing the ads they post there. The Indonesian lumber company didn’t want to sell it etc etc until this money hungry company pulled it off somehow. Well, it’s a shame since it’s obviously someone’s name. I understand actions like buying howtomakeeggs.com and things that promote something you are doing- I don’t know. The only purpose of this move, however, is to make money. There are no woods or grace about it. ‘Nough said. Moving on. Unless someone thinks I should start a donation button here to buy the domain from them so that it actually has something to do with itself, art, love, music, life and the free exchange of ideas. I’d even be happy to mention the mission, the senior living center and the children’s blog on my site that have similar names and would benefit from people not being led astray by this silly company. Let me know what you think.

After a month of no shows, hiding like a hermit at the grand piano in our house, I’ve scheduled a little cafe gig in April. Around New Year’s I made the goal of writing 30 new songs before our wedding in June and the April show will give me a goal to shoot for. Rather than spend my time online booking a whirlwind tour, I have been hard at study of the most important aspect of the art- song construction. I began another class with Bonnie Hayes and some fellow musicians- Valerie Orth and Alex Karweit to name a few. I hear Dana Carmel may drop in among others- perhaps Stacy Kray. Maybe I’m not supposed to reveal that classes exist for this type of thing. Our songwriting groups end up being a convening of like minds. It’s also way easier for me to hear criticism from a fellow songwriter than someone who doesn’t play an instrument. So I am wearing my wrist braces to bed every night and figuring out how to tell the most important stories of my life in song. Playing some Ben Folds Five, Deathcab for Cutie and even Kylie Minogue on my Yamaha have helped me think outside the box.

My cousin Ava dances at half-time of the Warriors Irish Heritage Night game tommorow night- can’t wait to see her. She’s very good at it. Saturday night I’m hanging out with good girlfriends and sister only to wake up to Beerunch in the city folowed by the Super Bowl. Oh, and I almost forgot! I’m attending the Stomping Girl Winery Pinot Noir release where some local musicians will be playing tommorow afternoon in Berkeley. I hope to see you there!

The newest project, “A Good Day in Red Paper” will be released Thursday, December 3rd in San Francisco’s oldest and grandest niteclub, the Great American Music Hall on Polk and O’Farrell. Sharing the night with us are Earl J Rivard, the Highway Robbers and Alma Desnuda. Alex Karweit and Robin Applewood will play in our set. All local acts for an all local night. I must say my classmates have been central in supporting me through this release and I look forward to introducing them to the band’s friends and family who have stuck with us through the years. Earl J starts out the night after doors open at 7:30pm and we take the stage shortly after, followed by the Robbers and Alma Desnuda. Check out almadmusic.com to discover this good lookin, great soundin groove machine. A $13 pre-order ticket provides a free Grace Woods Trio CD to go with a fabulous night of entertainment. All the ducks are in a row: BART and Muni accessibility, the possibility of dinner at the venue, parking, a professional sound system, a lovely balconied ambiance and a bunch of new songs to boot. Thanks for supporting this fabulous bill of 4 San Francisco bands!

Thanks Hollywood

Last night was fabulous. My friend Hugh McBride and I filled a cafe called Cafe Audrey, a hip little spot dedicated to Audrey Hepburn, complete with wall-sized portrait and other homages. Jessica Burks was kind enough to have us on the bill and we enjoyed her fluttery musical renderings. Thanks to Anna for coming out and bringing company! Thanks to folks who came out from the Music Institute! Thanks to all our new friends and thanks to the Jacobson family for coming and for putting us up. We had a good time and look forward to coming back!

Thanks also to everyone who came to the San Luis Obispo show. What a friendly audience. Deborah was awesome live and the cafe was full and happy. Thanks to Joe and Sue for putting us up.

Life, Music and MJ Update

This past weekend I was in Colorado for my college best friend’s wedding. Being there made me miss the confidence that comes with being surrounded by one’s best girlfriends. While there, I had the chance to see one of my Aunts and 3 of my cousins. True to the regional stereotype, these ladies are experts at outdoor activity. I, however, spend most of my time at a piano or a laptop. I used the waiting time at the airport to write papers for my many classes-I’m trying to complete my MBA before New Year’s, so procrastination isn’t an option. I’m taking singing lessons and songwriting lessons. Whitney is majoring in music and completing his BA. He wants to teach. My sister graduated college, so I get to see her and my brother more often, which is paramount. New songs flow out like water; all of them shorter than the last and hopefully with sweeter wisdom than their predecessors. The new CD is all set, save a release date to be scheduled in December. For now I’ve scheduled a solo tour leading up to it. Thanks for listening and sharing your life with me. Hope to see you soon!

Now the story of my bro’s bday party: I wondered why the cop at Dolores Park did not stop us. We had no noise permit for the PA and generator and there were bottles of Mateveza precariously protruding from large red tubs. There was also a large silver, sparkly pinata of Michael Jackson’s hand hanging from a centrally located tree. There was also a power strip up inside this tree- apparently a casualty of the battle to hang said pinata.
Perhaps the cop knew it was Michael Jackson’s birthday. Perhaps he liked MJ’s music filling the park. Perhaps he also enjoys naturally caffeinated beer with yerba mate. My brother, the brewer of said beverage, certainly does. My sister baked the chocolate cake and I slaved over the giant pinata, which a little girl almost smashed to pieces later in the day. Jimmy delivered the fatal blow. Pics are up on my facebook page. I found out about a new band called Sweedish in SF that my friend Mark recommended. I tried to save my voice for the singing lesson on Monday.
Jimmy seemed happy. That was most important. It was afternoon before a song repeated. Who knew the King of Pop was so prolific? Only hits home when you run them all back to back.