David S. McWilliams

April is for Salsa!

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Howdy, y’all,

I’ve got a nice slate of upcoming salsa gigs, both with Hecho a Mano and Orquesta Trabuko. It’s gonna be a good April!

First of all (and I’m just about to run out the door to this one), Hecho a Mano is playing tonight at our usual haunt, the Pangea Lounge. You know the drill — music at 9, dance lesson at 10, more music at 11 and until your feet get tired!

Tomorrow night I’m beyond excited to sit in with Orquesta Trabuko @ the San Antonio Gloria’s. It’ll be my first road trip with this band, and if you’re down South I’d love to hang.

Next week Hecho a Mano goes to a new venue — we got the call to fill the Thursday slot at the North Lamar Central Market. If you haven’t been there before, it’s one of the most family-friendly venues on the north side of town and has a great rotation of talent come through on a regular basis.

And finally, Hecho a Mano will be back at Pangea Lounge to finish out the month on the 29th.

Hope to see you out and about!

P.s. I’ve still got some room for beta readers on my most recent manuscript if you want to get on this list — shoot me an email or use the contact form.

New Track Up: Juana Peña (in progress)

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Hey y’all, since we’re playing at Pangea tonight I wanted to share a track Hecho a Mano is working on:

https://soundcloud.com/hechoamanosalsa/juana-pena-v1

The roughs takes for this and four other tracks were squeezed into a three-hour period back in December, with the band crammed into a single room and everyone distinctly aware of what brand of deodorant their neighbors were wearing (that’s how you get that authentic sound, right?). What you can’t see is James bent nearly double, playing bell on the moña into a mic on the floor while trying not to let the alto hanging from his neck hit anything, or Will threading his slide between mic stands every time he brought his horn up to play. It was a good time.

The only thing we didn’t cut that day was José’s vocals — everything else you’re hearing live as if you were in there with us (but with less Old Spice). So yeah, it’s a little rough, a little bit raw, but the vibe is good and so I’m happy with it.

Upcoming SXSW Gigs

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SXSW descends on us once again … I’ve got five gigs lined up this next week with three different bands, and I’d love to see y’all!

Hecho a Mano is excited to (finally!) be returning to the Pangea lounge this Friday now that the weather’s warmed. We’ve got some new music ready for you–including originals–and as far as we know, the dance floor will be open and popping. I’ll be leading our ever-popular drink-as-you-learn beginner salsa lesson at 8pm, and then the music starts at 9pm!

Big Wy’s Brass Band is a familiar sight around Austin, and I am really excited to join them for their official SXSW showcase on the 13th. We’ll be joining the world-famous Preservation Hall Jazz Band on the 14th for a parade, too, so be sure not to miss that!

The Capitol is a new Austin funk project that’s doing some pretty cool stuff with original compositions. I’m one of the old men in this band (some of them can’t even drink yet?!?) which is a really strange feeling, but these dudes are bringing it. The Co-Op show is going to be a fun grungy mess and if that’s your thing you should definitely come dig it.

Friday March 9th
Hecho a Mano @ The Pangea Lounge
Salsa Dance Lesson: 8pm
Music: 9pm-11pm

Saturday March 10th
Big Wy’s Brass Band @ Empire Garage
Music: 8:30pm

Saturday March 10th
The Capitol @ New Guild Co-Op
Music 11pm-Midnight

March 13th
Big Wy’s Brass Band @ Empire Garage — Official SXSW Showcase!
Music: 8:30pm

March 14th
Big Wy’s Brass Band @ 6th/Congress — with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band!
Music: 5:30pm-ish

Enjoy SXSW and stay safe, y’all!

Upcoming Gigs! (And some new music)

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Busy week ahead!

First, you can catch Hecho a Mano live this Thursday at Sabor Colombia on 6th street from 8-10. Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/310039482814650/?ti=as

If you missed us on Thursday, we’ll be just down the street on Friday at band-favorite Pangea Lounge from 9-11. Facebook event TBA.

And I’m extremely excited to be subbing with Austin’s own Orchesta Trabuko on Saturday night at Gloria’s in The Domain. That’s a late set, 11-2 (!) and the Facebook event is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2016518718632202/?ti=as

Finally, the good stuff: we’ve got a new track up from Hecho a Mano’s gig last Saturday. It was our first gig with the new sound board, and we’re really happy with how it turned out. Keep in mind that this is the rawest of raw cuts–literally just my stereo recorder sitting on top of a crate in the audience–but the energy is so good I wanted to get it out there. Here it is:

Enjoy, and see you this week!

David McWilliams Quintet @ Elk’s Lodge, 8.8.14

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Hey guys,

I’m happy to announce that my band is going to be playing at the Elk’s Lodge in Ann Arbor on August 8th.  Join us for a night of swing, soul, and original compositions!

Time:

7pm – 10pm, August 8th, 2014

Directions:

Click here

Personnel:

  • David McWilliams, t
  • Maria Navedo, as
  • Evan Veasey, g
  • Rob Bickley, b
  • Jordan Otto, d

A One Minute Story: Best-Selling vs. Best-Writing

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Businessman, writer, and money educator Robert Kiyosaki was sitting down one morning to an interview with a young reporter in Singapore.  During the course of the interview they got to talking about the reporter’s own career.

“Someday I want to be a best-selling author like you,” she told Kiyosaki, “but my work never seems to go anywhere.  That’s why I keep my job at the paper.”

“Do you want some advice?” Kiyosaki asked her.  He’d read some of her work before agreeing to the interview; it was strong and clear.  She was an excellent writer.

“I . . . I guess.  What did you have in mind?”

“I have a friend here in Singapore who runs a salesmanship school.  You could get started with one of his–”

She was offended and cut him off.  “You’re suggesting I learn how to sell?”

“Well, yes.  What’s wrong with that?”

“I’m a professional!  I went to school!  I have a master’s degree!  I shouldn’t have to sell–all salespeople want is money, and I’ll never stoop so low as that!”  She was shoving materials back into her suitcase.

Kiyosaki picked up a copy of his book.  “Look at this.”

She paused.  “What?”

“What does it say under the title?”  She looked, but didn’t see.  Kiyosaki continued.  “It says best-selling author . . . not best-writing author.  You’re a great writer; I’m a terrible one.  The difference is that I know how to sell.  You’re one skill away from great wealth.”

Great talent is not enough.  Great talent combined with the skills to market it and connect with an audience . . . that’s the whole package.  It’s worth learning how to do, or finding someone who can do it for you.

How Not to Play the Trumpet

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I’ve got a guest post up today!

Check it out over here:  http://mikesailorsmusic.com/guest-blog-post-how-not-to-play-the-trumpet-by-david-mcwilliams/

Mike is a good friend and fellow Michigan State graduate who introduced me to one of my most important teachers.  He’s also a fantastic musician, composer, arranger, and educator–give his music a listen here when you get a chance.

Or you could check out these recordings of his band with yours truly in the trumpet section . . .