July 21, 2008

PUJA COLORADO RUN

It’s been a moment since I have posted a blog, so I wanted to reach out and say hi to everyone again.

I had the honor to play with some great guys recently in Colorado. It was an event-filled run of shows over the week of July 4th.

Technically, I started the run with a preparation period of about 2 hours, prior to my flight from LA to Denver. I spent this time on my surfboard, in bath like water, where I live in Manhattan Beach, CA. The sun was out, the water was warm, the surf trunks were on, the board was waxed, and the waves were fun. Everything was in its perfect place to develop the mental mindset for several fun-filled week of music in the amazing state of Colorado. It’s always exciting for me to land half way across the United States and know that I was on my surfboard a few hours before. I feel very fortunate!

On Monday, I played on 3 tracks at Crucible Recordings for Ben Combe’s new album that will come out towards the end of this year. This studio is nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Eldorado Springs, just outside of Boulder. EOTO and the Wailers are currently working on new albums there. You can’t ask for a more serene environment to create music. Although, watch out for the Mountain Lions at night! You don’t want to stumble home late at night, unless you get along real well with large cats?

The next five nights were a blast:
Tues/July 1-Vail @ Samana’s w/ Jeff Armistead on keys
Weds/July 2-Winter Park @ Crooked Creek w/ Jeff Armistead on keys
Thurs/July 3-Crested Butte @ The Eldo w/ Joey Porter on keys
Fri/July 4-Denver @ Owsleys Golden Road w/ Melvin Seals on keys
Sat/July 5-Denver @ Owsleys Golden Road w/ Melvin Seals on keys

I had an incredible chance to play with Melvin Seals (JGB), Joey Porter (Motet), and Jeff Armistead (Little Hercules), all in the same week. Ben Combe (guitar) and
Cristian Basso (bass) played all 5 nights with me as well. Melvin Seals is a living legend, and his playing still reflects that. It was a pleasure to play with Jerry Garcia’s Right-Hand-Man!

Look for the PUJA 4th and 5th Denver shows with Melvin Seals on,

www.cdodlive.com  OR
www.nugs.net

I look forward to more PUJA shows soon!
See you all out there shortly!

cheers,
Darren Pujalet

Bar Tender, Ben Combe, Darren Pujalet, Jay Bianci, Cristian Basso, and Melvin Seals

Darren and Melvin

Crested Butte, CO

Crested Butte, CO

A PUJA (poo-jah) is an ancient ritual practiced around the world. It is an offering commonly found in India to give thanks, and to recognize our place on this planet. The purpose of a PUJA is to keep a thread of continuity between our physical, outer world, and the subtle inner worlds that lie within us. Much like music, it is a vehicle that allows us an opportunity to give, and to receive. Music is a form of energy that lives inside and outside of us, both consciously and unconsciously. Its energy can fill us with emotion and lift us to a place where we forget about our daily worries and responsibilities. With this in mind, the band PUJA has come to life!

March 21, 2008

PARTICLE TAKES SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA W/ ROBBY KREIGER

The band had a weekend that exceeded all our expectations. It was a nostalgic run for Particle, myself, and of course Robby. I remember listening to the Doors in depth during my college years, specifically “The End,” which I wrote a college term paper about. I took a poetry class on the lyrics of the Doors and Pink Floyd. What a course to take during those very impressionable years!

It was such a treat to share the stage with Robby and to play from the Doors awesome catalog of songs.  We worked up about 10 of their tunes (Light My Fire, Roadhouse Blues, LA Women, Peace Frog, Break On Through, Riders On The Storm, Soul Kitchen, The End, Who Do You Love, etc.) and mixed them in with some of our Particle favorites to create a great series of Doorsicle shows (House of Blues-Anaheim, El Rey Theater- Los Angeles, House of Blues- San Diego).  Each night Particle managed to fit in a trio song or two as well.

Adam Iscove took over the vocal role for these performances. He did a great job; Jim would and should be proud.  I’m sure he was tilting back a few shots while he took notice from the bar in the sky! It was an honor to close each night with a reenactment of “The End.” This is a song that deserves a lot of respect and cannot be taken lightly. I enjoyed every minute of it. I am very thankful and grateful to have had such a powerful weekend!!!!!

The Los Angeles E.R. Wilshire Theater show is up on www.livedownloads.com for download. The date is 3/14/08.

Cheers to all of you that came…..thank you.

I hope to see more of you all around the country soon.

darren

Check out more photos from San Diego HERE!

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