Ode to McClains [the Coffee House]
June 22, 2010
I have succumbed to the couch. It owns me as I sink into the warm cushions and luscious fabric. As soon as I fix my eyes on the words I become lost in a fantasy world--the world exclusively on paper and bound between two covers. As the words roll of my tongue and into my brain, I dissect each sentence, word for word, until my mouth becomes dry and quenches for liquids. Soon I take a sip and my mind races. From my tongue into my blood stream I become a fool for the drink. My heart races and soon my eyes soar faster and faster over the words that are streaming from the paper bounded together by two covers. I stand up to use the restroom, and the hardwood floors crack beneath my feet. The dim lights guide me toward the place I am heading and I flush the liquid out of my system. Then I walk back to become a ward of the couch and its cushions digging my nose into the pages bound between two covers.
-Kacie
I am Kacie, nice to meet you
June 22, 2010
On paper and daily attendance sheets I am formally known as Kacie Dianne Yoshida. Kacie, a name my parents directly stole from a preschool student who was a friend of my sisters, Dianne, more or less a hand-me-down attempt at keeping a family tradition, and Yoshida, meaning fortunate rice patty in Japanese. Yes, I am Japanese, yet I am different from most Japanese people. I am part of a small, rising population that we like to call hapa. Hapa, in its simplest terms refers to all individuals who are at least half Asian. As a child I bravely accepted my hapa label with a sense of pride, I genetically carried the best of both worlds. I am half white, and I am half Japanese.
In cafés at night and preschools by day I am known as Kacie Yoshida, the musician. With school as a mere side note to my passionate pursue of music, I struggle to make ends meet by playing gigs in coffee houses, restaurants, and bars. I am also a Preschool music teacher in the Orange County region. By day I travel miles to teach preschool and by night I travel even more miles to entertain the hi-culture enthusiasts that roam the streets of Orange County.
By the weekend I am thrashed, yet I find time to work twenty-five hours every weekend at a mens suit warehouse. Yes, I sell suits. Yes, I measure sweaty, hairy, balding, and fat mens necks, chests, and waists. Its less than glamorous, but it pays the bills, at least a few of them.
I am Kacie Dianne Yoshida. I am overworked, underpaid, and tired. However, despite my attempts at pursuing the American Dream, I find life enjoyable. I am grateful that I have a packed schedule and friends to come to my rescue when I find that the finale of Lost is confusing. I am Kacie Yoshida, nice to meet you.
-Kacie
Hello again
June 8, 2010
It's a totally awesome, super cool, extremely important [kinda], massively great day. "WHY?" you ask... Well it's my first blog update in nearly 7 months. Yikes. That's a long time to be away from the computer.
Music has been going great... So great that I decided to write about it here on my website. As you may have noticed, to your right are 5 new songs up. Paper Poison took nearly 10 recordings to get it done right! I hope you enjoy it and the four others. Long hours in the bedroom recording and re-recording guitar riffs, lyrics, backup vocals have made me appreciate recording musicians so much more. Needless to say, Luis Camberos, Matthew Dejonghe Wright, and I have all bonded over of these three minute songs. Those guys have helped me out a lot--finding my voice in music in general and in my make-shift studio.
I have a few shows coming up too! I'm playing at McCains Coffee House in downtown Fullerton on Thursday, June 10th. Show starts around 8pm and is featuring my favorite local musician--Mike Vitale. Not only is he a great guy, but he is a wonderful musician that brings powerful vocals to even more powerful guitar pedals and loops. He's nothing short of amazing. I hope you will come out and support both of us. It's a free show which leaves you some money to purchase a coffee! Bring your buddies and make a night of it. We can hit up the bar scene afterward!
-Kacie
Fall colors
November 12, 2009
The leaves are not changing colors here in Orange County, but I assure you the rich kids have bought all the scarves, gloves, and hats to keep their bodies warm in this 65 degree weather. I haven't seen snow in five years, yet for some reason I have the urge to wear scarves and sweaters with my flip flops. Indeed, there is a yearning for a 'real' season in Southern California.
Other than depressing non-Fall weather, I have some exciting news. JESSICA AGNEW is returning to Southern California for a very special concert at the Chance Theater on November 23rd! This concert will benefit local schools that are losing their art and music programs to the recent California Budget cuts. Come out and support the arts. Each ticket is $5 pre-sale and $8 at the door. The night will feature Jessica Agnew, Parker Macy Blues, Kacie Yoshida, and Jeremiah Hepner.
SHHhhhhh... It's a secret.
There is also a "secret show" on the 24th featuring Jessica Agnew, Kacie Yoshida, Matt Harden, and Jason Nederhood. The cost is FREE [but please support the coffee shop]. Come and chill at McClain's Coffee Shop in Downtown Fullerton around 8pm... read, talk, support artists; It doesn't matter - we just want you to come and support McClain's. Keep independent coffee houses open!
Have a good week,
-Kacie
Well Hello There...
OCT 9, 2009
Hope your week is going well. The life of a poor college student/frustrated musician can be a tough one. I've been sleepless in Fullerton as I constantly think about making myself a better producer of my craft. It comes down to the fact that I've had less than 3 months of recording experience, but I'm becoming a little more comfortable with some of my songs. I now have 2 self-produced tracks - 'Paper Poison' and 'Song Bird.' ['That's When I'll Love You' was produced by Matthew Dejonghe Wright.] If you like them, make sure you come to one of my shows to grab a demo.
There are also a few new sections to the website including my favorite artists from Orange County, Pictures, and Contact information. Browse around!
I'll be playing in a few benefit concerts in the near future. One of which is the Endless Summer Benefit concert [October 17]. The main goal of the night is to raise money for Ecoefficiency.org - a non-profit organization aimed at ending various environmental problems. A purchased ticket will include an entire night of music with performances by Marc B., the Pawnshop Kings, Humanlab, and yours truly. In addition, the ticket will cover 2 drinks and so much fun.
Another benefit concert that will be taking place is The Dairy Music Festival in Corona, California [October 23]. Proceeds for this concert will go toward the newly formed club at CSUF Art Causes... The club will then take the money and give it to local schools that are losing their art and music programs due to California budget cuts. Tickets for this event will be around $5. The day will include performances by various bands and rising solo artists.
[November 23] The Chance Theater has also agreed to hold a benefit concert for Art Causes... tickets are $5 and the night will include performances by Parker Macy Blues, Jessica Agnew, Jeremiah Hepner, and yours truly.
I hope that you'll be able to make it to one of the benefit shows. Each cause is exceptionally important to bettering the future of music and the region we live in.
To find out more about these events look under the "Shows" section of the website. You can also visit the Endless Summer Event Facebook page.
Hope to see you soon,
-Kacie
Welcome to the new site!
SEPT 4, 2009
We've spent countless hours trying to get this running, and it's FINALLY up! Thanks to a good friend of mine, Mitchell Sholly, the site is more than I ever expected it to be.
FIRST off I wanted to say that there are a lot of fun shows coming up! What kind of 'fun' shows you ask? Well, my dear friend, I will be throwing a series of benefit concerts showcasing the best local musicians around. All of the proceeds from the benefit concerts will go toward a club at Cal State Fullerton called Art Causes...
In its first year, Art Causes... has become a fast growing club that was formed to ensure local public schools will not lose their art and music programs from the California budget cuts. The club will in turn take the money and give it to local school's music/art programs. Although our monetary donations are limited and relatively small compared to the millions of dollars the government has cut, Art Causes... believes that individuals can make a difference - one benefit concert at a time. So, please come out and support the cause, and also the local musicians who will be performing.
OUR very first show will take place at the Ugly Mug on September 12. Doors open at 8PM, and all ages are welcome. The cost is 7 dollars. Ugly Mug is a very small, privately-owned coffee shop with a setting that you won't forget anytime soon. The dim lights, comfy couches, and atmosphere will keep you coming back time and time again.
THE line-up for the first benefit concert will include: PAULIE PESH, KACIE YOSHIDA[me], MATTHEW DEJONGHE WRIGHT, JOSHUA TULCAN, and THE ARDOR
Hope to see you there!
-Kacie
