nV tees in my grubby hands

T-shirt model Jesse models one of the new nV shirts. Click the image to enlarge it and getter a better view of the tee (yes, that's Nick's poster in the window...clever, huh?).

Dig this...Nick Venturella (ok, I know you think his name sounds like he should be Formula One race car driver from the 60s...go ahead, say it again and paint the picture)...where was I...oh...Nick Venturella, who will be jamming here tonight read my post below where I gave justifiable props to our pal Dave Theiss and Lakeside Apparel, called Dave at his shop and ordered a bunch of cool new tees. A couple days ago Dave called me to say thanks for the shout we gave him and to tell me that Nick read the blog, ordered some shirts and could he drop them off over here for Nick to pick up when he gets to town (no mention of buying me a beer or anything for the sale that I, yes that's right, I facilitated...I know you're reading this Dave, cheap bugger!!!). Hoohaa!

A crappy picture (too much reflection on the lower letters, but you get the idea) of Nick's cool new logo design.

Seriously though, that's cool is it not. The guy comes to perform in town and even helps support local business while he's here...props to Nick for that and props to Dave again for doing quality work. So, I emailed Nick and asked him if he would like me to show the tees on here. He of course said sure thing. So here they are, official Nick Venturella designed nV logo shirts in a beautiful cherry red with black screen print on the front. I don't know what he has for sizes as I only pulled one out for Jesse to model here, but I imagine it's the usual mix. They're only $15 apiece, of which I don't get a stinkin' dime (yeah, I know you're reading this too Nick, cheap bugger!!!). I better get a song played just for me outta this, and it better be suitably stupid!

Get one tonight, hold it up when I snap some pics and you might make the cover of a CD.

Nick Venturella at Stumpjack this Saturday!

Becky Markvart will be performing at the Stump this Friday at 8:00. More to come...

But first I want to post this excellent press release from Nick Venturella announcing his show here this coming Saturday (that's KiteFest weekend in Two Rivers). Nick's shows are simply the most fun shows of just about anyone who plays here, you will thoroughly have a blast, I promise.

Here's the release:

Nick Venturella is a folk/rock/garage/pop singer-songwriter who delivers smart songs with simplistic savvy and contagious enthusiasm.

While only 28 years old, Venturella has been writing and performing his music for 14+ years. On more of a pertinent note, Venturella has been performing locally in Two Rivers, Wisconsin at Stumpjack Coffee Company regularly for close to a year now. So, if you’ve missed his previous shows the upcoming August 30^th performance will be your next opportunity to catch Nick Venturella.

Venturella's music stems from personal experiences and observations of life, relationships and self-awareness…think John Mayer and The BoDeans meet Ryan Adams, Roger Clyne and Dashboard Confessional. Plus, with a loose personable performance style, Venturella connects well with his audiences making each show a memorable one (be sure to have a joke in mind if you plan to attend the show).

Venturella is originally from St. Louis, MO, but got his musical start in Waukesha, WI. For the last few years he has lived in Madison. However, in the last year Venturella traveled across the country from Anchorage, Alaska to Raleigh, North Carolina trying to figure out where he might land next and decided on a little spot just north of the Milwaukee area. Nick Venturella performs throughout the upper Midwest at colleges, coffee shops, restaurants/bars, and private parties.

Venturella has had the opportunity to open for and work with some outstanding performers, including: Jason LaVasseur (Authentic Records), Copeland (The Militia Group), Catchpenny, John Hermanson (of Storyhill & Alva Star), Sean Michael Dargan, Mark Croft (Abacus Records), Ryan McIntyre and many more.

Coming off of the momentum recently created from his appearance at Summerfest 2008 Venturella is gaining a loyal following through his live performances, online social networks, college radio, and "through the grapevine" fan distribution of his music.

Venturella has six albums available for sale. His latest is primarily a live album, Premium Blend, as well as his latest full-length studio album, SweetSonic.

Don’t forget to check out Venturella’s website, MySpace and Facebook pages:
www.nickvmusic.net (official site)

www.myspace.com/nickventurella (MySpace)

http://www.facebook.com/people/Nick_Venturella/519525136 (Facebook)

See you at the show…

Check the Kites Over Lake Michigan kite festival then come out to the show…

Saturday August 30, 2008

Show starts at 8:00 p.m. at…

Live music photos, CDs

Ethan Keller

It's just a few hours til Pat Zyduck plugs in here tonight. This is one of the cooler double-header weekends we've had...last night Ethan Keller was the bees knees with lots of new tunes and some totally funkified covers (e.g., kellerized Thomas Dolby and Junior Walker). It was a fun night for Kim and I, as we had Cheyenne and Glen here to help out and we both were able to just chill and enjoy the music and conversation.

...with melodica

We have a few copies of Ethan's new CD, "One Way," here too and a handful of his "Face Light" CD...been playing them both all day.

cool image of Ethan, although I wish it had a bit more light

Click here for the Ethan Keller Flickr set from last night.

Adam Morantez

Click here for the Adam Morantez set from a couple Friday ago. Adam was great...his first solo gig (you would never have known...he was confident and smooth). We've set another date with Adam for Friday, Oct. 3rd.

Pat Zyduck

Click here for the Pat Zyduck's set. What a totally enjoyable show from Pat last night...he's such a great guitar player and really fine songwriter. Had a couple of folks stop in this morning (Sunday morn) who were here last night, who said what a great time they had listening to Pat. We have a few of Pat's CDs availabkle too.

great color in this image of Pat

Quick bullet list

Scroll down to Tuesday's "Three Things" post below.

Yesterday we sold all of the Tina Kugler posters we started with, so I made a quick run to Tina's pad and to Persimmons to snag 15 more (have 13 left in the Stump right now). I think around half of the 100-limit run is sold already so if you want one you'll want to get it soon, because they're going fast. At only $18 apiece it's an absolute steal.

While doing some online work yesterday I had Ethan Keller's and Pat Zyduck's myspace sites open in other windows, listening to their music as I worked (when Ethan's set would finish I'd click on Pat's and listen to that one, then back to Ethan's, and so on). Just getting revved up for this weekend (Ethan Keller on Friday & Pat Zyduck on Saturday). You gotta go to their myspace sites and listen to their music...these guys are so good.

Updated Stumptoons and Diary of the Daft a few days ago...check 'em out, leave comments if you have time.

Stumpjack contest winner celebration

We're going to start running some contests where you can win stuff...cool stuff like pounds of excellent coffee, Stumpjack T-shirts, lunch (voted "Best Lunch in Manitowoc County"), vino, tickets to tastings, trips to exotic locales, fresh fruits and vegetables, barista-for-a-day, secrets about secret stuff, fine cigars, stuff from my basement that I don't want anymore, guest blogger status, lawn mowing service, possible dates with Hollywood celebrity types, red meat, free beer, and lots of other great stuff. Next contest will be posted this weekend.

Stumpjack T-shirts via Lakeside Apparel

My daughter Cheyenne is a very creative and talented young artist. We'll be doing an exhibition of her art here at the Stump sometime next year. But for now, you can actually wear a piece of her art, as she designed this cool image for some of our T-shirts. We went through these pretty quickly and are ordering some more, so if you want one just let us know what size you want because we'll be ordering another batch pretty soon, along with some cool tie-dyed ones. We can ship anywhere too if need be.
Our "partner" in producing these shirts needs to be mentioned too. Dave Theiss of Lakeside Apparel in Two Rivers puts out the best quality screen printed product we've ever seen. I use the word partner because that's how Dave approaches any job he does...you bring him an idea for what you want and after mulling it over he'll get creative, advise you and work with you on what's best for what you want done. The quality of his shirts and his screens is head and shoulders above most everyone else's...no crumbly or peeling images here, no cheap shirts that will come apart at the seams after three or four washes...it's all high quality stuff in every aspect of production. We pay more for Lakeside Apparel screened shirts than we would at other places, and we're glad to do so, because you get what you pay for. You want an el cheapo $4 printed shirt (that'll look like guano after you wear it and wash it a few times) then go somewhere else...you want a high quality shirt with a tough, durable print then you go to Lakeside Apparel. Simple as that.

Dave's redoing his website right now and when it's completed I think the URL should be lakesideapparel.com. BTW, while I'll accept any discount or price-break I can get, we aren't getting anything for giving Dave a shout-out here (he doesn't even know I'm writing this)...I just like the idea of promoting any business that does quality work and treats people right.