abe chang: News

Hey all,


It's that time of year again!

I'll be kicking off my 34th year with a special night of original music, "mini-cover mash-ups" (hair metal, 80s, and more) door prizes, and surprises!

Presents not required, but oh, so appreciated!
When: Thursday--January 28, 2009 **7:30 pm**

Where: Nightingale Lounge

*21 and over only. (Happy Hour 6-8. Drink lots. Tip your server generously.)

213 Second Avenue

(NW Corner of 13th St. & 2nd Ave.)

NY, NY 10003

Trains: L,N,Q,R,W,4,5,6 to Union Square/ 14th Street

For more info: http://www.nightingalelounge.com/2.html
Come for the show and a birthday drink!

Bring your friends!

See ya there!

-Abe

Hey all,

Yes, it has been a very long time since this site has been updated.

I've been busy with the day job and life in general and...fell in love with an adorable girl.

But ...I've gotta play!

You know the drill: original music, "mini-cover mash-ups" (a little Lady Gaga, hair metal, 80s, and more) door prizes, and surprises.

When: Thursday--December 3, 2009 **7:30 pm**

Where: Nightingale Lounge

*21 and over only. (Happy Hour 6-8. Drink lots. Tip your server generously.)

213 Second Avenue

(NW Corner of 13th St. & 2nd Ave.)

NY, NY 10003

Trains: L,N,Q,R,W,4,5,6 to Union Square/ 14th Street

For more info: http://www.nightingalelounge.com/2.html
Bring your friends!

See ya there!

-Abe

If you happen to be in NYC--I'd love to celebrate with you!

I'll be kicking off my 33rd year with some ROCK--patented "mini-covers" (Including a little Dr. Horrible, and a little...um. Lil' Wayne), original music, the infamous "Guitar Hero medley" and other surprises.

And DOOR PRIZES! (It's my birthday and I'm giving YOU gifts...how awesome is that?)

So swing by for some tunes and we'll have a drink or three.

When: Thursday--January 29, 2009, **6:30 pm**(Come early to hear my set, before the jazz electronica band takes over!)

Where: Nightingale Lounge

*21 and over only. (Happy Hour 6-8. Drink lots. Tip your server generously.)

213 Second Avenue

(NW Corner of 13th St. & 2nd Ave.)

NY, NY 10003

Trains: L,N,Q,R,W,4,5,6 to Union Square/ 14th Street
For more info: http://www.nightingalelounge.com/2.html
Bring your friends!

See ya there!

-Abe

Hey guys,

Hope you all had a great summer!

Wow. It's been a while since the old six-string came out--so join me
for a special night of resurgent rocking out!

WITH SPECIAL GUEST (my good buddy):
JOSH BICKNELL!

http://joshbicknell.com/ www.myspace.com/joshbicknell
AND PRESENTING A FIRST: I'll be playing ELECTRIC guitar for this
show! (PEDRO GONZALEZ--I am calling you out, dude! Metal riffs just
for you!)

Expect:
Door prizes!
New and old tunes--electrified!
Patented mini-covers (with some songs you might hear on GUITAR HERO
and ROCK BAND--and maybe a little Katy Perry...)!
And...ABE & JOSH duets!

PRICE: FREE

When: Thursday--October 2, 2008, 7:00 pm

Where: Nightingale Lounge

*21 and over only. (Happy Hour 6-8. Drink lots. Tip your server
generously.)

213 Second Avenue

(NW Corner of 13th St. & 2nd Ave.)

NY, NY 10003

Trains: L,N,Q,R,W,4,5,6 to Union Square/ 14th Street

For more info: http://www.nightingalelounge.com/2.html
Bring your friends!

See ya there!

-Abe

As always:
www.abechangrocks.com www.myspace.com/abechang

Hi all,

It's been a while since I've hit the stage and I'm back...for a very good cause.

Join me, Brian Buno, Kevin So, and other special guests for a special night of entertainment at Nightingale Lounge to support the American Red Cross in their efforts in these devastated regions.

I'll be playing original music, mini-covers, and the "infamous 80's/90's medley" featuring some of your fave songs from these seminal years.

The information for the show follows below:
7:30pm

Thursday, June 12, 2008

$15 Suggested Donation

Nightingale Lounge
213 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10003 US
Phone: 212.473.9398

As you all may know, two major disasters have occurred in the month of May, the tropical cyclone in Myanmar, Burma and the massive earthquake in Sichuan, China. The number of deaths, people missing, and the homeless in need of food, shelter, and medical help are unimaginable. Many of the photos and video on tv of the disasters are incredibly disturbing. These two countries could really use the help. Please come out and support the cause. All donations will be given to The American Red Cross (50% to the China Earthquake and 50% to the Burma Cyclone Disaster).

To learn more about the American Red Cross, please log onto www.redcross.org
Special performances by:
Abe Chang (acoustic alternative-rock) www.abechangrocks.com
Brian Buno (spoken word)

Kevin So (acoustic r&b-jazz-folk) www.kevinso.com
Hosted by: Tina Li

Please spread the word...tell your friends!

Thank you in advance for supporting the cause.

www.nightingalelounge.com
www.myspace.com/nightingaleNYC
Trains: L,N,Q,R,W,4,5,6 to Union Square/ 14th Street

L to 1st Avenue

Back at the Laugh Lounge!

Check out the flyer:
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u277/aircomedy/marchflyer.jpg
Tuesday, March 11
8:30 @ Laugh Lounge
151 Essex Street
$6 bucks and 2 drink minimum.

A night of comedy and music including:
Pim Shih
Rio Kioke
Jason Castillo
Esther Ku
Irana Zaman
Tom Hudson
Air Tabigue
...and yours truly

See you there!

-Abe

Happy new year!

Just getting a jump on the invite to the annual birthday gig. Much of
the usual--original music, mini-covers, lots of surprises---but with a
dash of the birthday "je ne se quois".

Presents are appreciated...but your PRESENCE is a necessity (yeah, I
know that was cheesy).

Come celebrate my (gasp) 32ND BIRTHDAY!

PRICE: FREE

When: THURSDAY, JANUARY 31st, 2008, 8:00 pm
Where: Nightingale Lounge

*21 and over only. (Happy Hour 6-8. Drink lots. Tip your server
generously.)

213 Second Avenue

(NW Corner of 13th St. & 2nd Ave.)

NY, NY 10003

Trains: L,N,Q,R,W,4,5,6 to Union Square/ 14th Street

For more info: http://www.nightingalelounge.com/2.html
Bring your friends!

See ya there!

-Abe

The new day job has been taking up a lot of my attention, but it's been worth it for some of the major surprises. The following is part of a viral marketing campaign for one of our new books. You'll find all 4 episodes below. Check it out...and get in the know. (...this definitely wasn't in the job description):

Hi all,

Yes, life is a whirlwind and the leaves change color and take
flight...you know what that means.

THE ANNUAL AUTUMN AUDIO EXTRAVAGANZA--ROCTOBER IS HERE!

It's been a while, so come and check out some new tunes, a few old
faves, and of course...a ton of the mini-cover songs peppered in the
set.

PRICE: FREE

When: THURSDAY, October 11, 2007, 7:00 pm
Where: Nightingale Lounge

*21 and over only. (Happy Hour 6-8. Drink lots. Tip your server
generously.)

213 Second Avenue

(NW Corner of 13th St. & 2nd Ave.)

NY, NY 10003

Trains: L,N,Q,R,W,4,5,6 to Union Square/ 14th Street

For more info: http://www.nightingalelounge.com/2.html
Bring your friends!

See ya there!

-Abe

As always:
www.abechangrocks.com www.myspace.com/abechang

hey all,

Sorry for the Laugh Lounge debacle a few weeks ago. The (last minute) show was
cancelled on account of some of the other scheduled performers not showing
up...ahem.

In any case, just a few updates:

1. NEW SONG! I've uploaded the demo version of "bittersweet
connection" on the website and on myspace. This one is a bit of a mix
of old school Depeche Mode and some buzzing guitars (Jesus and Mary
Chain/ My Bloody Valentine?)....and yes...there are beats. Be sure to
stick around until the " serious booty bumpin'" happens...oh, about 3
minutes into the song.

www.myspace.com
or here on the music page

2. The new day job is pretty awesome but it means I will probably be
gigging a lot less until my schedule calms down a bit (if it does).
I'm hoping to play a "Back to School" gig sometime at the end of
September...though it could turn into a "Halloween" show. More later.


3. So, looks like "revenge made easy" might not hit the presses until
2008. But I'll get busy recording and finalizing songs. I've got a
good 8-10 in the can with just a few more touch ups and 3-5 more to
record...so you never know.

Anyhoo...sorry I've been so incommunicado lately. Drop me a line to
say hi and check out the new tune!
**********************************

I can't believe it's been two years already! So, to celebrate the
release day of my first CD...I'm going to be spotlighting some of
those old songs...and ushering in the new -- in what may be my only
show of the summer.

So, expect the mini-covers, the beats, the
lofi/folk/indie/metal/dancerock.

And lots of FREE stuff! Including: CDs, bumper stickers, and secret
prizes throughout the show!

I know there are a bunch of you in NYC just for the summer or even
just a few days (I'm calling you out! EC, GK, CL, JT!)... So, I'm
hoping to see you there!

PRICE: FREE
When: Thursday, June 21, 2007, 7:30 pm
Where: Nightingale Lounge

*21 and over only. (Happy Hour 6-8. Drink lots. Tip your server
generously.)

213 Second Avenue

(NW Corner of 13th St. & 2nd Ave.)

NY, NY 10003

Trains: L,N,Q,R,W,4,5,6 to Union Square/ 14th Street

For more info: http://www.nightingalelounge.com/2.html
See ya there!

-Abe

"Hot dang! Those beats are crazy!"...I'm hoping that's what you'll be thinking when you listen to the TWO NEW DEMOS from "revenge made easy" that I just posted! The lofi/metal/folk/indie/dancerock revolution continues!

1. If you've been out to one of my live shows this year, you know that I've been opening with "T & A" ...but you haven't heard it like this! (And read the lyrics before you start complaining...sheesh.) Check out the new groove over at www.myspace.com/abechang
2. Next is "settle on disappointment" ...and yes, there is a little heavy metal thunder before the beats kick in. (think -if you can- "Pantera meets Dave Matthews meets Depeche Mode") Check it out on the music page right here on this site.

Well, some major changes coming up. I got a new day job...so I have no idea how that is going to affect my gig schedule...so I'm going to be playing a "lo-fi is chic -- 2 Year Anniversary Show" at the end of June...look for more details soon!

Check it out!

I'm going to be featured on Imaginasian Radio! (and hopefully on ImaginasianTV one of these days). If you've signed up for their mailing list...you've already seen this. (The info is a little outdated...but it's great to be featured!)

More news when I hear!

Surf on over to: http://www.theimaginasian.com/
"Gossip, News & Randoms:
What's going on with Asian and Asian American Artists
<http://www.imaginasianradio.com/e_news2/v2i4/images/gossip.jpg>
Abe Chang - Abe Chang has been around the New York City Asian American
music scene for quite sometime now, but is brand new to ImaginAsian
Radio. We have seen him live at several showcases around the NYC area
and now we will be featuring the man and his material. Be sure to tune
in to ImaginAsian Radio to check out some of his stuff.

Abe Chang has recorded one independently released album entitled "Just
In Case I Lose You," an EP named "Lucky Insouciance: 7 Live & Acoustic,"
and has just released his new full length CD, "Lo-Fi is Chic." He is
currently working on a new album titled: "Epistles from the
Brokenhearted." He has posted new tracks off the new album on his
MySpace account at www.myspace.com/abechang and make sure you add him as
a friend. "

1. Myspace news first!

www.myspace.com/abechang
I've been seriously neglecting the power of myspace...so I thought
I'd make up for it by posting (the BRAND NEW almost final versions
of) "epistles from the brokenhearted" and the new version of "under
lock and key" (the remix?--you'll see what I mean when you hear the
beats and the killer synth solo).

Be sure to surf over and check out the new songs (and the new insane
dancerock beats) there first! "revenge made easy" should be done
before the end of the summer (hope, hope). And don't forget to ADD me
as a friend!

2. Been insanely busy with lots of stuff going on...but it's time to
return to Nightingale Lounge with a special show with my good buddy
Josh!

Check him out at:
www.myspace.com/joshbicknell
And his mad skills on drums:
www.heytigerband.com
I'll be playing the mini-covers, the old faves, and a bunch of new
songs from the new album. And I'll be introducing-- MY NEW GUITAR!
(Still need to name her...I'm leaning towards "Kari" at the moment.)

Josh and I will also be trying to collaborate on a special cover song
too!

Speaking of the new album: I'll probably be recording throughout the
spring...so live shows might be sparse for a while. So, don't miss
out!

PRICE: FREE

When: Tuesday, April 17, 2007, 7:00 pm

Where: Nightingale Lounge

*21 and over only. (Happy Hour 6-8. Drink lots. Tip your server
generously.)

213 Second Avenue

(NW Corner of 13th St. & 2nd Ave.)

NY, NY 10003

Trains: L,N,Q,R,W,4,5,6 to Union Square/ 14th Street

For more info: http://www.nightingalelounge.com/2.html
As always:
www.abechangrocks.com AND
www.myspace.com/abechang
-Abe

Just wanted to welcome any of the teachers and students from Pingry that are visiting the website! Hope you enjoyed the poems and the music...and for one special class--the " importance of gum"... you know what I mean!

Thanks for making my visit such a fantastic experience. I hope that I'll see you guys soon!

NEXT GIG:
I'll be playing with my good buddy Josh Bicknell at Nightingale on April 17th. We'll be tryng to collaborate on something special...more news at the date draws near!

IMPORTANT NEW INFO !!!

NEW Details:

COVER CHARGE: $7
--- Be sure to tell them you are there to see "Abe
Chang"...I MUST bring at least 10 people...I want to make sure to
really exceed that! So please, please bring your friends. My first
time playing at this venue, so I want to make a good impression.

MONDAY, March 12, 2007
8:00 (*NOTE TIME CHANGE! I will be on early! Don't be late!)

Fat Baby
112 Rivington St.
(between Ludlow & Essex)

http://www.fatbabynyc.com/

LOTS OF NEWS !

1. Thanks to all the folks that came out in the snow for the Laugh Lounge show. (oops...I forgot to even put that up on the website...sorry...it was February 13th).

For those of you that missed it... **ADULT LANGUAGE** The little clip of me playing "Jesse's Girl" is just around the 2:00 mark (not the most flattering camera angle, not really indicative of the live show... but whatever...it sounds pretty rawkin' for 30 seconds):

2. NEW SONGS! "revenge made easy" SNEAK PEEK!

Well, the first one is kinda new. I'm pretty much done tooling around with leading you astray . I've gone in, redone vocals, added a new guitar part, and some sweet retro beats. So what was originally going to be a B-side...turns out to be the first song that's pretty much done for the new album.

One that is brand new to pretty much everyone is on fire . Probably my shortest song EVER...a bit more of an indie-feel...and the new wave keyboard solo at the end is pretty sweet.

Check out the music page and scroll down to the "revenge made easy" section to check out the new songs (lyrics and blurbs about the songs can be found by clicking the song titles on the music page)!

3. Some more exciting news...I'm making my way back to the LES and playing at
a new venue!

I'll be kicking off a night of music at FAT BABY!

Details:

MONDAY, March 12, 2007
7:00 (I will be on early! Don't be late!)

Fat Baby
112 Rivington St.
(between Ludlow & Essex)

http://www.fatbabynyc.com/

Yes, the planets are in alignment when I turn 31 on the 31st!

Join me for birthday drinks (and presents) and a short set featuring
a batch of new mini-covers (Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Smashing Pumpkins,
Toadies, Judas Priest, The Outfield, Rick Springfield...can you
imagine?), a few old favorites, and several brand new songs that will
be on "revenge made easy".

Here are the details:

PRICE: FREE (no cover...but presents would be nice)!

When: Wednesday, January 31, 2007, 8:00 pm

Where: Nightingale Lounge

*21 and over only. (Happy Hour 6-8. Drink lots. Tip your server
generously.)

213 Second Avenue

(NW Corner of 13th St. & 2nd Ave.)

NY, NY 10003

Trains: L,N,Q,R,W,4,5,6 to Union Square/ 14th Street

For more info: http://www.nightingalelounge.com/2.html
Bring your friends!

Stay tuned for news about a special Valentine's Day gig at the Laugh
Lounge! More details when the date gets closer.

As always: www.abechangrocks.com
-Abe

Another poem that I get asked about a lot-- "A Nameless Imitation of the Morlocks" is the poem that won me an Academy of American Poets Prize in 1998. The judge was reknowned poet Gerald Stern.

A bit more about the poem: basically it's my subway poem. The title comes from H.G. Wells "The Time Machine" -- you might remember the Morlocks (as opposed to the Eloi) as the race of creepy subterraneans from the book. And yes, it is a bit of a call-out to the X-men characters of the same name.

I owe a lot to this poem. It's the reason I can say that I am an "award-winning poet" and it's something that humbles me to this day. I strive to create...and in creation, I strive to be a better person.

I love being a New Yorker. (When this poem was written, we still had tokens, cigarettes were way cheaper, oh..and "discrete" is not a typo. There's a reason I spelled it that way. Even though I hate math, I used the spelling in another poem too. Yes, so clever I used it twice. More about that poem some other time...)

A Nameless Imitation of the Morlocks

I stand between hissing doors and the bona fide proof
that hydraulic pressure is slowly taking over the world.
Token affection, the rumble that numbs my feet, the loss
of identity–our daily penance for living in this city.

Eye contact is an invitation for the lecherous. Shift
my weight from foot to mouth and hold on
with head down, immersed in the wonder
of shoelaces, the miracle of sticky cola floors.

Shun the tragedy of brutal strangers
because you are exactly the same–occupied
by discrete music, origami news folded brusquely.
Too busy to scour for affection between
the poles and straps. Remind yourself
that underneath the perspiration and the rough
years; we are all colliding.

I force the distance closer with sleepy perseverance.
Graffiti ghosts of adolescence speak
in tongues, telling me stories of rats in suits
that never, ever read paperbacks. Neglected
by conversation and the cacophony of loose change,
I am learning to hide behind myself.

And then there is the tension of leaving, the sighs
of platforms, the reclaiming of the self. Coming
up for air–we urban creatures of transport.

So this is our dirty little secret:
We all prefer to speed through the darkness
than squint in the light like fleshy moles. Anonymity
is an addiction that we feed with motion. Point to point,
no one knows where I am going
or where I am pristine.

**********

Hi all,

I've been getting a lot of posts about "Folding Won Tons In" and just wanted to clarify for the folks here who are more familiar with my work as a singer/songwriter.

"Folding Won Tons In" is a poem that I wrote in 1999 that seems to have reached an unusually large number of people. The poem was published in Columbia University's Asian Journal and in Holt, Rinehart and Winston's English Literature series. (HRW even did an audio version on CD and my poem was read by a professional actor!) It was also used on a standardized test for Montgomery County students.

In any case, I've received emails, guestbook posts, and actual (hard copy!) fan letters for this poem ...I even had one young fellow write a report on my poetry!
(A huge and humble "thanks for reading" to those who have contacted me. I'm truly stunned.)

Well, I thought it would be good to share for those of you who haven't read it.
It's actually a very weird poem for me. I usually write about more "universal" topics, but this one was more focused on my Asian heritage.

In short, it's my attempt at conveying a young man's independence--growing up and carrying the traditions of one's past.

In the future, maybe I'll post some more poems on the site.

So without further ado:

Folding Wontons In

I’ve seasoned the pork like I imagine
My mother would—sesame oil, ginger,
pepper, scallions chopped
imperfectly.
Sheets of doughy skin,
I only have
the skill to buy.

Thumb and forefinger peel
each tender white scrap
of noodle from the clinging
stack. I pat the centers
pink—spoonfuls
of fragrant moistness.

Mimicking from memory:
A twist, a tuck, a folding over—
a finger lick of water
to seal my misshapen flowers.

My hands powderdusted;
acquainted with each
new blossom. I line them up
like newborns huddled
together, waiting to be fed
to their distant fathers.

The soup bubbles to overflowing:
I slide the dumplings in and stir
them dizzy. Freshly drowned,
swollen and glistening, steam hidden
for an instant—

I set them
on the table
and decide how many
I will save
for tomorrow.

*******
Here's the poem (with graphics) at Columbia University's site:

"Folding Won Tons In" at Asian Journal

THE UNEMPLOYMENT EXTRAVAGANZA!

A special show with SPECIAL GUESTS! (and a tip box that you are
welcome to contribute to!)

Here's the line-up!

1. Kicking things off:
The sexy, song stylings of Jing!
(Check out her amazing tunes here:
http://www.myspace.com/jingmusic
2. My good buddy Josh Bicknell from
"Hey Tiger" is making his solo-acoustic-NYarea debut!
Check him out here:
http://www.myspace.com/joshbicknell and him hitting the skins:
http://www.heytigerband.com
3. Yours truly! I'll be debuting some new songs from "revenge made
easy" (new album...and album title! coming in 2007!), some old
faves, and the ever popular mini-covers!

Essential info:
PRICE: FREE (no cover...but tips would be nice)!

When: Tuesday October 24, 2006, 7:30 pm

Where: Nightingale Lounge

*21 and over only. (Happy Hour 6-8. Drink lots. Tip your server
generously.)

213 Second Avenue

(NW Corner of 13th St. & 2nd Ave.)

NY, NY 10003

Trains: L,N,Q,R,W,4,5,6 to Union Square/ 14th Street

For more info: http://www.nightingalelounge.com/2.html
Bring your friends!

As always,

-Abe

I'll be playing a fundraiser to combat HUMAN TRAFFICKING this Saturday. If you are in Queens, come out and support a good cause.

$20 Donation
Saturday, September 30th
6:00 P.M.
Rivers in the Desert Advocacy Center
39-07 Prince St. , #4J
Flushing NY 11354

NEXT GIG !!:
TONIGHT! Tuesday, September 12, 2006
at laugh lounge nyc!
(http://www.laughloungenyc.com/)

8:30
151 Essex Street
(212) 614 4500
$6 cover (2 drink minimum)
RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED!

(snazzy flyer here: http://www.aircomedy.com/jammin4.jpg)

... it's gonna be a night of comedy AND music. Guess I better work on my witty stage banter, huh?

Happy Birthday www.abechangrocks.com !

Say goodbye to the "lo-fi"...

Two years and it was time for a sleek new revamp! Check out the new digs! Be sure to leave a message in the guestbook!

More updates soon!