EARLY-BIRD TIX + GIG RECAP

Early access code for paid subscribers! Plus, VCA gig recap!

EARLY-BIRD TICKETS!* Paid subscribers to Love Songs Etc can purchase tickets now for my West Coast dates in June. Everyone else will have to wait a little longer.

Paid subscribers can find the access code HERE.

* McCabe’s is now on sale to the general public.

06/08 - Portland, OR • Mississippi Studios • TICKETS
06/13 - Los Angeles, CA • McCabe’s Guitar Shop • TICKETS *
06/14 - Ojai, CA • Ojai Underground Exchange • TICKETS

BE IN MY MUSIC VIDEO! We’ve extended the deadline to submit photos for possible inclusion in the music video for my forthcoming single, “You Called Me Kid.”

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With Elaine Summers at VCA on 3/29/25. Photo by Lance Mercer.

GIG RECAP!

Last Saturday was another memorable gig at Vashon Center for the Arts. Like last year, the crowd was a nice mixture of friends and neighbors from the island and folks who traveled from far and wide. To those who braved the open road, air travel, or both to attend, I hope it was worth the trip.

Last year’s concert at VCA—364 days prior—was one of the best gigs of my life, so I wanted to do everything I could to make this year match up. The first item of business was my intro banter. Again, like last year, the laughs came at all the right moments. So that felt good.

Regular readers of Love Songs Etc know how much effort Elaine Summers and I put into crafting our set lists. The hard work paid off. At no point in the show did I feel like the pacing went wonky. From my perspective, everything seemed to flow nicely and breezed by in a flash. Hopefully, the audience felt the same.

To celebrate Necktie Second getting the deluxe double vinyl reissue¹ treatment, we leaned heavily on that old record. We dusted off some deep cuts, including “Hampton Inn Room 306,” with a new arrangement featuring Elaine on ukulele and harmony vocals.

My forthcoming studio album, Fade Away Blue, was also well-represented, with six songs making the list, including three world premieres. (See setlist below for details.)

To close the first set, I handed over the lead vocal duties to Elaine. She brought the house down with her song, “The Real Low Down,” which appeared on her 1997 Loosegroove Records release Transplanting.

With Elaine & Chris Ballew at VCA on 3/29/25. Photo by Lance Mercer.

To open the second set, I introduced our secret special guest.

“He’s sold millions upon millions of records. He’s been nominated for not one, not two, but three Grammys. You may know him as Caspar Babypants. You may know him as the singer and founding member of The Presidents of the United States of America. I know him as my dear friend, Chris Ballew.”

His keyboards added warmth and depth to “Going Whichever Way the Wind Blows.” Then, I asked if he would play one of his hits for the crowd while I tuned my guitar, and he obliged with a jazzy lounge singer version of “Lump.” It was hilarious. He left the stage to thunderous applause. He returned for two more songs to close out the second set.

Coming back out for the encore, we were met by the crowd on its feet—a nice way to cap off a beautiful night.

After the show, I hustled to the lobby to do the meeting and the greeting. It was heartwarming to connect with fans to whom my music has meant so much. And it was lovely seeing old friends.

Big thanks to Chris Ballew for joining us, Martin Feveyear for dialing the sound, Allison, Jesse, Ian, Crissy, Ben, and the entire VCA staff for all you do to provide our community with such an incredible venue. Thanks to John Jeffcoat and Lance Mercer for documenting the night, Emily Burns for handling the merch, and Liz Shepherd for spreading the word. And last but not least, thanks to all who came out to listen.

I’m hooked on playing live and can’t wait to take the show on the road. Follow me on bandinstown to be notified when I’ll be in your neck of the woods.

“We’re comin’ to your town • We’ll help you party it down.”

Until then… Below are a couple more Lance Mercer photos and the setlist.

Peace & Love Songs,

Pete

Warming up backstage at VCA on 3/29/25. Photo by Lance Mercer.

With Elaine backstage at VCA on 3/29/25. Photo by Lance Mercer.

SET ONE:
Northern Bound Train
Sunspot Stopwatch
So I Am Over You
Fading Fast *
Taking Leave of My Senses *
Song For Barbara Ann *
Island
Small Time Blues
The Real Low Down (Elaine Lead Vocal)

SET TWO:
Going Whichever Way the Wind Blows (w/Ballew)
Lump (Chris Ballew Lounge Singer Version)
Two Steppin’ Monkey
Two of the Lucky Ones
Beautiful Girl
Skeleton Crew
Sundown at Francis Nash
You Called Me Kid (w/Ballew)
If You Don’t Love Me. (w/Ballew)

ENCORE:
Hampton Inn Room 306
Mr. Jade

* World Premiere

1. NOTE: It is no longer part of Record Store Day. Due to vinyl production issues, we missed the deadline. A new release date is coming soon.