September 15, 2005
This weekend I'm getting married! Woo hoo! How exciting. What a thing to prepare for... wedding and honeymoon, I can barely sit still. My band will perform one song at the wedding, as will the groom-to-be's band, he'll play one song, too. So technically we have a gig this Saturday, but unfortunately we can't open up the invitation to everyone. However, we did have an open invitation to our bachelor/bachelorette/wedding celebration party at the Hotel Utah last month. That was the most recent New Telepathic Friends performance and it was so so so much fun. NTF played a set after not practicing for weeks, and we played well. I had a great time that night. So many good friends, a few good drinks, vegan chocolate cake, and enjoyable indie rock music all night. Thanks to everyone who came and to those who couldn't be there but sent their love. We love and appreciate you all!

July 28, 2005
This Summer has been full of good times. I had a great birthday party last month. It was so much fun, good to see so many good friends as well as family that came to CA to help me celebrate the big three oh. At the party were performaces by New Telepathic Friends, Terese Taylor and LVEO. I sang back-ups for three songs with Bob O'Magic's LVEO. Then a couple weeks later I went on a road trip with NTF. We played a show at the MarsBar in Seattle. It was my first time in that city, and we were there for the Fourth of July fireworks which were plentiful all over the city around the many bodies of water. The weather was sunny and warm, and the locals told me that Seattle's rain reputation is merely a strategy to keep the population down. However, it did sprinkle some rain for about an hour on one of the 3 days we spent there, so I think there is some truth to the Seattle rain rumors. I took a trip to the top of the Space Needle in Seattle, and had a good view and introduction to the city from up there. We also played in Portland at the Ash Street Saloon. That was my favorite show on the trip. The audience had great energy, and they were enthusiastic about our music. It was fun to interact in between our songs by cheering back at them. The other bands were good, too, although very loud. At the Seattle show we also were billed with louder bands. Makes me want to buy expensive ear plugs so that maybe I can hear them better. The other bands' music at the Seattle show was so loud that my ears physically hurt the next day. If the club was bigger I could've listened from the back of the room but that didn't happen. I liked the music and it was neat to appreciate and be appreciated by a band that has a very different sound from us. Ok, the other place we played was Cal State Fullerton, near Los Angeles. This gig was at a carnival. With amusement rides. FUN!!! Again we played with bands a lot different than us. And I really got into one of the bands: BANG Suger BANG. They made me dance. They dedicated their set and all of their songs it seemed were about a guy named Randy. That was neat. It was fun to dance in front of the carousel. After the carnival we drove to Santa Montica and ate a late dinner on the Third Street promenade. That was new to me, and it was fun, I enjoyed being able to hear the street musicians play while we ate.

February 21, 2005
Happy February. Rain continues here in magical San Francisco. I've been attending many live shows of the local alt. rock band, Lveo, and occasionally I've sung back-ups for a song or two of theirs. It is fun. Since I pretty much learned how to sing in my highschool choir, I enjoy singing harmonies. I am invited to sing back-ups for Mark Silverman, at his CD release party which is on Wednesday, March 2nd at the Cafe Du Nord in San Francisco. His music is very funny. So it will be different for me to sing comedy. Usually I am so serious, right? I plan to do my best to keep a straight face during the songs to save the laughing for the audience memebers. You can hear some songs of his on his website and come to the show if you like. http://www.marksilverman.com
I met Mark about 7 years ago when I first moved to SF. He was running an open mic I frequented and he's from New Jersey, too, which helped to sooth my homesickness. Also what's new for me this month is that my band joined the online community MySpace.com. So if you are a member, too, request to be our friend. Check out our page at http://www.myspace.com/newtelepathicfriends.

January 21, 2005
Happy New Year. The fall was busy and wonderful. Winter is so good so far, however my apartment is very cold and my room is poorly insulated. Cold! So I have a little electric heater which helps, but the bit of heat it creates quickly escapes from my lovely San Francisco Bay windows. Also, we just had a rainy season. It rained and rained and poured. Everything was damp. I am still recovering from the downfall and my belongings are still drying out. It has now been over a week since the rain stopped, and so I feel safe and ready to ride my bike again about town. Which brings us to my personal four points of focus for the new year: YOGA, BIKE, BASS, READ. It is like a new year's resolution, but it is more of a reminder for me of how I choose to direct my talents. And simultaneously it is a reminder for me of how to maintain my mental, physical and spiritual health. These four points of focus are a repeat from last January, and it worked in 2004, so I will keep it up. Yoga (I take atleast one hatha yoga class each week, and do some stretches and poses each day on my own), Bike (I ride my bike several times a week, to work or to run errands, and go on a 15-20 mile joy ride once every month or two), Bass (play my electric bass guitar as often as possible, which is atleast twice a week at band practices), Read (I take a class and/or read any book. Gotta keep the brain active. Keep learning. Currently I am taking a class on web design). Okay and I do have one new year's resolution, which is to quit coffee (for the 48th time). Wish me luck!
In December, New Telepathic Friends celebrated our one year anniversary of co-creating music. We performed at the Cafe Du Nord in November, and at the Makeout Room in September and December. We also recorded 4 more songs at Last Stop Records in Daly City, CA. If you'd like to hear one of those four songs, you may download it now. It is called "Hello". (click on that song title or go to http://www.jenfaith.com/newtelepathicfriends/music/hello.mp3 ) Enjoy!

August 25, 2004
Today is another day full of inconveniences and inconsistancies, splashed with colors of serendipity and realized dreams. More about that on a later date. For now I want to give props to the country folk that make up the James Colley band. They have a new CD, and they threw a fabulous and fun CD release party earlier this month. It was a hit, a real party at the I.C.A.N. gallery, hosted by the charm and wit that is Bob O'Magic. It was fun for me to sing some backing vocals on two songs during the James Colley set. If you missed it, you can hear me singing on 3 songs on the CD, which is now available for online purchase at JamesColley.com.

July 17, 2004
At the end of last month, New Telepathic Friends (NTF) featured at the Hotel Utah's Monday night open mic. NTF is my band, and here's a photo of us taken that night by Heidi. The performance was recorded by JJ Schultz. You can listen to three of those songs here: Pay For That, Accidental Invitation, and Given A Chance. They were recorded live on 6/28/04. Thank you JJ!!! And as for JJ Schultz, his own new CD is awesome. I had a great time at his Cafe Du Nord performance a couple weeks ago.
Today I spent 8 hours at Last Stop Records with New Telepathic Friends. It was a great time had by all over there... Alex James Muscat is a super cool cat who knows what he's doing in a recording studio. It was an ease to work with him. It was a successful day of recording for us, and the result is three tracks that you can hear here: 1, 2, 3. Then tonight after finishing up with the mixing of the songs and grabbing a bite to eat, we headed over to Swedish American Hall (the venue above Cafe Du Nord) to see one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Sean Hayes. It was a great show with an opening act by Iron & The Albatross which included a shadow puppet show.

June 11, 2004
Today I received an email from one of my favorite publications, Bitch Magazine. Check it out if you never have. And subscribe if it interests you in the slightest! I do. They are currently asking for our support. If you already subscribe, you might wanna buy some of their merchandise. I enjoy the panties I bought from them that say "Bitch" across the bum. Fun!
New Telepathic Friends have been working hard at creating new tunes for you. NTF is a 3 piece band that includes Jeremy Miller on electric guitar, Todd Renschler on drums/backing vocals, and yours truly on electric bass/lead vocals. The three of us have been playing and writing together since December 2003, we started out working with the songs that Jeremy and I have been writing together since March 2003. This collaboration has been some of the best fun ever.
NTF debuted our live act in front of an audience of 40-50 people at I.C.A.N. Gallery in San Francisco on a Thursday night, April 22, 2004. On that same day, my sole sibling eloped in Las Vegas and I watched the ceremony live online. What a big day!
NTF had our second performance last Friday, June 4, 2004. We opened up for one of my favorite local bands, LVEO, and Craig Koozer's band Koozito also played a great set that night. It was such an honor to play with two other acts that I greatly enjoy. It was a fun time. We are looking forward to our next performance on June 28th at the Hotel Utah, and also plan to start recording a few songs in the studio next month.

April 14, 2004
So, I had a very happy Easter holiday, and there are still a few purple Peeps hanging out around my room and singing little birdie songs gleefully, as if unaware that at any moment my hunger for a marshmallow treat could silence them. In other news, I saw the movie "The Girl Next Door" on opening night. A song written by Danny Scherr, and performed by Binocular, is heard at the end of the movie during the end credits. Danny is a dear friend, and it was so exciting to hear his song in the movie theater and to see his name in the credits on the big screen. Congratulations Danny!

March 6, 2004
This site is currently being redesigned by the talented Kristin, who also created the present pink version. I'm excited about what she's come up with for the new version, which will be up and live possibly tomorrow at www.jenfaith.com. There is a new host for the site, the fun and hilarious Laughing Squid, which I'm happy to support with my business. I belong to their informative Squid List, which keeps me updated on some highly entertaining underground art and culture happenings in the San Francisco Bay Area. In other news, I'd like to give props to The Wildlife, and the mano behind the songs, who has a strong, smooth voice. I caught his show recently at Make-Out Room in San Francisco, and I am enjoying a 5 song cd that he let me take home for five bucks. yay!

February 4, 2004
I have a new favorite CD called LVEO by Bob O'Magic. I caught a live solo performance by Mr. Magic recently and I was especially touched by his solo version of the song "Lose", which is track #4 on the disc and includes backing vocals by the great Reba Hasko. This music can be dark and eerie, yet inspiring. It is captivating. I hope to see more of him, as well as his full band called LVEO, playing out this year. If you'd like an online listen or to order yourself a copy, go to www.cdbaby.com/bobomagic

January 17, 2004
So tonight I was shopping at Rainbow Grocery Co-op, and at the end of the women's hygiene isle, which is directly accross from the bulk supply of Dr. Bronner's soap which my friend was investigating, I spotted packages of The Keeper for sale! Why does this excite me and what is The Keeper??? Well, if you are a woman interested in a way to avoid ever buying tampons/pads again, you can go to the website to find out more about it: www.thekeeper.com. And it excites me because this is a great invention that I have been using for over 6 years, and this is the first time I've seen it available in a store. Previously one needed to order it over the phone, and then they were also available for online orders, and now it is in stores! yay! I want more women to know about this option.

December 3, 2003
New-to-me music is playing on my stereo tonight. After a long visit to Amoeba Music I managed to skim down my selections to three CDs: Edie Brickell "Volcano" (2003), The Stills "Logic Will Break Your Heart" (2003), and The White Stripes (1999). I haven't owned any White Stripes previous to this, and I heard a reference to them by a 10 year old character in the movie "School of Rock" and I thought, it is time to give in and get to know them. Jack Black is way funny. I know the movie seemed really lame when I saw the trailer, but it is highly entertaining and provoked deep thoughts. Plus Joan Cusack is awesome as usual. She plays a strict prinicipal in a private school and there's a scene where she tells Jack Black's character how she used to be fun, before she took on this stressful job. It reminded me of a scene she does in "Say Anything", how she tells her brother "I was hilarious once, wasn't I? ...I still am".

November 9, 2003
What is new? Halloween passed. It was drizzling, I rode my bike in San Francisco's critical mass. Which was a slow, slow ride, but full of costumes and entertainment. My hands ached from braking so much. It is a slow ride because of all the traffic that has to be stopped in order for us to parade by. The costumes were fun. I painted whiskers and a cat nose on my face. In early October I performed at the San Francisco Arizmendi Bakery's 3 years old anniversary party. That was pretty darn fun. They have this great vegan bread there called Wolverine bread. I looked around on Halloween for someone dressed like Wolverine from the X-men but I didn't see anyone. Too bad. Will someone with sideburns please dress as Wolverine next year? Or if you already did, send me pictures! Thanks. Okay, now let me just say, Rest In Peace Elliot Smith. And may all of his fans hold on to FAITH that the pain will pass and the sun shines brightly every day (somewhere, atleast, even though you may be in fog city or another cloudy place). Just hold on. Hang in there. Breathe. Call a friend. Go for a walk. Start a weblog. Avoid weapons, toxic substances, and sharp objects.

November 5, 2003
So a good buddy crashed with me one night on his way to Las Vegas from Arcata. He said, Jen, whazzup with yer website journal... i check it out to see what yer up to and you haven't written in ages. It is always saying the same thing. So I told him, dude, if you wanna know what's up with me, why you aughtta email me and say "whazzup" and i'll write you back and tell you. or better yet you can call me on the telephone. and Eric, incase you are reading this instead of calling me, I'll tell you that I'm going to see Blackalicious and Spearhead tonight at the Warfield. I think you might be slightly impressed by this, but let me say it wasn't my idea so don't give me too much credit. I really enjoyed the Modest Mouse show on Sunday. The Shins and The Helio Sequence opened up and all bands rocked. very good. amazing. check out this helio sequence duo (now i'm not talking to eric but YOU whoever you are, b/c i don't even know if eric would be into it, but YOU WILL LOVE IT).

May 13, 2003
Happy Birthday to all my May baby friends. Thanks to those who came out to see my performance Saturday (5/10/03) at the Sacred Grounds Cafe show organized by the spunky rockster Elin Jr., and special thanks to Rob Johnson who brought his travel drum set and played along. My friend Yary took some photos, incase you missed it, you can see them here.

November 26th, 2002
Well, here it is time to eat turkey again. The CD release party at Sacred Grounds was a wonderful time. Excellent performances by Elin Jr, Terese Taylor, and Manasseh/Fleeting Trance. Thanks to those who made it out for the show. Jenfaith Records headquarters has moved back to San Francisco, and has been busy with organization and distribution. We are recording a new single with Alex at Last Stop Records and hope for an internet release by the new year. All Righty, now enjoy the holidays and keep us in touch with your happenings. : )

September 28, 2002
All I have to say is thank Goddess for Madigan Shive and the multi-media, super entertaining "88" cd release party she threw in San Francisco last Saturday night. The night included one of my favorites, Noe Venable, as well as some short independent films, a sexy fire throwing/dancing performance by some rad gentleman, and of course Bonfire Madigan which is voice, cello, violin and drums. The EP is solid, good tunes, good times, my favorite is the last track "O'Sanity" ...check it out www.bonfiremadigan.com

August 29, 2002
Everything is new again. However, on the East Coast I imagine that the leaves are getting older and soon will fall off. But here in the Bay Area, the San Francisco late, late summer is around us, and soon we will celebrate "Labor Day" (lucky track #7 on the 'get by' CD). Just last night, thanks for asking. The new 'sweet freak' CD is here, shhh, it's a secret until I announce the big release party. But if you see me in person before then and you throw me ten bucks I'll give you a copy of my latest 13 original prizes. Choice photos by Jaren Bonillo and more surprise art inside! Cleaner this time, so that Mom won't be embarrassed to show her friends, and so that you won't be embarrassed to show your mom. Nadine's Wild Weekend was everything she said it would be. I especially enjoyed a show at The Fillmore where the Noe Venable Trio rocked my little world on and on. Also, a band called Essence put on quite an impressive performance, and Luce headlined, which is a band with 6 men, including a very talented trumpet/keys player and singer named Kyle Wheeler. What else is new is the West By God CD, 'the thing is...' which has found its way into my various CD player machines often this summer, and it always lifts my spirits by the end of the last track. I like the spinning guitar sounds on #5, and my favorite song is #6 'bye bye' and if you listen in you might know why.

June 25, 2002
I had a pretty fun birthday. Thanks for those who shared it with me and especially the performers like Terese Taylor, Manasseh, Brian & Josh. And thanks to my friends who were there. I've finished recording and mixing 15 tracks for a second release, and hopefully by the end of this San Francisco summer you'll have one in your hands.

June 8, 2002
So, music is everywhere lately it seems. This is a wonderful thing. Super Duper Fun to play with others, and to watch/listen to others perform art/music from their souls. So intimate and inspiring were the performers at this year's Hopland Women's Festival. I have to mention a duo called Bleu, check them out. Also hella enjoyable performances by Katharine Chase of the band Kindness, and by the spunky rockster Elin Jr.

May 17, 2002
We had such a great time last night at the Rose Street House of Music in Berkeley. Thanks to the warm, attentive audience and the other performers, who were amazing: Cara Luft, Karen Almquist, and Wendy Beckerman. Late last month I was on the radio! Thanks to Ginger Lee for inviting me to UC Berkeley's KALX 90.7 FM radio station. It was an interview and performance for "Women Hold Up Half the Sky" which airs every saturday from 11am - 12noon.

March 25, 2002
Happy Birthday Floyd!!! I saw this friend of mine at his birthday gathering yesterday and he asked why don't I add a new journal entry. Well, I don't have very much to say except that if you go to www.fatwreck.com and then click on the photo of a guy in a santa hat and sunglasses, that's floyd and you can read questions and answers on his "ask floyd" page. Floyd is very wise and he is loved and respected by many. So if you have your own question, why not ask him.

November 7, 2001
By the graces of Goddess I have aquired a piano. I love to play her everyday. A friend of mine named her Bertha, although I tend to refer to her as "my piano" or in some situations "our piano". Life is good. I took a trip to my home state of New Jersey last weekend to visit family and friends and it was nice to see the Fall. I went on a hike in the woods and enjoyed looking at the yellow, orange and red leaves in the trees and on the ground. Also, the performance at The Art House in September was so fun and thanks to all of the beautiful people that made the night super special.

September 6, 2001
I'm writing now from sunny Oakland (OakTOWN, people keep telling me). I have relocated here and I'm enjoying the view of Lake Merritt, as well as walking or riding my bike along its path on my way to BART during the week. Moving is a huge chore that I am still recovering from, but the last couple of weeks I have found pleasure reading the books CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD by Neale Donald Walsch. These are truely inspiring works and they make the commute time on the BART train "fly" by. I'm beginning to take piano lessons next week. I'm learning to read music. A couple weeks ago I spent a weekend in LA, it was my first experience spending time there and it was wonderful. Everyone I met was warm and friendly. My friend Ilan Friedman lives there and we both performed at an open mic in a bar called Canter's Kibitz Room. We had a great time there, and Ilan will be performing next at Molly Malone's, 755 S. Fairfax in LA on Monday September 17th. I won't be able to make it down there, but if you are in the area, check it out!!! Summer vacation is over and it is time to get to work. Another CD is coming soon...

June 11, 2001
First of all, it has been far too long since my last entry... life has been busy. A clown moved into my closet last month, so my bedroom/office/studio space is all a cluttered mystery. However, I did find the computer today.
Last weekend I was at the Hopland Women's Festival and listened to some great music. I enjoyed camping on the land in my tiny tent and meeting many fun, talented people. Lately I've been rehearsing with a band called Glass of Water and that has been fun. Late last month we performed 3 songs at the Cafe Du Nord's Monday Night Hoot, and I enjoyed singing as well as listening to much local talent. My birthday is coming up... it is Saturday, June 23rd. I'm inviting all the women I know to meet me by Dolores Park in San Francisco, at about 4pm, we'll have a great time walking along the streets of the Mission in celebration.

November 23, 2000
People are talking about 4 day weekends and big "dinners" being served at 3pm today. Happy Thanksgiving. I'm still adjusting from my car being totalled on the 5th in Monterey. Despite that, I enjoyed my trip to North Carolina last weekend. The morning after my performance in Chapel Hill, ...it started snowing! We made snow angels and had a snow ball fight/catch in the 2 or 3 inches that fell from the sky. I feel so lucky that I was able to visit Fall AND Winter during my short stay on the East Coast. We had a lot of fun jamming and being silly at this old house in the country. It is called The Spellhouse because the people that live there were in a band called The Spell. So, getting back to the accident on the way to Monterey, this whiplash experience left a remarkable impression on me. Like the feeling that my eyes popped out of my head and then snapped back in again. I had to blink forcefully to convince myself that my eyes were indeed still in place. I'm looking forward to Simple Pleasures on the 30th. Take Care.

October 25, 2000
Hello! It was a wonderful weekend and I really enjoyed the performance at Simple Pleasures Cafe Saturday night in the Richmond district, and also Sunday night 10/22/00 at the Skylight Cafe--thanks to those who were there, in some way or another. I'm looking forward to this Friday's performance... Michael and I are putting together some new songs. I saw the Bjork movie ("Dancer in the Dark") and it made me laugh, although it brought other audience members to tears. I hope everyone has a FUN weekend and Halloween. Take care and rock on.

October 5, 2000
Happy Birthday Danny Scherr! His birthday is actually friday the 6th, exactly one week before our Friday the 13th performance at the Skylight Cafe in San Francisco. I started to take voice lessons (I quit the bass lessons since I'm no longer playing bass with a band) and that is enlightening. I'm realizing all the thought that goes into singing and I remember my highschool choir director, Ms. S., who stressed that "Singing is 99% thinking!" The solo Jen Faith performance on September 2nd at Muddy Waters Cafe in Arcata went very well. Thanks to the cafe and everyone who was there. The crowd was warm and wonderful and I had a great time. I saw the movie "Best in Show" last night and it was funny. It took me atleast 20 minutes to get into it, and then I starting laughing out loud and the laughter lasted throughout the movie until the credits rolled. I might write more if my wrists weren't hurting secondary to repetitive stress... tendonitis in left wrist due to playing too many power chords on my acoustic guitar. My goal is to write a new song with all open chords. TTFN. Adios.

August 15, 2000
Happy Birthday Kate Lee!!! Tonight there was a demonstration at 22nd and Mission about rent being too high, and while the situation is sad, the night was enjoyable. We danced with the drummers and watched the fire shows. I found out this week that 2 "Get By" CDs were sold at www.cdbaby.com. Thank you! That makes me happy. I'm working on new songs and one is called "dragon", inspired by my rug. I saw the movie "but I'm a cheerleader" last night at the Lumiere and it is one of the best movies I've ever seen. It is so funny. I loved it. I'm planning on playing at the skylight cafe open mic this saturday night, so if I see you there I'll probably give you a pen. The pens arrived today! On Kate's birthday! From now on when you buy a "Get By" CD, you'll get a free pen with a message from me written on it.

August 2, 2000
so I practiced bass last night and my wrist was a little sore today but it's all good. i'm getting used to what I do and don't want to write about in this journal... i suppose i should keep it musically focused, and keep my other personalities out of this page. hereiamjennyandyoucan'tstopmefrompoppingoutsometimes... nevermind that. okay, here's a chance for you to email me take care

August 1, 2000
today i'm trying to add more to my website.
adding a journal where who knows who will read about my inner most secrets or day to day ramblings. I also want to add a section for photos, and eventually links and such... but as you can tell from the simplicity of this site, I am new at html. I've been taking electric bass lessons at Blue Bear School of Music and it is hard for me to discipline myself to practice but I'm learning. kimchi is taking a "pause"... is it the end? I don't know, but i'm taking the summer to figure out where to go musically. I really like my new guitar, so i'm working on a balance between bass and guitar, and i still write more songs on guitar. okay, enough for now.