13: Rhino Records, Claremont

13: Rhino Records, Claremont
Designed by: Timothy Andres
Piano type: Spinet
Playability: Good
Weather: 61°F, overcast
How I got here: Car

Only a decorated piano out in public could get me to drive all the way out to Claremont.

I've probably been around these here parts once or twice before. I think I did an e:trinity electronic gig at Claremont or Pomona or Harvey Mudd College over a decade ago. I might have attended a music festival at one of the aforementioned colleges sometime in the '90s. I might have passed by the area before, but the memories aren't that fresh in my mind.

I know it had been such a long time, since I missed my exit getting here, unaware that there is no such thing as an Indian Hill exit off the 210 (Towne Avenue next time...), duh. I knew something was wrong once I had entered San Bernardino County.

But eventually I did find my lucky #13 in the parking lot of Rhino Records & Video in this sleepy college town under a most overcast sky. A woman pushing her baby in a stroller listened in and chatted with me, she asked if I was putting this on Twitter. I explained to her about the whole Street Pianos installation (Luke Jerram and LA Chamber Orchestra better owe me for the free outreach!) and my quest to play all 30.

I also talked to an elderly woman about the installation and she asked me to play. I played some improvised stuff and she sounded delighted. One guy was singing along while walking by as I played I played Coldplay's "Clocks." This piano seemed to have the right kind of tone for it.

In my late observance of Record Store Day, I decided to pop inside the store. Might as well, it's right here. Aside from Amoeba Music, I hardly see these kinds of establishments anymore.

It was a long drive back, so I might as well buy a CD here and load up on some new music. I got the last copy of Gotye's Making Mirrors.