UNTIL NEXT TIME...

So obviously sharing information about my life hasn't been at the top of my list lately. Although I've tried to keep things going on this blog, I may not be posting here for a while. There are simply other things that thankfully demand my attention, like spending time with my family and actually creating music. I'm aware marketing gurus argue that posting something from time to time may give fans more insight into who the artist is and push them closer to purchasing merchandise. But honestly, I'm not concerned about that at all. However I would gladly converse (whether online or off) with anyone who would like to know me better - so please, don't be shy. If you enjoy listening to my music, I appreciate that more than I can say. I'll always be writing new songs and will release them to you when they're ready. However, what's most important to me right now is having time to write and be with the people I love. Thank you to anyone who reads this. See you someday in the future...

APPRECIATIVE

About two weeks ago I received a call from the company that owns my rehearsal space, telling me that they're planning to lease the entire building to a local church. Unfortunately, this also meant that I was no longer able to occupy said space. Although frustrating, 'tis the way it goes in this industry sometimes. After calling what must have been around two dozen places, I finally came across a post online by someone looking to share a rehearsal studio about 25 minutes away from where we live. It's a place I've know about for some time as being safe, well-constructed, with a very supportive owner. So the past two weeks have been mainly spent packing boxes and moving gear across town, all the while feeling extremely thankful that I found a new space so quickly. And now I'm back to work...

AH, LA VIE....

It's been quite a month here to the say the least. Not at all bad though, just busy with all things Violet. She's been awesome to hang out the past few weeks, even though she hasn't smiled much quite yet. Most of the time I feel like she's sitting there quietly judging me. The weekends have been great too, spending time outside with the girls at some festivals and farmer's markets before it gets too chilly. Plus I've had some time to get to the studio in the mornings to write, for which I'm very thankful. All in all things are good though. Hope they're the same with you. Until next time!

BREAKAGE

So last week I went on and on about my routine and how nice it's been nice to have a schedule to adhere to lately. The problem has been, well, adhering to it. Maintaining a discipline to achieve certain goals is challenging, much more so than formulating the plan. In any week given week, I'm usually able to accomplish the majority of what I set forth for myself, but usually find that something slips through the cracks somewhere.

Perhaps this is akin to what record companies used to call 'breakage.' Within the complex jargon of the contracts they slid across the table their artists to sign, a record company would often include a provision to withhold approximately 10% of the royalties due to said artist as a result of inventory that was damaged via distribution to the record stores. That was 'breakage' more or less. This policy was established during the days of vinyl due to the fragile nature of the material, but was also sneakily applied to the era of the much more-durable cassettes & CDs, which was seemingly a scam cooked up by the labels to squeeze out more profits.

Nonetheless, breakage in regard to vinyl did occur. Even though it most likely never occurred anywhere near the 10% for which those old contracts demanded compensation, it is conceivable that a fraction of inventory was damaged in transit. Shit happens. As much as you plan and plan and plan for a specific chain of events to play out according to your personal preferences, somewhere something will inevitably go awry.

But maybe this isn't really a problem. If anything in this world is routine, it's the element of imperfection. So why should I be frustrated when I don't accomplish everything that I had hoped I would? Should I be surprised? Do your best, they say. But I can't always do that. Who can? For all the effort, some things still just fall apart. Perhaps the lesson is in putting the pieces back together...

STANDARD PROCEDURE

A couple months ago I moved into a new rehearsal space here in Boulder. Driving down to the one I had been renting in Denver had been getting really expensive in gas, not to mention the time it took to get there. It took me a few weeks to find the new space, located in a spare studio room of a local theatre company. For all the musicians here, there is an surprising lack of rehearsal spaces for rent, which has made me extremely thankful for the space I'm in now. On most days I usually bike there in the morning and write for 2-3 hours before heading to work. It's a pleasant ride, with only a few intersections where I have to deal with traffic (Boulder has an lot of interconnected bike paths). Since I seem to enjoy routine these days, having this daily ritual has been rather satisfying. Dedicating this daily time to my creative endeavors has also allowed me to feel a bit less anxiety about their completion (although it's always there to a degree). In the past I've felt beholden to creative impulses, rushing to the studio or an instrument whenever some musical idea crept forth to pervade my consciousness. As time has passed, I've become aware that those ideas are always there, always nagging at me to free them from my mind, always battling for attention. I'm still young, but I have a difficult time seeing how they're ever going to stop. Freeing myself from that submission to creativity, especially on such a sporadic basis, has allowed me to appreciate the rest of life more fully, since there is so much out there to learn and enjoy. Perhaps I'll find a new configuration somewhere down the line that could be equally suitable and fulfilling. But for right now, this seems to be working...

Okay so I missed my one post a week goal last week. Whatever. No one reads this stuff anyway. Well, that's not true. You're reading it, right? Thanks.

I'm finally back in Colorado now after a week long tour of North Carolina with my old band Cast Iron Filter. It was thrilling to perform all those songs again, especially with such good friends. I'd also like to say thank you to everyone who came out to the shows - you guys are super awesome.

I've been able to get back to writing this week, which has been wonderful and immensely therapeutic. At the moment I've conjured up around 30-40 ideas, only 6-7 of which are actually worth pursuing though. I'm trying my best to be patient. Even though the songs are coming along, I'm not sure they fit together quite yet. It's simply going to take more time and experimentation until this new project comes into focus.

Regardless, the bigger problem at the moment is making it through this heat wave. We've had 5 straight days over 100 with no air-conditioning here. I think it's only supposed be in the high 90s for the next week though. Stupendous!

Ok it's too hot to sit here and type. Stay cool everyone...

Alright then. This week I'm back in North Carolina to play a few shows with my old band Cast Iron Filter. Almost 10 years ago the four of us were out on the road at least six months a year, which was challenging at times but mostly exhilarating. Even though we're all still friends and have accomplished quite a few things individually over the years, it'll be very nice to get together again and play some music. We'll be on tour through next Saturday, so I'll let you know how everything goes next week. Have a good weekend everyone...

Okay so I obviously haven't posted on here in quite a while. The past few months have been quite busy to say the least. A wide array of events has occurred, although the biggest development by far is that my wife and I are about to have our first child in a couple months. And oooooh yes it's going to be awesome. I really haven't thought much about sitting down to expound about my life since I've been too busy living it honestly. But here I am again, typing away. The hopeful plan is to present you with one new post per week, which I'm sure is highly titillating to the small number of you who actually read what I write here. As always, I deeply appreciate your continued attention and interest. Don't worry - I'm still creating music and plan to share some of it with you as soon as possible. But for now I'm going to go put a nursery together...pretty cool huh? See you next week...

THE LACEY ACT

My old friend Erica Lyman sent me a petition yesterday supporting the Lacey Act against the use of illegal logging in the making of musical instruments. I know that materials such as Brazilian Rosewood make for a wonderful guitar, but not at the expense of, as the Czechs would say, The Nature. If you're interested in supporting this cause you can sign the petition right here. Thanks for being nice to the planet.

THIS AIN'T NO COWTOWN

So the good folks over at ZetaKaye were kind enough to include one of my songs on their latest compilation of Colorado bands - This Ain't No Cowtown Vol 3.


YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE ENTIRE ALBUM RIGHT HERE.

It's 27 tracks from 27 different Colorado artists. Plus if you like what you hear, all proceeds are going to help the fabulous Rev Jim with his recent medical expenses. Thanks for supporting independent music from Colorado!

EAR-X-TACY

I received some disturbing news yesterday that Ear-X-Tacy, my local record store in Louisville, has officially closed its doors after 26 years. I spent countless hours there growing up, mostly peering through and purchasing a wide selection of 7'' records and cassettes from tons of great local bands. Ear-X-Tacy was always super supportive of local acts, letting pretty much anyone and everyone sell their music through the store. It was a Louisville institution and will be missed very much by a large number of people, including myself. Technology has certainly given us quite a few advantages over the years; the Internet has made it easier to consume and absorb all types of media than ever before. As technology evolves, there are always casualties along the way of course; this never makes it any easier, however, for those who are the casualties themselves (or directly affected by them). Since music is such an integral part of being alive, I feel confident that things will somehow stabilize in the future to allow artists to be fairly compensated for their efforts. But that time is not, obviously, at hand. So in the meantime, let us keep making and sharing music however we can, paving the road ahead for those who will one day enjoy that world.

Thanks Ear-X-Tacy.

Ear-X-Tacy - Wikipedia

CITIZENS UNITED (DEMO)

GET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ALL TOGETHER AND CREATE A PLAN
GONNA BUY THE ELECTIONS SO THE GOVERNMENT’S AT OUR COMMAND
GONNA GROW THE CORPORATION,
WE’LL BE VOTING BY THE DOLLAR NOT THE MAN
GONNA PLUG AND BUILD THE BRAND

IF OUR CANDIDATE’S A WINNER WE’LL BE RICHER THAN WE EVER THOUGHT
ALL THE POLICIES THAT BENEFIT THE COMPANY WILL BE IN THE PLOT
WE’LL EXPLOIT THE MASSES!
DON’T WORRY BECAUSE WE’LL NEVER BE CAUGHT
ALL THE POLITICIANS WILL BE BOUGHT

YEAH WE’LL HAVE A NEW WORLD ORDER
AND WE’LL TELL EVERYONE WHAT TO DO
YEAH WE’RE GONNA GIVE THEM THE BUSINESS
OF A FINANCED GREEDY COUP
YEAH WE’VE GOT THE CASH RIGHT HERE
WE’VE GOT THE WHEELS IN PLACE
WE’RE GONNA BUY THIS TOWN
WE’RE GONNA FEED THEM CAKE
AND THEY’LL SWALLOW IT ALL
UNTIL THEY’RE BURIED IN THE GROUND
YEAH UNLESS THOSE FOOLS WAKE UP
AND FINALLY SEE WHAT’S GOING DOWN

FAREWELL MALCOLM

A good friend of mine, Dr. Malcolm Partin, passed away yesterday. When I was a senior in high school, I made the decision to attend Davidson College in North Carolina. During my first semester there, my class schedule included a history course on Early Modern Europe that he taught every year from 1968 until he retired in 2000. As a freshman, my attention was certainly divided between several different avenues, though every time I attended Dr. Partin's classroom I was immediately ushered into a world of scholarship that demonstrated how impressive teaching can be and the thirst for knowledge that permeates those who witness it being done well. During my time at Davidson College I took every course Dr. Partin offered. Not only was he my academic advisor, he was a friend who would always listen. He was the best teacher I've ever had. We'll miss you very much, Malcolm. Thank you for everything.

WONDERLAND BALLROOM (8.24.11)

I was a little disappointed that I wasn't able to capture more audio from the tour. All the details and responsibilities of being on the road and doing everything by myself apparently resulted in a slight failure of documentation. Although the tour was big success, that was definitely a hard lesson learned and something I will certainly rectify in the future. But for now, here's one entire set that I do have for you. It's from the very first set of the tour at the Wonderland Ballroom in Washington DC.

As you'll hear, there's a fair bit of talking in the background (I wouldn't say that the audience was exactly rapt); a pretty good set regardless though. By the way, one of my favorite parts happens about halfway through the last song - if you hear it too let me know. Thanks for listening!

1. Here's A Few Words
2. Weights & Measures
3. I Let It Lie
4. The Golden Ratio
5. Calm
6. Symmetry Pursuit X
7. Apartment
8. Falls of Rough
9. Nonetheless
10. Easy As Pi
11. Luminosity
12. Intermezzo
13. An Alien Communique
14. The Ideal Citizen
15. Men Who Die Young
16. Should I

HOME!!!

Over 8000 miles, 25 shows, 17 states, 6 weeks total out on the road - I'm going to post some more content over the next couple weeks (audio, video, photos, etc) though for now I need to catch up on some much needed rest - but even before that, I have to say how wonderful it is to be back in Boulder with Brooke - I've missed her so much while I've been on tour - thank you so much my dear for all your endless love and support - you're amazing!

ALMOST HOME

I'm in Des Moines, Iowa. I'm performing in Omaha tonight at the Side Door Lounge, which is a little more than two hours from here I think. It's the last day of the tour and I'm very anxious to get home, but very excited about playing my first show in Omaha tonight. The past six weeks have been pretty amazing - there have been so many big and small priceless moments that have come and gone so quickly it seems - and aside from all the great venues and shows, the most important and satisfying element has been reconnecting with all of you, talking with you before and after the shows, staying with you at your homes, catching up over a meal - as much as I love performing, seeing all of you while I'm out on the road is what keeps me going - I won't ever forget how awesome my fans are - thanks everyone so very much.