Once (again) / Lies

This is one of my favorite songs from the movie "Once." The verse chords and melody are simple, the pre-chorus is a little quirky, and then the chorus is flat out amazing. Great songwriting, great choice of lyrics. Enjoy.



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Now playing on Trev's iTunes: Glen Hansard - Lies
via FoxyTunes

Kirtan Plugged

What do you get when you cross indian/sanskrit chant/kirtan (ala Krishna Das) and jammy guitar-based '90s Brit rock?

Kula Shaker's "Govinda" (live).

Life-Altering Music

While at a stoplight in my wife's car earlier this week, I began fumbling through our CD stash and stumbled upon Jeff Buckley's album Grace.

I've listened to this album plenty in the past, but something really struck me this time. The CD rolled over to Track 4 - "Lilac Wine" - and, maybe it was the mood I was in, but I was quite literally blown to smithereens with tears in my eyes. I realize this isn't his original composition, but it might well be the most moving piece of music I've ever heard in my life.

In an age of overproduced, computer-tweaked, soul-less pop shit-music, I found myself engulfed in Buckely's raw emotion, musical simplicity and extraordinary talent. I had it up so loud I could hear every breath and subtlety in his voice. Listen to that vocal control throughout, but especially in the last line. Completely breathtaking.

The lyrical poetry is amazing and the arrangement is sweet and heart-felt. A thousand churches don't contain the depth of spirit that's in those four and a half minutes.

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Now playing on Trev's iTunes: Jeff Buckley - Lilac Wine
via FoxyTunes

For the true video game fan...

This video probably won't mean much to you unless you grew up with the Nintendo and are familiar with the theme songs and imagery from Super Mario Brothers, Zelda, Tetris and more. But if you are familiar, check out this absolutely amazing Cal marching band doing a Video Game Halftime show.

As one who spent my high school both playing Nintendo and marching around a football field with a snare drum holder on my shoulders, this video just plain rocks. (NOTE: I didn't realize this until the end, but it is filmed from the back... everything is upside down)

The Dark Side of the Pumpkin

One of my good friends (and the drummer for the Pink Noise band I'm in) is a fantastic "pumpkin artist." Each year he has been making cool pumpkins for my daughter and besides doing one for her this year, he also made this... sweet!

LINK: The 10 Most Terrifyingly Inspirational '80s Songs

"Great music can inspire us to do anything: love one another, protest an unjust war, make sweet, sweet love to a large black man in the 1970s. But in the '80s there were a series of songs that inspired us to kick ass in every way possible. None inspired more ass kicking than these." (Robert Brockway at Cracked.com)

One of the funniest articles I've read in a while. Click over here to reminisce about songs like "Holding Out for a Hero" and "The Final Countdown."

My favorite paragraph explains the only way Foreigner could've made "Juke Box Hero" any better: "Ramp it up. If hearing "just one guitar" while standing outside a venue in the pouring rain can cause an innocent farm boy to mutate into a vulgar, screeching, musical demi-god, imagine hearing 17 guitars on top of a mountain in a thunderstorm! You could instantaneously transform altar boys all across the heartland into 80-foot tall rock ogres, shredding on nuclear guitars and ejaculating fiery magma into the horrified faces of America’s enemies. Serve your country, Foreigner. Give a little back for once."

Don't stop believin'...

Frankenstein

In honor of the upcoming Halloween, here's one of the funkiest jams of the past 35 years performed by the saxophone-wielding, strapped-on-keyboard playing Edgar Winter and company: - Frankenstein!

The Elms

We opened for these cats - The Elms (Universal) - at the VOGUE in Broad Ripple (Indianapolis) last night.

The Elms - Nothing To Do With Love



The Elms on the Logan Show

I forgot to mention...

...last Sunday my family and I went to see Dan Zanes live in concert. Though they had some sound issues, it was an afternoon of great folky music that was kid-friendly and yet enjoyable by adults (my daughter did fall asleep, however, due to lack of napping). Plus they cleared out rows in the theater so there could be a dance party. Oh, ya.





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Now playing on iTunes: Al Green - Let's Stay Together
via FoxyTunes

Live Recording

Here's a LIVE recording of Pink Noise (my Pink Floyd Tribute Band) playing "Shine On You Crazy Diamond." While it's not without a cringe-moment here and there (and some of the mix could be changed), it turned out pretty dern good for a recording of a live performance. Enjoy.



The song is rather long (14 min) so if you'd rather download it and listen to it later (instead of being parked on my blog), right-click and "Save As..." or "Save Target As..." on the link below.

Shine On You Crazy Diamond

Arena Rock

Last night the Waltz for Venus boys and I had one of the highlights of our musical careers. We played Boiler Gold Rush (one of the Welcome Events at Purdue University) and had the privilege of performing at the Elliott Hall of Music - a stage that has been rocked by the nation's biggest acts from Kelly Clarkson to Dave Matthews to...

Anyway, the crowd was incredibly responsive - jumping, singing, fully engaged - and it was either the biggest thing we'll ever do - or just the beginning: the start of WFV ver 2.0 (lets hope it's the latter).

Enjoy SET ONE of the pics. I've got more to post when I get them from the other camera-woman. Mad props to Brandy Brooks for this fantastic photography...


























...one more more from the Green Room for good measure...

The Magic in the Music

What’s the magic in the music?
And why does it bring us together like this?
We all have a longing inside
And it keeps us singin’ song, after song, after song.
(from "The Best Song Ever," by Chris Rice)

Is there not something mystical about music? Are not the themes of rhythm, harmony, and melody metaphors for life's deepest truths? Have you never been part of a live concert that morphs into one body with one heart and one voice?

I remember hearing a story from a friend about a "Godspeed You! Black Emperor" concert being more spiritual than any church service ever experienced. I remember times of songwriting where I am completely out of the way and "it" quite literally writes itself. I've found that if nothing else breaks the ice, conversations about music will quite certainly do so.

YOUR TURN: What's one mystical/magical moment you've had in regards to music?

"After silence that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music."
(Aldous Huxley)

Be There / Mark Thy Calendars Now

Hunters Pub South - LAFAYETTE, IN

(arguably) The Best Rock Band in the World

About 4 years ago, the drummer I was playing with at the time slipped me 2 CDs by the band MUSE - "Origin of Symmetry" and "Showbiz." After giving them a few spins, I found myself mesmerized.

Fast forward to today, with a few more excellent albums under their belts - as well as a couple of friends (Jay, cough, cough) who are as into them as I am (and maybe moreso) - I would argue that this is the best rock band in the world right now.

Take hard rock, add a slight funk groove, an amazing voice, and (this is important) "classical" music inspired melodies and lead lines. Watch all 6 minutes of this first video and tell me this isn't mind-blowingly amazing rock music (my goodness, I love that chorus at 3:16).

Muse - NEW BORN (Live)


Muse - MUSCLE MUSEUM (this is actually the song that first made me a fan)


Muse - TIME IS RUNNING OUT


Muse - HYSTERIA (Live)

Charts

As I've mentioned before, the band I'm in, Waltz for Venus, is in the middle of a national radio campaign. I went to one of the radio station's website and saw their "Top 20" chart and check this out (below). Needless to say I was surprised to see us charted alongside the likes of The White Stripes, Switchfoot and The Killers.

1. Brianstorm ~ Arctic Monkeys
2. Rich Girls Poor Girls ~ Everybody Else
3. Staplegunned (Remix) ~ The Spill Canvis
4. Burn out Bright ~ Switchfoot
5. Dismantle Repair ~ Anberlin
6. Falling Star ~ Jet
7. I Need You ~ Relient K
8. Icky Thump ~ The White Stripes
9. Move Away ~ The Killers
10. We've got a big mess on our hands ~ The Academy Is
11. Breathe In ~ Firescape
12. Life Like Movies ~ Driver Side Impact
13. Missed the Boat ~ Modest Mouse
14. Suspicion Will Destroy Us ~ Waltz for Venus
15. The Bird and the Worm ~ The Used
16. This Better Be Good ~ Fountains of Wayne
17. Everything is Average Nowadays ~ Kaiser Chiefs
18. Stay Awake ~ Low Vs. Diamond
19. My Blue Heaven ~ Taking Back Sunday
20. Youre Not Alone ~ Saosin

Bringing the Noise

Pink Noise, the Pink Floyd tribute band that I'm in, had a great show last Friday night. The place was packed, people were singing along and really into it. We even had, in the words of our drummer doing his best Dr. Evil impression, "frickin' laser beams." What a blast.

Now that's listener involvement...

Here is Ben Folds performing his song Army at an intimate concert setting. This is certainly the way to get your fans involved... Mouth Trumpet! Fun stuff. (Plus, how can you beat a song that references Chick-Fil-A)



Well I thought about the Army,
Dad said, "Son, you're fuckin' high."
And I thought, yeah there's a first for everything,
so I took my old man's advice.
Three sad semesters,
it was only fifteen grand
Spent in bed I thought about the army,
I dropped out and joined a band instead.

Grew a mustache and a mullet,
Got a job at Chick-Fil-A
Citing artistic differences the band broke up in May,
and in June reformed without me, and they got a different name.
I nuked another grandma's apple pie
and hung my head in shame.

Been thinking a lot today.
Been thinking a lot today.

Ohhhh, I think I'll write a screenplay.
Ohhhh, I think I'll take it to LA.
Ohhhh, I think I'll get it done yesterday.

In this time of introspection.
On the eve of my election,
I say to my reflection
God, please spare me more rejection.
Cause my peers they criticize me,
and my ex-wives all despise me.
Try to put it all behind me,
but my redneck past is nipping at my heels

I've been thinking a lot today.
I've been thinking a lot today.
I've been thinking a lot today.
I thought about the army...

How NOT to navigate the Music Business

Check out these hilarious music manager WOES from "The Turtles." (the "So Happy Together" guys) Thanks to TOMMY for the link!

Rockin the Subburbs

The Waltz for Venus new EP Finally, the Beginning's End is now available ONLINE for purchase. See our main MySpace page or www.waltzforvenus.com to pick up the album for only $5 (plus shipping).

Just for the record, once again, I'm not playing on this album as I came into the band after the recording process, but I'm super proud of it none-the-less. Rawk!

WFV News

1.) The new Waltz for Venus CD - "Finally, the Beginning's End" - has arrived in the mail. They recorded this album before I joined the group, but I am very proud of it nonetheless. I'll post a link in a few days if anyone would like to pick up a copy.

2.) We're working with a music promotions and distribution company to do a national Radio campaign this month. The new EP will be going out to a number of stations across the country and will have the chance to rip up the College Radio charts. The company that is helping us with this is also the one that got a WFV song licensed for play on MTV's "My Super Sweet Sixteen" so we know there's even more opportunities that will pop up this year (especially since this album is significantly more polished and professional than the last).

3.) We've already begun writing and making plans for the next EP and instead of working on one long album, we are planning on releasing 5-EPs (short albums) each with its own theme, and then packaging them all together as a box set at the end of the series.