After what seems like a real hectic past few weeks (and a few big shows), we are kind of settling back into just having music going on. Although I have had to give up having more work (basically no paychecks from here until tour), I feel as though it's the best decision for us so that we are as productive as possible before we leave. It was pretty awesome getting up this morning, rehearsing for a bit, working out, and then going to practice. I love being able to spend that much time on music, and not being rushed with work. I know right now it's sort of a necessary evil, and yes, I will miss having an income, no matter how small, but I'll keep up with some graphic design work between now and then that should cover my minimal spending habits.
Kiel leaves for LA on Friday morning I believe, so tomorrow and Wednesday day I'll be in the studio with him so that he can put drum tracks down for my solo album. I've been working pretty slowly on it (not for any particular reason), but after realizing how soon he leaves, and knowing I'd like for him to play on it, it's kind of put me in fast-forward. I think that's a good thing also though, it'll be really nice to get that cd rolling, and even better for my publishing deal (I hope!) since it's a lot poppy-er than the TSE stuff that's on the upcoming album. Either way I'm excited about it, being able to write pop music and indie music and even dabbling in the electronic-type stuff is really keeping things refreshing constantly. It's awesome being surrounded by so much music.
We had an amazing rehearsal today, being an acoustic one for 3 hours then having the band join up for a few hours to work on one brand brand new song and a cover for the tour. It's days like today where we all really feel like it's coming together beautifully, and being this prepared and ready is going to make the tour so much less stressful.
So... yeah. Tomorrow it's gonna be sleep until 8:30, work out, catch up on some tv, get to the studio, rehearse at 4:30, and I'll probably do that again on Wednesday. Even though it's not the most financially stable job in the world, I am lucky to be able to do it.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Some introspection on shows
This past week has really got me thinking a lot about the band, music, and really just playing shows in general. Being a local band with a small indie label, management and booking are not things that come easily; every contact you make, thought it may be a step in the right direction, seems sometimes to only be one tiny step. Kaleena and I (as well as our label) do a lot of legwork and networking at showcases like SXSW, and I sent out emails like a madman to people of interest. We have been fortunate enough to have just about everyone in the industry who has heard us tell us that they like it, would want a demo, etc, and when we tell them all the accomplishments we've made they seem impressed. But then, usually always comes the "Keep on doing what you're doing, because seems to be working." Now, that's all fine and dandy, and it's a nice little pat on the back to let us know that we're doing something right, but at some point and time that next step is what we'd like to attain, not just keep on doing what we're doing.
The only thing that I've learned so far from the music industry is this: it's all about being in the right place at the right time. If you are, it will only take 30 seconds, if that. That's how we got our overseas tour and our mtv licensing deal. They heard 30 seconds of our demo. Even I thought it was crazy, but it's how it is. And ever since something started happening for us, we view every person, every submission, every business card we hand out as a lottery. It's tough to win the lottery, but the more tickets you have (or in this case given out), the more likely you are to win. I also asked Matt Caws of Nada Surf what his best advice would be to an aspiring band with a small label would be, and his response was simply "Write a great fucking album." So I guess I've learned two things, the lottery thing and the album thing.
The Mother Mother show was a really great one for us not only because it was with one of our favorite bands, but because we actually succeeded in a sense to make it happen for ourselves. Kaleena and I met them all at SXSW (thanks to the wonderful Jason Sanders who we also met at the festival), and had the opportunity to interview them for his documentary on Canadian music. From then I kept in touch with Mother Mother's drummer, Ali, and every once and again would hear from him or send a message.
A couple of weeks ago, my sister noticed that they were playing Cortland, NY, and that by some stroke of fate their opener had dropped out. Immediately I sent an email to the venue, and shot Ali a message as well. The venue didn't respond to me before Ali, and he then gave me their manager's info and he and I sent her an email to make it happen. Sure enough, I heard back from their manager saying the venue would contact us, and bam- we're on the show.
I cannot even express how happy we were to be on the bill, not only because it was them but because we made it happen. The show was absolutely amazing, and all the guys in the band not only greeted us when we walked in but remembered our names (!!) and everything. Being such a small band without much 'manpower' behind it, it is so touching and means so so much to be remembered by musicians a little higher up on the ladder of success. They stayed for our whole set (and by the way, the crowd at this show was amazing for us... thank you so much!), and even mentioned during their set that they met us at sxsw and contacted us about being on the show, and that they were glad we got on. It was seriously a dream come true and a breath of fresh air to be treated that way by other musicians; it seems that even local bands don't give off that much respect to their peers.
On a slightly different note, a few friends of mine called me last minute to let me know of two extra tickets to see The Fray at the New York State Fair. I was at the studio at the time, so I had to run home pretty quick to get out there on time. On the way home, I was talking to my dad about them. We opened for The Fray a few years at the Balloonfest, and they were such amazing and sweet people. Isaac stayed for our whole set (even missing a radio interview to see us), and I broke a string during my set, and David (who was the guitar tech at the time) came to the front of the stage and offered me one of their guitars to use for the rest of it. We were absolutely starstruck; not only because it was a top 40 band that we liked and were sharing a bill with, but because of their kindness and humility... we were freshman in college at the time, we never once expected anything like that.
So anyways, my dad and I were chatting, because Our Lady Peace had to drop off due to a family emergency (hope everything is okay). He said, "It's too bad that you guys couldn't keep in touch with those guys. Maybe something could have worked out with them not having an opener." Which sparked a conversation where first off, I stated "They've played so many shows with so many bands since then, I highly doubt they even remember it," and then stemmed to a band of that level's ability to really keep in touch with smaller acts. At first, perhaps it's possible- we sent a few myspace messages back and forth with David for a short while afterwards, but then major labels kick in, managers kick in, booking agents kick in. Is a wall up from then? And then once you reach a level of success that they are at now, does the wall come back down? You'd think they'd be able to get whatever and whoever they'd like at shows. But if that's the case, is the waiting period before and after the wall is up or down short enough to keep up communication?
Oh, so many questions. And just as many nonanswers. So we went to the show (and had great seats, 25th row-- 3 rows into the incline of the grandstand so we were just above floor level), and sure enough a Syracuse band was the opener. I didn't catch their name and I'm not familiar with them, but it was a pretty awesome opportunity for them. I'm not jealous or envious, because either way it's a great thing for them, and whatever or whoever it is that got them that slot-- well they were in the right place at the right time.
So anyways, The Fray went on and were really quite good. They were about halfway through their set when Isaac stopped and said, "You know, one of the first shows we played out of our homestate was in Upstate New York. I think that was the last time we were here, it was at the Balloonfest 5 years ago. We sucked back then." My jaw just dropped. They remembered the show. My dad had 1 point, I had 0. I don't know why I thought for some reason once you get 'famous' your memory is depleted and shows just become a thing you do every day in a different city every day, but I still must think that the people that are a part of them must just all blur together. Isn't that just how we all are anyway? If you're a cashier at a store, or a movie ticket-taker, or a waitress, will you really truly remember anyone 5 years from now?
So, here I sit. On my couch, fresh from the second day of the fair. I'm full, feel like shit from all those sweet potato fries, and could really use and extra 8 hours of sleep considering I haven't slept all that much from the Mother Mother show Friday night since we got home around 4am. We have an album that we're working on, and it's our prime focus for the next couple of weeks. We all are so confident and passionate about it, that I think once it's out we'll get even more lottery tickets. And that's when we can really start pushing for management and booking, because up until this point we've gotten the interest, but don't have the physical goods to back it up. Soon we will though, and hopefully we can continue to make things change for us. Booking and management is really something that we need to help us get to that 'next level.' As much as I believe bigger labels can do things like that for you, it's teams like that that I really believe make the difference.
I truly believe that if we are ever lucky or blessed enough to attain a level of success that would cause us to be 'that' band for anyone else, we will make sure that they are given the respect and help that bands can give when they are in a position to do so. Similarly, I hope those bands know what it is that they did for us, and how much it really meant to us. It is experiences like the ones we had with Mother Mother, or like we did with The Fray 5 years ago that give bands like us hope, and make us feel like all isn't lost, because at one point and time they were there. The only difference is that at some point in time, they were in that right place.
The only thing that I've learned so far from the music industry is this: it's all about being in the right place at the right time. If you are, it will only take 30 seconds, if that. That's how we got our overseas tour and our mtv licensing deal. They heard 30 seconds of our demo. Even I thought it was crazy, but it's how it is. And ever since something started happening for us, we view every person, every submission, every business card we hand out as a lottery. It's tough to win the lottery, but the more tickets you have (or in this case given out), the more likely you are to win. I also asked Matt Caws of Nada Surf what his best advice would be to an aspiring band with a small label would be, and his response was simply "Write a great fucking album." So I guess I've learned two things, the lottery thing and the album thing.
The Mother Mother show was a really great one for us not only because it was with one of our favorite bands, but because we actually succeeded in a sense to make it happen for ourselves. Kaleena and I met them all at SXSW (thanks to the wonderful Jason Sanders who we also met at the festival), and had the opportunity to interview them for his documentary on Canadian music. From then I kept in touch with Mother Mother's drummer, Ali, and every once and again would hear from him or send a message.
A couple of weeks ago, my sister noticed that they were playing Cortland, NY, and that by some stroke of fate their opener had dropped out. Immediately I sent an email to the venue, and shot Ali a message as well. The venue didn't respond to me before Ali, and he then gave me their manager's info and he and I sent her an email to make it happen. Sure enough, I heard back from their manager saying the venue would contact us, and bam- we're on the show.
I cannot even express how happy we were to be on the bill, not only because it was them but because we made it happen. The show was absolutely amazing, and all the guys in the band not only greeted us when we walked in but remembered our names (!!) and everything. Being such a small band without much 'manpower' behind it, it is so touching and means so so much to be remembered by musicians a little higher up on the ladder of success. They stayed for our whole set (and by the way, the crowd at this show was amazing for us... thank you so much!), and even mentioned during their set that they met us at sxsw and contacted us about being on the show, and that they were glad we got on. It was seriously a dream come true and a breath of fresh air to be treated that way by other musicians; it seems that even local bands don't give off that much respect to their peers.
On a slightly different note, a few friends of mine called me last minute to let me know of two extra tickets to see The Fray at the New York State Fair. I was at the studio at the time, so I had to run home pretty quick to get out there on time. On the way home, I was talking to my dad about them. We opened for The Fray a few years at the Balloonfest, and they were such amazing and sweet people. Isaac stayed for our whole set (even missing a radio interview to see us), and I broke a string during my set, and David (who was the guitar tech at the time) came to the front of the stage and offered me one of their guitars to use for the rest of it. We were absolutely starstruck; not only because it was a top 40 band that we liked and were sharing a bill with, but because of their kindness and humility... we were freshman in college at the time, we never once expected anything like that.
So anyways, my dad and I were chatting, because Our Lady Peace had to drop off due to a family emergency (hope everything is okay). He said, "It's too bad that you guys couldn't keep in touch with those guys. Maybe something could have worked out with them not having an opener." Which sparked a conversation where first off, I stated "They've played so many shows with so many bands since then, I highly doubt they even remember it," and then stemmed to a band of that level's ability to really keep in touch with smaller acts. At first, perhaps it's possible- we sent a few myspace messages back and forth with David for a short while afterwards, but then major labels kick in, managers kick in, booking agents kick in. Is a wall up from then? And then once you reach a level of success that they are at now, does the wall come back down? You'd think they'd be able to get whatever and whoever they'd like at shows. But if that's the case, is the waiting period before and after the wall is up or down short enough to keep up communication?
Oh, so many questions. And just as many nonanswers. So we went to the show (and had great seats, 25th row-- 3 rows into the incline of the grandstand so we were just above floor level), and sure enough a Syracuse band was the opener. I didn't catch their name and I'm not familiar with them, but it was a pretty awesome opportunity for them. I'm not jealous or envious, because either way it's a great thing for them, and whatever or whoever it is that got them that slot-- well they were in the right place at the right time.
So anyways, The Fray went on and were really quite good. They were about halfway through their set when Isaac stopped and said, "You know, one of the first shows we played out of our homestate was in Upstate New York. I think that was the last time we were here, it was at the Balloonfest 5 years ago. We sucked back then." My jaw just dropped. They remembered the show. My dad had 1 point, I had 0. I don't know why I thought for some reason once you get 'famous' your memory is depleted and shows just become a thing you do every day in a different city every day, but I still must think that the people that are a part of them must just all blur together. Isn't that just how we all are anyway? If you're a cashier at a store, or a movie ticket-taker, or a waitress, will you really truly remember anyone 5 years from now?
So, here I sit. On my couch, fresh from the second day of the fair. I'm full, feel like shit from all those sweet potato fries, and could really use and extra 8 hours of sleep considering I haven't slept all that much from the Mother Mother show Friday night since we got home around 4am. We have an album that we're working on, and it's our prime focus for the next couple of weeks. We all are so confident and passionate about it, that I think once it's out we'll get even more lottery tickets. And that's when we can really start pushing for management and booking, because up until this point we've gotten the interest, but don't have the physical goods to back it up. Soon we will though, and hopefully we can continue to make things change for us. Booking and management is really something that we need to help us get to that 'next level.' As much as I believe bigger labels can do things like that for you, it's teams like that that I really believe make the difference.
I truly believe that if we are ever lucky or blessed enough to attain a level of success that would cause us to be 'that' band for anyone else, we will make sure that they are given the respect and help that bands can give when they are in a position to do so. Similarly, I hope those bands know what it is that they did for us, and how much it really meant to us. It is experiences like the ones we had with Mother Mother, or like we did with The Fray 5 years ago that give bands like us hope, and make us feel like all isn't lost, because at one point and time they were there. The only difference is that at some point in time, they were in that right place.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Relaxing weekend before a long week
I started pruning Christmas Trees out in Pompey this week with my sister, which is a really physically demanding job (though not so much as unloading trucks), but the sun really drains you out there! It's pretty relaxing just spending the day in an open field, listening to my ipod, breathing in the pine and enjoying summer breezes. The downside? Like I said, the heat, having sunburns in and on the back of your ears, the bugs, and the snakes (yep... snakes). But it's been great having a temporary job for the next couple of weeks, and so you really won't hear this girl complaining! :)
I went out to Rochester for the weekend to see the boyfriend (it's been 2 weeks since I've seen him!), and had a really great time. We went out to dinner with his family on Friday night, and on Saturday our friend and my other blogmate Casey came out and we went shopping, got some ice cream, and sat in a park, and grabbed some yummy mexican food before going to our friends' (Dasha) show at a coffee shop. It was a lot of fun to see a bunch of friends, even if the show started like 3 hours later than it was supposed to.
Today I met up with my friend Annie for some coffee at this amazing little coffee shop in Rochester (Starry Nites Cafe). This summer has really been good to me in regards to getting to know a few new people, even though it seems I rarely have time to really hang out (I'm trying to get better at that! But alas, my schedule is so difficult to plan things, even with the boy). After that I headed home and got really productive, doing some work for LaTresse so that I didn't have to cram it into this week, practicing, and getting a few odds and ends wrapped up.
This weeks is going to be NUTS. But I'm hoping it'll all go well, and will end up being far less stressful as it seems. We'll be working Mon-Thurs 8:30-2:30 at the tree farm, then having rehearsal 4:30-8ish or so. This week is starting our hardcore practice regiment, and then on Friday I have a meeting in the morning and then we have our Mother Mother show in Cortland that we are soooo so pumped for. My aunts and uncle from Long Island are also coming up this weekend to go to the show and the fair, and I'm really excited about seeing them. The only downside to this weekend is that my really good friend Paige who moved out to Maryland will be home (in Rochester) for the weekend, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to swing it :( We shall see!!
In the meantime I'm keeping things positive. It's going to be great getting a paycheck, and the show is going to be awesome.
I went out to Rochester for the weekend to see the boyfriend (it's been 2 weeks since I've seen him!), and had a really great time. We went out to dinner with his family on Friday night, and on Saturday our friend and my other blogmate Casey came out and we went shopping, got some ice cream, and sat in a park, and grabbed some yummy mexican food before going to our friends' (Dasha) show at a coffee shop. It was a lot of fun to see a bunch of friends, even if the show started like 3 hours later than it was supposed to.
Today I met up with my friend Annie for some coffee at this amazing little coffee shop in Rochester (Starry Nites Cafe). This summer has really been good to me in regards to getting to know a few new people, even though it seems I rarely have time to really hang out (I'm trying to get better at that! But alas, my schedule is so difficult to plan things, even with the boy). After that I headed home and got really productive, doing some work for LaTresse so that I didn't have to cram it into this week, practicing, and getting a few odds and ends wrapped up.
This weeks is going to be NUTS. But I'm hoping it'll all go well, and will end up being far less stressful as it seems. We'll be working Mon-Thurs 8:30-2:30 at the tree farm, then having rehearsal 4:30-8ish or so. This week is starting our hardcore practice regiment, and then on Friday I have a meeting in the morning and then we have our Mother Mother show in Cortland that we are soooo so pumped for. My aunts and uncle from Long Island are also coming up this weekend to go to the show and the fair, and I'm really excited about seeing them. The only downside to this weekend is that my really good friend Paige who moved out to Maryland will be home (in Rochester) for the weekend, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to swing it :( We shall see!!
In the meantime I'm keeping things positive. It's going to be great getting a paycheck, and the show is going to be awesome.
Monday, August 17, 2009
My stay at Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch, Germany
The nicest place I've ever stayed would have to have been the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch, Germany.
We were on tour in Germany this past summer, and luckily enough for us we had not only a show here but a day off as well. It's in this amazing little town, and the location of the resort is right at the base of an Alp. There were gorgeous coffee shops and chocolate shops lining cobblestone streets, and we rented bicycles to drive through the town and through some farmland by the mountains. It was absolutely stunning. The rooms were spotless, roomy, and every morning the sun crept through the windows to such a breathtaking view that you had to pinch yourself. Living in Upstate New York, you don't see huge snowcap mountains very often in your backyard :)
Friday, August 7, 2009
Tour Postponed, keeping busy
I feel as though I go in spurts of being good at updating this thing, and then... not. I guess I've fallen into a bit of busy-ness that is keeping in me on my toes and away from the computer screen when it is that I can be.
What's been going on:
-Tour got postponed 30 days due to visa and other issues out of our control. Although a lot of people were bummed, I'm looking at this like everything happens for a reason and with the delay we can focus our efforts on finishing up our album and getting more prepared for everything ahead of us. We've been in the studio for a couple of days finishing the tracks we have drums for already and when E gets here next week we plan on having her record as much as she can so that we can get this thing finished already!
-Promo/cd photo shoot is coming up this week. So excited, but soo much planning. I need to get myself over to Home Depot to start buying supplies. And I wish that all the new clothes I ordered for the shoot would get to my house, I never even received a confirmation email or receipt, but they deducted the cash from my account... ugh. Get here.
-I feel as though I could write a book (very similar to the one I just finished reading called "A Working Stiff's Manifesto") on all the real random jobs I've taken since trying to become a full-time musician. In addition to mascot for health fairs (yep, I've been in a costume), maintenance worker, Christmas tree decorator, garden center employee, graphic designer, landscaper, and construction runner, I have also just been employed on a short stint as a house cleaner, pottery assistant, and I start my work as a Christmas tree pruner next week. I feel as though all these jobs are making me a lot stronger both physically and mentally, and whenever it is that I get a 'real' 40 hour a week or 'real' paying job, I'm going to be floored at how much money will be coming in. I've been used to not spending money from these jobs, I can't even imagine how easy saving money will be when money starts rolling in.
And a lot of other stuff. I did go and visit my old pottery teacher (who I'm helping get ready for the big Caz pottery fair) today, and she gave me a lot of inspiration to get back into art, and so I picked back up on one of my paintings and am feeling great about it. I also got a lot of latresse work done and so yesterday she gave me a haircut, color, and lowlights as a barter for some of the work! I'm trying desperately to see the good in everything, and I figure that things can only be so hard for so long... it's about time that things come around, and I think now that we can focus on all of this it will.
Today's plan is to help out Millie at the pottery shop from 10 until whenever she doesn't need me or until 4 when I run over to La Tresse and get her some of the design files. Michael is heading up tonight and we're going to go and see (500) days of summer this evening. I've been looking forward to seeing this movie for a long time :)
What's been going on:
-Tour got postponed 30 days due to visa and other issues out of our control. Although a lot of people were bummed, I'm looking at this like everything happens for a reason and with the delay we can focus our efforts on finishing up our album and getting more prepared for everything ahead of us. We've been in the studio for a couple of days finishing the tracks we have drums for already and when E gets here next week we plan on having her record as much as she can so that we can get this thing finished already!
-Promo/cd photo shoot is coming up this week. So excited, but soo much planning. I need to get myself over to Home Depot to start buying supplies. And I wish that all the new clothes I ordered for the shoot would get to my house, I never even received a confirmation email or receipt, but they deducted the cash from my account... ugh. Get here.
-I feel as though I could write a book (very similar to the one I just finished reading called "A Working Stiff's Manifesto") on all the real random jobs I've taken since trying to become a full-time musician. In addition to mascot for health fairs (yep, I've been in a costume), maintenance worker, Christmas tree decorator, garden center employee, graphic designer, landscaper, and construction runner, I have also just been employed on a short stint as a house cleaner, pottery assistant, and I start my work as a Christmas tree pruner next week. I feel as though all these jobs are making me a lot stronger both physically and mentally, and whenever it is that I get a 'real' 40 hour a week or 'real' paying job, I'm going to be floored at how much money will be coming in. I've been used to not spending money from these jobs, I can't even imagine how easy saving money will be when money starts rolling in.
And a lot of other stuff. I did go and visit my old pottery teacher (who I'm helping get ready for the big Caz pottery fair) today, and she gave me a lot of inspiration to get back into art, and so I picked back up on one of my paintings and am feeling great about it. I also got a lot of latresse work done and so yesterday she gave me a haircut, color, and lowlights as a barter for some of the work! I'm trying desperately to see the good in everything, and I figure that things can only be so hard for so long... it's about time that things come around, and I think now that we can focus on all of this it will.
Today's plan is to help out Millie at the pottery shop from 10 until whenever she doesn't need me or until 4 when I run over to La Tresse and get her some of the design files. Michael is heading up tonight and we're going to go and see (500) days of summer this evening. I've been looking forward to seeing this movie for a long time :)
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