POETRY POST-MORTEM
photo by: Stefan – SF Intercom
article by: Samantha Rubenstein
The other night I read my poetry in front of a large group of people at a bar called Amnesia. It was just as scary as I thought it would be. There was no, “now I’m on-stage and I suddenly turn into a great performer.”
It was trying not to let the audience know my knees were shaking, and they were, but just a little bit. However, facing a fear is always like that. The cool doesn’t arrive if it’s not already there. What’s left is an enormous smile and it didn’t leave my face until I went to bed.
Still, while triumphant, I know there were some things I could’ve done better, so here a my learnings from last evening, both experienced and observed – maybe they can benefit any future poet/performers out there:
1) Do not wear four inch heels if you are not familiar with the venue. If you do, you will need someone to hold your hand when you walk down the stairs located at the front of the stage. This is a little bit humiliating, so treacherous footwear is better left at home.
2) Do not force funny. Funny is a gift and we all don’t have it. Like most gifts it will come to you naturally, or leave you out in the cold if you try to recreate it. Second-hand embarrassment is the worst – don’t make your audience feel that for you.
3) Do not apologize for your work before you share it. Disclaimers make people doubt you before you’ve given them a reason to.
4) Do not get distracted by your audience. They may shout-out, “yea baby” when you say the word panties or talk the whole time you’re reading. This is rude but there’s nothing you can do about – unless you are a comedian.
5) Do not assume everyone can see how nervous you are. If they do, then they probably won’t tell you, unless they’re an asshole, which makes them not matter. Acknowledge your feelings and push them aside. A stage is a powerful platform – own it.
For future music and poetry events please check out Amnesia’s calendar: Amnesia 863 Valencia St.
PLAYING TO YOUR AUDIENCE
- This sorority would’ve liked Wes Leslie and Jhameel better if we just played Taylor Swift covers.
photo and review by: Wes Leslie
This is such a simple idea, but one that a lot of bands overlook. In the music business (and you need to realize that there’s a business component involved with your music), not all fans are created equal.
That is, you might win over one crowd, and get totally ignored during your show the next week. How does that happen? The crowd and your performance, probably. Here’s the simple idea: play to your audience. Figure out what kind of bands are also playing with you, and what their fans will be like. Then, cater to that crowd. While you can’t pretend to be a metal band one day and jazz fusion the next, you can favor your set with your “heavier” stuff if that’s what the crowd’ll be into, or throw in a few extra slow jams if that’s the scene.
Lyrical content is another thing to consider. F-bombs will fly easier in a sweaty club than they will at the city fundraiser. Perhaps you’ll want to go easy on the Obama-loving political statements if you’re opening a show in Orange County.
In short, you can’t be everything to everybody. Some crowds, as I have discovered, are impossible to win over. But, by being aware of your audience and your music, you can tailor your existing set to the crowd, and increase the chances of winning ‘em over.
OPENING NIGHT PARTY with Har Mar
photo and review by: Stefan – SF Intercom
I didn’t like this campaign to start with… Now I hate it! AND… I’ll think of it every time something bad happens! Diesel might be my new “munson.” (Kingpin Joke)
Noise pop sponsored a happy hour event at Benders with Har Mar. Awesome! Catch… You must have a Diesel shirt… Calendar say’s “click for details.” CLICK…. nothing happens! (stupid) A week passes, I go to a volunteer meeting for noise pop… I’m issued my Diesel shirt…. (Cool for me!) Not so cool for my friends!!!
I was hyped for the show! Then double hyped when I found out drinks were free with the shirt! Then triple pissed when I raced there after work… showed my shirt and I.D. at door… get in line… and the person in front of me got the last free drink!!! (It was time sensitive?) F$@%K
ADVICE TO NOISE POP
1. Communicate
All that is good must run out eventually…. but knowing will lessen the frustration.
2. Communicate
Let people know where to get deisel shirts and how to get on the list! I saw people that wanted to get in that couldn’t… bad promo!
ADVICE TO DIESEL
1. BE SMART
How is promoting stupidity a good idea? Now your brand is synonymous with dumb.
(I also relate everything that was dumb at this event back to you!)
ATTENTION ALL SF BANDS!!
photo by: Whole Earth Festival
article by: Cristina Trujillo
Submit your press kits (ASAP) to perform at this year’s Whole Earth Festival in the City of Davis!
WEF attracts 1000’s each year and it’s known as the closest thing to Woodstock. Be part of the magic and fun as you entertain a mix of large crowds craving for raw musical talent. This eco-friendly – peaceful – tree hugging – Mary Jane friendly – hipster type of event could only get better with the performance of SF Bands!
You only have until the end of February to submit your applications! Submissions will not be considered after March 5th. So the sooner you get yours in the higher your chances are at getting selected.
Click on the link below for more info:
http://wef.ucdavis.edu/content/view/28/56/
NOISE POP – ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
photo & review by: Stefan – SF Intercom
The Academy of Science is 400,000 square foot structure that houses an aquarium, a planetarium a natural history museum and… Indie Bands?! (all under one roof?!)
Last night Noise pop held their kick off party at the Academy of Science. The California Academy of Science is breath takingly amazing! My mouth was on the floor… so much to see… so many scientist, so many tables!!! A lot of the scientist had set up mini displays to talk about what they were currently working on.
(It felt like sample day at Costco.)
Downstairs the aquarium was packed with people admiring fish. One of the fish was straight out of Tim Burtons, “Big Fish.” For those of you not too squimish to touch things… there was a touch tank with star fish and sea anemones.
That was awesome… but while everybody was downstairs watching really cool fish…
Who was dancing with the dj?
nobody!!!
Thus follows…
ADVICE FOR NOISE POP:
1. Kick off parties need to be for fans, bands and industry professionals.
Playing alternative venues is important… playing venues where the band is upstaged… NOT GOOD!
2. Pick bands that appropriate for the location.
Academy of science has live animals… Some music is loud enough to kills small animals. The officials at The Academy of Science were walking around with a decibel meter. Eventually all the bands were told they were too loud and needed to turn down the volume. That’s not very INDIE!
ADVICE FOR BROOKHAVEN:
Brookhaven is a band that blends together melodic interwining guitar with smashing drums. It’s the kind of music that keeps your ears entertained but your eyes get bored. I think the official term for this is shoegaze. Thus I have important advice for Brookhaven to keep their fans entertained.
1. Create your stage.
Random chairs, benches, bags, poles and such don’t belong on your stage, they distract the audience and make getting a good photo extremely complicated!
2. Dress the part.
How you dress is important… Last night you didn’t dress like you cared. You missed a major opportunity to match your scenery… or at least look like focused musicians.
COMPLIMENTS TO THE FRAIL:
1. Dressed the part.
Daniel Lannon was on vocals, while Kevin Xiusho was on the computer. They couldn’t bring the entire band based on noise ordinance… But they still looked good. (and sounded good)
2. Engaged the crowd.
Daniel defined his stage… then broke right out into the crowd. If you were looking at the birds a second ago… now your eyes were on him.
3. Sweaty Shirt
I think Jay from Music for Animals said it best, “it isn’t worth doing unless you sweat.”
STAY TUNED FOR MORE FROM NOISE POP!
NO CD NEEDED
photo by: Boy in The Bubble
review by: Stefan – SF Intercom
Do CDs have a future? What is the record industry going to look like in the coming years? Can you still make money selling CDs? What is the next big trend?
I don’t know the answer to any of these questions. If you do… tell me! I’ll make us rich! We’ll split it 50/50. Ok 40/60…. FINE! FINE! My last offer… 30/70
Many are attempting to find solutions to the high cost of cd production. There are no right answers yet, but today I recieved a letter from Joshua in Boy in The Bubble. It sounded like a cool idea, so I decided to share it with you.
“I thought that, as a designer, you’d be interested in our record, which we’re launching this Friday at Bottom of the Hill. The release package is a 5×7 book with download codes – we’re trying to get away from CDs. Also, we’re selling all kinds of tchotchkes, kaleidoscopes, old records; all with download codes attached. The idea is there’s no reason the music content needs to be attached to a CD. We can sell anything with a download code on it. So it gets to be a good chance for us to be crafty.”
I celebrate their creativity… and you can too!
Check out their web site… and their next show.
You’ll notice they have their entire press kit available online! Do you?
NOISE POP SCHEDULE – STEFAN
Photo by: Noise Pop
Article by: Stefan Aronsen
Noise Pop 2010 is suddenly upon us. I’m super thrilled… but at the same time find myself with a lot less money than I had last year. Thus… listed are the shows I recommend… keeping in mind you and I are both on a budget.
“The Noise Pop Festival returns Tuesday, February 23rd through Monday, March 1st, 2010 showcasing the best local music alongside national and international indie rock favorites. For our the 18th anniversary, Noise Pop 2010 will honor what’s made it the best-loved celebration of indie music and culture since its humble birth in 1993.” NOISE POP
My advise to you:
- Don’t buy the badge, it doesn’t guarantee you entrance to shows.
- Go to all the happy hours at Benders
(They’re free, have local bands, and Benders is cool!) - Go to the pre party, it’s great for networking, great for drinking, and fun!
- You’re on your own for Friday… to many good bands!
(I limited some) - Industry Noise is too expensive for struggling bands… but very helpful!!!
(Watch for me… I’ll be there!) - Saturday is also hard! I’m a groupie of Music for Animals
yet… Maus Haus with Sugar & Gold (it’s going to be big!) - Sunday you can see 2 shows! A Dizzy afternoon and a Sharpe evening!
This is my advice… I spent my lunch money on Industry Noise! So I’ll starve till then… but I hope it helps! Also if your band is playing and you want SF Intercom there… Let us know!!! We attend all shows that we are guest listed to.
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Noise Pop happens every year. The focus is on Indie music… At times I get frustrated at how unorganized Noise Pop is… however… I can’t help but love their passion for music!!! I want to yell at them for their stupid badges and I want to praise them for supporting local music. (I do hope to collaborate with them some day, but first I’d have to vent about my frustrations as a fan.)
ANXIETY
Photo by: Stefan Aronsen
Article by: Stefan Aronsen
In life… there are a lot of things you can control. Anxiety is not one of them. I started this article feeling a little deflated and overwhelmed… Then realized there is a lesson in it.
I’ve spent my life specializing in graphic design. I take a lot of pride in the education I’ve received. Undergraduate was easy! I coasted through that degree. (everyday was happy hour) Then I started grad-school. Nobody warned me! I had no idea the amount of stress and anxiety I had signed up for. They really need counselors in grad school. Real live psychology counselors!
I finished grad school… I thought the anxiety would dissipate as i separated myself from school. At first it did. I ran away to Portland, then New York, followed by a stint in Boston. When I came back to SF real life kicked in. I panicked. Oh $ht. I need a job. I have to pay for rent.
And then a whole new anxiety set in.
I don’t know about you… But I find anxiety to be very debilitating.
When it sets in… I feel un-able to do all the things I need to do… in order to not feel it anymore.
(Viscous circle!)
I have no idea how country singers write songs sad songs.
Doesn’t depression have the same result?
Well… This is my Advice for those that are overwhelmed, depressed or anxious:
- Don’t be proud, ask for help.
- Find a friend or family member that is good at giving hugs.
(You’re going to need a ton of these.) - Find a friend or family member that is good a kicking you in the ass.
(You’re going to need a ton of this!) - Then when you asked for help, got a hug, got a kick in the ass….
Go for a walk, run, or bike ride, you need to exert some energy.
(Somebody told me that most brilliant thinkers go for walks when they’re stumped.) - Now when you come back… Make a list of what you need to accomplish.
- List the supplies you need to accomplish it.
- Set due dates.
- THEN DO IT… No more excuses!!! You gotta get $ht done…
If none of this works… Seek counseling!!! (I’m serious)
SHOULD YOUR BAND BECOME AN LLC?
drawing by: Casey Koerner
article by: Kendal Dix
I recently had a guitarist come to me and ask if it made sense to form an LLC in the name of his band.
A much too short and oversimplified answer is that it depends on how much money you’re making. If it’s a lot and you’re paying taxes on that revenue, then it’s probably worth it. If you’re like most musicians and you don’t have two nickels to rub together, then it might not be worth the cost.
For those who don’t know, L.L.C. is short for limited liability company. As the “company” implies, a business entity like a corporation that is registered with the state, and as the “limited liability” implies, it means that the members of the company can’t be sued as individuals.
So let’s say your lighting guy was stoned when he set up and the club catches on fire during a gig and 100 people suffer a painful and agonizing death. The bereaved family members can sue the shit out of your band’s company but they won’t be able to get at your personal car or the money in your checking account (assuming you have any in there).
Forming an LLC also means that it will be easier to write off your band’s expenses as business expenses. Assuming you already were paying taxes on your band earnings, you can now claim guitar strings, liability insurance and the band’s van as business expenses to reduce your tax liability.
To register an LLC, you must submit an operating agreement. This agreement will set out how the company will be run. This could be your opportunity to square away those little details you’ve been avoiding talking about like how you’re going to split up the profits and/or publishing rights and what the procedure is when you want to send the talent-less lead singer out to pasture. Spelling this all out on paper now will avoid potentially monumental conflict down the road.
I’ve also heard that maintaining an LLC shows that you’ve got your shit together if that makes a difference to anyone who is concerned about your professionalism. Personally, I don’t really see it making that much of a difference, but who knows?
Sounds great, right? The catch, of course, is that forming an LLC costs money and the company has to pay at least 800 dollars in taxes every year, regardless of how much money you actually made. So unless you are making some pretty good money at playing music, it might not be worth the hassle and paperwork.
An LLC also leaves a pretty sizable paper trail. There are a lot of forms to fill out and you (or your attorney) have to keep up with the annual filings and tax returns. If you’ve been getting paid in cash and your go-to slimy club owner wants to keep it that way because he’s been telling the IRS that Friday night is open mic night, then maybe it would behoove both of you to keep things just the way they are.
Generally it takes a lawyer to do this stuff and they generally want to get paid for their work, but who knows? Maybe a lawyer who is interested in music would do it in exchange for an opportunity to represent you down the road when you hit the big time or just getting to drink on the band’s tab at your next show.
Any questions? Email me at kndix (at) hotmail (dot) com
EVERY MONDAY NIGHT
Photo & Article by: Stefan Aronsen
Monday night is not the best night for social in the mission. In my opinion there is only one place to go: Amnesia for Bluegrass. Well that is all changing.
Last night I was walking from Gestalt towards Amnesia. I was with my friend TJ, we were starving and most places besides pizza were closed. Thus we decided to stop at NY Buffalo Wings on Valencia. (It’s always empty, but they have an amazing Jalepeno Burger!)
However… As I turned the corner from 16th onto Valencia… I was greeted by a familiar sound. Blondies had their window open and a sound that made me want to dance was streaming from their stage. I turned to TJ:
“Who is this? (TJ shrugged) I recognize this! Is this a cover song? Why do I know this song?”
And then I saw Jay from Music for Animals… and it clicked! “FRANKIE BOOTS!”
It’s not often that I get to see Frankie Boots. He only graces SF with his presence on occasion. I guess it makes sense… He does live 45 min away in Sonoma County. (but it’s really weak! Come here more often dude!)
So for this post I want to give you survival advice “Frankie Boots Style.”
- Frankie Boots remembers names!
We’ve only met once in person, but he gave me a shot out from stage. - Frankie Boots has free cd’s on stage.
- Frankie Boots gave me a free cd when he met me.
(This is key, if i hadn’t listened to his cd so many times… I wouldn’t have walked into his show and I wouldn’t have written this post. Now he’s going to be famous! HA!) (Because of this post!) - Frankie Boots doesn’t wear his boots in the rain… It will wreck his freshly conditioned leather.
- Frankie Boots is passionate about music.
Now my advice to Frankie Boots.
- Meet more bands in SF.
- Play more shows in SF.
In other news.
This Monday was a trial run of an event that is going to happen every Monday night.
- Good advice about this… If you’re consistent people will come and your fan base will grow!
Ran by Jay from Music for Animals
@ BLONDIES BAR
540 Valencia St.
Live musician showcase featuring some really cool SF local talent.
NO COVER, starts at 9:00pm
(LINK)
(don’t worry! I got the jalapeno burger after Frankie Boots’ show!)
DEAR pink house rEcords
Photo & Article by: Stefan Aronsen
DEAR pink house rEcords,
It is with great excitement that I have discovered your 20 track cd. One does not generally find such listening pleasure on a rack designed for visual pleasures.
Sincerely,
Stefan
I spend a lot of time at Atlas Cafe, my art studio is barely a rock throws distance away. (I’m really strong! I can throw rocks a long way!) (I grew up on a farm.) (No really… I did!) If you go to Atlas… I recommend the grilled cheese with pepper jack and cheddar no cilantro. (I think I’m allergic to cilantro) (I also recommend a salt bagel with butter, peanut butter and jelly.) They also have a lot of magazines that make for a really nice inspirational read. However, today I didn’t discover a magazine, instead I found a free cd.
I am a big fan of free things, I am even more a fan of free music. So when I found a free cd where I usually find magazines… I felt like a kid in a candy store. I took the cd back to my table and peeled off the wrapper. I didn’t find a golden ticket, but I did find an old show flyer a cd and a letter. I read the letter:
Hi! my name’s dannie. My beloved wife sofia (stanzamaphone) & I write songs for these projects. We are obsessed with schizo-lullaby-junkyard avant-garde-noise folk type sounds & the like. Here is a sample of what we do in our big pink house. We’d ♥ 2 hear your recordings, or if you like 2 share anything at all, write us!
myspace.com/littleteethmusic or littleteethmusic@gmail.com
I put the cd in my computer the second I got back to my studio. It really did have 20 full length songs by lots of different bands. (Little Teeth, Kitchen, Dannie Murrie) It supplied 1 hour and 20 minutes of listening pleasure. In fact, at the time of listening, I had two friends over that also enjoyed the new sounds. So I must again thank you… and thank you from them.
SOME ADVICE:
1a. Good job on getting your music into the hands of potential fans. Double props for giving information about the project and promoting how they can see one of the bands shows.
1b. Some advice… make sure you’re placing the cd at cafes far in advance of the show. Don’t place too many cds or the information will expire.
2a. Listing all of the projects you’re working on shows the diversity of your skills and the number of projects you have going.
2b. However, next time… you should simplify the information. If you make the reader work to get the info they won’t read it. Some advice… establish what is most important, and make the flyer simple. For example:
pink house rEcords presents
20 songs written by
Dannie and Sophia
(list songs)
www.myspace.com/thepinkhouselive
info@thepinkhouse.com
2c. At this point I have to admit all I see is a bunch of scribbles at the top of the page, a mega list of songs and bands, and a life biography. It’s OVERWHELMING!
3a. You are complicating information by presenting a project called “pink house rEcords” and putting e-mail and web addresses for myspace.com/littleteethmusic and littleteethmusic@gmail.com
4a. The cd was nicely labeled, the information was presented in a simple clear manner.
4b. The problem is that it doesn’t have contact info.
If I lose the piece of paper I no longer know how to contact you.
5a. In that same vein, if I lose the piece of paper I also have no idea which bands are on the cd. Next time burn a data disc so that you can preserve the band names. Please don’t make me manually type each one in to itunes.
5b. Another reason you should include artist name and song title on the tracks is for the slim chance that a record label grabs the cd… throws away the packaging… puts the cd in his player… falls in love with a track… wants to pay you a billion dollars to license it…. BUT DOESN’T KNOW WHO SANG IT!!! (bye bye a billion dollars)
Hope this helps!
Keep up the great guerrilla Marketing!
Polaroid: Foxtails Brigade
article and photo by: Ian Tuttle
Makeout Room / January 17, 2010
Laura Weinbach smashes out of her music box with a guitar as big as her torso.
She’s dressed like snow white’s sister.
She sings spritely vocals, shouts the lyrics with beer-hall cheer.
She sings a sweepy, breezy, syrupy lullaby while she hides a shiv behind her skirt.
Jen Grady works the cello like it’s a DaVinci flying machine.
The effort turns to beauty through the magic of mathematics.
Anton Patzner picks a percussive violin. There are staccato vocals. There is melodic singing over harmonic cello and violin and it all melts like a contraption made of wax. The songs are rigid then they melt. There is metal framework and then there is a cloth sail.
“This is about a doll that comes to life. And it’s very romantic. So listen up.” Says Laura.
Her childhood is “Steak and Cookies.” The music is all of that at once.
It is buttery and sweet, and it is also meaty, flecked with iron.
Foxtails Brigade Website.
CRITICISM AND ADVICE
Photo Courtesy of: Josh Draluck
Article by: Robert – Body or Brain
One of my favorite things in the world is meeting new people. In playing a band, I meet people, and connect with people very often. Hand shakes, hugs, and high fives are always flowing around. One thing I also enjoy, if not more than the previously listed, is advice.
I like to keep my ears open. Advice is such a blessing (or at least a good portion of it.) Immediate feedback from the audience you play for. I can’t count how many times peoples suggestions have ended up benefiting me. Anything from “hey, you should use more treble in your amp” to “have you tried plucking the strings this way?”
Now, there is definitely some terrible advice out there. I have gotten a share of bad words, “you should stop wasting your time with your band” but this is also from a more malicious standing, rather than a genuine “helpful” intention. What I want to focus on is good advice. Words that are meant to be helpful, thoughtful, and nice.
One thing that the band and I adhere to is a goal system. We like to set goals, and achieve them. Now, we of course want to make a living and tour the world as musicians but that is a big goal. We stick to a strong system of small goals. Be it “have x amount of shows booked at all times” to “sell 40 cd’s a month” we like to set a series of small goals. This, we feel, helps us achieve things faster, and more efficiently. We can focus on small things, knock them out with haste, and move on.
I think, as a band, this is one of the most important things we’ve ever done (besides getting along.) This is something i would suggest to everyone who is in a band, or just a solo musician. Set yourself a set of small goals, and do them. Once you have finished that set, craft a new set and continue.
It is such a simple concept. I really hope that it benefits you and your music for many years to come. Another thing that is a huge help is to always have an open mind. Open your mind to new ideas, new sounds, new concepts.
When I was approached to be a a contributor to SF intercom by Stefan, I have to admit that I was apprehensive. I have never really had a knack at writing, but Stefan was very insistent, and I said yes. I must say that writing this alone has really opened my eyes. Though it has taken more time to write than id like to admit, this has been a huge learning experience and has been highly entertaining to me.
Before I finish this off, I want to leave you with a quote. I heard this quote today and it really spoke to me. I experienced such a strong emotion towards it, and it spoke to me. If you would like to watch the video this quote is said in, it is on Youtube.com under “Break It Down: Ray Manzarek” He is rather well spoken and this interview really opened up my mind. The quote is as follows:
“You have to be open to the energy. If you can open your heart to the energy, that great love energy of the creation of this entire universe, good things will happen to you but you’ve got to believe. You’ve got to believe in the goodness. You have to open your heart to the energy, you can’t be afraid.” – Ray Manzarek, The Doors
Thank you again for reading this, and I look forward to writing more and more, soon.
HOW TO SURVIVE NY, SF STYLE
Photo & Article by: Stefan Aronsen
I’m sort of addicted to Facebook, ok… really addicted! I may or may not be on it every day! However I’m not so nerdy that I have more friends on Facebook than I have in real life and I don’t use Facebook as my Friday night social. (ok, I did my last semester of grad-school.) Anyway, before leaving for NY, I blasted FB with my status:
Stefan Aronsen
Arriving in NY on Thursday at 10:00pm. Taking NYAS Shuttle to Grand Central Station. Arriving at Grand Central Station at 11:00pm, on the dance floor by 11:30pm.
January 6 at 2:35pm
Tyler Cornfield
Whatcha doing in NY?
January 6 at 2:37pm
Stefan Aronsen
Whole lotta nothing! No job, No school, All play!
January 6 at 2:38pm
Tyler Cornfield
Haha, that’s the way to do it. I’ll be there the 9-16. You gotta come to my show on the 10th!
January 6 at 2:39pm
Jhameel, also known as Sam and Wes Leslie who you might know as Tyler went to NY to play. They didn’t go alone, they brought their tools of the trade, Tyler on banjo and Sam on guitar. Cus on top of playing they were planing on”PLAYING.”
and so I did… see them that is!
I not only saw there show, but when Tyler said: “we’re here till Saturday, who want’s us to play their house,” I looked at my friend Meagan with “Can we eyes,” and she looked back with “F-YEAH Eyes,” and they played her house.
So it took all that to get to my point. Tyler and Sam played a bar, then played a house, and when the dust settled they left NY with at least 15 new fans.
1. Survival tip done well, PLAY ALTERNATIVE SHOWS: Props to Tyler and Sam for booking a show in NY, double props for taking the initiative to play a house party as well. First you made fans at the bar, then you made friends at the party. (and friends last longer than fans.)
2. Jhameel & Wes Leslie are two separate projects brought together to play each others songs. I would like to advocate that they do it more often. The pairing is vital on many levels. First the commercial argument, venues don’t book bands that have played locally recently. However they don’t care where and when your side projects have played. Second reason is more aesthetic, Jhameel and Wes Leslie is a dynamic that sparks! Jhameel (Sam) brings the delicate soft style, while Wes Leslie (tyler) introduces the rougher folky/nerd. I’ve had your songs stuck in my head for days now… let me tell you… I might cry if you don’t play another show together.
(I wrote this at 3am, I might update it tomorrow.)
Polaroid: DEVOTIONALS
Article & Photo by Ian Tuttle.
Makeout Room / January 17, 2010
Devotionals opens with a lone guitarist, Tyson Vogel, sitting with feet curled one on top of the other, guitar cradled in his lap, glass of whisky by his feet. Untrimmed strings sway from the neck of his acoustic guitar.
The music begins. Rich arpeggiated chords, simple, then building. Sounds like hopeful folk music with momentum, an urge. Anton Patzner joins in on violin, the strings make eerie sounds like breeze turning to gale over the mouths of empty bottles. It’s motion, elemental motion. A cold front pushing over plate tectonics.
The Blair brothers occasionally accompany with drums (played with felt mallets or brushes), and cello (bowed).
There is one song dedicated to the Foxtails Brigade: Lonesome Town.
There is one song-title Tyson chuckles over, either self-conscious of its verbose gimmickry or proud of its multiple entendres; it’s impossible to say.
TONE, PART ONE
A Musician's Arsenal
Article by Ian Stahl
Photo courtesy of Steve Jennings for Mix Magazine.
The first of a three part series on how to use your gear and your hands to do that ever-elusive thing that all musicians crave: SOUND GOOD.
I was at a local show recently featuring some young up-and-coming bands. Being the geeky musician that I am, I took note of the gear that was being used. Also due to my nature as a musician, I smugly listened with an overly critical ear and formed an opinion, which I will now unabashedly share with you, as it is better than your opinion.
Tone – the quality of sound you produce – is nearly as important to your success as a band or musician as is your songwriting and stage presence. Bands and musicians whose music stands the test of time have an immediately identifiable sonic quality. Beyond the notes they’re playing, something about the way they sound sets them apart from other musicians.
How do we get good tone and sound unique? I came across an answer to this question in a 1960 edition of the Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method, vol. 1:
“TIMBRE [or tone] depends on the skill of the performer plus the quality of instrument on which he [or she] is playing”
There we go! We have an answer on how to get good tone. It looks like there are two parts to this answer: 1) skill and 2) quality of instrument or gear. I’ll discuss these two aspects of sounding good in following posts.
A PIECE OF SF IN NY
Photo & Article by: Stefan Aronsen
The drinks in NY are too expensive, the girls in NY don’t smile back, casual conversations don’t work and cave men seem to get all the play. Then just when I was starting to give up on NY… I found Williamsburg!
I have never described myself as a hipster. I have plenty of friends who are… and I could point you to a billion guys with jeans tighter than mine… However… try spending a weekend in Murry Hill with tight jeans, leather jacket, side burns and an unshaven face. It doesn’t work! It took 1 second at Jimmy’s Diner in Williamsburg to realize I had found my people.
It took a lot of effort to not run up to one of my fellow hipsters and hug them. It took this extreme situation to help me realize I may be a little bit hipster. (a little)
Jimmy’s was just a detour from my original intent. I was heading to Pete’s Candy Shop to see Jay Baker and Revolution Church. Jay didn’t speak but Vince lead in his place. It was an amazing service. Following church I was greeted with pleasant surprise after pleasant surprise after… pleasant surprise.
1. Vince is in a Band… and he plays piano every Sunday at the Manhattan Inn… his band plays every Monday at Union Pool. A survival tip from Steve, “success is in being a band that relys on live shows. Also booking regular shows is a great way to see success.”
2. Pete’s has open mic. After hearing 3 or 4 ok guitarist… Nick walks up:
N: I’m in a band called Letters and Numbers
But in NY you already have a band called Numbers and Letters.
So tonight I’m playing under my solo acts name “COLDPLAY.”
Nick grabbed his guitar and owned the mic. My melancholy excitement was blown off and my ears were being blessed! Finally! TALENT. Not only that… I introduced myself, he handed me a card, (FCK! I left mine at my friends!) then 5 min later he gave me a CD. This dude is better at my survival tips than me!
3. My friend Meagan showed up… I was hungry… she was hungry… my friend Tor whom I was crashing with was also hungry… She took us to Aligator Lounge… After 4 days of expensive food I was floored when the bartender gave me ticket with my drink for a free pizza. (HOLY CRAP!)
4. We went back to Pete’s Candy Shop… My friend Tylor from SF swore he was also doing. I didn’t believe him… Why wasn’t he on the bill… However… I went back to look for him. Turns out Tyler who was formerly in PosterBoy was playing a show with Jhameel. They were doing a duo together. Let me say WOW! I hope they do more together in SF!
so a re-cap:
The girls in Manhattan don’t smile back, the drinks are 10 dollars, and small talk scares girls away. The dudes use caveman/direct and aggressive techniques and get girls. So the girls are as cold as the 28 degree weather outside and I don’t know enough about sports to relate to any of the men.
The girls in Williamsburg smile back, the drinks at the bars are cheap,I ran into dudes from SF AND… the music is free and so is the pizza.
I think I’m in love!
PS.
I’ll post a better picture when I’m back in SF.
Finishing Grad School – Arriving in NY
Photo & Article by: Stefan Aronsen
Stefan, you just finished grad-school, lost your job and have tons of time on your hands. What are you going to do now? “I’m going to NY?”
That’s right… I finally finished grad-school. Some thought it would never happen others never knew it did and some are still finding out. For those of you considering grad-school… Do it… it changes you… it’s like dying and being born again. Only the death is worse than 1000 cuts with a butter knife and being dipped in viniger.
So I’m done with grad-school… I have an awesome portfolio, awesome design pieces and a thesis project… and you’re on it! SF Intercom is my project, it’s not just a website, it also has a print component called Buzz. Perhaps I haven’t cornered you in a bar to tell you about my project. (I will!) Basically I’ve created the first survival guide for SF bands.
Grad-school took 4 years, the survival guide represented 2 years of said hell. When I finished I had to run away. When booking my ticket to my extreme get away, I didn’t take in to account tempature.
HOLY CRAP! It’s F-ing 29 degrees here in NY!
(opposite of hell… but really…. HELL!)
IT’S THE LAW BABY
drawing by: Casey Koerner
article by: Kendal Dix
I tried to write this specifically but I think the specifics will really depend on the situation, so I wrote this more as a generic scare tactic type of thing.
Planning is probably the most important thing in the legal industry, and it pays to be obsessive compulsive. In the 21st Century, lawyers have been trying to bring a new era of civility to the legal profession and leave the contentious adversarial process for TV and movies. This is undoubtedly a good thing, but it doesn’t mean that we’re suddenly living in a magical gumdrop world with rainbows and unicorns.
Lawyers like to pretend that they’re all buddies and working together to achieve something to benefit both their clients. In reality, attorneys are as devious as ever. Every lawyer has a plan and each phone call, letter, and clause in a contract has a purpose, which is usually to cover that lawyer and his/her client’s asses if the other guy decides to drop the act and start playing hardball. It’s therefore important that you always have a goal and a plan in mind no matter what you’re doing. Become familiar with all the bullshit details that you think don’t matter because knowledge is power when it comes to negotiation and litigation. Think several steps ahead. Know what the response to your action is going to be before it happens. And always assume the worst.
You can be nice but just be detail-oriented and ready for what what comes next. Sometimes it can help to plan on revealing your true motives in a really backwards way. If you want it in your rider that you get a football helmet filled with cottage cheese at every venue, don’t tell them it’s really important to you. Tell them it’s really important that you get more points on the back end of your iTunes sales. After you go back and forth for a while, let them know you’re not happy about it but you’ll take a beefed-up rider in place of the money.
If you’re negotiating a deal and you think the other lawyer and client are nice, there’s a good chance that they are and you’ll enjoy doing business together. It really does happen all the time. But you have to be prepared for them to fuck you if it’s in their best interest Acting in self interest is one of the most reliable of all business characteristics, so cross all your T’s and dot all your lower-case J’s. When they stop putting that cottage cheese helmet in your dressing room because you trashed your last hotel room, you’re going to want to make sure you have everything in order to tell them to fuck off because you have the legal language on your side. Just think back to all the musicians who were getting cars and advances from their record companies but ultimately end up with no rights to their music and die penniless. Have a plan and don’t be that band.
