Archives
Monday, August 30, 2004
08.30.04.6:30 p.m. est
in case anyone was looking for some info, my good friend Melissa pointed out one of, if not the most effective site out there for getting people tuned in to the voting/registration process.
http://www.rockthevote.com/rtv_meetup.php
thanks Melissa
in case anyone was looking for some info, my good friend Melissa pointed out one of, if not the most effective site out there for getting people tuned in to the voting/registration process.
http://www.rockthevote.com/rtv_meetup.php
thanks Melissa
Sunday, August 29, 2004
08.29.04.9:50 p.m. est
I got an invitation to go spend my Sunday out on a friends boat off the coast of Long Island. however, after marching yesterday with Gaby over the Brooklyn Bridge in a women’s rights demonstration, I decided that the opportunity to take advantage of what could be a once-in-a-life-time experience, dare not be missed. although I’m not entirely sold on New York as a permanent place of residence (at times I struggle to understand just why it’s even a temporary one), I have come to embrace it’s progressive political climate. once I got out on the streets and began to feel the hyper-charged energy in the air, I realized that by being here in the Big Apple, I was in a position to be a part of something rather historical. suffice it to say that most New Yorkers aren’t terribly fond of the Republican National Convention coming to their city. I, myself, have hardly been here long enough to feign some kind of protective, possessive stance for this fair city. however, I have been paying rather close attention to the implementation (and in most cases, the unfortunate consequences that ensue) of the current White House administration. yes, it’s been pointed out to me that I, like most in opposition (hell, like most Americans), am actually quite ignorant of all the real goings on behind closed governmental doors and that my opinions (which are of course just that) are simply based on what the media “feeds” me. sure. maybe if I took to only one news source for my consumption. sure. maybe if I recognized a need for unprecedented secrecy from top administration officials. sure. maybe if I didn’t see so many well-read, extremely intelligent, awake and aware individuals weigh in daily, with their dissent as well as their constant yearning for a more honest and humble leader. and again, Kerry (or any other candidate for that matter) will never have all the answers. I mean c’mon, it’s still politics. but also, it’s the leader of our country we’re talking about here, the bastion of our reputation around the world as fellow human beings, able and willing to live peacefully with the rest of the planet. personally, I feel George Bush has failed miserably at this. apparently, so do over 400,000 New Yorkers (and pre-convention out-of-towners). yes indeed. we marched from 15th street, up 7th ave., past Madison Square Garden, across 36th and on down 5th ave. and Broadway to end up at Union Square. I’ve never been a part of something like that, ever. guess I never could imagine anything being that important. as well, I had always seen and heard about marches and protests before and had always wondered what kind of effect it could ultimately end up having. but damn. I mean to tell you, to see 400,000 people united against something, is really amazing. (I use the word “against” because although it was an “anti-Bush agenda” demonstration, not everyone stands together on what the best alternative is. hundreds of different organizations and activist groups were represented out there today, which was, for me, the most remarkable element.) I made my way around the post-march fury of fanaticism, laid out on the grass of Union Square park with some other tuckered out protesters before deciding to get home to see how the news might already have been reporting/spinning the accomplishment. could’ve put money on the fact that CNN would have the closest representation of what actually went down and that Fox News would down play the numbers and emphasize the trouble (of which, to my knowledge, there was very little). regardless, I was much happier to have been there, contributing, than sitting at home with my skepticism akimbo, wondering what “really” happened.
I tried to get into the VMA’s. somewhere between the Olsen twins and the mention of a D-12, Good Charlotte one-world domination/collaboration, I shed a tear of longing for the days of Alan Hunter, Martha Quinn, J.J. Jackson and Nina Blackwood. maybe I really do love the eighties. whatever.
peace y’all.
register to vote. no sense in having a right if you can’t make a point to use it.
I got an invitation to go spend my Sunday out on a friends boat off the coast of Long Island. however, after marching yesterday with Gaby over the Brooklyn Bridge in a women’s rights demonstration, I decided that the opportunity to take advantage of what could be a once-in-a-life-time experience, dare not be missed. although I’m not entirely sold on New York as a permanent place of residence (at times I struggle to understand just why it’s even a temporary one), I have come to embrace it’s progressive political climate. once I got out on the streets and began to feel the hyper-charged energy in the air, I realized that by being here in the Big Apple, I was in a position to be a part of something rather historical. suffice it to say that most New Yorkers aren’t terribly fond of the Republican National Convention coming to their city. I, myself, have hardly been here long enough to feign some kind of protective, possessive stance for this fair city. however, I have been paying rather close attention to the implementation (and in most cases, the unfortunate consequences that ensue) of the current White House administration. yes, it’s been pointed out to me that I, like most in opposition (hell, like most Americans), am actually quite ignorant of all the real goings on behind closed governmental doors and that my opinions (which are of course just that) are simply based on what the media “feeds” me. sure. maybe if I took to only one news source for my consumption. sure. maybe if I recognized a need for unprecedented secrecy from top administration officials. sure. maybe if I didn’t see so many well-read, extremely intelligent, awake and aware individuals weigh in daily, with their dissent as well as their constant yearning for a more honest and humble leader. and again, Kerry (or any other candidate for that matter) will never have all the answers. I mean c’mon, it’s still politics. but also, it’s the leader of our country we’re talking about here, the bastion of our reputation around the world as fellow human beings, able and willing to live peacefully with the rest of the planet. personally, I feel George Bush has failed miserably at this. apparently, so do over 400,000 New Yorkers (and pre-convention out-of-towners). yes indeed. we marched from 15th street, up 7th ave., past Madison Square Garden, across 36th and on down 5th ave. and Broadway to end up at Union Square. I’ve never been a part of something like that, ever. guess I never could imagine anything being that important. as well, I had always seen and heard about marches and protests before and had always wondered what kind of effect it could ultimately end up having. but damn. I mean to tell you, to see 400,000 people united against something, is really amazing. (I use the word “against” because although it was an “anti-Bush agenda” demonstration, not everyone stands together on what the best alternative is. hundreds of different organizations and activist groups were represented out there today, which was, for me, the most remarkable element.) I made my way around the post-march fury of fanaticism, laid out on the grass of Union Square park with some other tuckered out protesters before deciding to get home to see how the news might already have been reporting/spinning the accomplishment. could’ve put money on the fact that CNN would have the closest representation of what actually went down and that Fox News would down play the numbers and emphasize the trouble (of which, to my knowledge, there was very little). regardless, I was much happier to have been there, contributing, than sitting at home with my skepticism akimbo, wondering what “really” happened.
I tried to get into the VMA’s. somewhere between the Olsen twins and the mention of a D-12, Good Charlotte one-world domination/collaboration, I shed a tear of longing for the days of Alan Hunter, Martha Quinn, J.J. Jackson and Nina Blackwood. maybe I really do love the eighties. whatever.
peace y’all.
register to vote. no sense in having a right if you can’t make a point to use it.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
08.25.04.12:57 a.m. est
just got in from my show at the Mercury Lounge. went really well. can’t always say that but tonight I feel I can. great room, good sound, really nice turn out for a Tuesday. I was kind of unsure going in to this show. see, I think I ended up with nothing less than a lovely little end-of-summer head cold to show for my countless late nights of reckless abandon in Michigan. have had a tickle at the back of my throat for the past couple days, sniffles, constant dosage of Advil Cold and Sinus, post nasal drip, the whole nine. voice felt good in the shower this evening while I sang my scales. felt a little shaky at show time. didn’t know what to expect. as well, after rockin’ the Magic Bag last week in Ferndale with a band, I wasn’t totally crazy about getting back up in front of the New York crowd by myself, yet again. for some reason, by the time I hit the stage tonight, everything was just right. voice hung in there, crowd was listening, really listening, I played the right songs, felt reassured by the requests for songs from the album. anyway... it was a good show. thanks to everyone who came out and joined in.
so yeah, needless to say, I could go on and on about my time in Michigan. suffice it to say it was a really good trip home. my trips there seem to get more and more poignant the older I get. things really seem to take on their mythological proportions. everything seems so revealing. every little conversation, every run-in, every moment with my niece and nephew, meal with my folks and my sister seems to become some sort of revelation, sense of newfound clarity. a constant sense of growing up. yeah, I still have the tendency to play my childhood role of little brother, know-it-all son, sarcastic cousin who you just want to punch sometimes. but for the most part, I can feel myself slipping into a more understated, open-minded, aware sort of individual. life becomes more important the older you get and in the more you seek to get out of it. closing in on 30 feels strangely like getting to the end of the prologue of a really good book. never thought I’d ever see it that way.
the days ahead will be filled with writing and learning new songs. I’m playing with Joe Firstman and Josh Kelley on the 11th and we have one hell of a show in mind. as always, I look forward to getting back out to LA and catching up with the family.
real quick. some of you might be wondering what was the outcome of the USS Intrepid/MS charity event that I performed at last month. I found out tonight that they had 2020 people attend the event and brought in over $170,000 for the foundation. it could be more, but I want to say that was the rough figure. what a privilege to be a part of something so successful.
as well, the Swing For Kerry event went extremely well. close to 200 people were in attendance to listen to some of the world’s ( and certainly New York’s ) best jazz musicians come together in celebration of a Kerry/Edwards victory in November. over $3000 was donated to the DNC from the event. John Kerry’s older sister, Peggy was there to say a few words and thank everyone for their contributions. for the most part though, it was an opportunity to swing with some of the nations best swing dancers, old and young alike. pro and amateur. hell, I even got out there and took Gaby’s pre-event beginners swing lesson. I’ll get the hang of it, I swear. after not sleeping the night before, flying out first thing Sunday morning, driving around Manhattan, running last minute errands all day, it felt good to see the night come to a close. I was so (and am still very) proud of Gaby for following through on what turned out to be a fantastic idea, let alone a great night of dance, music and positive energy.
for now’ I’m spent and getting more stuffed up by the minute. sucks. need sleep and vocal rest.
much love,
Tony
just got in from my show at the Mercury Lounge. went really well. can’t always say that but tonight I feel I can. great room, good sound, really nice turn out for a Tuesday. I was kind of unsure going in to this show. see, I think I ended up with nothing less than a lovely little end-of-summer head cold to show for my countless late nights of reckless abandon in Michigan. have had a tickle at the back of my throat for the past couple days, sniffles, constant dosage of Advil Cold and Sinus, post nasal drip, the whole nine. voice felt good in the shower this evening while I sang my scales. felt a little shaky at show time. didn’t know what to expect. as well, after rockin’ the Magic Bag last week in Ferndale with a band, I wasn’t totally crazy about getting back up in front of the New York crowd by myself, yet again. for some reason, by the time I hit the stage tonight, everything was just right. voice hung in there, crowd was listening, really listening, I played the right songs, felt reassured by the requests for songs from the album. anyway... it was a good show. thanks to everyone who came out and joined in.
so yeah, needless to say, I could go on and on about my time in Michigan. suffice it to say it was a really good trip home. my trips there seem to get more and more poignant the older I get. things really seem to take on their mythological proportions. everything seems so revealing. every little conversation, every run-in, every moment with my niece and nephew, meal with my folks and my sister seems to become some sort of revelation, sense of newfound clarity. a constant sense of growing up. yeah, I still have the tendency to play my childhood role of little brother, know-it-all son, sarcastic cousin who you just want to punch sometimes. but for the most part, I can feel myself slipping into a more understated, open-minded, aware sort of individual. life becomes more important the older you get and in the more you seek to get out of it. closing in on 30 feels strangely like getting to the end of the prologue of a really good book. never thought I’d ever see it that way.
the days ahead will be filled with writing and learning new songs. I’m playing with Joe Firstman and Josh Kelley on the 11th and we have one hell of a show in mind. as always, I look forward to getting back out to LA and catching up with the family.
real quick. some of you might be wondering what was the outcome of the USS Intrepid/MS charity event that I performed at last month. I found out tonight that they had 2020 people attend the event and brought in over $170,000 for the foundation. it could be more, but I want to say that was the rough figure. what a privilege to be a part of something so successful.
as well, the Swing For Kerry event went extremely well. close to 200 people were in attendance to listen to some of the world’s ( and certainly New York’s ) best jazz musicians come together in celebration of a Kerry/Edwards victory in November. over $3000 was donated to the DNC from the event. John Kerry’s older sister, Peggy was there to say a few words and thank everyone for their contributions. for the most part though, it was an opportunity to swing with some of the nations best swing dancers, old and young alike. pro and amateur. hell, I even got out there and took Gaby’s pre-event beginners swing lesson. I’ll get the hang of it, I swear. after not sleeping the night before, flying out first thing Sunday morning, driving around Manhattan, running last minute errands all day, it felt good to see the night come to a close. I was so (and am still very) proud of Gaby for following through on what turned out to be a fantastic idea, let alone a great night of dance, music and positive energy.
for now’ I’m spent and getting more stuffed up by the minute. sucks. need sleep and vocal rest.
much love,
Tony
Friday, August 13, 2004
08.13.04.2:10 a.m. est
it’s now, technically, Friday the 13th. I’ve got to get out of here in about 3 hours. in debating whether or not to try and catch some sleep or just stay up till it’s time to go, I ended up sitting down at the computer, thinking it might not be a bad idea to do some writing. I’m heading for Michigan this morning and headin’ back to the mitten always seems to put me in this sort of welcomed, melancholy funk. nothing like the funk of the other week. no, just a good old fashioned not-so-quick-to-put-it-into-words kind of funk. this funk I don’t mind. goin’ home always forces me to take stock in my life. what I’ve got, what I’m wishin’ I had, what I’m happy to be doin’ without and of course, what it is I’m in need of. ironically, that usually comes in the form of some kind of prohibition or another. I think I figured out what the fatigue was all about last week. when I got back from LA I decided to stop smoking (again). and because nicotine is an accelerant, going without it, cold turkey, sort of sends the body into the wayoutosphere. as well, I got back out on the streets with my running shoes on and did my best to get that shit out of my lungs. unfortunately, that won’t happen over night. in all honesty, I was smoking like a crack head. way too much. Tuesday was my first show since quitting and my god! what a difference. it’s like training for a marathon in the Himalayas and then running it at sea level. crazy. I played Jammin’ Java Tuesday in Vienna, Virginia and Maxwell’s in Hoboken, Jersey on Wednesday. Tuesday was pretty cool. Wednesday, not so cool. you would think that after 15, 16 years of playing for people I’d learn how to deal with those who clearly don’t come to listen or for whatever reason, choose not to, blatantly. painfully. as if making a concerted effort to let me know they’re not interested in what I’m doing, no matter how well I might be doing it. nope, not me. I still can’t seem to deal with it. of course it’s all the more difficult when the night before will often times be just the opposite. the folks at Jammin’ Java always come, if for no other reason then to listen. total strangers, locals who may or may not have heard of you. it doesn’t matter, they listen. I’ll play all night if I think people are listening. if not, I’ll want to smash my guitar against the nearest wall. it sucks being at the mercy of such a petty thing. and I’ve been spoiled too though, I’ll admit it. I’m sure I’ll get over it sooner or later.
so it looks like me, Firstman and Josh Kelley are gonna do a show together in LA on September, 11th at Lingerie. songwriters in the round, special guests, “evening with” sort of thing. we’ve got all our people squaring up the details and now the three of us are trying to decide what songs to play. should be a good time. I’ll keep y’all posted.
as for now, I’m stoked because tomorrow night is my cousin Cole’s bachelor party/jam session. dude’s been with his lady awhile, they got a kid already, no need for strippers and crazy shit like that. apparently, it’s just gonna be a bunch of his close pals and musical companions sittin’ around, laughin’, playing tunes and celebrating my boy’s life as a single guy and of course, his future as a married man. Saturday is my high school friend Julio’s wedding. he lives in Phoenix but his family’s in Michigan so he and his bride-to-be decided to tie the not there. that should be a blast. a bit of a high school reunion. (class of ‘94) I rehearse Monday for my gig on Tuesday at the Magic Bag. that should be pretty damn amazing, regardless of how well it goes or not. Cole and I are playing with a friend of mine from grade school, Detroit bassist and life long musical companion, Jim Simonson. the three of us formed a band in grade school (our first ever). I think we called it “Soundesign”. we basically played a bunch of Bryan Adams and Huey Lewis and the News covers. never really got any paying gigs. never got any gigs to speak of at all, actually. it was cool until it wasn’t cool anymore and we all were forced to move on. somehow we all kept in touch over the years and now the reunion is finally goin’ down. I was able to lock up another long time jam buddy and ex-band mate Mark Ross to play drums. should be awesome.
the rest of the week should be a bit of a vacation at the folks place on the lake. not much to do until Cole’s wedding on Saturday. he asked me back in March to be his best man. wow, that seems like a lifetime ago. funny how time does fly. turns out he’s having it at my folks place so all I really have to do is throw on my tux and head outside. piece of cake. Gaby gets in on Friday (the day before the wedding) to celebrate my sister’s 30th birthday, which is the day after her husband’s and often means one nice big party for the two of them. both my mom and his decided that this year they’re goin’ all out as both of their eldest offspring reach the 30 mark. Gaby and I leave first thing in the morning on Sunday to get back in time to prepare for the Swing For Kerry event that night. we’re expecting close to 300 hundred people and have only the day to get the space ready. should be a nonstop sweat fest.
busy busy busy.
I’ll try to do some posting from Michigan but if I should fail to, I trust y’all will understand.
have a good weekend.
it’s now, technically, Friday the 13th. I’ve got to get out of here in about 3 hours. in debating whether or not to try and catch some sleep or just stay up till it’s time to go, I ended up sitting down at the computer, thinking it might not be a bad idea to do some writing. I’m heading for Michigan this morning and headin’ back to the mitten always seems to put me in this sort of welcomed, melancholy funk. nothing like the funk of the other week. no, just a good old fashioned not-so-quick-to-put-it-into-words kind of funk. this funk I don’t mind. goin’ home always forces me to take stock in my life. what I’ve got, what I’m wishin’ I had, what I’m happy to be doin’ without and of course, what it is I’m in need of. ironically, that usually comes in the form of some kind of prohibition or another. I think I figured out what the fatigue was all about last week. when I got back from LA I decided to stop smoking (again). and because nicotine is an accelerant, going without it, cold turkey, sort of sends the body into the wayoutosphere. as well, I got back out on the streets with my running shoes on and did my best to get that shit out of my lungs. unfortunately, that won’t happen over night. in all honesty, I was smoking like a crack head. way too much. Tuesday was my first show since quitting and my god! what a difference. it’s like training for a marathon in the Himalayas and then running it at sea level. crazy. I played Jammin’ Java Tuesday in Vienna, Virginia and Maxwell’s in Hoboken, Jersey on Wednesday. Tuesday was pretty cool. Wednesday, not so cool. you would think that after 15, 16 years of playing for people I’d learn how to deal with those who clearly don’t come to listen or for whatever reason, choose not to, blatantly. painfully. as if making a concerted effort to let me know they’re not interested in what I’m doing, no matter how well I might be doing it. nope, not me. I still can’t seem to deal with it. of course it’s all the more difficult when the night before will often times be just the opposite. the folks at Jammin’ Java always come, if for no other reason then to listen. total strangers, locals who may or may not have heard of you. it doesn’t matter, they listen. I’ll play all night if I think people are listening. if not, I’ll want to smash my guitar against the nearest wall. it sucks being at the mercy of such a petty thing. and I’ve been spoiled too though, I’ll admit it. I’m sure I’ll get over it sooner or later.
so it looks like me, Firstman and Josh Kelley are gonna do a show together in LA on September, 11th at Lingerie. songwriters in the round, special guests, “evening with” sort of thing. we’ve got all our people squaring up the details and now the three of us are trying to decide what songs to play. should be a good time. I’ll keep y’all posted.
as for now, I’m stoked because tomorrow night is my cousin Cole’s bachelor party/jam session. dude’s been with his lady awhile, they got a kid already, no need for strippers and crazy shit like that. apparently, it’s just gonna be a bunch of his close pals and musical companions sittin’ around, laughin’, playing tunes and celebrating my boy’s life as a single guy and of course, his future as a married man. Saturday is my high school friend Julio’s wedding. he lives in Phoenix but his family’s in Michigan so he and his bride-to-be decided to tie the not there. that should be a blast. a bit of a high school reunion. (class of ‘94) I rehearse Monday for my gig on Tuesday at the Magic Bag. that should be pretty damn amazing, regardless of how well it goes or not. Cole and I are playing with a friend of mine from grade school, Detroit bassist and life long musical companion, Jim Simonson. the three of us formed a band in grade school (our first ever). I think we called it “Soundesign”. we basically played a bunch of Bryan Adams and Huey Lewis and the News covers. never really got any paying gigs. never got any gigs to speak of at all, actually. it was cool until it wasn’t cool anymore and we all were forced to move on. somehow we all kept in touch over the years and now the reunion is finally goin’ down. I was able to lock up another long time jam buddy and ex-band mate Mark Ross to play drums. should be awesome.
the rest of the week should be a bit of a vacation at the folks place on the lake. not much to do until Cole’s wedding on Saturday. he asked me back in March to be his best man. wow, that seems like a lifetime ago. funny how time does fly. turns out he’s having it at my folks place so all I really have to do is throw on my tux and head outside. piece of cake. Gaby gets in on Friday (the day before the wedding) to celebrate my sister’s 30th birthday, which is the day after her husband’s and often means one nice big party for the two of them. both my mom and his decided that this year they’re goin’ all out as both of their eldest offspring reach the 30 mark. Gaby and I leave first thing in the morning on Sunday to get back in time to prepare for the Swing For Kerry event that night. we’re expecting close to 300 hundred people and have only the day to get the space ready. should be a nonstop sweat fest.
busy busy busy.
I’ll try to do some posting from Michigan but if I should fail to, I trust y’all will understand.
have a good weekend.
Thursday, August 05, 2004
08.05.04.2:25 p.m. est
this was in the op-ed section of the New York Times today:
“a nation’s artists and musicians have a particular place in it’s social and political life. over the years I’ve tried to think long and hard about what it means to be an American: about the distinctive identity and position we have in the world, and how that position is best carried, I’ve tried to write songs that speak to our pride and criticize our failures...
“personally, for the last 25 years I have always stayed one step away from partisan politics. instead, I have been partisan about about a set of ideals: economic justice, a humane foreign policy, freedom and a decent life for all of our citizens. this year, however, for many of us the stakes have risen too high to sit this election out...
“I don’t think John Kerry and John Edwards have all the answers. I do believe they are sincerely interested in asking the right questions and working their way toward honest solutions. they understand that we need an administration that places a priority on fairness, curiosity, openness, humility, concern for all America’s citizens, courage and faith...
“it is through truthful exercising of the best of human qualities- respect for others, honesty about ourselves, faith in our ideals- that we come to life in God’s eyes. it is how our soul, as a nation and as individuals, is revealed. our American government has strayed too far from American values. it is time to move forward. the country we carry in our hearts is waiting.”
now, with my on-line journal, I may reach several hundred people, a thousand, maybe two. but I’m certainly feeling less apprehensive in vocalizing my distaste for the current administration knowing that BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN chose to voice his in the frickin’ New York Times! right on Bruce! apparently he and the Dave Matthews band, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., the Dixie Chicks, Jurassic 5, James Taylor and Jackson Browne are all touring together (various bills, various venues) throughout the swing states this October. I think Bonnie Raitt and Death Cab For Cutie are among some of the other acts also getting in on the action. so in conjunction with the press release, Bruce went ahead and sent in a little opinion/editorial piece for some 2 or 3 million Times subscribers and readers to stumble across.
love it.
this was in the op-ed section of the New York Times today:
“a nation’s artists and musicians have a particular place in it’s social and political life. over the years I’ve tried to think long and hard about what it means to be an American: about the distinctive identity and position we have in the world, and how that position is best carried, I’ve tried to write songs that speak to our pride and criticize our failures...
“personally, for the last 25 years I have always stayed one step away from partisan politics. instead, I have been partisan about about a set of ideals: economic justice, a humane foreign policy, freedom and a decent life for all of our citizens. this year, however, for many of us the stakes have risen too high to sit this election out...
“I don’t think John Kerry and John Edwards have all the answers. I do believe they are sincerely interested in asking the right questions and working their way toward honest solutions. they understand that we need an administration that places a priority on fairness, curiosity, openness, humility, concern for all America’s citizens, courage and faith...
“it is through truthful exercising of the best of human qualities- respect for others, honesty about ourselves, faith in our ideals- that we come to life in God’s eyes. it is how our soul, as a nation and as individuals, is revealed. our American government has strayed too far from American values. it is time to move forward. the country we carry in our hearts is waiting.”
now, with my on-line journal, I may reach several hundred people, a thousand, maybe two. but I’m certainly feeling less apprehensive in vocalizing my distaste for the current administration knowing that BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN chose to voice his in the frickin’ New York Times! right on Bruce! apparently he and the Dave Matthews band, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., the Dixie Chicks, Jurassic 5, James Taylor and Jackson Browne are all touring together (various bills, various venues) throughout the swing states this October. I think Bonnie Raitt and Death Cab For Cutie are among some of the other acts also getting in on the action. so in conjunction with the press release, Bruce went ahead and sent in a little opinion/editorial piece for some 2 or 3 million Times subscribers and readers to stumble across.
love it.
08.04.04.11:55 p.m. est
a/c unit’s pushin’ hard. kitten’s in my lap. Pat Metheney’s Bright Size Life is on the record player. so nice. I’m convinced that all of my favorite records, the best sounding records, to me, were made within a year or two of me. 74 through 77. they just made good sounding records then. Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, CSN, Jackson Browne, the Eagles. the tones that producers and engineers went for were so warm and rich. the mixes were so honest and intimate. no reverb. well, very little. no crazy layers of sonic masturbation to weed through before you got to the intention of the song itself. I listen to records made in this time frame and often wish I had been born 20 years earlier and been given a chance to make a few of my own before those ridiculous 80’s came and nuked our collective musical sensibilities. I listen to these records and I want to start over all together.
Mike Miley and Darwin came into town last night. they had an early appearance on Regis and Kelly playing drums and bass for Kelly Clarkson. Miley and I walked all around SoHo and the west village yesterday lookin’ for shirts and shoes, talking relationships and politics, killing time before Darwin and the rest of the band got in to town. finally met up and hung at the Paramount, drinking Mojitos, recalling the crazier moments from our adventures on the Joe Firstman tour back in May. needles to say, we all sort of miss the road and any little sliver of it is certainly welcomed. they had to get up early and I was looking to meet up with Gaby back down in the village for a drink before heading back to Brooklyn. I’ve really been trying to get into this New York thing but it’s costing me my last dime. I had to get home and put my wallet away. (in truth though, the mojitos were on Miley, courtesy of Disney, of course)
it’s starting to rain. hopefully it’ll usher in some creativity. it tends to. haven’t been writing a lot. think it’s the heat. several days in to smoke free living and I gotta say, I’ve missed my clean lungs. they’ve been sending back all the mucus they’ve been collecting the past several months. sucks.
looks like I’ve got a band lined up for my Michigan show. I’m gonna be playing with a cat that was in the first band Cole and I ever put together. helluva bass player, Jim Simonson. Cole of course will be joining me on guitar and my good old friend Marcus Ross will be playin’ drums. nothing like stepping onto a Detroit stage with some of Detroit’s finest at your back. lookin forward to it.
like I said, ain’t been writing much lately. not much of an exception tonight. however I thought I’d try and steer clear of the politics for a minute. it’s almost getting to be unbearable, no need to keep hammering away at it all the time.
anyway, thanks, as always, for checkin’ in.
see ya real soon.
a/c unit’s pushin’ hard. kitten’s in my lap. Pat Metheney’s Bright Size Life is on the record player. so nice. I’m convinced that all of my favorite records, the best sounding records, to me, were made within a year or two of me. 74 through 77. they just made good sounding records then. Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, CSN, Jackson Browne, the Eagles. the tones that producers and engineers went for were so warm and rich. the mixes were so honest and intimate. no reverb. well, very little. no crazy layers of sonic masturbation to weed through before you got to the intention of the song itself. I listen to records made in this time frame and often wish I had been born 20 years earlier and been given a chance to make a few of my own before those ridiculous 80’s came and nuked our collective musical sensibilities. I listen to these records and I want to start over all together.
Mike Miley and Darwin came into town last night. they had an early appearance on Regis and Kelly playing drums and bass for Kelly Clarkson. Miley and I walked all around SoHo and the west village yesterday lookin’ for shirts and shoes, talking relationships and politics, killing time before Darwin and the rest of the band got in to town. finally met up and hung at the Paramount, drinking Mojitos, recalling the crazier moments from our adventures on the Joe Firstman tour back in May. needles to say, we all sort of miss the road and any little sliver of it is certainly welcomed. they had to get up early and I was looking to meet up with Gaby back down in the village for a drink before heading back to Brooklyn. I’ve really been trying to get into this New York thing but it’s costing me my last dime. I had to get home and put my wallet away. (in truth though, the mojitos were on Miley, courtesy of Disney, of course)
it’s starting to rain. hopefully it’ll usher in some creativity. it tends to. haven’t been writing a lot. think it’s the heat. several days in to smoke free living and I gotta say, I’ve missed my clean lungs. they’ve been sending back all the mucus they’ve been collecting the past several months. sucks.
looks like I’ve got a band lined up for my Michigan show. I’m gonna be playing with a cat that was in the first band Cole and I ever put together. helluva bass player, Jim Simonson. Cole of course will be joining me on guitar and my good old friend Marcus Ross will be playin’ drums. nothing like stepping onto a Detroit stage with some of Detroit’s finest at your back. lookin forward to it.
like I said, ain’t been writing much lately. not much of an exception tonight. however I thought I’d try and steer clear of the politics for a minute. it’s almost getting to be unbearable, no need to keep hammering away at it all the time.
anyway, thanks, as always, for checkin’ in.
see ya real soon.
Monday, August 02, 2004
08.02.04.11:15 a.m. est
maybe it’s mono. I don’t know what the hell’s goin’ on. I can’t seem to get movin’. my cats and I are getting in some real good quality time. I feel like one of them. I think I remember hearing that felines sleep something like 22 hours a day? it was one of those Animal Planet documentaries on lions. how crazy. the King of the jungle only has to be up and about less than 3 hours a day to keep his throne. I pray I never get so comfortable.
so they raised the security threat level for the financial districts of Manhattan, Newark and D.C. I don’t get it. I mean, of course I get it. I just don’t understand why they keep going about things in such a pathetic fashion. if they have “credible” intelligence telling them that attacks are possible, if not eminent, and if they have the security plans in place to implement in response to a legitimate threat then just go ahead and implement them. they go on bringing all this media attention to it, everybody gets all worked up, on and on go the repercussions, the least of which is al Quaeda finding out just what it takes for us to respond, how we will respond, what to avoid in future attacks, etc. skeptics can’t help but feel it’s some kind of political ploy by the Bush administration. unfortunately, who can blame them. the Democrats have a good convention, Kerry looks strong (or at least stronger), two days out on the campaign trail and Bush is back in the White House announcing the creation of a new position there that will oversee the culmination of all intelligence from all the agencies that collect it. what better time to announce such a thing. what better way to seem “tough on terror”. sorry Kerry. this don’t concern you. sad thing is, they’ll make these changes here in New York, Newark and D.C., everyone will comply until they get fed up and then they’ll go back to the way they were. they’ll try this again next time they get a substantial threat and everyone will roll their eyes. it’s ironic really. everyone was accused of not knowing or not communicating enough about the intelligence they did have prior to 9/11 that it’s almost like they keep announcing these threats just so that nobody can say they didn’t know or didn’t make some kind of effort to prevent it. bit of a rock and a hard place, I imagine. still, it all seems a bit silly. I think the most frustrating part is that there’s even room for speculation, skepticism and sarcasm. I wish I could trust those in charge. unfortunately, I do not.
it’s kind of cloudy today here in Brooklyn. could be a good day to go for a run, get the blood flowing, sweat out some of this lethargy. gotta do something to shake this funk.
as a side note, and I keep forgetting to mention this, I want to extend a personal invitation to anyone out there that likes swing music, maybe knows how to do a little swing dancing or simply anyone who would still like a chance to contribute to the Democratic party this election year. my lady Gaby has put together an unforgettable evening of swing music and dancing to help raise money for political change. the event is simply called Swing for Kerry. I’ve been asked to help coordinate the music portion of the show and will be on hand the night of the event to help in the evening’s festivities. should be an amazing time. you can check out the web site at:
http://www.swingforkerry.org/
it would be a bit ridiculous of me to constantly voice such staunch opposition to the current state of political affairs and not be doing a single thing to help usher in change. aside from my vote, Swing for Kerry is that additional effort for me and I would be remiss if I failed to mention it and extend the invite.
maybe it’s mono. I don’t know what the hell’s goin’ on. I can’t seem to get movin’. my cats and I are getting in some real good quality time. I feel like one of them. I think I remember hearing that felines sleep something like 22 hours a day? it was one of those Animal Planet documentaries on lions. how crazy. the King of the jungle only has to be up and about less than 3 hours a day to keep his throne. I pray I never get so comfortable.
so they raised the security threat level for the financial districts of Manhattan, Newark and D.C. I don’t get it. I mean, of course I get it. I just don’t understand why they keep going about things in such a pathetic fashion. if they have “credible” intelligence telling them that attacks are possible, if not eminent, and if they have the security plans in place to implement in response to a legitimate threat then just go ahead and implement them. they go on bringing all this media attention to it, everybody gets all worked up, on and on go the repercussions, the least of which is al Quaeda finding out just what it takes for us to respond, how we will respond, what to avoid in future attacks, etc. skeptics can’t help but feel it’s some kind of political ploy by the Bush administration. unfortunately, who can blame them. the Democrats have a good convention, Kerry looks strong (or at least stronger), two days out on the campaign trail and Bush is back in the White House announcing the creation of a new position there that will oversee the culmination of all intelligence from all the agencies that collect it. what better time to announce such a thing. what better way to seem “tough on terror”. sorry Kerry. this don’t concern you. sad thing is, they’ll make these changes here in New York, Newark and D.C., everyone will comply until they get fed up and then they’ll go back to the way they were. they’ll try this again next time they get a substantial threat and everyone will roll their eyes. it’s ironic really. everyone was accused of not knowing or not communicating enough about the intelligence they did have prior to 9/11 that it’s almost like they keep announcing these threats just so that nobody can say they didn’t know or didn’t make some kind of effort to prevent it. bit of a rock and a hard place, I imagine. still, it all seems a bit silly. I think the most frustrating part is that there’s even room for speculation, skepticism and sarcasm. I wish I could trust those in charge. unfortunately, I do not.
it’s kind of cloudy today here in Brooklyn. could be a good day to go for a run, get the blood flowing, sweat out some of this lethargy. gotta do something to shake this funk.
as a side note, and I keep forgetting to mention this, I want to extend a personal invitation to anyone out there that likes swing music, maybe knows how to do a little swing dancing or simply anyone who would still like a chance to contribute to the Democratic party this election year. my lady Gaby has put together an unforgettable evening of swing music and dancing to help raise money for political change. the event is simply called Swing for Kerry. I’ve been asked to help coordinate the music portion of the show and will be on hand the night of the event to help in the evening’s festivities. should be an amazing time. you can check out the web site at:
http://www.swingforkerry.org/
it would be a bit ridiculous of me to constantly voice such staunch opposition to the current state of political affairs and not be doing a single thing to help usher in change. aside from my vote, Swing for Kerry is that additional effort for me and I would be remiss if I failed to mention it and extend the invite.
