A dear friend in India, Das, put together a photo montage to one of the demos we made in New Jersey this spring.
I was moved by his photo montage. . . And wanted to share with you.
I am very excited about making a new album. . . We are in the pre planning stages, working on mapping it out, choosing songs & financing etc. . . :D
Monday, October 27, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Austin City Limits Music Festival through my eyes . .
I wrote this for Elmore Magazine, A roots music magazine published in NYC. . . I had to keep it to 400 words, but this is a hybrid of the final trimmed edit and a more elaborate draft. . . Enjoy!
Austin City Limits Music Festival 2008
What sets the Austin City Limits Festival apart from other music festivals is all in the name. Austin. The ACL Festival has blossomed naturally from the spirit and vibe of hundreds of live bands that perform nightly in the “Live Music Capital of the World.”
The ACL Fest is held annually in the heart of Austin, Zilker Park, an urban oasis of spring fed swimming pools and wildlife refuges a mere five minutes from downtown. That oasis was little relief as souring temperatures and a halo of dust in the air made water bottles ubiquitous and a damp scarf a necessity. “Bandito” was the fashion of the weekend.
By day, artists who are acclaimed for nuance and intimacy were handicapped by glaring sunlight and thousands of hustling festival goers, but were aided by the devotion of their fans. Patty Griffin gave up on an a capella gospel number mid-set, but ended on top with Ray Charles’ “Lonely Avenue.” Gillian Welsh & Dave Rawlings aptly performed “I want to Sing that Rock n Roll.” Jakob Dylan’s set peaked during “Empire in my Mind” while Abigail Washburn’s enchanting voice danced effortlessly between Chinese folk songs and Bluegrass. Jose Gonzales performed acoustic and seated with two accompanists on a huge stage, but the tender beauty of their performance was lost amid the chaos.
After the sun went down, the dynamic and intimate Swell Season struggled with a half dozen embarrassing sound issues, but the spell of nighttime and a devoted audience created an almost sanctuary-esque silence in honor of the performers.
Others conquered through sheer force of will. Tight tunes, chorography, tricks and antics keept audiences hooked. Sharon Jones danced with audience members while the Dap Kings horn section tapped their toes in time. Jamie Lidell beat boxed, looped himself singing a brilliant minor triad over the beat and then scratched it all setting up a soul song reminiscent of the 1960’s. Erykah Badu’s band was tight and she commanded respect with her pregnant belly and six inch stiletto boots. The Raconteurs were clever and epic, performing songs that lingered long into a post-climax afterglow.
The Fleet Foxes and Band of Horses were sonically mesmerizing. Both bands dressed hooky songs in perfect pitch harmonies. Mike Farris’ divinely inspired vocals and spirited performance welcomed the heavens to split right open.
ACL ‘08 was entertaining, exhausting and over stimulating, like a wine tasting that goes on just a little too long, leaving you disoriented, slightly buzzed and with no ability to savor or assimilate what you’re experiencing…but satisfied nonetheless.
What sets the Austin City Limits Festival apart from other music festivals is all in the name. Austin. The ACL Festival has blossomed naturally from the spirit and vibe of hundreds of live bands that perform nightly in the “Live Music Capital of the World.”
The ACL Fest is held annually in the heart of Austin, Zilker Park, an urban oasis of spring fed swimming pools and wildlife refuges a mere five minutes from downtown. That oasis was little relief as souring temperatures and a halo of dust in the air made water bottles ubiquitous and a damp scarf a necessity. “Bandito” was the fashion of the weekend.
By day, artists who are acclaimed for nuance and intimacy were handicapped by glaring sunlight and thousands of hustling festival goers, but were aided by the devotion of their fans. Patty Griffin gave up on an a capella gospel number mid-set, but ended on top with Ray Charles’ “Lonely Avenue.” Gillian Welsh & Dave Rawlings aptly performed “I want to Sing that Rock n Roll.” Jakob Dylan’s set peaked during “Empire in my Mind” while Abigail Washburn’s enchanting voice danced effortlessly between Chinese folk songs and Bluegrass. Jose Gonzales performed acoustic and seated with two accompanists on a huge stage, but the tender beauty of their performance was lost amid the chaos.
After the sun went down, the dynamic and intimate Swell Season struggled with a half dozen embarrassing sound issues, but the spell of nighttime and a devoted audience created an almost sanctuary-esque silence in honor of the performers.
Others conquered through sheer force of will. Tight tunes, chorography, tricks and antics keept audiences hooked. Sharon Jones danced with audience members while the Dap Kings horn section tapped their toes in time. Jamie Lidell beat boxed, looped himself singing a brilliant minor triad over the beat and then scratched it all setting up a soul song reminiscent of the 1960’s. Erykah Badu’s band was tight and she commanded respect with her pregnant belly and six inch stiletto boots. The Raconteurs were clever and epic, performing songs that lingered long into a post-climax afterglow.
The Fleet Foxes and Band of Horses were sonically mesmerizing. Both bands dressed hooky songs in perfect pitch harmonies. Mike Farris’ divinely inspired vocals and spirited performance welcomed the heavens to split right open.
ACL ‘08 was entertaining, exhausting and over stimulating, like a wine tasting that goes on just a little too long, leaving you disoriented, slightly buzzed and with no ability to savor or assimilate what you’re experiencing…but satisfied nonetheless.
Thanks Mark Fradl, my editor and co-writing partner in crime!
Austin City Limits Music Festival 2008
What sets the Austin City Limits Festival apart from other music festivals is all in the name. Austin. The ACL Festival has blossomed naturally from the spirit and vibe of hundreds of live bands that perform nightly in the “Live Music Capital of the World.”
The ACL Fest is held annually in the heart of Austin, Zilker Park, an urban oasis of spring fed swimming pools and wildlife refuges a mere five minutes from downtown. That oasis was little relief as souring temperatures and a halo of dust in the air made water bottles ubiquitous and a damp scarf a necessity. “Bandito” was the fashion of the weekend.
By day, artists who are acclaimed for nuance and intimacy were handicapped by glaring sunlight and thousands of hustling festival goers, but were aided by the devotion of their fans. Patty Griffin gave up on an a capella gospel number mid-set, but ended on top with Ray Charles’ “Lonely Avenue.” Gillian Welsh & Dave Rawlings aptly performed “I want to Sing that Rock n Roll.” Jakob Dylan’s set peaked during “Empire in my Mind” while Abigail Washburn’s enchanting voice danced effortlessly between Chinese folk songs and Bluegrass. Jose Gonzales performed acoustic and seated with two accompanists on a huge stage, but the tender beauty of their performance was lost amid the chaos.
After the sun went down, the dynamic and intimate Swell Season struggled with a half dozen embarrassing sound issues, but the spell of nighttime and a devoted audience created an almost sanctuary-esque silence in honor of the performers.
Others conquered through sheer force of will. Tight tunes, chorography, tricks and antics keept audiences hooked. Sharon Jones danced with audience members while the Dap Kings horn section tapped their toes in time. Jamie Lidell beat boxed, looped himself singing a brilliant minor triad over the beat and then scratched it all setting up a soul song reminiscent of the 1960’s. Erykah Badu’s band was tight and she commanded respect with her pregnant belly and six inch stiletto boots. The Raconteurs were clever and epic, performing songs that lingered long into a post-climax afterglow.
The Fleet Foxes and Band of Horses were sonically mesmerizing. Both bands dressed hooky songs in perfect pitch harmonies. Mike Farris’ divinely inspired vocals and spirited performance welcomed the heavens to split right open.
ACL ‘08 was entertaining, exhausting and over stimulating, like a wine tasting that goes on just a little too long, leaving you disoriented, slightly buzzed and with no ability to savor or assimilate what you’re experiencing…but satisfied nonetheless.
What sets the Austin City Limits Festival apart from other music festivals is all in the name. Austin. The ACL Festival has blossomed naturally from the spirit and vibe of hundreds of live bands that perform nightly in the “Live Music Capital of the World.”
The ACL Fest is held annually in the heart of Austin, Zilker Park, an urban oasis of spring fed swimming pools and wildlife refuges a mere five minutes from downtown. That oasis was little relief as souring temperatures and a halo of dust in the air made water bottles ubiquitous and a damp scarf a necessity. “Bandito” was the fashion of the weekend.
By day, artists who are acclaimed for nuance and intimacy were handicapped by glaring sunlight and thousands of hustling festival goers, but were aided by the devotion of their fans. Patty Griffin gave up on an a capella gospel number mid-set, but ended on top with Ray Charles’ “Lonely Avenue.” Gillian Welsh & Dave Rawlings aptly performed “I want to Sing that Rock n Roll.” Jakob Dylan’s set peaked during “Empire in my Mind” while Abigail Washburn’s enchanting voice danced effortlessly between Chinese folk songs and Bluegrass. Jose Gonzales performed acoustic and seated with two accompanists on a huge stage, but the tender beauty of their performance was lost amid the chaos.
After the sun went down, the dynamic and intimate Swell Season struggled with a half dozen embarrassing sound issues, but the spell of nighttime and a devoted audience created an almost sanctuary-esque silence in honor of the performers.
Others conquered through sheer force of will. Tight tunes, chorography, tricks and antics keept audiences hooked. Sharon Jones danced with audience members while the Dap Kings horn section tapped their toes in time. Jamie Lidell beat boxed, looped himself singing a brilliant minor triad over the beat and then scratched it all setting up a soul song reminiscent of the 1960’s. Erykah Badu’s band was tight and she commanded respect with her pregnant belly and six inch stiletto boots. The Raconteurs were clever and epic, performing songs that lingered long into a post-climax afterglow.
The Fleet Foxes and Band of Horses were sonically mesmerizing. Both bands dressed hooky songs in perfect pitch harmonies. Mike Farris’ divinely inspired vocals and spirited performance welcomed the heavens to split right open.
ACL ‘08 was entertaining, exhausting and over stimulating, like a wine tasting that goes on just a little too long, leaving you disoriented, slightly buzzed and with no ability to savor or assimilate what you’re experiencing…but satisfied nonetheless.
Thanks Mark Fradl, my editor and co-writing partner in crime!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Fan videos. . . wow!
Apparently, I have been completely clueless that fans have been recording and posting videos of our shows online! Chad stumbled upon a nest of fan videos on Youtube that are GREAT!
Some are live, some are "behind the scenes" at radio stations -- some are creative video interpretations of the songs. . .
Just thought I might share a few with you that you may not have seen on your own!
Here's an In- Studio Radio version of The Beatles "I'm So Tired" performed at KLBJ in Austin with Strings Attached.
This one is a video of "Easy" acoustic -- from Lane at the Bugle Boy in LaGrange, TX, We'll be back there in June!
This version of "May Day" was recorded by Cat at Luna Fine Music Club in San Antonio. It features Chad on guitar and Dave Madden on keys. Yum Yum!
Here's a beautiful and tragic video created by fans and set to our live version of "Noah" by Neal Kassanoff.
And here's a fun one made my friend Sandy Wells in Houston -- Her portfolio set to "Coffee Today"
Thanks to all of you!!!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Cabin Sessions 2008, Banjos, Ponds, Fires. . .
Mojo Cabin - Writing and Demo SessionsAfter 3 weeks of touring, I have finally landed. . . at our dear friend Su's restored log cabin in beautiful rural New Jersey -- at the tip of a peninsula in a lovely serene pond. .
After all these years of desperately needing time to write songs, it has finally come to pass. I will be here in the company of Chad Pope, 2 cats, the bears foxes and fish that live out here in the woods. . .
It is a truly enchanting place. We have some basic recording gear set up in the living space in front of the old stone fireplace, atop a beautiful bearskin rug. . . and we have begun the magic.
Two days after we arrived, we purchased this vintage Wurlitzer organ for only $70 (cheaper than a keyboard rental and with tons more mojo!). We've even posted our first rough demo -- it's called "Yesterday Blues"Listen Here -- it's on the player on the right hand side.
Our social life consists of going to Friday Night Bingo with Su's mom, Ruth, and hitting the all-night diner with Ruth and Joe, Su's dad for a snack after Bingo. . .
Today it is raining on the pond. . . a light sprinkling spring rain. . . We're
playing banjo, organ, watching the rain, practicing yoga and preparing for more recording. . . . We're feeling incredibly grateful. . . More songs to 
come. . .
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