The Eye of the Hurricane

Through the Windshield – A short story

A month or so ago a blog I read held a writing contest based on the image below. What came out of me took about 30 minutes to write and it’s all true though written with a different style based on the photo. Most of you have seen it and voted for my entry to the point that I won! I wanted to get it down here on the blog because it’s a testament to how much I love to write even though I think I’m horrible at it. Enjoy…

10 years and 3 months ago I did the last line of cocaine in my life.

6 years prior to that was the promise of a fun night and an expectation that I could forget my problems. I was in college, had no real responsibility, a lot of weight from the death of a close friend, and a family that was too spread out. That night was everything I thought it would be and even the first couple of years were good… stay up all night, drink lots, laugh, party and solve the world’s problems.

The later years were a left turn over the tracks and a drive through the shitty part of town. The nights got shorter and the days turned into 72+ hour, sleep when you’re dead, craziness. No pill was too much and no party was too far. “More” quickly turned into “Not Enough”. For those that don’t have the experience with this, it’s a feeling of total helplessness. The cocaine starts to change the way you think, the way you act, the things you value… and you never even know it.

In moments when you sober up, you start slipping in and out of feeling like your life is empty and you need to change, but your brain won’t let you get out. Those last few months of life on drugs were the lowest of the low… surviving on credit cards and my job may as well just paid me in cocaine since that what it was all going to. I spent many mornings watching the sun rise, usually driving somewhere to get more. Trust me… the only people that are up selling drugs at 7am on a Tuesday, are pretty fucking nasty.

When I see this picture, that’s what I think of… sitting in my car at 7am, looking out into the world with a empty stare. I can’t see the Truth of what is really going on because the windshield has a haze of lies covering it. On the corner, my true friends are watching me stare out, but all they can make out is part of what used to be me. The rest of the car is unkept and covered in dust and dirt, like my life. They wonder where I’m going, but doubt they’ll ever see me again.

10 years and 3 months ago I did the last line of cocaine in my life.

Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses – Junky Star {record review}

A man once said, “A good song should distress the comforted and comfort the distressed” and Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses’ latest album, Junky Star, fits that description perfectly. Everyone has high expectations for these guys, which were not only met, but blown away with a sound that feels like it sits out in-between genres of music. Most of these songs feel like they’ve been written not by a country band or a rock and roll band, but a mix between the two.

The entire band went in the studio, recorded “Junky Star” and crafted each song with a sound that fans will both relate to and recognize. There’s not a more versatile group of players that can go from an album such as Roadhouse Sun and follow it up with something of this caliber. It’s extremely well written and produced, but remains gritty, old-school, and stripped-back to the point of genius. The entire album pulls out a range of emotions from a song like “Depression” that makes me want to jump up raise my fist in there air (no fist pumping!) and scream the lyrics back to the speaker, to a save-the-best-for-last “All Choked Up Again” as the last track. The first time I heard that one, I literally pulled over 30 seconds in and said “Holy Shit”. Out loud. With no one else in the truck.

The tone of this album is vastly different than anything previously released. It sets a different course and shows the diversity that Bingham & The Dead Horses are capable of. If Mescalito is the album that you listen to at 3:00am to get you home and Roadhouse Sun is the album that you listen to in the morning to wake up and get the day rocking… Junky Star is the album that you will listen to at the close of a day when the sun hits the ground and you need something that will change your perspective, not just on your day, but on everything.

Going the extra mile

Last night I’m browsing through my twitter feed and I see a few friends that are out to see Switchfoot. I’m personally not a huge fan, but I really like the lead singer Jonathan Foreman’s solo work so I follow him on twitter and other stuff that he writes. Lots of good reviews of the show come through the feed and then one from Foreman pops up:

Aftershow in 5 out the backstage gate

Pretty incredible for a guy in a band as successful as they are. As I’m looking at a few pic’s roll in of the aftershow my thoughts drift to our local scene. Most bands that we all know and love, that have buses, seem to have these crazy schedules that never leave time to do anything but shower after the gig and maybe hang on the bus with the select few that are allowed to come on.

What would happen if some of our guys hopped off the bus and played for everyone hanging around outside. Or send out a tweet to come behind the venue to listen to a few songs? Foreman has a ton of hardcore fans that love him and drive/fly the miles to see these guys play and I’m convinced that these kind of things are the reason. It’s not out of the norm for him… this aftershow wasn’t the first and I doubt it’s the last. He goes that extra mile to give his fans something they will talk about on Monday morning to their co-workers, friends & family or anyone that will listen. you can’t buy PR like that. Hell.. I’m writing about it and wasn’t even at the show.

At any given concert, the band playing music is definitely all that we pay for when we buy a ticket to a show. But I wonder if some of these guys forget what it’s like to be a fan of someone. In an age of social media influence, could you give something extra that causes fans to fall more in love with the music… and spreading it to more people? You can’t underestimate a fan… well… because they are fanatic.

Digital Music – Why is it so hard to get

This morning I was reading an article about the changing business model of the music industry and the conversation led to the topic of digital music. The entire topic of digital music is fairly conflicted for me as I have differing opinions on it.

From my personal listening experience point of view, I believe there is nothing better than taking a trip to your local record store, perusing all the music, and buying what you came in for (as well as probably one or two other gems you found). If it’s the drop date of a new CD you’ve been waiting for.. there is nothing like this experience. Period. Both fan and record store has honed this process… it’s a social, support local WIN all around.

From a business standpoint, digital music is the best thing since sliced bread. It allows artists to be flexible, to give fans preview and bonus tracks for albums, and it allows you to drive people to buy music when they are most excited about it… right when they here it on the website. On The Drop the “buy” link almost always links to digital music for that reason. We want the artists to benefit and grow immediately. But this is where it all falls apart. Buying digital music is a big fat FAIL.

…we’ve trained two generations to believe that digital music doesn’t cost. We’ve certainly trained them that buying it isn’t fun. ~Seth Godin

You have iTunes and Amazon MP3 as your major players in this space. iTunes is great because is allows seamless integration with your iTunes player/iPod/iPhone, but it’s all DRM music that you can’t transfer anywhere. Amazon MP3 is wonderful because they are MP3′s that you can do whatever you want with them, but their integration into iTunes is cumbersome (although it’s the best I’ve seen).

Turning to our local scene we have Lonestar Music, CD Baby and OurTracks (plus a few other odds and ends). I can’t really say much positive about the experiences except, yes, they deliver digital music, which I admit is faster than driving somewhere. It is fairly evident from their business models that at some point they said something along the lines of “We want to deliver digital music” and it ended there. Let me be clear… I’m not knocking these guys because I know how hard web design and UI is and they don’t have the capital of an Amazon. Still doesn’t change the fact that me (and several people of my informal poll) do not buy music from these guys because it’s hard. Supporting our local scene is a big deal to me, so I’d def recommend doing so and buying your music from them. It’s the only way they will get the funds to build a better mousetrap.

Turning the focus to artists, you guys have to pay attention to this. Or hire someone who will. Digital music is the future no matter how many vinyl records you also print for that new album. The internet is only getting faster and when I have to spend 5 minutes buying your album from a local download service vs. 30 seconds from one of the majors.. I just won’t do it. And you’re kidding yourself if you think future younger fans are any different. Some never even knew a world other than when Apple was cool. Put your music in as many online spaces as you can and make your huge marketing/PR pushes to the ones that are streamlined and can get your record sold with ease. You need to be thinking quantity… especially if you are trying to break out. Your music is THE most important thing you have… be sure you know how the service operate that are selling your album. Go try to buy yourself!

I say… spend money on things like vinyl records and contests. But also spend money on making sure the new generation of music listeners will buy your music. It’s not the same as when we all grew up and there is far less tolerance than what we have.

Nate Rodriguez – Loreen

Last week we put on a show with a few acoustic musicians and Nate Rodriguez got the nod for the first spot of the night. What came out of his mouth when sang the first note, not only stopped everything I was doing, but also forced me to lean to the stranger next to me and whisper “Wow”. Amazing songwriter, amazing singer, amazing stage presence… and more importantly he conveyed all that in the very first time I saw him. A feat most musicians can’t accomplish in a lifetime.

After his set I went and spoke to him and let him know how much I appreciated his set and how it was truly a breath of fresh air. When I asked him if he was going more solo stuff or what exactly his plans were… His response was simply “try to survive”. It haunts me that a guy of his talent is merely trying to stay alive. He’s got a gift and alot of potential… lets hope he keeps pressing on. I believe there is a definite space for what he’s doing in this genre of music.

Loreen is the song that stood out to me when he played for us and I’d love to share it with you. It’s an amazing song of a man longing for a woman with some lines that will pierce your heart. Take a listen and if you dig it, go and check him out on facebook and leave him some encouragement. Lord knows we need more guys like him in this scene.

“Loreen” by Nate Rodriguez

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Loreen, what you do to me
You took took your heart and wrapped it, up into my dreams
Loreen, what you to me
You came and made me, a brand new man
You came and saved me, a brand new man

The first time I held you, was the first time I cried
Knowing I couldn’t keep you, right here by my side.
A kiss from your lips, is like heaven divine
Praying some day, for your love to be mine.

Loreen, what you do to me
You took took your heart and wrapped it, up into my dreams
Loreen, what you to me
You came and made me, a brand new man
You came and saved me, a brand new man

I am just a simple guy,
I do my best and I try not to lie.
Maybe not cause I just steal
But if I said I love you baby
It ain’t no feel, if I said I love you, you know its so real.

I know you’ve loved like this before
Your heart was torn and your souls been bruised.
But I’ll take you past if I can hold your future
and we may have a love that will never die.
We will have a love that will never die.

Loreen, what you do to me
You took took your heart and wrapped it, up into my dreams
Loreen, what you to me
You came and made me, a brand new man
You came and saved me, a brand new man

I have no place to begin
My words, they tire and my actions may be few
I guess what I’m saying is I just don’t know
how to put into words what I just can’t show

Loreen, what you do to me
You took took your heart and wrapped it, up into my dreams
Loreen, what you to me
You came and made me, a brand new man
You came and saved me, a brand new man

Jason Eady – This Old Guitar and Me {video}

New song by Jason Eady I got on video at a recent show here in Houston. Really love how this 3 piece is sounding. Can’t wait to see this version of the band really get comfortable playing together. you’ll notice Cody Foote on bass in the background and Devin Leigh on the Dobro.

I can’t wait till he lays down these new songs on an album. It’s going to be a great one for sure!

Visualization of Music

“Music is personal … a song means different things to different people …when you put visuals to a song – the visuals over-power the personal meaning and everyone “sees” the same thing. This visualization of music also burns out songs much faster than just hearing them…it also de-personalizes the music.” ~ Bob Wilson – (founder of Radio & Records)

This is a very interesting take, especially in the context of music videos. I grew up in the era when MTV actually played videos and I can honestly say that while I still watch them occasionally, I don’t really miss them. I think what MTV found was that their popularity was due to newness of the format and the accessibility of “what was hot” in music. After the newness wore off and the internet made music more accessible, MTV turned into what we have now.

I’m not discounting that there were some pretty amazing music videos out there. Michael Jackson probably pushed the envelope the most by creating story lines around the songs, but very few others are memorable. It was a new medium and bands capitalized on the popularity and it ultimately resulted in a complete change in the way a generation of people listen to music. In my opinion.. it changed it in a very bad way. Music is no longer just music. Live events try to compete by adding light shows and trying to invade our other senses… most often times doing it wrong and completely screwing up the listening part of our brain and soul.

Visuals and context should enhance our experience of music. Notice I didn’t say “add to”. There a very important distinction to be made, and it’s up to the bands, promoters & producers to make sure it stays true to form. I’ve received nothing but praise on our recent launch of The Drop in how it combines a strong visual with the music. I don’t think it would have succeeded as well as it did if we just “added” a small image to go along with the music.

This whole concept has completely changed my thoughts on combining film and music. Moreover, it begs me to ask the question… “How is viewing music (youtube, vimeo, etc..) online changing the way we hear music?”