We’re All In This Together

I saw this add on Myspace a couple days ago about a song competition. I was curious, so I clicked through to see what the deal was.

Turns out, Mark Pellington (The Mothman Prophecies, Arlington Rd.) has a new movie coming out called Henry Poole is Here. He and Myspace have teamed up to offer unsigned bands/artists the opportunity to have an original song in the DVD soundtrack.

Okay. Sounded interesting to me. So, I watched the video of Mr. Pellington talking about the competition and then watched the trailer…

I really liked what I saw. As I learned more about the story and the character I became intrigued. I already like Pellington’s movies (I have driven across the Ohio River on a bridge just like the one in Mothman Prophecies…c r e e e e p y…), the cast includes Luke Wilson and the soundtrack has Bob Dylan, Badly Drawn Boy, The Eels, Ben Harper, Blur and more.

Wow. Decent.

I watched the trailer again. Then, I listened to Mark Pellington talk about the competition again. In addition to being included on the DVD, he’ll direct a video for you. Pretty cool, considering he’s done some great videos like U2’s “One” and Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy” for God’s sake. He’s worked with the Boss, Public Enemy and The Foo Fighters too. Basically, the dude likes good music and he’s done some impressive work.

Hmm.

I thought about it for a few minutes and started writing. There are themes in this movie that I feel like I already touch on in my own songs. So, it wasn’t a stretch. I enjoyed putting myself in the character’s position, and I liked the challenge of writing something specifically for him. I finished the lyrics yesterday and recorded most of the guitars, bass and percussion in my apartment. I’m headed to a friend’s studio tonight to lay down the vocals and some other stuff. Maybe piano, maybe organ…I’m not sure yet.

I hope to have it done and mixed by the end of the week. I’ll probably have to do it myself in order to make it happen, but that’s fine by me. I figure I have nothing to lose. I did my best to I write a song that captures the what Henry Poole is about. I think its good. I had fun creating it. It’s a fantastic opportunity and I think I have a shot. Besides, you have to get scrappy these days. My hope is that Mark Pellington hears my song and says, “Yeah, this is the one.” I would love to work with him, not to mention how amazing the exposure would be.

We’ll see what happens. I’ll be sure to let you hear it when I have it done.

I played last night in Nashville at Christopher Pizza with my friend Lanky.  They had an open spot tonight too, so I’m going back for another set.  I’m headed to Atlanta tomorrow to play 1*Five*0.  It’s been a while since I played there, and I’m really looking forward to it.

I’m working on the design for my new website. 

I know what I think should be on there, but I’d like to know what you want.  What would you like to see at the new site? Would you like to see lyrics?  A more extensive bio? My favorite places to play frisbee golf? Whatcha want?

If you’re interested enough to read this blog, then chances are you’d be interested in my site and your opinion is very valuable to me.  Please let me know your thoughts.

I saw the Jonas Brothers on Oprah.  Swwwweeeeeeeeeet. Soooo good.  Now that is the cute I’m aiming for.  Also, I want to dance.  Dance, dance, dance.  Footloose, kick off your Sunday shoes.  I want to have a dance off with Donny and Marie Osmond, and a sing off with the Jonas kids…and OH OH! - We’ll get the studio audience from the Tyra Banks show to judge it, but ultimately the winner will be determined after we all live together in a log cabin with Mark Trail.  He’ll whip us all into shape. Don’t underestimate his knowledge of flying squirrels and berries.

That’s some great art right there.  Totally. Changing lives.  Taking names.

Yeah…

I kind of have issues. 

The past few weeks I have spoken to some of my creative pfriends.  Photographers, film makers, painters, sculptors, writers, and other musicians. 

At some point, we all ask ourselves if what we are doing matters.  Some of us ask that question more often than others.  Typical moody, artsty, mind trips. 

After many a late, philosophical diatribe, I have to say - Yes.  It does.  It is sometimes a struggle.  There is the occasional battle with self doubt, compromise, failure, the IRS and having nothing but those cardboard burritos from 7-11 to eat on tour…again, but it is worth it.  It keeps us sane.  Gives us hope.  In fact, I think the things we are trying to overcome actually give some of the best inspiration. 

I guess I’m just trying to tell you to keep on. 

Or, maybe I’m just jealous of the Jonas Brothers.  Probably.

Since I got Pro Tools LE I’ve been recording pretty much non-stop.  Every day. 

I don’t really like to take breaks to get food, so I’ve been munching on a lot of peanuts.  My favorite are Planters.  This is a habit I picked up on tour.  Also V8.  I am a V8 fiend.  I was thinking I should get endorsed by them.  Lifetime supply of nuts and tomato juice…that would be sweet. 

After seeing Call and Response: Concert to End Slavery, which I mentioned in a couple of my SXSW blogs, I wrote a song called Sell My Sister.  That one will probably be the first finished.  Atommik Boy is working on a remix of it too. 
I am working on another version of Lay it Down that’s closer to the live arrangement, and a pyschedelic gospel song called Sun Gonna Rise on Me. 

All of them feel like they are coming from the same place, so I am thinking about releasing them as a package.   I have my own ideas about how and where I want to make them all available, but I am open to your suggestions.  So, fire away.

Late night last night.  I got some sleep though, thanks to some pfriends in Austin - who I met in AL and CA - they moved here recently.  They’ve got kids and both play guitar, so I played for them this “morning”.  I took over their bunk beds for the night.  Bunk beds rule. 

I play my last show today at The Hideout Theater - 4pm.  Its set apart from the madness of 6th St, so I think it will be cool.  It was the first place I came to back in 05 to hang out and check email, so its kind of come full circle.

Everybody’s still freaking out about Vampire Weekend.  I asked a friend who used to be A&R at a major record label what he thought of them: “Over rated.  I don’t get it.”  I don’t know about you, but I kind of agree about the over rated part. I get it, though.  I see the appeal…but I’m not going to buy the record. 

I’ve been invited to a couple shows by some bands I’ve met on tour, so I’ll give you the full report later on.

Just saw Liam Finn, son of Neil Finn, at the PASTE/Stereogum/Dell party.

Un…..be…..liev….able. 

My jaw was on the floor.

Liam played guitar, bass(bass pedal), drums and sang.  He had a girl singing bgvs and some percussion too.  Two people. Better than most bands here. He looped his way through a gymnastic, psychedelic set.  Amazing.

I went to The Hotel Cafe Tour show last night.  A friend of mine introduced me to Cary Brothers and he told the guy at the door to let Shawn and I in.  Jessie Baylin, Pricilla Ahn, Ingrid Michaelson, Brett Dennen, Meiko, Kevin Devine, Jim Bianco, Rocco DeLuca, Sara Bareilles and Cary Brothers all played sets, or at least one song. It was a great bill.  I like what they’re all doing, and I hope to reconnect with some of them in the future.

I’m headed to the PASTE/Stereogum party in a minute.  Then, there’s party some friends from Nashville are putting on.  Later on tonight I’ll probably go the bluhammock showcase.  I have a plan, but I don’t have a plan.  We like to call it calculated randomness. 

All this walking has been no good for my flat feet.  I need new insoles for my shoes.  The ones I got at Giant suck.

I saw a bit of The Lemonheads set last night, listened to REM outside of Stubbs and met some interesting new pfriends, but the highlight of my day - and what will probably be the highlight of the week - was this movie. 

PASTE Magazine hosted the screening of Call and Response: Concert to End Slavery at The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema last night at 7:30.  It is heartbreaking and incredibly inspiring at the same time. 

Go watch the trailer NOW.

There are peformances and interviews with Imogen Heap, Cold War Kids, Cornell West, Ashley Judd, Madeline Albright and more. 

After Shawn and I left the theater and went back downtown, we walked around in a daze, looking at all the buzzery and indie rock politics taking place.  It seemed even more ridiculous than before. 

When this movie comes to your city, or even a couple hours near you, you have to see it. 

Shawn and I went to the PASTE Magazine party at Stubbs last night.  Addictive TV was there doing their thing.  They used old Queen, AC/DC and Led Zepplin videos in their set.  Very cool.

Moby DJed a set after them, opting for a tamer visual approach - mostly morphing colors - as his back drop. 

I played a set for The Red Gorilla Festival today at 1pm.  Despite the early set, I think it went well.  Got the folks at the bar clapping and singing.  I feel pretty good about that, since most people are afraid to look like they enjoy anything here at SXSW. 

Tonight we’ve been invited to see a screening of The Concert to End Slavery.  I’m looking forward to it. 

Patrol Mag is doing a feature on SXSW and is going to republish my blogs. Very nice of them.  I’ll keep trying to write something every day for you. 

I am flying under the radar this year, as usual. I’m not worried about it (though having the exposure of an indie darling would be awesome…I’m not gonna lie) because we continue to run into managers, promoters, ex-label people, new media companies and other artists that agree with us - things are changing. It’s time to adapt and forge ahead, or be lost in the past. To quote one of my favorite movies, Shawshank Redemption: “Get busy livin’, or get busy dyin’. You’re damn right.”

That’s what everybody calls it down here…

I personally don’t like to abbreviate things that are already abbreviated.  I guess I am old fashioned like that.

I got in to Austin last night at 10:25 pm.  Shawn picked me up from the airport (he drove from MO - he gets the spirit award) and we immediately headed downtown for the shenanigans.  It was a little light, but things are picking up today. The event I spoke and played at today went well.  I’m looking forward to continuing the conversation with the people I met there over dinner tonight.  We’re also attending a PASTE Magazine event later this evening. 

Just from the meetings we’ve had today, it is very clear that people are acknowledging the paradigm shift in the industry.  I found these quotes in the SXSWorld Magazine:

“The music industry will be fine…but the record industry - the ones that sell plastic discs - they are in a lot of trouble. The companies damming up the works by clinging to outdated business models will either collapse, or be forced to change.” - Jason Schwartz (Robber Baron Music)

“We need a system that compensates musicians and gives them a voice in how their art is created, licensed and distributed.” - Ann Chaitovitz (Future of Music Coalition)

Amen. And how.

More tomorrow…I’m off to hussle and learn.