I needed to pick up my bus yesterday. It got it’s final little repair from the accident. The detailer is a nice bloke who is vastly interested in what’s going on for my music. He’s a great guy. When I explained the situation, he looked at me thoughtfully and told me he had no words of wisdom to impart. But then he started telling me how people who get out of their comfort zone are the only ones who truly make strides. Yes they can fail once in a while, but they are the type of people who get back up and go again.

He meant me. He knows I’m full well out of a comfort zone at the moment and working on the business side despite being an artist.

Which is why the phone call I got this morning was welcome and frustrating at the same time. The new deal I’ve been working on for my business is another 4-6 weeks away from being going thru. While it’s the furthest along any deal has come, I’ve been being told prior to this that it was supposed to be done and finished a month ago. Yet now I’ve got another month and a half. ARGH!!!

I finally had a co-write fail. I agreed to do a co-write with a new friend about a week and a half ago. I took her way out of her comfort zone. I have not heard from her since. Which is unfortunate. I thought the idea we got started on was going in a really good direction. But there is that comfort zone thing. And of course the time. She felt she could walk away with a really good song in two hours time. Time for a great song is not a matter of minutes or a couple of hours - it’s lots of hours.

The idea can spark in a moment, but refining it can take a whole lot of time. I’ve noticed in my more recent writing endeavors that the longer I focus on a song, the more I reexamine what it’s doing, the more time it takes and the better it gets. So does the feedback I get. The better the writer I co-write with, the more I get to know that a really damn good song takes at least two days of time. That’s a good number of hours to get to the good first draft. It was a wake up call she wasn’t willing to accept. Oh well.

I’m pretty sure I’ve featured the Tragically Hip before. They’re a great band out of Canada. Seems like a lot of great bands come out of Canada. At least a lot of popular artists have. I really like the ebb and flow of this particular song. It’s about time. The great thing about the vibe is that you can feel the length of time in it. That’s great prosody. If there is one thing the guys in Tragically Hip are good at, it’s vibe. Plus their lyrics tend to really bring out great images and stories. That’s a true sign of great writing.

I can’t express it enough that you ought to explore more of their music than just this song. They’ve got so much great rock it’s beautiful. I do hope at some point to catch them on the road. I’ve never seen them live and I would think they put on a good live show. Seen them? Let me know!

Yesterday also marked the day that my music started being uploaded to the Shazam service. Woo Hoo. It’s still in process as of right now.

If you’re an iTunes user. My music is now available on iTunes as a ringtone purchase. Still waiting on the iTunes Plus to arrive to allow for DRM free purchases. Hopefully any day now. So that’s another good piece of news.

And in the world of the NBA, I’m under the impression that I should be getting the contact info to the marketing guy for possible talks about one of my tunes. Keep good thoughts going for me on that.

It’s little things like that which provide me with a bit of happiness in a day. The kind of thing that makes me think that music is my kind of lover. Especially when you gain a new fan who likes to tell others about you (another nice thing that’s happened yesterday). I’m pretty sure that over the weekend I heard this song. I know that I’ve featured Billy here before. He’s one of those older rockers that I kinda wished I was old enough to know when he was at the height of his game. Very catchy tunes. Very coy, very fun.

The ultimate in flattery is when an artist does a cover rendition of a song that takes the song in a different spot. The worst form is when an artist does a cover version that is a copy of the original. I’ve wanted to do a cover of this song. However, every time I listen to it, I really don’t have a vision that would deviate from how Billy envisioned his song in the first place. Thus, until I can come up with a way to make the song something different, I have to leave it alone.

That doesn’t stop me from enjoying the song and singing at the top of my lungs whenever this song comes on. I can’t explain why I like it so. Must be one of those things that is best left unexplained. Or could it be the bounce? This guitar riff that opens the song has so much bounce and attitude that it screams - LOVE ME. The melody is damn hooky in both the verse and the chorus. Additionally you can hear a whole lot of little production tricks. Changing the way the snare reacts to reverb, little synth lines, changes in the sounds, lots of little ear candy pieces. Stuff that helps to make the song fun to listen to.

The true core here is that the song itself is strong. I think it would hold up in different genres and styles. Someone just has to be brave enough to try it.

I finally got out to see The Dark Knight last night. In a word: Awesome! There is so many things that were amazing about the film there’s no way I can even begin. It’s a spectacle that needs to be seen. Christian Bale was born to be Batman and Heath Ledger was born to be the Joker. It’s unfortunate that Heath Ledger will no longer be able to reprise the role.

As I sat there watching, I had one thing cross my mind. Should I ever given a shot to do a role in a film like this, I certainly want to play the nutcase. Heath’s performance is on par with that of a famous Brad Pitt looney roll from 12 Monkeys. A great rental. I don’t think Heath surpassed Brad’s looneyness, but it’s damn amazing.

Enough about that.

I’ve got to start getting some other things done. Yesterday I got another song finished with a co-writer. One whom I’ve featured on the blog before. Femke Weidema. I’ll probably showcase the demo soon. I’ve got wind that my music will soon be a part of Shazam. That’s highly cool. If you’re not familiar with Shazam it’s a service for cell phones where you play a little bit of a song into the phone then tag it and Shazam will tell you what music is playing and who it’s by. Provided that you’re in their system. My music should be up in their system shortly. Yet another cool thing!

I’ll be sending out some old computer stuff to a recycler that specializes in that. Go Green!

Then I’ll be working on music to finish up some other tunes today and then another co-write this evening.

Getting on to Mark. Mark is a younger musician. Probably about 16 or 17. He’s showing some remarkable talent for writing songs. Much like Lemonhead. Mark certainly has some modern influences. I liken him to possibly a cross of Foo Fighters meets Fall Out Boy or something along those lines in terms of the songs. What’s holding him back from mega success at the moment is production. Not in a bad way.

Mark is probably doing this stuff in his basement and for what he’s achieving it’s awesome. His quality in the production reminds me a bit of Jason Falkner. In fact some of his song elements are reminiscent of Jason as well - though not as eclectic. You can hear a very raw quality to the mix and recording. There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s great to hear where he really wants to go with the ideas. I think Mark will make an excellent producer in the future [provided it's him doing this production]. He needs a little massaging with the polish and he will shine like the star he should be.

There’s another song that I have received called Giving Up. I couldn’t find it on any of the digital services. If you get the means to get that song by Mark, do so. You won’t be disappointed. In the meantime, enjoy and go listen to the rest of his disc. It’s worth it.

The crowd had a wide mix of people. During the live show it was mostly an older crowd watching the band. Most were doing only that watching. A small subset that really knew the band and it’s music was jumping and dancing around. I got separated from the person that invited me. So I started walking around taking in the sights. I actually ran into a few people that I know, so that provided some fun to chat.

Then I finally found my friend. She was chatting with a couple of blokes. One from Poland and another from England. Nice guys, but after 10 minutes I got a very clear sense that they were both students of The Game. Doing everything they could to attempt to welcome me in, all the while serging (sergeanting?) their way with a pretty girl and my friend. Classic. Right out of the book. Pretending to fein interest in my presence after being introduced by my friend. One was a movie distributor and the other is in the music industry in some fashion - at least that was the story. I didn’t want it so bad.

Since I had no interest in peacocking, as the term goes. I decided it was time to part ways with my friend and head out.

Today’s choice is one from a band that I really dug. They had great tunes, but not the right marketing. I know that I’ve written about my experience to meeting one of the key figures of Imperial Drag, Eric Dover. You can check that post about it.

I’m feeling a need for a bit of a retro vibe today and that is the true meaning on the post. Imperial Drag certainly had that down to a T. To top it off, I’ve been able to get demos of songs that didn’t make their album. Hence the song you’re hearing now. You won’t find it anywhere unless you’ve got a connection to get it. If you want it so bad…

What to know a little about stuff? Visit: Story of Stuff.

You might find there’s a whole lot about stuff you didn’t know.

In the meantime, I encourage you to listen past the verses in this song. It was brought to my attention by my buddy Chris. Normally I’m not into this type of thing. But I swear to you it gets better when it hits the chorus. It’s night and day different. To the point where it makes me scratch my head and think what’s the reason behind the screamo in the verse?

Technically it’s very well produced. Clean, well mixed and heavy. It’s a guitar players modern metal wet dream. Probably why Chris wanted me to hear it. Very much right up his alley. Word from his ether is that the blokes in Scar Symmetry are extremely cool dudes and are starting to break out big in the genre. It’s not hard to hear why.

As far as screamo goes, this is quite commercial in sound. Being the closet guitar slut that I am, it’s a combo of the fun guitar work and the good mix that has me taken in by this. Plus I really like the vocals in the chorus. And in case you didn’t know, it’s the same guy singing and doing the screaming. No kidding.

While you’re devouring this, I’m going to be thinking about the Dark Knight. I may get to see it today.

On the surface, that doesn’t seem funny. However, what happens is that the band went on to massive fame and fortune. The drummer went on to be like Pete Best. If you’re not familiar with Pete Best… here’s a quick education: he was the original drummer of the Beatles.

Fish, the drummer in the movie spent the last 20 years seething from being booted from the band he helped build and name. Then thru crazy circumstances he winds up in his nephew’s band. In the process helps lead them to fame and fortune while fulfilling his dream to be a drummer in a successful band.

As a musician this movie is hilarious for all the little quips the happen in the dialogue and innuendos. I think there’s enough of non-music life in it that even non-musicians will get a kick out of it. Think of this idea: Will Ferrell starring in a story that mixes Spinal Tap with Josey and the Pussycats. Only it’s not Will Ferrell is not in the movie it’s another up & coming comedy actor named Rainn Wilson.

To put it mildly, I laughed my ass off. There are some cheesy moments but aside from those the movie is well worth the price of admission and the music in the movie is pure commercial fun. It’s that simple.

In spirit of the 80’s rocker vibe I’m digging out a band that I really respect. Actually I respect the guitarist more than anything. John Sykes is a smoking good player. If you’re a guitarist who studies other great players, you cannot overlook John Sykes. He can probably relate to the character in the rocker. John Sykes helped to make Whitesnake a commercial success and then got booted from the band. It was John’s playing and writing that defined Whitesnake in the 80’s. At least that’s what I learned.

John Sykes is now playing guitar for another long time band that is still enjoying success, Thin Lizzy. However, I think it’s his solo stuff where he really shines. This is one of the first songs I heard by John and I really enjoy the way the song rolls along. I also love the guitar tones. Smoking riff, driving beat and consistent. The other cool thing about the song is the way it morphs. Building, building, building, then suddenly it tapers off and mutates into something totally different. It’s extremely fun. I enjoy music that takes me for a ride. Not to mention that bounce it has in the beginning.

Go enjoy The Rocker. Then go satisfy your inner rocker by picking up Jelly Roll and exploring the world of John Sykes.

The thing that makes a film even more powerful than the story itself is the music. Hands down, music can really make or break a film. It enhances the mood. It defines a tone. I always pay attention to the soundtrack. I have a vested interest in it as that’s where some of the music I create is destined to be going.

In the soundtrack of a film is exactly where I hear today’s Single of the Day. With one of the strangest names I’ve heard of for a project I have no idea what to even say other than it is strange. Asbestoscape. What do you make of a name like that? Is it dangerous? Sneaky?

I can hear this coming thru some speakers in a large auditorium while I’m watching some modern film noir. Simple. Dark. Moody. Engrossing. These are words that are conjured in my head as I listen, and re-listen and so on. I’m a fan of dark music. It’s a wonder why I don’t write much of it myself. I think the blokes in asbestoscape are doing a fine job of it though.

If you dig Pink Floydian dark soundscapes this is certainly a disc you should pick up. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Unless you want it to paint blood on the walls too, then it might be a little light.

I like to think in terms of bettering the situation around me. I’ve had several friends that I discussed things at length with tell me that I don’t hide or have hidden agendas. I don’t keep some ulterior motive in my mind during a conversation or in networking or whatever. They can tell I don’t operate with a mind for destruction. Yet recently I’ve been attacked in matters dear to my beliefs on a development that I hold very personally in my hometown. Which is so bizarre.

One thing I mentioned to a new co-writer yesterday is that if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing right. My meaning was that if I’m going to sit down and write a song that has a deep connection to myself or the co-writer, then by all means I want to examine every detail, every nuance. This put the new co-writer on edge. They felt uncomfortable and naked. Which isn’t my intent.

I probably need to write some sort of lighthearted track/song today to find some sort of balance. I don’t know. Maybe in the immortal wisdom of Monty Python, I need a good confusing. If there is one comedy troupe that I wish could exist today to skewer the world right now, it’s Monty Python. Alas, they are no longer and were before my time. I’ll have to make do with DVD’s and hope another comedy act as good or better than Monty Python can come along and impart some balance on a world that has shifted.

In the meantime, I’ll focus on another little group out of the U.K. They’re called South. Interesting name for a band. Although when I went searching on some of my music sites, I actually found that there’s another band called The South here in the States. Again, more confusing. I’m here to chat about South from the U.K.

Specifically, I’d like to envision their title right now, this moment in my reality distortion field. I want Better Things. It’s not fun when you appear to be a half step out of sync with the world. I’m going to spend some time losing myself in the mellow melody going on here. There’s of little guitar parts to connect to. There’s the ethereal space going on around the vocals. It gives the song a little bit of a dream feel. Therein lies my desire to hold on to a dream until my world returns to Better Things.

If you’re a fan of all things U.K. like Coldplay, there’s a good chance you dig the rest of South’s CD. Go get it now!

Today I’m feeling really random.

Could probably be due to lack of sleep.

Fight developers wanting to destroy nature.

Write a song with someone new who’s afraid of you because they think you are talented and are scared of sounding dumb in front of you.

Make phone calls that go unanswered.

Sometimes we want to go into a hole a hide.

Why is the sky blue?

Organize files, but it’s not done right.

The joy’s of Air Conditioning.

Sign a document.

Shower to cleanse away the sleep.

Nap needed thanks to dogs and helicopters.

Choose an item for lunch.

Send e-mails.

Listen to music.

Create more music.

Single of the Day.

Very Eclectic.

Going in the direction of the oddity.

That’s what mrandmrshays does for me.

It’s quirky.

It’s different.

It’s something I’m glad I’ve spent.

Go get it now!

Now put in a development with multiple buildings going roughly 10 stories high cutting into a very pristine portion of a mountain. Suddenly it’s a recipe for disaster. Additional traffic, problems with water, sewage (snow removal in winter) and power - all things that need to be considered since it’s in a part of town that is small and hard to build in. Add in the fact that Park City already barely reaches 70 to 75% capacity on rentals even during Sundance which is arguably it’s busiest time of year and it makes you wonder why someone wants to destroy beauty to add to some empty rooms where they’re not needed.

It’s infuriating.

Everything is always easier to understand after the fact, right? Hindsight is always 20/20? Why can’t people have enough foresight in matters like this? Good question. Maybe Echo Screen has the answer. That’s today’s pick. Their tune Everything After Bradford is a catchy and infectious. It kicks off with a nice beat. Kinda reminiscent of something like The Beatles mixed with say Cheap Trick or something. Echo Screen adds some of their elements to make it a bit more modern. This is by far their most original sounding song to me. Thus why I hooked into it.

It’s got a familiarity to it yet it’s certainly them. That’s where they need to focus their efforts. Hitting the mark like this will help them to rocket out into the limelight. There’s no doubt. I have the feeling that if you like this, you’ll like the whole album. Go get it now!