"Muse" - ings on Rock & Life

Well, Day 100 had two things in it that seem worthy of writing about. First (and definitely the smaller of the two), I scored the tab for arguably the best tune off of the new Ray LaMontagne record. It's the last song on the record, it's called "Devil's In The Jukebox," and it's surprisingly easy to play. It's essentially a 12 Bar Blues in E, capoed at the first fret. For me, this likely means it'll sound better sans capo, but by now that's common knowledge. Second, and more encouraging, is the fact that I went to see a local concert that proved to me beyond a doubt that I'm heading in the right direction. Slowly, perhaps, but in the right direction nonetheless. I'll save the group the throwing under the bus, but suffice it to say that I left the gig believing firmly in my talent, and my ability to improve with continued dedicated practice.

So, tomorrow's the big day. Hopefully there will be some musical amazingness to report. As for today, it was very relaxing. No serious goals for the afternoon off, so I chilled out for most of the day, and always had a guitar within arms length. As a result, I played a lot, but lacked a specific goal. I need to be better about setting specific goals, be they daily or weekly, and seeing how they go in the next 100 days. First goal: Get a handle on organizing the music area of my living room. The practice space is more functional with things re-arranged, but things still feel out of place somewhat.

Well, I got one project looked into today. It doesn't look as if I'll be able to pull the vocal from that song for one of my customers. It's planted firmly in the middle of the mix, so some of it exists on both the left and right channels. I'd imagine that if I had ProTools, I'd be able to separate the vocal from the rest, but no such luck. I'll try a few other options tomorrow, but round one goes to the ever-sneaky engineer who mixed the track all those years ago.

This week must be the week of strange musical projects/offers. Between pulling the vocals on that song, getting asked if I play guitar, and then being asked to create a soundtrack that has never been put onto CD, it has been eventful indeed. Granted, it's not like they were asking for original music or anything, but still... a customer was looking for a soundtrack that doesn't exist, and when I called up a list of all of the songs from the film, they wondered aloud if I would be able to help them out in creating one. I told them that, given all of the music I have, it was likely that some of the tunes would be in my collection, but that yes, I would investigate the making of said soundtrack. Like I said, lots of projects this week! Yay!

A couple of interesting things went down today. First off, I got asked by a co-worker if I teach guitar lessons. So, that one could either prove to be an interesting addition to my schedule, or it could have been a one time mention that will never be brought up again. We shall see. Also, having been obsessed with the new Steven Page record, I went back and messed about with some old BNL stuff, including "Brian Wilson" "Be My Yoko Ono" and "Tonight Is The Night I Fell Asleep At The Wheel" Fun times all.

So, as I believe I've mentioned before, part of this whole process has to do with improving as a musician, and the other part of it involves being open to the experiences that result from my making a conscious effort to place my music at the forefront of my life, and just what happens. Today at work was one of the "see what happens" sort of days. I had a lady call the other day looking for karaoke music involving Marilyn Monroe. When nothing was available, she expressed her distress, and I resorted to telling her that I might be able to pull the vocals from the tracks she needed. So, finally today, she stopped in and dropped off the CD. Just another project to undertake because I pushed the music to the forefront! No word yet on whether or not I'll have any success.

I finally got serious tonight about trying to finish off the hard rock stuff. Originally, I was just going to put together an EP with the best of what we already had, but as has held true for the last 3 years now, I keep getting new ideas that seem to only work for the band. That being said, I dragged out my white board as a way to make notes. It seemed less abandonable that a notebook, and set about doing not only some listening, but also a little bit of sequencing. It will likely take me a few days to come to any decisions about anything, and then some time to create bigger arrangements than those we had back in the day (which mostly consisted of an acoustic part, and a vocal line). Wish me luck, because away I go!

So, I'm a week away from 100 days. Wowsers. I got through the rest of the Steve Page album today. Wound up doing most of it in the car, but still. It's a solid record. It still sounded like the other half of Barenaked Ladies to me though. I'll definitely need to listen to the rest of it in the stereo with headphones to see if that changes at all, but I liked it. The writing was good, the instrumentation was clean and crisp. When it comes to going through old band stuff, I wasn't as successful today as I had hoped to be, but I did have some fun with the electric this afternoon. That descending progression played at the corners of my brain all day, though, which is a good sign. Other than that, I read a bit more of the Zep book. All in all, a good day.

Strange day today. Didn't find as much time to play as I would have liked to, but nevertheless, I did putter around a little bit more with that progression from yesterday. It's still cool. It's based on a descending pattern, and would be really cool with some strummed acoustic underneath it. Tomorrow's plan (because I'm Off! On A Sunday!) is to try and figure out what the chords would be underneath said progression. In fact, I'd love to spend the whole day just messing about with all of that old stuff, and seeing what happens. The other thing I'd like to do tomorrow is make it through the rest of the new Steven Page record.

I stumbled onto a fun little chord progression tonight in my playing after work. It's loosely based on something I came up with years and years ago, but this particular progression is darker in tone, and generally more interesting than the earlier one (which had a fun, ringing sort of tone). I'm not sure exactly where this is leading, if anywhere at all, but it seems like the basis for yet another progression that might be designed for the old band. Something about leaving that unfinished must still be haunting me...

So I started the process of getting my fingers back in the swing of things today. They took a little bit of convincing, but it feels wonderful to be playing again. I started out just intending to loosen up my fingers a bit, but wound up picking out melodies while watching TV. It's a particularly fun challenge, since the musical bits in shows are only repeated a couple of times at maximum. I came very close to having one switch over to a different idea entirely, which for me, is sort of the point. Aside, of course, from being somewhat helpful in picking out where notes fall on the fretboard. I like the speed it requires. Also, I started back in on the Zeppelin book. All in all, a nice, relaxing day in which progress was made toward the goal. It may have been a small step, but it was a step nonetheless.

One of the things this experience has taught me so far is that a part of the growth process (in music, or anything) is embracing the truth. It's okay to talk about where you're at, but only for a little bit, because eventually all the talking gets in the way of moving forward. That being said, indulge me for just a little bit. I'll admit that I got caught up in all this reading about record labels recently. I'll admit that it has distracted me from the playing side of things. I've always had this amazing ability to focus in on one thing, and do that one thing really, really well. Sometimes it's a blessing, and sometimes a curse. I got a little too focused on the reading side of things recently, to the point where I realized that I missed the way the strings feel underneath my fingers. So glad to have tomorrow off, so I can get a lot of playing done! Other things that struck me today... 1) There is a movie coming out (or maybe it's out in select theate...

So, I will openly admit (even after yesterday's bold statement of a lot of great things to come), that I had modest expectations for today. In fact, I had but a singular goal: FINISH THE BOOK ON MERGE. I am delighted to say that I accomplished said goal, and that it was, from beginning to end, a fantastic and informative read. Now, I can move on to something else (gladly), because I sure felt like I talked about that thing on here FOREVER! And besides, this is a blog about musical adventures, not a book club. The only other music related thing I accomplished today was to write to the director of the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony regarding photos of Saturday night's amazingness. And speaking of amazingness, he responded during the 8 hours I was at work! With good news! Also, with tomorrow night AND Thursday off, I'm hoping I can get back to the important stuff... the PLAYING!!!

I did a lot of reading today, music-wise. Not necessarily as a way to wind down from the emotional highs of the last few days, but more so because after all of the action in the last 72 hours, I was kind of worn out. On the plus side, I'm very nearly done with the book on Merge. And speaking of the intersection of music and reading, next I really need to finish that big book that Keith Shadwick wrote on Zeppelin. THAT has been sitting, basically untouched, since before vacation in the end of June! I've picked it up here and there, of course (as mentioned in the last three months or so), but never for an extended period of time. Also, I'm not beyond the realization that I'm fast approaching the 100 day mark here. It's been an amazing run so far, but there is still so much progress to be made, so much to learn, and so much to play. In an odd sense, thank god that winter (a season I usually dread) is coming, because it will give me less excuses to be doing anyt...

Oh, What A Show! I'm going to try and incorporate a Top 5 Moments list in here too (because it's been too long), but it may well run long, so... 1) A looping pedal... used with a CELLO! That's right, Josh Neumann had a Cello with a pickup in it, and used a freaking looping pedal with it! He was the first one onstage after the opening act, so that wound up being the first official moment of the Brandi Carlile portion of the gig, and Oh, What A Way To Start! 2) "Crazy" Brandi & The Twins did a short 25 minute set with just the three of them (she described it as an "acoustic barnburner" set, before taking a break and coming back with the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra. While the barnburner set was fun (and I secretly wished they had gone on longer), she closed that part of the show with "Crazy," written by Willie Nelson, and performed originally by the amazing Patsy Cline. It was just Brandi, acoustic & vocals, and was incredi...

BRANDI CARLILE TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm just about to head out the door, but wasn't sure when I'd get home, so I figured I ought to write a little something before I left. There will be many updates to come in the next 24 hours or so. Hopefully a setlist or something. This should rule! Only wish I wasn't going alone.

Started in on "Fall Apart Again" tonight. That songs has an interesting rhythm guitar part. Turns out that it's really three acoustics playing different parts that all add up to what you hear on the record. Should be an interesting challenge to blend them all together into a single acoustic part. I'm up for it though. I can't believe the concert is tomorrow! I'll probably get an early start on my way to Cedar Falls, as I haven't a clue where it is I'm going. Besides, I'd rather have too much time in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area than feel rushed. I'm still kind of bummed that I'm going to this by myself, but I'll get over it... trust me. Also, on a completely un-related note, I think at some point I might need to investigate learning "Rude Mood" by Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Forty Eight hours or so until the Brandi Carlile show! Not that I'm excited or anything. Still reading up on Merge. I know I've said it before, but I'm really enjoying that book. I'm into the beginning of a chapter on Neutral Milk Hotel... another band I've heard a lot about, but never actually "heard." I got the chance to pick up the acoustic for a few minutes before work today. Not long enough for my taste though. To be honest, I haven't played much in the last few days. And my electric is feeling neglected too. I'm thinking I need to learn "Fall Apart Again" in the next 48 hours, in honor of the concert. And not just part of it. Lyrics, Music, able to get through the whole thing. Cross your fingers.

So, I sent an e-mail to my Dad the other day, recounting what had happened in the last few weeks, and updating them on what was coming up (i.e. Brandi Carlile on Saturday!). My Dad, in his usual fashion, sent a response that contained the following line: "I do not wish to totally reveal my ignorance of post-1960's music, but who the heck is Brandi Carlile?" That's the way it's always been in my family. Everyone is supportive of my addiction to/obsession with music, but nobody really understands it. My step-mom and my brother come the closest to understanding, but then again, they both play, so they ought to. I'm still not sure exactly what I would have done if my brother had turned into one of those people who "hates music." And you know, I think that part of the reason I'm in so deep, part of the reason I could never really live without it, and part of the reason I've struggled during the times it's been absent from my life for a p...

I noticed something tonight that's interesting. Major events in my life (or at least ones that require some sort of emotional recovery) tend to occur on Mondays. This always winds up working out well for me music-wise, because new stuff always drops on Tuesdays. Today's purchase was the new record by Sister Hazel, which I didn't even know came out until I got to work. The last big one in my life came in May of 2005, also on a Monday night, and the next day, I picked up 3 new releases as a way to cope: Crimson (Alkaline Trio), Rebel Sweetheart (The Wallflowers) and Out Of Exile (Audioslave). Secretly, I wonder if my brain "plans" it this way, so music can come along and save my life again. Also of note: after reading about Merge (and therefore Superchunk) for the last couple of weeks, I finally broke down and checked them out a bit at work tonight. Gotta say... loved it! Will definitely be picking some of their stuff up soon.

Read some more of the book on Merge today. Also, ensured that I'll have enough songwriting fodder for the rest of my days. That's really all I can say about today.

It was a long day today. So much so that, when I got home from work, all I could really do was sleep for about the next four hours or so. When I woke up, I did a bunch of music stuff in rapid succession. I read some more of the Merge Bio, I sat and played acoustic for a while, and I got another couple of lines lyric wise. I know I keep going on about this book, but what I love about it is the feeling that it instills. The feeling that you can do anything you want to, that if you can dream it up, you can make it happen. All the artists in this book are just people. They're not gods. And if they can live and hate and breathe and burn like the rest of us and STILL create all this amazing music that has changed people's lives, then why can't I do that too, you know? It seems like the sort of thing that has to happen either in an enclave of like-minded souls, or off somewhere completely by yourself. (On a side note, I shut out the world after work, and enjoyed the exper...

Back to the acoustic tonight. It seemed like the way to relax after a long day at work. I started with "Wagon Wheel" by O.C.M.S. and then played a bit of "Friends" by Cracker, followed by "Yankee Sailor" by Great Big Sea. All things I've mentioned in the past, I know, but at the end of the day, it's just nice to kick back with stuff you're familiar with. So, tomorrow's Sunday, and that means one thing... it's the start of Brandi Carlile Week! Concert on Saturday @ Gallagher Bluedorn. Looks like I may be flying solo on that one, so that should be an adventure. I'll probably start listening to her stuff exclusively a few days before the gig, but I may well start learning some of it tomorrow. Not sure where to start though. We'll see where the week takes me on that one I guess. I surmise I'll know more tomorrow.

So, I've made it a personal quest not only to document the progress that I'm making in my playing, but also to mention the various assorted musical connections I make (or almost make) along the way. Here's the latest story on that front... A customer stopped in and asked about the new Sara Bareilles record the other day. We only had 1 copy left, because all of us freaking love that record, and have been selling it like mad. I hand the guy the record, and he proceeds to tell me that his daughter is friends with the amazingly talented Miss Bareilles. Apparently, this guy's daughter interviewed her for an assignment in grad school, and wound up getting invited onto the tour bus after the show to hang out. Turns out, they hit it off, and became fast friends. So, apparently they've kept in touch, and this guy and his wife have even gone around the country to see a couple shows here and there. I told him that, the next time he talks to his daughter, he needs to te...

Picked up the electric today for the first time in a while. Plugged it in and everything. Neighbors be damned. In all seriousness, I didn't crank it up that loud, but it felt good. I found some tabs for The Gaslight Anthem online, so I rocked out to that for a bit. Picked up the acoustic today too, if only to run through "Dead Flowers" a couple of times. I've been quite sick, but it seems like perhaps my voice is coming back, if I can stop coughing long enough to sing, that is. And yes, even though by now it likely seems repetitive, I finished off a chapter in that book on Merge Records. All in all, I didn't get as much done as I could have, but I still feel good about what I did manage to get accomplished.

No lyrics today. First time in three days. I'll be honest, it feels a little strange to get nothing today. I did pick up the acoustic though. I think I may need to go out tomorrow and have a new set of strings put on her, but other than that... I did do some more reading today. This book on Merge Records is really cool, and set up well. Back to the acoustic thing for a moment, it's funny, I always seem to start in the same place when I pick up the guitar. For me, that starts and ends with G. I've never wondered before where this places my approach to playing and writing, but the thought this morning was that I wondered whether it's an impediment. The need to change it up a little bit was perhaps the primary thought. Still, somehow, starting with G this morning did surprise me in that it sounded fresh for an instant or two. Nothing planned for tomorrow, hopefully the music takes a front seat.

So, I know I'm late in posting, and I know that means I'll have technically missed a day for the first time since July 31st, but something quite serious came up with someone I'm exceptionally close to, and suffice it to say that sometimes you just have to be there for those you care about. This was one of those times. Still, $20 in quarters will go in the change jar come Friday. Gotta have some excuse to not miss days, and not having the extra cash to donate will definitely be a good motivator. That being said, I did get some music stuff done today. Believe it or not, I actually got more lyrics down on paper this morning. It's a chorus, of that much I am absolutely certain. Which project it fits in with remains to be seen, but hey nobody ever said the process of lyric writing was easy. I've got the next two days off, and I'm excited to see what 48 hours of (mostly) free time gets me from a musical standpoint. Should be an adventure.

Hardly anything to report today. Bottom line with that is that I'm feeling deathly ill tonight. Not sure how I made it through my shift. I'm off to bed, but I WILL do some music -related reading before I pass out for the night. Hopefully things will be better tomorrow, because today feels like an epic fail...

I got lyrics today. That alone should count as some sort of minor miracle. It was only a few lines, and who knows if it'll lead anywhere, but I got lyrics today about everything that happened last year, so maybe I've finally healed enough to process some things. Also of note: I talked to B. for almost an hour and a half. It had been FAR too long, and was really good to catch up a bit. Sounds like she's been through a bit of hell lately, and while it stinks that conversation blooms out of tragedy, it was still wonderful to hear her voice. I think maybe that conversation was just the thing I needed. She has no idea how much of a catalyst she is for my musical activities. Bottom line: I miss that girl like crazy, and I miss the music we made too.

Oh random occurrences, how you manage to foil my plans at every turn. Good thing that I read some more on the whole record label thing early before work. I'm working my way through a book on Merge Records (I think I've made mention already, but hey), and it's been really great so far, because it shows just how small they started out, and it outlines their process through interviews with those involved, and bits of written back story here and there. All in all, if the whole label thing is ever going to happen for me (and I have to believe that it will), this book seems like it will be of great help. I feel really badly that I didn't get much of a chance to rock out today. Here's hoping tomorrow gives me a chance to do so.

Seventy days already? Is that really possible? Only another month until I'm at 100? I've got to start kicking a bit more rock & roll butt than I am now! So, in response to something I wrote yesterday, I got the list of music I've hooked my brother up with in the last few years... or at least some of what I've gotten him. Enough to make an informed decision anyway. And the wheels are already turning in my mind. I followed up by asking him what he's listening to at the moment. Secretly, I'm trying to figure out just how far out of his comfort zone I'll be taking him this time around. As for the stuff I've been working on, I played a bit of electric before I went to work today, but didn't have time for much else. I open in the morning, though, so hopefully my evening will be free for a heavy dose of rock!