Weekend at Glasslands 4/20-4/21/13

Did 2 shows over the weekend, first with Bob Jones and his Golden Tones, second with Divining Rod.

I like Glasslands. Nice venue, nice people. Both shows I think we really brought our A game. I'm too lazy tonight to write much else except come see us! I like this phase cause whatever I'm involved in it's joyous. Bob has created the most fun cover band ever. I actually enjoy the material. We can play anything we want to. He's writing some great songs as well and has a really pretty voice.

Divining Rod, we make the dark material. Heavy. But we always have fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHxUgbuPVA8&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGdvZRAi0CQ

This is an old show with Ann Hairston on the drums.

Yup, I like psych guitar....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ceu072PZRDY

Enjoy!

JB

Music and spirit

Been writing a demo a day. Keeps my mind functioning. Really into acoustic guitar these days, tired of all that sound from my amps.

Wrote this one about the war:

https://soundcloud.com/jef-brown/flowers-for-afghanistan

No, it's not political. I don't dig on politics.

My new favorite person to hang out with said one day: "once you can see how ridiculous everything is, you can be okay." I get that completely. I love that. You can mess with the world with this attitude.

Did this one the other night. Yeah, I like Django but I don't fancy buying a Selmer guitar.

https://soundcloud.com/jef-brown/central

Inspired by sitting in Central park last Wednesday in the sun. Lots of energy, lots of laziness.

This one was inspired by a friend. I like her, I like this song.....

https://soundcloud.com/jef-brown/marta

Gettin' my new age on with this piece.....

https://soundcloud.com/jef-brown/fields

Life after rock clubs? Maybe I'll start playing for yoga studios. There's a zillion different paths to the promised land. Played a rock show last night. A lot of chunder in the street. Yoga studios smell nicer.

Bob Jones and his Golden Tones, Lit Lounge 4/12/13

We played a great 1/2 hour set the other night, opening for 3 other acts. We're a lounge act, not a rock band but we're getting the word out so we played this gig. What went well is we were told we had a 1/2 hour to do our thing so that's what we did. Professional. No complaints, no indifference to time. And we killed it.

The group is starting to gel, that feels good. It's worth it playing with people who care.

The Lit Lounge has a great cavern feel about it. In 25 years of playing rock clubs I gotta say I'm tired of it so I'll focus on the positives. The sound guy was good, only mildly grumpy, did his job well. Over the years the bathrooms have improved, they have a lock on the door, big improvement over the old days. I used to hate even going to clubs, total lack of privacy, total lack of self respect. That's gotten better.

One of the other acts did everything one really shouldn't do on a bill with 4 bands. They spent more time than we had to play just setting up, played terrifically out of tune and continued to drag on well overtime leaving the poor group that was playing last no time for their set at all. Time indifference. 1/2 stack in a room the size of my bedroom, no stage presence, easily one of the worst groups I've ever seen. I don't get it. "Can we play 2 more?" You are already 20 minutes over your time, spent about 20 minutes tuning and never achieved that. Step down, go home and practice, you'll get better. It's disheartening to share a bill with such bands.

Over the years I've seen passion in rock n' roll turn into 30 somethings saying "hey let's play rock star!" It's a bummer. Get your ego out of there and your heart in there, PLEASE. We all need to express ourselves, hats off to you for showing up, now figure out what it means to be pro.

The second act was good, the unfortunate headliner I didn't see. They were backstage discussing that they should have said yes to taking the third slot they were offered. Rule of thumb. On a 4 band bill of groups that don't know each other, never play last. Always fight for a better slot. You are worth it right?

JB

Nothing to gain, nothing to lose.

It's only those moments where there is awareness that we have nothing to gain and nothing to lose that music happens. That moment where you lose yourself. I think maybe this is just a way. A way of life that is. I've had moments where I vanish completely, but these are rare. All that chatter in the mind, all that worrying if the audience is into it or not. I like making music that people like, but no longer care if anyone likes the music I make or not. I trust that whatever message is coming through it will reach those who need that message, and those that don't will tune in somewhere else.

All are welcome here.

I'm taking this approach to promoting as well. I have nothing to gain or lose by asking for a gig, asking for money, asking for support. Sharing music is an offering. It can be accepted or rejected. That part is none of my business.

Once the note leaves my horn it's out there. It has it's own energy, thoughts, desires, fears. I have no control over that note. I like this. It's honest. It's truth. And truth has no path.

xoj