So, I really haven't had time to read a lot of press-related articles regarding much of anything the last few years and quite frankly, do not take the time to seeing as how it is one person's opinion being pushed onto the masses. I prefer to take my time and see what my actual opinion of things are anyway. Here I am though writing my own blog about how I think my opinion is right and everyone else, although they may not be wrong are being extremely petty.
Regarding Kings of Leon in general I have stated publicly on many occasion that I haven't found that thing that makes me love them, but I haven't found anything that makes me hate them. I have downloaded torrents to give them a heartfelt go, but every time I do I wind up searching for something else. Sometimes this is a by-product to the joy I will feel for them later or sometimes I remain as I have... indifferent.
The article and comment regarding this particular article that I did take the time to read today did however make me curious and I clicked the link and read along. Please take a moment to do this yourself if you feel the need:
http://www.nashvillescene.com/2009-10-22/music/kings-of-leon-mother-father-monotonix-and-more/
There are 2 thoughts that immediately entered my mind upon reading this.
First of all, seriously guys? It's like this eddying vortex of pettiness. One guys says something thanks to the power of freedom of press, another guy reads it and comments on it based on his own freedom of speech and then the press fights back. The speaker has enough clout to fight the press and it turns into the petty fight that has ensued this article. So when the press gets kicked off the playground they run to their mommies (the public) and tell on them.
Which brings me to my 2nd point... whatever the hell for? A band that once gained local support and standing and that I'm sure helped them stand on their own two feet is now angry that they've found a way to make their careers work for them. All of those people then turn on them generally out of mere jealousy. Let's face it, that will happen in Nashville, NYC and LA more quickly than anywhere else in the world because people are there specifically for those reasons in a lot of cases. The term "sell out" comes into play because, well, the act of a band selling out is indeed finding someone that will buy them. Isn't that a musicians goal in the first place? What's so wrong with being a sell out? In fact I found the terms (under the same press-related site) that states that KOL "sold out" Madison Square Garden and under direct quote: "Kings of Leon (Oct. 16, Sommet Center) An actual rock band from Nashville is headlining our local Enormodome! This must be seen to be believed." No one really sounds mad about it there.
The fact that Kings of Leon let this get to them so much that they even take the time to bother to kick such pettiness out of parties and not allow for press passes is also petty and unnecessary. You are already "selling out", are you not? Why should a few people be of any concern to you any longer? You're on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine yet someone from Nashville Scene is getting your panties all in a bunch. A nice review/interview was written about you by the same people you are putting so much effort and emotion into. I'm sure if I had the time and energy I could find many an article complimenting you and helping you build the reputation you now have worldwide, so get over it.
In the end there is only one thing that continues this ongoing pettiness. Feelings. Quite frankly and personally, if someone doesn't like me or wants to call me names I try to take the high road and show them how little their opinion means to me. They can go to all my parties, drink all my booze and make sweet love to my boyfriend for all I care. They are insignificant and it bugs them much more in the long run to be so insignificant. That their presence that was brought there to bother you doesn't bother you one bit. Buy them a drink, shake their hand and say hello.
Of course, we all love the underhanded attempts at complimenting the band under the circumstances in a martyrdom of "taking the higher road". If you're going to be petty, please at least go all out. Don't cover it up with a fake smile.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Nashville Update
This is more of a personal blog than a business one, but none of my other blogs seem to fit quite as nicely, so I'm abusing this one. ;) Thanks for tolerating!
I know there may not be as many curious people as it seems some days, but nevertheless... here it is.
First of all Nashville wins. I mean people here complain about how the only people that are in Nashville are musicians and that their only fans are people who are interested in music. I think this is hilarious. First of all, the fact that there are people here interested in it at all should be impressive. Yes, it provides more competition, but shouldn't we all be pushed a bit? I'm sorry your band has to be good to be noticed. Haha! Musicians generally are fans of music and good music at that. People move here for the music and to be a part of it. I'm fairly convinced that even the bands in Cincinnati aren't even interested in music anymore and the few that are are waiting for someone to come and do stuff for them rather than doing it themselves. Generally speaking. I know there are several of you who are deeply offended by this. A little hint.... the more offended you are, the more I hit your sore spot. Get over yourself.
There are things to do here. I used to always say that are things to do everywhere and it's just because you live there that you take them for granted. There are people who do that here as well, but that's a whole other story. I used to think there was plenty to do Cincinnati and there are things, but you have to spend money to go to the zoo or you have to hang out somewhere like Northside. Even though I can have a good time in Northside, if that is our best example of a good time in Cincinnati we are sadly deprived. Again... sore spots and all. Here there are several areas right by downtown that you can walk to several music venues, regular bars, sports bars, dance bars, karaoke bars and so on. They are real things to do. Sure you can still go to the zoo here or a museum or hall of fame or what not, but people actually do the former things.
I've been coming to Nashville for quite some time and I've known these things, but driving around today and looking at things such as the Gibson Headquarters and the over the top publicity stunts from radio stations and the skyline itself that you can see pretty much from anywhere no matter how far out of town you are you can sense the originality and the effort.
There are bad parts of town.... people get shot.... nothing is perfect, but who wants perfect? I want things to keep me on my toes and interested and make me a little nervous and anxious sometimes. Everyone should know what they have and I don't believe you can without a little anxiety and fear.
I even went back to a day job until I get caught up on things and even though I pretty much want to light everyone on fire from the moment I get up until the moment I get home I still couldn't be happier.
So... the scoop is that I made a decision and even though a small group of people tried to make it very difficult on me to do that... I'm still winning. I'm getting things taken care of and moving on to the part of my life that I should have moved onto long before. I'm happier than I've ever been with where I am and what I'm doing, even with the crappy day job.
I'm working for an agency here as well, which is fantastic. I'm working out the details of my own company and what to do with that. None of these ideas ever would have come to me without being here in this place and I have a pretty good grasp on what Outrageous Productions might become and the impact it could have with the agency and without. I never could get a handle on it when I was in a town that was pulling me down.
There are festivals and showcases almost every night of the week and no
one has to pay empty rooms to showcase bands that don't even exist
anymore for their own selfish purposes rather than the improvement of the city and it's talent. I love when I'm at a show on a Monday night with 30-40 people and everyone's disappointed rather than stoked. And if you know where to go, it's generally packed. EVERY NIGHT!!!!!! Damn I love it!
Don't get me wrong. I'm grateful to Cincinnati. I miss my house. I miss my cat (but he'll be here soon). I miss a couple of you, but quite frankly... you're just not that far away. In fact, I have a feeling I'll see some people more now that I'm here than I did living in the same town as them. Some of you I'm happy to be rid of. I need to start over and take care of myself rather than people who want me to take care of them and it was too hard with where I was. Now I'm needing a little taking care of and the people who matter have totally stepped up to the plate and I could not be more grateful. I'm grateful for the love for music that Cincinnati gave me and helping me find what truly makes me happy. There was a time when the music scene did that for people in Cincinnati and I hope they find it again.
It's hard to believe that I just started my 4th week of work at a job I searched for 5 weeks to find. I can't believe Andy Aquino has let me crash in his basement this long. If you ever read this... you're the greatest, dude. I can't believe that people have given me groceries (Jess, Dave) and clothes (Jonda, Jess) and gas (Marc) and Diet Coke (Dave, Jess, Steve, Andy) and bought me drinks (you are too countless to name). I can't believe people came to my first show and that even for a Sunday it wasn't the worst thing I'd ever seen. I'm grateful to The Rutledge who has basically tolerated my loitering (Andy, Benji, Gary, Robert, boy I forget the name of). I'm thankful to Dave who has put up with my inconsistency while looking for stability and all the friggin' ramen (yes, I must mention the food again)! I shall make it up to all of you indeed and it will still never ever seem like enough. Oh! And I can't forget about all the soap, lotion, shampoo, glittery shit and other oddities you hooked me up with last night either Jess! I know you were just trying to get rid of it, but a po' girl can't be beggin' now. Haha!
Maybe I'll become as jaded and cynical as some of the musicians who complain that people are too interested in music around here, but I can't think of a better place to be than that.
I've attached pics of my new place as well as added an album. Those of you that matter... come visit me anytime! You are welcome.
I know there may not be as many curious people as it seems some days, but nevertheless... here it is.
First of all Nashville wins. I mean people here complain about how the only people that are in Nashville are musicians and that their only fans are people who are interested in music. I think this is hilarious. First of all, the fact that there are people here interested in it at all should be impressive. Yes, it provides more competition, but shouldn't we all be pushed a bit? I'm sorry your band has to be good to be noticed. Haha! Musicians generally are fans of music and good music at that. People move here for the music and to be a part of it. I'm fairly convinced that even the bands in Cincinnati aren't even interested in music anymore and the few that are are waiting for someone to come and do stuff for them rather than doing it themselves. Generally speaking. I know there are several of you who are deeply offended by this. A little hint.... the more offended you are, the more I hit your sore spot. Get over yourself.
There are things to do here. I used to always say that are things to do everywhere and it's just because you live there that you take them for granted. There are people who do that here as well, but that's a whole other story. I used to think there was plenty to do Cincinnati and there are things, but you have to spend money to go to the zoo or you have to hang out somewhere like Northside. Even though I can have a good time in Northside, if that is our best example of a good time in Cincinnati we are sadly deprived. Again... sore spots and all. Here there are several areas right by downtown that you can walk to several music venues, regular bars, sports bars, dance bars, karaoke bars and so on. They are real things to do. Sure you can still go to the zoo here or a museum or hall of fame or what not, but people actually do the former things.
I've been coming to Nashville for quite some time and I've known these things, but driving around today and looking at things such as the Gibson Headquarters and the over the top publicity stunts from radio stations and the skyline itself that you can see pretty much from anywhere no matter how far out of town you are you can sense the originality and the effort.
There are bad parts of town.... people get shot.... nothing is perfect, but who wants perfect? I want things to keep me on my toes and interested and make me a little nervous and anxious sometimes. Everyone should know what they have and I don't believe you can without a little anxiety and fear.
I even went back to a day job until I get caught up on things and even though I pretty much want to light everyone on fire from the moment I get up until the moment I get home I still couldn't be happier.
So... the scoop is that I made a decision and even though a small group of people tried to make it very difficult on me to do that... I'm still winning. I'm getting things taken care of and moving on to the part of my life that I should have moved onto long before. I'm happier than I've ever been with where I am and what I'm doing, even with the crappy day job.
I'm working for an agency here as well, which is fantastic. I'm working out the details of my own company and what to do with that. None of these ideas ever would have come to me without being here in this place and I have a pretty good grasp on what Outrageous Productions might become and the impact it could have with the agency and without. I never could get a handle on it when I was in a town that was pulling me down.
There are festivals and showcases almost every night of the week and no
one has to pay empty rooms to showcase bands that don't even exist
anymore for their own selfish purposes rather than the improvement of the city and it's talent. I love when I'm at a show on a Monday night with 30-40 people and everyone's disappointed rather than stoked. And if you know where to go, it's generally packed. EVERY NIGHT!!!!!! Damn I love it!
Don't get me wrong. I'm grateful to Cincinnati. I miss my house. I miss my cat (but he'll be here soon). I miss a couple of you, but quite frankly... you're just not that far away. In fact, I have a feeling I'll see some people more now that I'm here than I did living in the same town as them. Some of you I'm happy to be rid of. I need to start over and take care of myself rather than people who want me to take care of them and it was too hard with where I was. Now I'm needing a little taking care of and the people who matter have totally stepped up to the plate and I could not be more grateful. I'm grateful for the love for music that Cincinnati gave me and helping me find what truly makes me happy. There was a time when the music scene did that for people in Cincinnati and I hope they find it again.
It's hard to believe that I just started my 4th week of work at a job I searched for 5 weeks to find. I can't believe Andy Aquino has let me crash in his basement this long. If you ever read this... you're the greatest, dude. I can't believe that people have given me groceries (Jess, Dave) and clothes (Jonda, Jess) and gas (Marc) and Diet Coke (Dave, Jess, Steve, Andy) and bought me drinks (you are too countless to name). I can't believe people came to my first show and that even for a Sunday it wasn't the worst thing I'd ever seen. I'm grateful to The Rutledge who has basically tolerated my loitering (Andy, Benji, Gary, Robert, boy I forget the name of). I'm thankful to Dave who has put up with my inconsistency while looking for stability and all the friggin' ramen (yes, I must mention the food again)! I shall make it up to all of you indeed and it will still never ever seem like enough. Oh! And I can't forget about all the soap, lotion, shampoo, glittery shit and other oddities you hooked me up with last night either Jess! I know you were just trying to get rid of it, but a po' girl can't be beggin' now. Haha!
Maybe I'll become as jaded and cynical as some of the musicians who complain that people are too interested in music around here, but I can't think of a better place to be than that.
I've attached pics of my new place as well as added an album. Those of you that matter... come visit me anytime! You are welcome.
Monday, October 12, 2009
City Beat Article on Slick Idiot!
City Beat Article on Slick Idiot! http://lnk.ms/3DZsb
It’s perplexing to figure out what angle Slick Idiot is going for. With discs bearing appellations like DickNity, Screwtinized and xSCREWciating, what does the German Industrial outfit expect the crude puns to represent? Does the band traffic in some kind of satire or social commentary, or is it sexualized synth Rock that’s unashamedly silly? Most importantly, if someone adored Slick Idiot’s otherworldly EBM more than any other music ever created, how difficult would it be to publicly profess that an album called ReDickUlous changed your life?
Once part of KMFDM, En Esch and Guenter Schulz parted ways with the Industrial titans some 10 years ago to design this new project. (Fun fact: Both founders have participated in Pigface, a revolving door industrial supergroup that’s held Jello Biafra, Penn Jillette and Trent Reznor among its massive ranks.) While the band fills out for concerts, the chief engineers always occupy vital roles: The hairless Esch handles vocals with a reptilian growl resembling Iggy Pop making a come-on in a back alley, and Schulz uses a guitar to lead their throbbing, machinelike instrumentation. Aside from a female roar that occasionally floats through the looping throbs, Slick Idiot is a straight-up dance soundtrack for dark clubs.
Analyzing their lyrics gives weight to the notion that, while the band’s lasciviousness is probably tongue-in-cheek, it’s nonetheless pretty creepy. “Hot Stuff” declares, “I really dig your body type/ I’ve got tricks to show to you.” “Get Down Give In (The Sex Song)” discusses doing something “deep and dandy, nice and slow.” And the chorus of “Blast” boasts, “I’ve got a big, fat blast beyond your imagination.”
Topping all of this, the Covington stop is part of a nationwide tour called “In the Flesh” that coincides with the release of fresh full-length album Sucksess. Oh, Slick Idiot, your lechery never fails to entertain.
It’s perplexing to figure out what angle Slick Idiot is going for. With discs bearing appellations like DickNity, Screwtinized and xSCREWciating, what does the German Industrial outfit expect the crude puns to represent? Does the band traffic in some kind of satire or social commentary, or is it sexualized synth Rock that’s unashamedly silly? Most importantly, if someone adored Slick Idiot’s otherworldly EBM more than any other music ever created, how difficult would it be to publicly profess that an album called ReDickUlous changed your life?
Once part of KMFDM, En Esch and Guenter Schulz parted ways with the Industrial titans some 10 years ago to design this new project. (Fun fact: Both founders have participated in Pigface, a revolving door industrial supergroup that’s held Jello Biafra, Penn Jillette and Trent Reznor among its massive ranks.) While the band fills out for concerts, the chief engineers always occupy vital roles: The hairless Esch handles vocals with a reptilian growl resembling Iggy Pop making a come-on in a back alley, and Schulz uses a guitar to lead their throbbing, machinelike instrumentation. Aside from a female roar that occasionally floats through the looping throbs, Slick Idiot is a straight-up dance soundtrack for dark clubs.
Analyzing their lyrics gives weight to the notion that, while the band’s lasciviousness is probably tongue-in-cheek, it’s nonetheless pretty creepy. “Hot Stuff” declares, “I really dig your body type/ I’ve got tricks to show to you.” “Get Down Give In (The Sex Song)” discusses doing something “deep and dandy, nice and slow.” And the chorus of “Blast” boasts, “I’ve got a big, fat blast beyond your imagination.”
Topping all of this, the Covington stop is part of a nationwide tour called “In the Flesh” that coincides with the release of fresh full-length album Sucksess. Oh, Slick Idiot, your lechery never fails to entertain.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Jem's Infinite Playlist
Solvi - Everything
Silverchair - Lie to Me
George Jones - White Lightening
Goodness - Runaround
Siouxsie and the Banshees - Stargazer
Stevie Nicks - The Highway Man
The Lions Rampant - Cocaine Anne
Aretha Franklin - Rock Steady
The Host - Onto the May
Belly - Gepetto
Coheed & Cambria - The End Complete I: The Fall of House Atlantic
Paper Mache - Flower Beds
Placebo - Teenage Angst
Thom Yorke - Harrowdown Hill
Finch - Bury Me
Maroon 5 - This Love
NIN - Into the Void
Secondhand Serenade - Your Call
Kaito - Catnap
Echo & the Bunnymen - Bed Bugs & Ballyhoo
Clabbergirl - Whites of Your Eyes
The Book of Law - Collide
Amherst - Everything Changes
Breaking Benjamin - Saturate
The Swear - January
Morphine - Radar
LP - Follow Me Down
The Dead Milkmen - I Hate You, I Love You
Ruby Vileos - The King is Dead
Silverchair - Lie to Me
George Jones - White Lightening
Goodness - Runaround
Siouxsie and the Banshees - Stargazer
Stevie Nicks - The Highway Man
The Lions Rampant - Cocaine Anne
Aretha Franklin - Rock Steady
The Host - Onto the May
Belly - Gepetto
Coheed & Cambria - The End Complete I: The Fall of House Atlantic
Paper Mache - Flower Beds
Placebo - Teenage Angst
Thom Yorke - Harrowdown Hill
Finch - Bury Me
Maroon 5 - This Love
NIN - Into the Void
Secondhand Serenade - Your Call
Kaito - Catnap
Echo & the Bunnymen - Bed Bugs & Ballyhoo
Clabbergirl - Whites of Your Eyes
The Book of Law - Collide
Amherst - Everything Changes
Breaking Benjamin - Saturate
The Swear - January
Morphine - Radar
LP - Follow Me Down
The Dead Milkmen - I Hate You, I Love You
Ruby Vileos - The King is Dead
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Jem's Infinite Playlist
Bush - Adrenaline
The Eels - Old Shit/New Shit
Joe Dunn - Remnant of this Day
Darling Waste - Sorry Doesn't Matter
Paramore - Whoa
Superdrag - Phaser
Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs - Date With a Night
KMFDM - Glory
Aretha Franklin - Somewhere
The Mars Volta - Concertina
Jimmy Eat World - Robot Factory
Bif Naked - Choking on the Truth
Six Sigma - Brave
Tori Amos - Spark
Alkaline Trio - Smoke
KMFDM - Sycophant
The New Pornographers - The Sl0w Decent to Alcoholism
Ani Difranco - Untouchable Face
Sex Pistols - New York
Jiva - White Washed Heart
Greeley Estates - Tear My World Apart
Paper Mache - Weathervane
Porcupine Tree - Phase III
Placebo - English Summer Rain
Planet 12 - High Walls
Tenacious D - Master Exploder
The Beta Band - Space Battle
Zwan - Lyric
Primus - Restin' Bones
Stroke 9 - Kick Some Ass
The Eels - Old Shit/New Shit
Joe Dunn - Remnant of this Day
Darling Waste - Sorry Doesn't Matter
Paramore - Whoa
Superdrag - Phaser
Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs - Date With a Night
KMFDM - Glory
Aretha Franklin - Somewhere
The Mars Volta - Concertina
Jimmy Eat World - Robot Factory
Bif Naked - Choking on the Truth
Six Sigma - Brave
Tori Amos - Spark
Alkaline Trio - Smoke
KMFDM - Sycophant
The New Pornographers - The Sl0w Decent to Alcoholism
Ani Difranco - Untouchable Face
Sex Pistols - New York
Jiva - White Washed Heart
Greeley Estates - Tear My World Apart
Paper Mache - Weathervane
Porcupine Tree - Phase III
Placebo - English Summer Rain
Planet 12 - High Walls
Tenacious D - Master Exploder
The Beta Band - Space Battle
Zwan - Lyric
Primus - Restin' Bones
Stroke 9 - Kick Some Ass
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Available Show Slots in Bennington, VT
Available Show Slots in Bennington, VT - Knapp's Underground http://bit.ly/JxwUq
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Alert!!! - Potential Show Cancellations at Brass Monkey in Baltimore
Posted from www.indieonthemove.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Alert!!! - Potential Show Cancellations at Brass Monkey in Baltimore~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Very important message for anyone who recently booked a show at Brass Monkey Saloon in Baltimore, MD. If you are scheduled to perform, please verify your show confirmation...
"Hi all, Patrick here with Unsigned Artists Booking.
We were approached in late August to be part of a new joint venture with a venue in Baltimore, MD (The Brass Monkey). We did not seek out to be part of the venture, but instead were approached by an outside promotions company to handle the entertainment booking for the venue. We spent the next few weeks working with this promotions company and lining up what we felt was a good situation for all involved.
All of this changed on September 30, when we received a call from the owner of the venue, claiming he had no knowledge of the agreement, and further explaining he did not wish for out of market acts to play his venue because of the hassles these acts have caused him in the past. Needless to say, we were shocked by this call.
Upon speaking with the promotions company who had made the initial contact with us, we received a faxed copy of the contract which they had signed by the owner of The Brass Monkey, giving them rights to hold events in the club on Thursday nights. However, this contract was not strongly enough worded in defining the roles of all involved, and because of this, we are pulling out of the venture and will no long have anything to do with booking Thursday nights at The Brass Monkey.
We are stongly urging all bands who have been contacted by this venue to make 100% sure you are welcome to play the night you are scheduled, and we are also informing any bands who have received a confirmation from us about playing the venue that we are no longer in any way responsible for your show there.
It is our advice you make other arrangements for the nights you are scheduled to play The Brass Monkey.
We have always been dedicated to making sure on the rise bands and artists have a safe and welcoming environment to perform in, and that will continue to be Unsigned Artists Booking main goal.
Thank you and if you have any questins, please do not hesitate to ask.
Patrickwww.unsignedartistsbooking.com"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Alert!!! - Potential Show Cancellations at Brass Monkey in Baltimore~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Very important message for anyone who recently booked a show at Brass Monkey Saloon in Baltimore, MD. If you are scheduled to perform, please verify your show confirmation...
"Hi all, Patrick here with Unsigned Artists Booking.
We were approached in late August to be part of a new joint venture with a venue in Baltimore, MD (The Brass Monkey). We did not seek out to be part of the venture, but instead were approached by an outside promotions company to handle the entertainment booking for the venue. We spent the next few weeks working with this promotions company and lining up what we felt was a good situation for all involved.
All of this changed on September 30, when we received a call from the owner of the venue, claiming he had no knowledge of the agreement, and further explaining he did not wish for out of market acts to play his venue because of the hassles these acts have caused him in the past. Needless to say, we were shocked by this call.
Upon speaking with the promotions company who had made the initial contact with us, we received a faxed copy of the contract which they had signed by the owner of The Brass Monkey, giving them rights to hold events in the club on Thursday nights. However, this contract was not strongly enough worded in defining the roles of all involved, and because of this, we are pulling out of the venture and will no long have anything to do with booking Thursday nights at The Brass Monkey.
We are stongly urging all bands who have been contacted by this venue to make 100% sure you are welcome to play the night you are scheduled, and we are also informing any bands who have received a confirmation from us about playing the venue that we are no longer in any way responsible for your show there.
It is our advice you make other arrangements for the nights you are scheduled to play The Brass Monkey.
We have always been dedicated to making sure on the rise bands and artists have a safe and welcoming environment to perform in, and that will continue to be Unsigned Artists Booking main goal.
Thank you and if you have any questins, please do not hesitate to ask.
Patrickwww.unsignedartistsbooking.com"
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