Awesome...let me know when and how I can purchase a CD!!
FReegards...MUD
¡Socio de Howdy!
"Haven't heard anything from that new eels record yet. Is it as good as the first?"
Better.
But I have to say thanks to "MediaPlayer" I was able to access all manner of information about the group, too.
In particular learn about the creative force behind "The Eeels," one Mark Oliver Everett. (a.ka. "e")
Recall my less than enthusiastic review of The Eels' second effort, "Electo-Shock Blues"?
Told you how I'd found it depressing & was very disappointed?
Well, once I'd learned what had been going on in e's life while producing that piece, I gained an entirely new perspective on the man *&* his (that one, especially) work.
That said, the 3rd effort "Shootenanny" put much of his hardship behind him -- as much as possible for *e* given "his story" -- & his songs off the latest have a more optimistic feel insofar as not being completely fatalistic?
e still has an extremely hard edge about his work; but, it's important one does not confuse "realistic" with "fatalistic," also.
This e guy will always be a realist to the nth degree, like it or leave it.
One of the more interesting aspects about the group is their HUGE (faithful) following; which, includes people from around the world (& especially in the UK, Sweden et al).
Especially illuminating considering the awful state the entire music industry's in today, don'tcha think?
"Been so busy keeping this so-called career afloat all side projects have been on hold for months."
Hmmmm.
Sound like you're in a *real* funk, Mr.A.
Y'know I'm sure you'd just as soon not have to pass through these kinds of times, but, I'd like to tell you most genius -- insofar a music writing's concerned -- is born of such [hard] times, too.
Don't waste it!!!!!!!
Because I'll tell you right now *should* you attain any "success" a'tall, you'll lose much of the pent up energy born of these kinds of times.
Seems unfair, huh.
I *think* the "process" must be persevered & is precisely what seperates the wannabes from the real McCoys.
Don't know why it's like that, either, just know that's how it works.
After listening to music for the past 40 years I've come away with a couple truths.
I've found all the music worth a damn which I could really *connect* with, always had an intersting *character* behind it who always had an important, meaningful story to tell.
That's been the one common thread running through 'em all. No exceptions.
Well, are you a *character*?
Do you have a story to tell?
Is your life circumstances -- right now -- *furnishing* you your story?
Are you going to metabalize the pain correctly, therby *permit* your [present] angst to become your story enough so it can be told *in* music and who are you going to tell your story to so as not to waste it on the wrong people?
"Something's gotta pop soon or I'll end up a soulless veg with a strat in a tux."
At the *risk* of incurring your wrath, I'm thinking your becoming a souless vegetable dressed in a tux & playing a strat might just be what it'll take to repulse you clear outa your present *space* well into the one you might really *belong*.
Graham Nash wrote a beautiful, insightful song called "Better Days," in which states to his listener;
"Now that you know it's nowhere
What's to stop you comin' home
All you gotta do is go there
Then you'll really realize what's going down
You went to a strange land searching, for a truth you
felt was wrong
That's when the heartaches started
Though you're where you want to be
You're not where you belong"
Any of that make sense to you...for you?
Those who'd write meaningful music had better well be "in touch" with themselves, where they want to be & what they'll be once they arrive & in a very spiritual way; or, they'll not have much to say others will take the *time* to hear, nevermind paying for.
"Music rules , but the business sucks."
Well Mike that's nothing new; &, you know that, too.
Guard against permitting these *kinds* of times from sucking from your soul the very love which -- curiously enough -- has also enabled you (~& those *hands* of yours!) to make the most beautiful of sound.
Sounds that've penerated the heardest of hearts & brought joy to those thousands who've heard you play.
Understand?
While I've "all the angest of an artist & none of the talent", that's also not your problem. either.
Turn the anger/frustration/rage/sorrow/desperation/injustice into *words*, put music to those words & let your *passion* do the rest.
Because believe it or not if you can pull it off?
You'll connect with thousands of people who share your space; but, do *not* have a means for any kind of *release*, beside you.
Let the release of those you'd want to connect with be *your* release.
Do so by giving 'em something they can identify with in the every-day-lives they percieve themselves leading & they'll find you alright, guarenteed.
"Even with people like Norah selling 10 mil, they won't even look at anybody whose music might sell to anybody over 30. If it goes over the head of your average 17yr old skateboard putz, they ain't biting."
Lemme level with you as simply as I know how, OK?
This "Norah" you elude to must be Norah Jones, right?
Since you're younger than I -- by at least 10 years -- where this gal's work is an unknown to me, I'm sure she's right up there on your list of "successes," correct?
FWIW I taped an Austin City Limits last weekend which featured Chris Isaak in concert for the first 30 mins of the program & -- unbeknownst to me -- this Norah Jones character, for the last half.
I won't slime her *or* her music until I hear it, deal?
That said I can't help saying a great deal of her *fame* -- no, the very fact we [read: the nation] ever HEARD of her -- has to be a function of her being a woman, Mike.
The music industry today has been the primary vehicle the leftists have used to advance their PC agenda [read: anti-white male] upon the nation & her children.
People my vitage have had that agenda rammed down their throats for -- at least -- the past 10 years, too.
So I've got to wonder if this gal's really as talented as you seem to think she is; or, whether I'm seeing another "shake-n-bake" artist from the leftists permeating the music industry who frankly, don't know their ass from a hole in the ground.
That's what's on my mind; insofar, as Norah Jones & what she's done is concerned.
Be that as it may when I'd met the recording artist Randy Moore in Nashville this past summer, we spoke for several hours on this very thing.
I can say with an absolute confidence you're by far alone in your frustration of the present situation in the music industry, my friend.
This man & his group are some gawd-awful seriously talented, disciplined, & practiced performers who can't get the time of day from the music industry in -- of all places -- NASHVILLE, TN!
All that's in SPITE of their being "stable," "professional," & all the *right* qualitites that'd have made them instant successes just a handful of years ago; while, slimey urban pukes & insufferable boors like the droning Allanis whatshername are getting *all* the limelight due solely to their sex (or lack thereof), race, or the politically correct themes their Muzac reaks with.
NOT [based upon] a raw talent, creativitely, or any kind of "genius" any sane person would recognize, to be sure.
"We're trying to put together an indie release for early next year. Being on this cover circuit merry-go-round makes it difficult to get anything done."
"Gotta pay the bills ya know..."
We can -- literally -- "afford" the time it takes to be an "artist" -- in the truest sense of the word -- because as it happens our girls are also our biggest fans.
That's a blessing, my friend, nothing less; so, don't waste that either, use it.
Forget about "money" for food *if* what it is you hunger for is success, understand?
Money will become a fringe benefit of a deeper, more profound calling; but, first?
With the "indie" you're planning, just make sure those songs have a story to tell for if they don't, then please don't expect anything substantial *back*, either.
If you've *not* put your pain and/or joy into your music, striking the proper balance & both with an equal enthusiasm that'll ring true so one can *feel* it?
It'll be destined to fail.
While on the other hand if you can produce such a work?
People will want to give you their money & not to necessarily to own a "piece" of you, Mike; rather, they'll want to adopt for themselves the *story(s)* you've created as you related.
Your stories will become the *templates* into which they'll place the details of their lives, for their reson(s) & they'll pay you for it.
Just remember your future fans will never pay for that which they can create for themselves.
>The many hardships imposed on these people by the Liberal-Socialist assholes is merely serving to inspire many of these American song writer/performers material, &, stiffened their resolve to succeed. Their beautiful, creative, & inspirational music reflects as much.
"We can only hope that the music gets out."
It shall & when it does how sweet will that be?
Even if it never does, this Randy Moore fella told me -- in no uncertain terms -- it was his *intention* to have one hell of a good time with lots of "fun" along the way.
The man's banking *memories*, Mike.
An awful lot of wisdom in his words, I thought; because, given the goals he's set forth for his life?
He can't lose.
For chrissakes I wrote a book!
Gotta split; but, before I do I intend to *send* you something via snailmail, OK?
...be watching.