Friday, October 31, 2003 Happy Halloween. It's been a week since CMJ and the dust from the excitement has settled. It was nice meeting up with everyone. There are plans underway for a pretty ambitious release, a triple LP-only live concert from Mount Eerie in Copenhagen. It will be a split release with my good friends at Washington Inc. in Denmark. All of us are sorting out the packaging and artwork with Phil. More details once we have them figured out. The show does sound amazing. Sufjan Stevens has agreed to contribute to the one-sided LP series. Could be a little Rhode Island ep, we'll see... See you all at the West Philadelphia warehouse party tonight for a little White Trash Inc. (Orchestra) performance. I'm off to Punkin Chunkin tomorrow in Delaware with the Garsons, Jess, the Spieses, and maybe more...see you there. :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 03:54 PM CST Thursday, October 23, 2003 Yesterday began with a somber feeling, with the death of Elliott Smith as well as the announcement of layoffs at my day job for the first time in the more than seven years I've been there. Fortunately, looking back, the greatness overshadowed the greyness. I've always wanted to have a btv showcase at CMJ and last night was that showcase, shared with our friends at Fanatic. It was a great time with Denison Witmer then Sufjan Stevens and his Michigan Militia Band and Choir playing to a quite filled out room at the beginning of the evening. There was some schedule juggling and Robert Schneider of The Apples in Stereo and new band Ulysses playing an amazing acoustic set next, featuring songs written that very day and a brilliant cover of "All Tomorrow's Parties." Saxon Shore brought the Rokk in a beautiful, melodic, and most powerfully intense way. Ummm, you need to see these guys play live, it will knock you down with its power, I exaggerate not. The Trouble with Sweeney ended the evening, noting that the showcase was actually running ahead of schedule and gifting us with a couple extra songs. The band was laid back, funny, and ready to bring the party rock. It was a great nightcap. There were two other noteable, mentionable things that I experienced. The first being that Robert seemed quite excited about participating in the one-sided LP series, either as Ulysses or himself, so more details when we sort them out. The second being that since Robert was there, his good friend, Jeff Mangum was also there. It was a dream come true to confess that I am in a band called reels of white softly flow, stolen from his slightly misheard lyrics, and that I sent a friend (Willis) a postcard from the Anne Frank Huis in Amsterdam with the first verse of "Holland, 1945." Jeff seemed to be a completely happy person. Denison was trying to convinve him to make another record. Not sure how that went over, but I'm sure he gets that every where he goes. Props to everyone who was in attendance last night, friends old and new. I won't name you all here, but you have not been forgotten. Back to all of the CMJ festivities soon. :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 01:46 PM CST Wednesday, October 22, 2003 Some tragic news...Elliott Smith died last night at the age of 34, apparently a suicide, though complete details haven't been released. :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 09:09 AM CST Tuesday, October 21, 2003 This is a last minute plea to have you come out to the btv/fanatic CMJ showcase at CB's gallery in NYC tomorrow. It's connected to world famous punk dive CBGB's, you'll be able to find it. Denison Witmer, Sufjan Stevens, Saxon Shore, The Trouble with Sweeney, and Robert Schneider. 8pm. $7 if you're not there with a CMJ badge, badge-holders are free and there's plenty of space. I'll trade you some secret information for your consideration about coming to the show...Chan Marshall went to eat at Mori Moto's prior to her Cat Power set on Friday in Philadelphia. Mori Moto was one of the Iron Chefs and his restaurant is one of the chic-est in the city. Don't tell them who told you, I will deny everything. Denison ate across the street at Penang for Malaysian food, I fetched it like a good friend. 'nough said. :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 10:15 PM CST Monday, October 20, 2003 Some bad news...Ester Drang were in an accident while on tour. Apparently, a car rear-ended their van/trailer, the trailer came off, and then a semi smashed the trailer. Quite a few things have been damaged or destroyed. I don't have all of the details, but this is what Johnathon from Unwed Sailor relayed to me. They are definitely in need of your support on their tour. Denison opened up for Cat Power on Friday night, playing a few songs with Scott French and Steve Yutzy on drums/guitar. Chan Marshall was solo and played a few songs on guitar and piano before I left. Willis told me that I missed her calling a girl out of the audience to play guitar while she sang a few songs, a pretty incredible/freak out part of the show. I was on my way to the Baltimore airport to pick up Jess. Saturday, the van was packed for a visit to the Stone family ranch where Reels of White and Saxon Shore rocked out in the garage during a little sausage cookout. Thanks to everyone who came out for the rokk. Huge props to Matthew who found me an autographed Cash autobiography in Lebanon. I have to brag about having this hott rokk memorabilia. Wednesday is the big night for the btv/fanatic CMJ showcase in NYC. Be sure to come out in support. Say hello, we'd all love to meet you. :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 11:46 AM CST Thursday, October 16, 2003 I am with the city of Chicago in mourning last night's Cubs loss. The Kerry Wood home run was super impressive, but Josh Beckett as reliever was too much too handle. It's definitely a shame that Florida is going to the World Series. More people would definitely be interested in seeing the Cubs against the Red Sox, the inevitable outcome of tonight's game 7... I sent out an e-mail update last night to all of the e-mail list subscribers. If you're not on the list, fill in your e-mail in the annoying pop up window that I'm sure you just tried to close. No new details if you've been reading this site. Be sure to remember: 17 October : Philadelphia. Denison Witmer with Cat Power at The Trocadero, doors at 7pm. 22 October : New York. btv/Fanatic CMJ showcase at CB's Gallery, 8pm, The Trouble with Sweeney, Denison Witmer, Saxon Shore, Sufjan Stevens, and Robert Schneider (Apples in Stereo). 25 October : Philadelphia. The Trouble with Sweeney with My Morning Jacket at the TLA, 8pm. If you do care, the quotes in the e-mail update were song lyrics from I Know You Destroy!, the masterful album from The Trouble with Sweeney. :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 10:12 AM CST Tuesday, October 14, 2003 Just got a new song from Jetenderpaul. Those midwestern indie rockers are still at it with home recordings. It sounds great and hopefully more will be coming soon. I just got the wireless internet going. Now I can surf all over the place without ethernet cables. I'm one happy little geek. These little hubs are going cheap. Geek yerself out. Last night, Tom, Steph, and I went to go see Mike, Tom, Yuri, and sometimes Neil rock it out. Good to see you guys again. The summer of 1995 is a long ways away. :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 08:24 PM CST Sunday, October 12, 2003 A special congratulations to Dr. Randall Stephens of Jetenderpaul. He successfully defended his doctorate thesis at University of Florida. This only goes to prove that jtp is one of the most intelligent bands in all of indie rock. :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 04:11 PM CST Saturday, October 11, 2003 Denison Witmer will be opening up for Cat Power at the Trocadero in Philadelphia next Friday, 17 October, doors at 7pm. See you there. Wednesday night, The Six Parts Seven played The Fire as part of their autumn U.S. tour. I brought the covers for the one-sided LPs to the show and am hoping to have the vinyl to fill them sent shortly. Attitudes of Collapse is some of The Six Parts Seven finest material and one of the best releases to be on Burnt Toast Vinyl, so be sure to get it as soon as it's available. Thursday night, a van load of us went up to Allentown to relive the metal years and see Stryper rock it live. Needless to say, heavy metal is keeping it real in the PA countryside. It's interesting to see a band back on the road after quite a few years and there is something completely funny about it all that seems to be lost on the band. They were good at what they were doing, so I guess that's admirable in some way, it at least entertained us. Tonight, my friend Dave and I saw Tarantino's Kill Bill. It was flashy, well-filmed, edited, and scored, but the action was a bit on the predictable and cheesy side. Not a gripping turning point in American cinema, but a reasonably entertaining time. Tomorrow night, I'll be going to NJ to see Sufjan Stevens and Soul-Junk play at a Daniel/Elin Smith sponsored event at at The Waters, 274 Delsea Drive in Hurffville, NJ, 7pm. Artist Paul Goode will be displaying his work. Matt Ralph will be reading from his recently released book, Not Even Your Money: Stories of a Quick Stop, which is supposed to recount a moment when I visit Matt at the 7-11 and one of the customers attempted to hold him up as some sort of joke. and the Cubs/Marlins are going into extra innings... :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 12:21 AM CST Tuesday, October 7, 2003 Cubs and Red Sox both advancing? The end of civilization must be eminent. Growing up in the midwest, being a Cubs fan was a badge of honor, like rooting for Charlie Brown's team to win a game or him to actually kick the football in the fall. I wasn't ever a Cubs fan, but have fond memories of going to Wrigley Field, which for me is the best stadium in all of baseball. So, deep down, there is a bit of the cheering the underdog mentality and I have to be hoping for the Cubs to beat the Marlins. And Red Sox vs. Yankees? You have to have no soul to actually hope the Yankess win, or at least be a New Yorker, and I guess in that case it's forgiveable. Keyes, the Clintons, and I saw School of Rock last night and it was everything I hoped it would be and maybe more. Jack Black has the overdone rock star moves down and is completely hilarious. It's no movie for plot analysis, but sitting back and letting it take me on its ride was definitely pure brain candy entertainment. The Six Parts Seven are in Philadelphia on Wednesday. Their one-sided LPs are hopefully going to be at the show. They're getting pressed and awaiting shipping. I'll get a final confirmation later today. Anyhow, I'll be at the show and you should be too if you're in the area. :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 10:18 AM CST Friday, October 3, 2003 A busy night last night...went to Lost in Translation with Willis and Lauren then on to see The Trouble with Sweeney. Lost in Translation is an amazing portrayal of the disconnected feeling you can get from traveling. I felt very connected to this theme and thought it was very well executed. Bill Murray was completely amazing in his role. The soundtrack was also very interesting, scored by Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine. I definitely recommend this. Afterwards, Denison met us in the lobby to go with me to TTWS and our friends Ethan and Courtney were in the lobby to see the next showing of the movie. Interesting coincidence. Ethan has finished the LP layout for Aspera's one-sided LP, Back When Love. The Trouble with Sweeney show was completely mobbed and sold out because of their rock prowess (and because Pete Yorn was added as a last minute headliner, but I refuse to believe this). The Sweeney's debuted with their new drummer Charlie, fresh to Philadelphia from San Francisco and also a member of Tommy Guerrero's band. It has been far too long for me to see TTWS play and it was great, as always. I stopped by the p.o. box to collect the mail from when I was away. Love the 24 hour 30th street station post office. Now I have a huge bin of mail to sift through. :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 01:07 PM CST Wednesday, October 1, 2003 I'm finally back home after about 5 weeks of being away. A special thanks to Matthew for keeping the mail order running while I was gone. I spent last week on vacation in California. It was a week packed full of adventure. Jess and I saw Mogwai and Willie Nelson in the same week. Mogwai seemed to be exploring the softer, kinder side of their music and concentrating less on the explode your ears decibel levels, still quite loud and chaotic when necessary, though. Willie is classic, what more can be said? The only slight complaint would be that he didn't do a single tribute song to recently departed Johnny Cash. I've never seen him in action with Lenore and she's got an amazing sound. I got some beef with the LA fairgrounds making us pay to get into the fair in order to see the show. In the end, we gave in and rode the ferris wheel and had some junk food, but we came for Willie and nothing else. While we were walking to Mogwai after seeing a great '50s 3D movie, I heard my name being shouted from a car...Andy Bruntel just happened to be driving his swank new ride down Hollywood Blvd. Love those chance coincidences. Andy has been working on the new Strokes video. Maybe I should keep that under wraps. This past weekend, we took a trip to Joshua Tree Nat'l Park, playing the U2 album the entire way there. Yeah, it was cheesy, but the desert was super hott. The Trouble with Sweeney is playing this Thursday, 2 October at the Khyber in Philadelphia. Be there. Don't forget the btv/fanatic promotion CMJ showcase on 22 October at CBGB's Gallery in NYC with Denison Witmer, The Trouble with Sweeney, Saxon Shore, Sufjan Stevens, and Robert Schneider (Apples in Stereo) playing an acoustic set ...by the way, how's that cruiser working out? :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 11:38 PM CST [ Archives ]