Monday, November 24, 2003 I'm in California now somewhere between Venice Beach and Santa Monica stealing bandwidth from someone's open wireless network. They're very kind to let me make use of their excess resources. On Friday, I got Cyndi Lauper's autograph after waiting in a super long line. I'm not sure it was worth the camp value or not, but it was entertaining. Later on, Jess and I caught a very hideous performance from Canadian's Broken Social Scene. I've heard the record is good. The live show just ain't. You have been warned. Friday night ended up with a showing of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles on the big screen, like it should be. I remember going with my parents and friend Ron when I was a lot younger and it first came out. it was great to see it again in a theater. Saturday, we picked up Andy and our friend Brian and saw a weird parada and this insane bunny rabbit museum. A lady and her husband have 18,000+ bunnies in their house. Whacko? yes, but, of course it was worth going. Sunday, we saw The Revolution Won't be Televised, a documentary about Venezuelan President Chavez and the day-long coup that kept him out of office in 2002. Really incredible to watch the events unfold. By the way, a special congratulations to Michael and Liz Kaufmann on the birth of their new son. :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 06:28 PM CST Wednesday, November 19, 2003 All is well in The Saxxon camp. Their shoWs in FrEdonia, NY (last night) and HarrisoNburg, VA (tonighT) were well attended. I talked to Denison for 5 seconds as he was sound checking last night, but no more news from the tour. HopefullY he and Sufjan are rock comrades and loving the road. The Sweeneys...well, if Friendster is accurate, there was an accident, but it didn't prevent last night's show from happening. HOpe you make it back alive, boys. Unwed Sailor are planning, plotting, and routing tours for February and March. FebrUary is them solo at the moment; March is tentatively with the powerful instrumental machine that is Ativin. We aRe all thinking showcases at botH SXSW (Austin) in late-March and MacrOck (Harrisonburg) in early April. The spring will be oUr time in the sun and Mara will join up with us all as Bosque Brown. Hopefully Eric and Damien will get the Recording potentialS figured out once they're back from the big rock tour. I chatted with my old pal Ron out in Portland, OR last night. We grew up together and had big rock dreams. He puts on shows somewhere out there now. I was at his wedding at the Graceland Chapel of Love in Vegas. Seriously. It was amazing. :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 11:32 PM CST Tuesday, November 18, 2003 Denison and Sufjan start their week of shows in Madison, WI Tonight. If you're near Lake Michigan, you'll be able to see them in the next feW days. SaxOn Shore still have a few more shows left in them and The Sweeneys are rocking all over the place through the week, as well. I'm happy about Barry Bonds winning the National League MVP. He has his many critics, but I think he's one of the classiest players in the game. He's down to business and just want to play. That's what us fans should want. :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 06:56 PM CST Monday, November 17, 2003 I spent This weekend in the middle of the Saxxon Shore whiRlwind. I made it to WilliamspoRt in the Early afternoon and Rich gave mE a personal tour of the 'port's underbelly. We Stopped at botH the Bullfrog and Crippled Bear. The $1.75 cheeseburger and fries (hOmemade, even) special at the Crippled Bear was out of contRol. The Saxxons were rocking iT in Ithaca, NY at Cornell and we arrived in time to look the other way while they unloadeD the van. The room wAs small, but the crowds' hearts were big. The rokk was big, too, as the Saxxons delivered it without mercy, finishing in their trademark instrument-crashing frenzY. Have you Seen them live on this tour? You need to. After a wild night in the hotel snuggling up with Matthew the mail order slave, we descended on Elmira, NY. Rich and I quickly decided to leave, but not before playing a few rounds of pool at the skate shop where the Saxxons were playing on Sunday night. It was back to the Bear for cheap wings for us. I drove home with borrowed LPs from The Clear and Thin Red Line in tow. Matt Johnson: beware, let the all things Dave White stalking resume. :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 01:27 PM CST Friday, November 14, 2003 Last night, we did make it to see The Elf. I know that there are ads everywhere in the cities, on buses, billboards, taxi topS, you name it. And, the premise of a "big elf" seems completely ridiculous. And, all self-proclaimed indie rock hipsters are above schlocky holiday films. All I can say is that Keyes, Witmer, and I were howling through the entire film. Will Ferrell Is completely hilarious and he delivers some of the most insane one-liners throughout the movie. Even when you know the movie will take that endearing "christmas movie" path, there is enough momentum to carry it through to the end. I said it last night, and I'll type it here, too, I think I would rather see The Elf than A Christmas Story again this Christmas. If you have a soul, then you have to go to see the movie. Grab your little sister or cousin or kid so you can save your image and maintain cool points, but once you're there, you'll reazlie that you're the cool one for being there. Tonight, Willis is going to see Ms. John Soda and B. Fleischmann at the Unitarian. I'm not sure if I'll be going there or staying in to brace myself for SaXXon Shore to deliver the rock on Saturday and Sunday. If you're also traveling, to San Francisco for example, have a great time. But, hope to see you in upstate NY. I'm also really excited that Eric Gagne won the NL Cy Young Award. He's a Dodger, so of course that makes me happy, but he's also an amazing reliever. :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 10:29 AM CST Thursday, November 13, 2003 Tonight, keyeS, witmer, and I are going to see the elf. I haven't heard anything about this moviE, but it looks like some dumb fun. And it's got will ferrell. I just went to the indian buffet with Dave and Nicole and have a belly full of spices and creamy sauces. All The Six Parts Seven LPs are en route to those who pre-ordered. Hopefully they will be arriving soon. These are some of the best songs the band has recorded And an amazing one-sided LP. You will laugh, you will cry, you will fall in love. I just added some new titles to the btV store, including new or recent releasEs from The Album Leaf, Do Make Say Think, Isolation Years, The Rachels, June Panic, Spokane, Explosions in the Sky, Amalgamated Sons of Rest, The Books, The Innocence Mission, Erase Errata, Joan of Arc 7", and My Morning Jacket. I still have copies of last year's Pedro the Lion Christmas 7" for sale iN the store, by the way, as well as Low's Christmas album. :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 03:59 PM CST Wednesday, November 12, 2003 Last night, after the Explosions in the Sky show, I met up with JoEy to give him some cds to take on tour. The Trouble Is off to do a couple weeks of shows, so be sure to Go out and support tHem. They've made new shirTs for the tour that say "God Save The Trouble with Sweeney." You will want one and you will want to see them rokk. Coincidentally, Denison was around the corner, so we talked for a while aBoUt his recordinG efforts this week. He's wOrking the swing shiFt on his sleep album. Willis and I have been giving him ideas For sounds, but who Knows if hE'll use them or not. I've also been cultivating a friendster addiction. I'm behind the curve on this one, I know. Willis was encouraging me before the show. So, add me as your friend. Hey to JD, Christopher, and Johnathon who were trYing to make it to seE Saxon Shore at Schuba's in Chicago last night. Let me know how it waS. :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 01:45 PM CST Tuesday, November 11, 2003 Congratulations to Mike and Elisabeth who are the parents of a New baby boy as of last nIght. My parents went to see Saxon Shore last night at a university Near my home town. My dad is a big fan of thEir Four Months of Darkness album and likes to talk baseball with Matthew who's been rocking it as their seconD guitarist on this tour, leAving me to be in charge of mail order again. I am planning to go to upstate NY this weekend to see the Saxxons rockit in Ithaca and Elmira. See You there? I just received The Six Parts Seven LPs. Finally. After way too many weeks at the record factory. Pre-orders will be going out tomorrow. I promise. :::Scott::: Posted by Scott @ 01:48 PM CST Monday, November 10, 2003 At the moment, Unwed Sailor's The Marionette and The Music Box is out of stock as a digipak, only the hardbound book with cd and LP versions are available. I'm not sure when we will get this version back in, so snatch up the other formats. I'm learning the magic of ebay this week, trying to sell off some old Sub Pop singles club 7" that I never listenend to or had extra copies of, like the White Stripes, Bonnie Prince Billy, Death Cab for Cutie, and Modest Mouse. I didn't realize I had so many hard to find records. By the way, the Magnolia Electric Company show last night was just plain amazing. I've seen Jason Molina play as Songs: Ohia two or three times solo and once with a full band on previous occassions and last night as a seven piece was mind boggling. Mike "Slo-Mo" Brenner (Marah, TTWS "Dear Life") lended his lap steel skills to the rich country and rock sounds with layered keys and trumpet. You need to see this band live. Tomorrow night, I'll be seeing Explosions in the Sky at the unitarian church in philadelphia. It's a decent week for rokk at the church. Friday is Morr Music night with Ms. John Soda and B. Fleischmann. It's Willis' cup of tea, but I figure I'll see what all the hipster racket is about. The records haven't quite won over my heart, but I've been lisTENing. I should find out if I have a DAY job sometime tomorrow. It could be time for a little full-time btv action, which might make Denison a very happy man. By the way, he's working on a sleepy record this week, if all goes well and according to initial planS. :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 08:35 PM CST Sunday, November 9, 2003 I'm off to see the Magnolia Electric Company, Jason Molina's migration from Songs:Ohia band, tonight at the unitarian church in Philadelphia. I'm looking forward to it. Last night, I went on a corn maze with my friends Tom and Steph, Willis, Lauren, and Scott and Jane. A good time wandering around through the maze with flashlights. Denison is going on a short Midwestern tour and dragging Sufjan Stevens around with him: 17 Nov 03. TBA, TBA. Possibly Bloomington, IN. 18 Nov 03. Subterranean, Chicago, IL. Doors at 7:30, Show at 8pm Sharp. $7. 19 Nov 03. Judson College, Elgin, IL. 20 Nov 03. Catacombs Coffeehouse, Madison, WI 21 & 22 Nov 03. Lemonjello's Café, Holland, MI 23 Nov 03. The Fire, Philadelphia, PA w/ Rosie Thomas, Damien Jurado. 29 Nov 03. Tin Angel. Philadelphia, PA w/ The Innocence Mission. It's already SOLD OUT. Saxon Shore are still on tour: Mon Nov 10 Upland, IN, Taylor University w/ Damien Jurado, Rosie Thomas. Tue Nov 11 Chicago, IL, Schuba's. Wed Nov 12 Grand Rapids, MI, Calvin College w/ Damien Jurado, Rosie Thomas. Thu Nov 13 Columbus, OH, Bernie's Distillery w/ Goner. Fri Nov 14 Alfred, NY, Alfred University w/ Saturday Looks Good to Me. Sat Nov 15 Ithaca, NY, Cornell University. Sun Nov 16 Elmira, NY, Concrete Walls Skate Shop w/ Elkland. Mon Nov 17 Burlington, VT, Club Metronome w/ Heavenly States. Tue Nov 18 Fredonia, NY, BJ's. Wed Nov 19 Harrisonburg, VA, Artful Dodger w/ Paul Schneider, Jordan Perry. Thu Nov 20 Houghton, NY, Houghton College. Fri Nov 21 Pittsburgh, PA, The Quiet Storm w/ This side of Eve. Sat Nov 22 Philadelphia, PA, The Fire w/ Reels of White. Sun Nov 23 New York, NY. The Trouble with Sweeney will be touring shortly, too: Wed Nov 12 : Lynchburg, VA, The Drowsy Poet. Thu Nov 13 : Pittsburgh, PA, Quiet Storm. Fri Nov 14 : Detroit, MI, Detroit Art Space. Sat Nov 15 : Chicago, IL, Schuba's w/ Magnolia Electric Co. Sun Nov 16 : Des Moines, IA, Vaudeville Mews. Mon Nov 17 : Dubuque, IA, The Busted Lift. Tues Nov 18 : Grand Rapids, MI, Schuler's Books and Music. Wed Nov 19 : St. Louis, MO, Creepy Crawl. Fri Nov 21 : Athens, GA, Caledonia. Sat Nov 22 : Greensboro, NC, Venue TBA w/ Forget Cassettes. Sun Nov 23 : Richmond, VA, Nanci Raygun (early show). Mon Nov 24 : Philadelphia, PA, Silk City. White Stripes afterparty w/ This Radiant Boy and Dirty Dave Pee. you are loved, :::scott::: Posted by Scott @ 02:15 PM CST [ Archives ]