Thanks to the friend who sent me a copy of Sufjan’s Illinois album. There seem to be more instruments on this recording than the previous albums, I’m definitely noticing string parts this time around. The recorded version of “Chicago” is great, it’s been one of my live favorites and I’ve been waiting to hear it on an album. Sufjan’s ability to tell stories from the perspective of state residents is unparalleled, beyond mere folk songs and more like short stories hanging onto melodies. Dave, his son Vincent, and his dad went to see the Phillies and Marlins play, it was Vince’s first game ever. It was a nice, sunny day, a great day for baseball. The Phils started out with a 5 run first inning and led the rest of the game to win 8-6. I do have some home town loyalty for the Phillies, until they play the Dodgers (who have quietly returned to having the best record in the National League). :::scott:::
Category: news
I’ve just returned from a surreal triangulation of friends in Asbury Park, NJ of all places. It was actually a really interesting place. It’s an entirely run down looking ocean shore town and the weather was cool and misty, making it nice to just watch the waves crash on the beach. By an interesting chain of events, my friend Tim was there for some kind of punk rock festival and my friend Nicole was there for an unrelated concert. Thanks to the kind folks at ASCAP, we were able to meet up and hang out for a bit at their party. Our friend Rory joined up with us and we all popped over see Lovedrug play (Tim manages them). Last night, I stopped by the studio to pick up Emil, we went to aka music to look for vinyl records and ran into their grand opening extravaganza (they moved up the block a few spots and re-opened). Joey Sweeney was in attendance and promised that the Trouble with Sweeney will ride again on 14 May at the Khyber. See you there for that. Emil and I went over to NJ to Daniel Smith’s house and were treated to a listening…
I visited the studio in the midst of perfecting a track on the forthcoming Danielson album Ships. I think the world is going to be pleasantly surprised by this album, it’s very orchestrated with many intricate parts and part was recorded with support from Deerhoof. Emil gave me a cd-r of his latest Serena Maneesh recordings that he’s been working on in NYC for the past few weeks. Think My Bloody Valentine meet Sonic Youth meet Swans with a proper dosage of Velvet Underground. It’s really cool. I did some horsetrading with my old friend Wes who now works for Barsuk Records in Seattle. He sent me a big batch of their latest stuff and I finally got to listen to Jesse Sykes after reading many reviews making me think I’d like her stuff and I did. Anyhow, thanks Wes, it’s been good talking to you again. :::scott:::