It's been too long. I'm sorry for neglecting you, but computer failure (something I'm far too familiar with) has prevented me from making any updates. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
In the days to come you will read my musings on recording The Redwood Plan, trying to book shows, mixing The Lights new album, losing a few months of my iTunes library, and getting all gay and proud this month. Tonight, I just want to tell you all that I'm still around and not leaving anytime soon.
PS Keep your eyes peeled for THE COUNCIL.
xo
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Shabazz Palaces in the Stranger
Looks like Seattle's most mysterious MC is getting some well deserved attention.
Read the article by clicking HERE.
If you want to check it out before it blows the fuck up, get your ass to Retail Therapy (905 E Pike at the corner of Pike and Broadway) and pick up both CDs. Trust me, you want to own that packaging. Someday, I hope to see a thousand people in close quarters sporting their Shabazz Palaces badges (designed by the geniuses at Dumb Eyes.)
Speaking of Dumb Eyes, I hope to see any and all of you reading this at PENETRATION tomorrow night at Bus Stop.
xo
Read the article by clicking HERE.
If you want to check it out before it blows the fuck up, get your ass to Retail Therapy (905 E Pike at the corner of Pike and Broadway) and pick up both CDs. Trust me, you want to own that packaging. Someday, I hope to see a thousand people in close quarters sporting their Shabazz Palaces badges (designed by the geniuses at Dumb Eyes.)
Speaking of Dumb Eyes, I hope to see any and all of you reading this at PENETRATION tomorrow night at Bus Stop.
xo
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sore knees and kind words
This running thing is great, but I'm worried it might be for people with better knees. Or maybe my knees are about to become bionic and I'll be able to run slo-mo but faster than everyone else (I don't know how to type the Bionic Woman sound effect, but I did want to be her when I was a kid.)
Hobbling from my bed to the computer this morning, I received this review in my email.
http://spectrumculture.com/2009/06/erik-blood-the-way-we-live.html
What carries The Way We Live is that producer's ear, which enables Blood to beautifully craft the arrangements of each song. Whether he's detailing urban frustration on "Home & Walk" or attempting a new beginning on "Broken Glass," it's the punchy guitar that initially snags the listener's attention, while Blood bricks up a wall of sound behind that. Sometimes it's strings, sometimes it's layers and layers of sighing vocals, but always it's a juggernaut of sound that demands attention.
Then I discovered that "To Leave America" is featured on John Richard's "Summer Songs" podcast. You can subscribe to his, and many other amazing podcasts at KEXP.ORG.
So despite the pain and limited mobility, today's turning out to be a pretty good day.
P.S. Happy Gay Pride Month! Do something gay, like going to see me at the Tractor on the 16th.
xo
Hobbling from my bed to the computer this morning, I received this review in my email.
http://spectrumculture.com/2009/06/erik-blood-the-way-we-live.html
What carries The Way We Live is that producer's ear, which enables Blood to beautifully craft the arrangements of each song. Whether he's detailing urban frustration on "Home & Walk" or attempting a new beginning on "Broken Glass," it's the punchy guitar that initially snags the listener's attention, while Blood bricks up a wall of sound behind that. Sometimes it's strings, sometimes it's layers and layers of sighing vocals, but always it's a juggernaut of sound that demands attention.
Then I discovered that "To Leave America" is featured on John Richard's "Summer Songs" podcast. You can subscribe to his, and many other amazing podcasts at KEXP.ORG.
So despite the pain and limited mobility, today's turning out to be a pretty good day.
P.S. Happy Gay Pride Month! Do something gay, like going to see me at the Tractor on the 16th.
xo
Thursday, June 4, 2009
New Music
New Music: part one (iPod)
I lost my iPod last week, terribly frightened that it had been left at Chop Suey after our show with Foreign Born (who were fantastic, I might add.) Luckily, my band is not only pretty, they are also considerate and stashed away my favorite little device in a safe place to be returned to the practice space so I could continue to drink. It would have been even better if any of us remembered that little factoid before I went on a depressed rampage searching for it in my apartment, car, and even the practice space (it was in a REALLY safe place.)
During this time, I kept getting new music, which I only make time to listen to while walking, reading, or writing, and it's almost always listened to from my little black 80 gig best friend! What was I to do? To listen to my stereo with all windows and doors open (it's really hot here right now) could cause trouble with my neighbors, especially since I'd have to turn it up rather loud to hear it from the deck or the office. And I refuse to listen to music for the first time on computer speakers. The new Jarvis Cocker, Camera Obscura, Neko Case, Phoenix, etc. would just have to wait.
One new release that I just couldn't wait on though is the new J Dilla collection "Jay Stay Paid" which was released on Tuesday. Neighbors be damned. After spending Monday afternoon listening to some trashy gay disco with my partner in crime Phil (research for a Partman Parthorse remix, I swear) he reminded me of it's release and I later made him promise to bring his copy over right after he'd listened to it (I can't afford to buy it right now.) Wednesday morning, I met him at Bauhaus Coffee on his route to work and he handed me the CD, saying I was in for a treat. That was no lie, honeys.
Moving my speakers a little further away from the wall (a little tip for my loud music listening apartment dwelling friends) I dropped the CD in the player and turned the volume up to my favorite level of loudness. Doors open, food cooking, sweat pouring, I made my way through the 28 tracks of amazing music brought to us by the legendary J Dilla (by way of another legend, Pete Rock, and Dilla's mother.) Standout tracks thus far are 16. On Stilts, 26. Coming Back, and 27. Mythsysizer, all of which are instrumentals. Not to say some of the vocal tracks aren't amazing, particularly 15. Reality TV featuring Black Thought, 6. Smoke featuring Blu, and who can deny the masterful presence of DOOM on 17. Fire Wood Drumstix. As you can see, picking favorites is kind of ridiculous when the entire piece of music is worth several listens a day.
As fate would have it, last night at around 9pm, Will texted "I found your iPod!" and all was right with the world. Today has already been a wonderful return to my musical walks around the neighborhood. Another spin of Dilla's latest, followed by 2 times through Jarvis Cocker's "Further Complications" which I must say is fantastic. He's washed that Pulp right out of his hair and lost none of himself in the process. As the day continues, so will my adventures in new music. I'll keep you posted.
xo
I lost my iPod last week, terribly frightened that it had been left at Chop Suey after our show with Foreign Born (who were fantastic, I might add.) Luckily, my band is not only pretty, they are also considerate and stashed away my favorite little device in a safe place to be returned to the practice space so I could continue to drink. It would have been even better if any of us remembered that little factoid before I went on a depressed rampage searching for it in my apartment, car, and even the practice space (it was in a REALLY safe place.)
During this time, I kept getting new music, which I only make time to listen to while walking, reading, or writing, and it's almost always listened to from my little black 80 gig best friend! What was I to do? To listen to my stereo with all windows and doors open (it's really hot here right now) could cause trouble with my neighbors, especially since I'd have to turn it up rather loud to hear it from the deck or the office. And I refuse to listen to music for the first time on computer speakers. The new Jarvis Cocker, Camera Obscura, Neko Case, Phoenix, etc. would just have to wait.
One new release that I just couldn't wait on though is the new J Dilla collection "Jay Stay Paid" which was released on Tuesday. Neighbors be damned. After spending Monday afternoon listening to some trashy gay disco with my partner in crime Phil (research for a Partman Parthorse remix, I swear) he reminded me of it's release and I later made him promise to bring his copy over right after he'd listened to it (I can't afford to buy it right now.) Wednesday morning, I met him at Bauhaus Coffee on his route to work and he handed me the CD, saying I was in for a treat. That was no lie, honeys.
Moving my speakers a little further away from the wall (a little tip for my loud music listening apartment dwelling friends) I dropped the CD in the player and turned the volume up to my favorite level of loudness. Doors open, food cooking, sweat pouring, I made my way through the 28 tracks of amazing music brought to us by the legendary J Dilla (by way of another legend, Pete Rock, and Dilla's mother.) Standout tracks thus far are 16. On Stilts, 26. Coming Back, and 27. Mythsysizer, all of which are instrumentals. Not to say some of the vocal tracks aren't amazing, particularly 15. Reality TV featuring Black Thought, 6. Smoke featuring Blu, and who can deny the masterful presence of DOOM on 17. Fire Wood Drumstix. As you can see, picking favorites is kind of ridiculous when the entire piece of music is worth several listens a day.
As fate would have it, last night at around 9pm, Will texted "I found your iPod!" and all was right with the world. Today has already been a wonderful return to my musical walks around the neighborhood. Another spin of Dilla's latest, followed by 2 times through Jarvis Cocker's "Further Complications" which I must say is fantastic. He's washed that Pulp right out of his hair and lost none of himself in the process. As the day continues, so will my adventures in new music. I'll keep you posted.
xo
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