I like to check out a local musician from time to time named Shelby James. He’s got a lyric on one of his songs “the lights are broken in the sky.” Hahaha sure enough they were. I’m so happy to be leaving the bar scene from a production stand point. The live music in bars for the most part is unique and still has a sense of authenticity. I had an experience a while back at a local pub/club where I got to watch his solo acoustic gig and wouldn't ya know the damn LED pars and scrollers are left on sound active function with no one at either present at the sound or light consoles.
Nosy little me, I went up to check out the lighting console and soon enough I’m getting yelled at by a bartender telling me to back away from the gear. “Fair enough” I responded, and then proceeded to ask who was supposed to be operating the gear; she said she pays an audio engineer to handle all of it including the lights! Blasphemy I SAY! I’m upset that they’d hire someone to do that due to the fact that he isn’t present in case the musician needs something tweaked. When the musician did need something he’d have to announce over the mic for someone to find the guy who was supposed to be stationed there. And he’s getting paid for that!? If you have an acoustic act please don’t leave the damn sound active function running! Are you mental? It looks terrible and to be honest those functions are meant for clubbin', not live music pubbin'. At your laziest you should at least change to another color for each song. So stay at the board and help the musician out for “Pete’s sake”.
Moving on, I wanted to pick up from last weeks thoughts. I’m glad to also announce that the official acts I’ll be running lights for are named Bonerama (brass band), and Porter-Batiste-Stoltz (blue/jazz/funk fusion). It started as one gig and now the powers that be are letting me take on the other project when I’m not busy with my primary one. I’m really excited to stick with live music and eager to get out on the road extensively. They are some friends and colleagues out there that I’ll get a chance to meet up with on the stops we’ll be making on tour. I just started listening to the tunes last night on myspace and the music is totally rocking. Now all I have to do is wait for the live CD’s to arrive in the mail and then it’s time to get down to business and start writing some real tight cues. I’ll definitely try to write a lot for you all on the road since this is a brand new experience with all new people, so there will be plenty to write! Honestly, I am a bit nervous. I’ve always been nervous about making this new step in my career. I do however know it takes balls to make this move and if you got balls (or if you’re a female ummm you can coin the term) when its show time the nerves get thrown out the window and you’re coasting. Everyone usually tells me it takes the first couple shows to get settled in and comfortable with your surroundings. Anyone agree? Well that’s it for me this week. I’m super busy cleaning my house, on Sunday I’ll be driving cross country back to Maryland to setup camp, drive home for a wedding, then finally get picked up or flown out to Arkansas to start the tour. Oh yeah I’m seeing 311 tomorrow night too so I’ll be sure to include my show when I get the chance. Thanks for reading and please check out my calendar/schedule on the myspace link below to see if I’m around your part of town. I’d be glad to meet some of you crazy people out there =).Until next time.
Song of the week: Finger 11 “Paralyzer”
Movie of the week: Superbad
Don’t for get to email me at:
Myspace me at:
http://www.myspace.com/com/squints4
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