My Musical Madness

I know, long time, no update. . .

2010-10-20T09:41:00.000-07:00

Greetings all,
So, I've been doing a bit of music making lately and I thought I'd pen a little update. I didn't think that I'd be able to be much of a musician this year due to another commitment that keeps me very busy, but who was I kidding, it's like water and oxygen for me. . .

So, if you weren't already aware, I am performing weekly at the Hotel Andaluz, located on 1st Street and Copper (just north of Central). That's on Thursday evenings from 7:30pm until 9:30pm. Please let me know if you're in the house and I just might get a drink or two either removed from your bill, or sent over to your table.

Also, twice a month on Saturdays I perform at the same location from 9-11pm, come on down! Check out the Performances tab for dates. Oh, and if you would like to dine in fine fashion at the hotel's restaurant Lucia, mention QTango for 20% off your bill (only on nights we perform).

If you haven't already, check out the recent vid posted on YouTube. I am playing the upright bass with QTango for the UNM Arts In Medicine program.
UNM Arts In Medicine Performance
Until next time,
-Not So Sleepy Me

Some notes from the Middle East

2010-07-08T06:42:00.000-07:00

Yep, it seems like a dream that I travelled with a group of some 40 or so musicians across the waters and over Europe to the Middle East to perform in Abu Dhabi. I happened to only journal during the first 36 or so hours into the trip, and here's what I wrote. By the way, after those first 36 hours, I slept around 3 hours each night and didn't look at my computer until the night we were to depart. Skype wasn't working for me, and I was paranoid that someone was watching everything I wrote if I were plugged into the $25/day internet service the hotel offered.

Here are my notes:
So, we arrived and I needed to pee, but I was so overwhelmed with the stern guys who checked out our passports, they would not budge, or even look somewhat relaxed, they were hard core. Anyway, I didn’t go to the bathroom because I was distracted by everything, the palm tress in the airport, the 30 foot waterfall, the lights, the huge flat screens, etc.

We found Fahd there and he led us to some guys who had a bus waiting for us. We stepped out of the airport to very warm weather, and it was balmy. We boarded the bus and sat for 2 hours while trying to see something outside. We passed the world’s tallest building that adorns magazines and summons on lookers. It was strange looking, kind of like a spool of paper that had been thrown and the triangular cone that was left was the building. We saw many tall buildings and tons of lights.

As we got out of the city, the bus quieted, cameras went away and everyone seemed to drift off to sleep. I hadn’t seen much of a wink of sleep since the night b4 when I was back home, so I too joined in. We all started to stir as more signage begun to appear, we were nearing Abu Dahbi.We found the hotel and drove down this half constructed road with construction on both sides. It was rickety to say the least, and narrow, but we made it to the valet area and unloaded.

It took us about 30 minutes to all get checked in and they took our passports. They said they would give them back when we left the hotel, which was strange for most of us. We all sat there in confusion, wondering if we should press the issue and get the only valid form of ID we had in this far away land where we weren’t even sure how to abide by the laws.

We all retreated to our new rooms to find a tiny room with two single beds, very nice however, and a killer bathroom, one that you may find in a fairly upscale home, bidet included in every room. And of course, most of us have never used them, and none of us have any idea how, or perhaps any desire to know. After visiting our rooms we headed back down to the restaurant to eat, it was not going to close up until 12:30, so we had a tiny window to get some food. We ate and then a few people invited me to walk around town, go exploring.

We set out on foot and didn’t find much in the way of nightlife, nor did we encounter much life at all. Everything was shut down, but we did manage to find a bar that had a chain link fenced in patio of sorts, we sat down and 2 of our party drank Turkish coffees and smoked from a hookah.After an hour or so, we all seemed to get very tired, One of the girls read the emptied coffee cups in Persian tradition, it was very interesting.Anyway, we eventually retreated and all passed out from exhaustion.

The next morning came all too soon. We had to be at breakfast before 10:30 because that was when they stopped serving. I made it just on time and found my roommate at the end. A bunch of people were plotting to have a day trip to Dubai which never transpired. Finally everyone disbursed knowing that a tour bus would escort us around town at 2pm.

My roommate and I chose to take a walk to try to get her a bathing suit. We were success finding her a $3 suit, not bad. She was very excited. We returned just in time for 2pm. Well, our bus didn’t leave until about 2:40pm, and then we reluctantly proceeded to visit some malls. None of us seemed to have much interest in shopping malls filled with mainstream stores that are in every city around the globe, but whomever was instructing the bus had the upper hand, and off to the malls we went.It was fine, lastly, we went to the emperor’s palace, this 3 Billion dollar monstrous structure that is fairly palace like, though

I’ve never really seen a palace. Anyway, we went in, took a bunch of pix and walked in on a little event where by the unveiling of the very first gold atm machine in the world was unveiled. It was interesting, I have video.So, we left there and headed back for another meal. And after, we headed down to the pool area where we had some beers to celebrate my roommate’s birthday. Some of the guys in the group told some stories, over all it was nice, relaxing, chill, but nothing all too interesting.We retired at 3 am. I was very very tired.

Okay, this is about all the time I have to post right now. I hope you enjoy. . .

Drum roll, please. . .

2010-05-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

I actually did sleep last night, and its hard to believe, considering what's next on the plate for me. I am getting ready to play with a wonderful orchestra known as MESTO at a festival in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates next week!

I have had a nice visit here in LA while attending rehearsals for the performance. The weather has been warm-ish, and the ocean, well, the ocean never fails me, it's glorious, and calming. And, I may have just stumbled upon the reason I have been sleeping. . .

Anyway, last weekend, I attended a couple of classes at UCLA, not UCLA classes, but classes on campus in the subject of Baroque music. My friend Laszlo (http://www.mezo.us) invited me to attend and it was awesome. I heard some wonderful music and learned a bit more about a style and period in which I have very limited knowledge. The teachers were specialists in the field. Each was dedicated to exploring very deeply, Baroque music, intellectually and emotionally. And each was very excited to share what they had come to know.

I found quite interesting the discussions about the use of old tools/instruments versus the use of modern instruments, and the importance of making the music, as close to authentic as possible, no matter what tools one feels is most comfortable to use. It seemed to me that the recommendation from the panel echoed the importance of making good music and being mindful of that which might prevent it from happening. I don't know much about Baroque, but in the general sense, I couldn't agree more.

Alas, I am sitting here at my first crash pad, preparing to venture on to the home of the next kind family that will take me in for the final days of my little journey. I am excited for the trip. It is finally setting in that I will be traveling so far away, making music on a big stage, and most likely not getting much sleep!

Until next time.
Resident insomniac, me.

p.s. I will do my best to post regularly while I am out and about.

It's that time. . .

2010-04-21T11:40:00.001-07:00

Okay, perhaps it's been way too long(?) Well, a brief update to what's going on in the mad world of music in Tanya's life. I recently completed a chamber piece that I composed inspired by my cousin who was such a delight. He left this world suddenly and shortly before his passing he shared some things that really touched me. Recently, a dear friend and incredible musician got an ensemble together to perform the music that I wrote in his honor.

The performance took place at ASU in Tempe, and this is why most of you did not hear about it. Most of the people whom I communicate with are not in the Phoenix area, and hence could not attend. Anyway, I am hoping to have this piece performed in the summer here in the Albuquerque area.

In other news, I will be travelling to the United Arab Emirates soon to perform with the Los Angeles based orchestra known as MESTO. I am very excited and will post photos and some travel notes while I am out on this excursion.

And finally, if you weren't already aware, I am working now with Coldwell Banker Legacy as a REALTOR®. Visit me on the web if you are curious to learn more about that side of me or if you'd like to search for properties.

Actually, that was not the final note, this is. I am crafting what I think may be the final movement of my string quartet! It is very exciting and I am now in preliminary planning mode for the premiere of this work. Okay folks, that's all I've got for now from the sleep factory.
-a close friend of Valerian Root

The end.

2009-10-27T17:47:00.000-07:00

Well kind readers, I have recently shut down my full fledged website, however the address www.tanyanunez.com does take you right here, for now. I am searching for a solution to build a new one, but have yet to chose, so, for now, this is where it will be parked.

Also, I have posted a snippet from the 2nd movement of my string quartet. And if all this is not really making sense, particularly when I use language like "movement" or "string quartet", allow me to attempt to break it down. Well, a string quartet is a group of musicians who play (typically) violin, two of them, a viola and a cello. And in this context, I am stating that the music that I am writing is meant for those instruments to perform it. Each instrument's music is written out and works together to form one musical piece. And when I say "movement", I am referring to parts of a musical composition, such as chapters are part of a book. Classical music (to over generalize), can be broken down into these "chapters" or movements, each unique and part of the whole in some way.

I hope this helps. Wiki I am sure has a bunch more info if you'd like to read up. Anyway, check out my 2nd movement, it is posted here on this site in the side bar, and on my FB and MS pages. I am currently writing the third and excited to finally be on the downhill slope of this composition.

I must get going for now. The piano tuner, yes, I found one without swine flu!, is plucking away on my 1800's German masterpiece, hoping that it can tune to 435, woo freakin' hoo!!!

Warm dreams and exciting sleep to you all.
-Camp Council

I slept last night!

2009-10-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

So,
I did, and it's cold out, which may be somewhat of the cause. Well, perhaps more so the cause was the long-ish rehearsal last night for the Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra that I have recently begun playing with. Anyway, we rehearsed last night for a concert that we will be playing on Sunday. A friend of mine kindly told me that the two basses sounded like a whole section of six. Oh, he is kind. . . never the less it was nice to hear because I often wonder if my instrument can be heard because many times I cannot hear it and I am standing next to it, ugh.

Well, I have been working away on my composition, and getting feedback on the completed movements. It's been a joy, but a slightly stressful delight to work on this piece. I can't wait to actually have it performed and truly share what it is that I hope to convey.

Oh, I want to let you know that my website is sort of down for a minute. I am back in the tech trench trying to (wow, 5 t's in a row!) choose (heh) a solution for putting up my site again. I had a web host that I was happy with once upon many years ago, but they were bought out by a larger company and their service went south, way south. So, I've cancelled it and redirected the site here, for now. . . Any suggestions would be welcome. I am considering a cms, but it's all kind of overwhelming. I want something that's intuitive, reasonable learning curve, simple, and has some good templates. Wow, what a tangent that was. But seriously, if you have any advice, I'd love to hear. This site is easy to blog from, but it's simply just a blog. Had I chosen WP, I would probably have made it into a site, but I did not.

Hmm, this may be a bit of a boring post, but it's what I've got on my mind. Oh, also, does anyone have a piano tuner (local, 505) they can recommend? I feel like this is some sort of a rant rather than a musical madness blog, well, maybe it is my musical madness that has me seeking a piano tuner that does not currently have H1N1, true story, btw.

Have a wonderful weekend, I will be taking a brief break from music creating, 'til Sunday that is. Until then. . .

only woke up twice last night,
undeniably me.

It's Hum Day, yes Hum Day. . .

2009-10-14T09:44:00.001-07:00

I never really liked the term Hump for Wednesday, middle of the work week for many people. I get it, duh, but Hump is not my favorite. So, I am declaring that we should call it Hum day, as in, I am humming my favorite tune because it's a sunny day (in Albuquerque) and well, why not hum your favorite tune?

Alas, I am not exactly here to enlighten anyone about my feelings about the nickname given to Wednesdays, I am actually more interested in talking about cleaning up messes, beautiful messes. I find myself writing the third movement of a string quartet, and right now, it could be perceived as a mess, if anyone could see it. But that's alright, no one will see it until I make all the parts come together, which is near, it makes me want to hum. In fact, it's so much fun, this movement, I cannot get that damn melody out of my ears. But of course, it also has those strange and questionable, not so pretty moments as well.

So, I also want to share that I have posted, somewhat on the sly, the entire first movement of this string quartet. Perhaps I am reluctant to shout it out in fears of, well, of shouting. It's done, it's out there, enjoy, and more-so, come out and see it performed when it is performed live (tba). There will be no comparison between the sampled instruments generated by software to the sounds and emotions evoked by living breathing creatures.

The second movement is complete, and I might just post it soon, maybe. We'll see.

I also must share that there will be a free performance that I will be taking part in with the Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra, Sunday the 25th at 2pm at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. I am looking forward to it, David Felberg is conducting, Carmelo De Los Santos is the soloist, what more can I say, it's the Cultural Center, it's FREE, come hear some live orchestral music!

until next time,
The Resident Sleeper

My Musical Madness: Welcome back, me. . .

2009-10-02T11:52:00.000-07:00

My Musical Madness: Welcome back, me. . .

Welcome back, me. . .

2009-10-02T11:39:00.000-07:00

Greetings my beloved supporters or wanderers of the web with boring day jobs, or whomever finds themselves here.

I just discovered that it has been nearly a year since my last posting. And so, a welcome back was in order. Recently, I have been hanging my hat in the high desert and my home of New Mexico, well, mostly. I am really glad to be here and to be chipping away at a string quartet that I began composing sometime in the last year in LA. You can listen to the first couple minutes of the first movement on my website brought to you by live, heh, sampled instruments (http://www.tanyanunez.com/c_chase.mp3). The idea is to get this thing done, finalized and recorded by an assortment of amazing, real heart-beating, passionate and driven musicians who are physically sitting in front of the music. I cannot wait!

I have taken a bit of a break from performance lately, just doing a couple shows in the past few months. However, I am excited to be playing with a local community orchestra http://www.nmapo.org and to be rehearsing some duet music makings with a very talented close friend of mine. More details as that moves forward.

Those are the big haps from the frontlines of insomnia madness. I have been dreaming way too much of melodies from my second movement, I even find myself plucking arco lines over and over before I drift off. . . I am not complaining, just explaining.

Alright, I have been putting off this third movement for over a week now, shall I dance now? I think I may.

Until next time,
Currently sleeping At Night

Recording at Capitol Studios

2008-10-28T22:55:00.000-07:00

Since I arrived in Los Angeles, I have mostly performed music. I haven't spent much time in the studio since Cheap & Sunny was released in April. Anyway, in the past couple of weeks I have done a few sessions. Each have been pretty darn awesome so far from recording with the Facets, the Watts Ensemble (new tracks are up) and with Tommy Rickard at Red Hill Studio (eng. Rich McCulley). But for several reasons, tonight's session might be a tough one to beat in a while, I am thinking.

So, tonight, I went to Hollywood and Vine to the historic Capitol Tower, home of Capitol Records and the place where some of the most amazing contemporary music has been recorded by such artists as The Beach Boys (thanks Seb), Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Judy Garland, to name a few.

Anyway, so, I ventured over for a recording session. I had no pass and had to do nothing at the gate but say whom I was there to record with and the gates floated open, and I entered the little back parking lot. I unloaded my upright bass and headed to the building where a security guard had me sign in and gave me a stick on badge, but I am pretty sure it is either magnetic or has a microchip in it because it feels more like a hospital arm band than one of those "Hello, My Name is" badges.

Anyway, I was a little overcome with emotions as I guided my bass down the hall, past large black and white photos of sessions that took place some 50 years ago. It was magical and I felt like a kid on Christmas morning, full of wonderment.

The session itself was painless and fairly simple in the end. But when I arrived in front of my black music stand, I continued to wonder what it is we were going to play. I calmly asked my fellow bassists and one said, "I don't know", the other said, "scales, or something like that." I relaxed and then noticed that some of the smaller strings were having a mild moment of desperation because there weren't enough music stands in their section. At that exact moment, the conductor stepped up to the podium which was raised a bit and surrounded by gigantic boom stands. He announced that no stands would be needed tonight (I let out a silent sigh of relief) and that we were going to celebrate birthdays for whomever has one in the next couple weeks. We found one person in the orchestra to play to and the maestro counted off. As he was counting off he was bombarded with musicians shouting, "What key?"

After Happy Birthday, the conductor announced we would play the patriotic tune he would hum to us. It was the Star Spangled Banner. Again, he quickly counted off without noting the key, and again, we frantically shouted for more information. He announced proudly, "F, starting on C" and seconds later, we were improvising perhaps our nation's most well known song.

I played the hell out of that tune that night and was having a ball because I love to play by ear. However, when we finished, I realized that we had just done something that many classical musicians don't do much of. We improvised. In classical settings, we are accustomed to having notes on a page, right in front of us, with very few exceptions. It was a treat to me, I was weaving in and out of harmonies, jumping octaves, playing little fills. I could hear every note coming out of my instrument, and felt each one floating into the microphone. This was merely a sound check for the booth, but it was pure fun for me.

After our little warm up, we learned that we were doing variations of bowed notes in order to capture samples for an electronic library of sounds for composer Nick Phoenix. The three basses stood around a very old looking Neumann microphone that had one of those big metal emblems soldered to it that read Capitol Records, very cool. And as you can see in the photos, the wiring on the mic is definitely not something you find at your local music store these days. I would venture to guess that the value of that one microphone is more than all the microphones combined in many home studio. And it sure was pretty too.

During our break, I got to venture into the control booth where they had a Neve console and many preamps, a huge mixing board, a fruit bowl, and huge windows looking out onto the big room. I got to hear some play backs and I thought they sounded incredible, better than I'd remembered it sounding live.

After our break, we came back and played through a few more sequences, and that was it. I was so interested in my surroundings that I forgot to get water or coffee (you know that's serious) during the break. I was just trying to take it all in because I knew my trip there would not be as long as I would like. And if any of you have ever been with me on a beach, you might know that I like to search for and look at shells, fossils, rocks, etc. for hours and hours. In fact, people have just dropped me off in the past, then scooped me up if more than two meals have passed before I request a pick up. Tonight was no exception, I think I could have stayed a week if they'd let me...

Well, I am just elated from tonight's adventure, and it may take an act of herbal tea to get this brain shut down tonight. It was absolutely incredible, just to be there. It was like visiting the Montmartre, where Dali, Picasso and Van Gogh once had studios. It is a piece of our history, a very rich piece of our American history. And I cannot believe that I just got to visit that place, and actually do a recording there. Wow!

-Good night, and pass me a bottle of sleep if you've got an extra.

Mondays, does anyone read these freakin posts?

2008-10-27T14:02:00.000-07:00

I have no feedback as of yet, but I see the page views going up, so, perhaps someone is out there reading my ramblings.

Alas, today is Monday, and I have to remind myself of this because, as usual, I worked on Saturday and Sunday. And though I had a great evening on Saturday, making music, Sunday is much more interesting for sharing.

Last night, I played at the Colburn School of Music's Zipper Hall, a very nice concert hall in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. I suppose that may have been my first visit to another music school since I enrolled in one myself, and this was no comparison. It was like a fancy spa compared to the one I attended, which more resembles a 70's era middle school cafeteria (all except the concert halls, of course). Anyway, I later learned that I was in the "old" part of the school, the conservatory in the next building was where it was really nice, I can only imagine...

So, I performed on double bass (as it's called in orchestral settings) or "upright bass", which seems to get into people's ears much easier and cause a lot less confusion. Anyway, I performed with the Multi Ethnic Star Orchestra with special guest and awesome singer Dalal Abu-Amneh. We performed mostly Arabic and Egyptian music and some pop selections with singer Anna-Suzette Eblen. We also did a piece called Jasmine composed by our conductor Dr. Nabil Azzam which featured soloist virtuoso kanun player Lilit Khojayan. She is such a rock star, a badass if you will, and if she ever reads this, I hope she gets the fact that I have much respect.

Anyway, I sight read over half of the concert, and anyone who has seen me attempt this, well, let's just say, I am getting much better. It was pretty awesome, and I discovered that I missed performing with large ensembles. I hadn't been onstage with an orchestra in over a year! It's an experience that is so far removed in most ways from other situations in which I perform, but it's still making music, and it's a very different kinda cool. I realize, I can't put it into words right now.

Anyway, the concert was great and there will be YouTube Videos up soon, which I will add links for. In the meantime, enjoy my little photos from the bowels of the music school. There were various visual art collections on the walls, and the two with me in them are actually holograms. there were a bunch of them, some containing as many as four images, so cool.
Peace.
-Occasional Napper

it's early, but what the hey...

2008-10-22T23:27:00.001-07:00

Greetings,

I'd like to start off by thanking the sensory gods who have blessed me with not only some decent ears, but more importantly a keen sense of smell. And I give thanks because I have developed this crazy habit of burning toast lately. I said it, burning toast.

Recently, I left my home, my furniture and many of my possessions in my beloved home to do some work out in California. Well, in my current dwelling, there is no toaster, and I like bread. Specifically, I like whole grain sprouted "Jesus Bread", aka Ezekial Bread. And...I also try and try to do ten things at once while at home. So, in the past few months, I have burned some bread. Much of it was salvageable, but tonight's finish product's contrast was like brown me standing next to the beans that I put in my press every morning.

Well, I am not writing to bore anyone with details of sacrificial bread, but to also note that I recorded vocal tracks with the Facets tonight. We sat in the studio, or rather layed on the bed in the studio, sang to our hearts' desires and then each recorded our respective parts. It was a fruitful evening of making recorded accounts of music making, and of sharing a tiny space with good people. The album will be released hopefully around the new year and I am betting it's gonna be darn good, if not amazing.

Also, the Ryan Bradley Affair played last night, in full effect. Mario Montes, drummer extraordinaire blessed us with his beats and though it was our first time ever playing as a trio, I'd say it went very well, but it's going to get even better and better. These guys are so good, and such awesome people. When I met them, I had known them for only two weeks before we spent a ton of time together on a short tour to San Francisco. I felt like I'd known them for years, and to any outside, I am sure it seemed so.

One more note on the musical front. The final cut of the short film "The Tower's Cellar" was just completed. I composed and performed the music for the film. I do have a copy, but, much like my attempt at stalling/crappy story telling before my stage singing debut last night, I have yet to watch it. Anyway, I can't wait to do more visual/musical projects. I love the collaborative process, it's pretty amazing when it is true, kinda like love.

On to my next adventure,

-sleep seeking sinner

It's Monday, which is a little like Friday for me.

2008-10-20T14:31:00.000-07:00

Greetings kind people,
It is Monday and I am doing my office work today, so to speak. I won't get into that, but what I will write about is my recent happenings, musically speaking.

On Friday, I performed an hour long set on the 3rd St Promenade in Santa Monica with the Ryan Bradley Affair. It was ultimately an incredible hour of my life, but I struggled initially to find my groove and also to warm up. I had not played all day, so, my hands were like leather work gloves until I put them into use on my upright beauty. What happened onstage was magical, it went from mild struggle to catching the most beautiful wind in our sail, and took us carving along nicely in and out of beautiful harmonies, riding the rhythms, as if we were on the ocean itself. The audience was amazing, joining in on the exchange and showing their appreciation openly and kindly.

I must also note that my friend and amazing filmmaker Marie-Michele from Montreal and Albuquerque made it to the performance, which made it even more amazing. She took some snapshots on her phone, please do enjoy.

Later that evening, I made my way over to the Room 5 Lounge, a nice restaurant below, a little lounge above. I had a performance with Tommy Rickard's band, who are also members of the Ryan Bradley Affair, which is a good thing because I obviously love playing with them. Anyway, the show went very well, despite the sound being, well, bad to terrible, I am not entirely sure. But what I do know is that I couldn't hear myself until it was too late. Each note coming out and swirling around the room, then lazily finding it's way back to my ears. It's not good, particularly for playing an instrument with long strings and no frets! Alas, the audience was very attentive and the feedback was great. Despite technical issues, I was making music with awesome people, and I had an awesome time.

My next performance of the weekend was at the Los Angeles AIDS Walk. I had to suspend disbelief in a big way for the fact that my call time was 8am! I am in the music business, not the film business and 8am is much closer to the time I go to bed than the time I get up on any day of the week.

Caffeine fueled and breakfast filled, I drove over with my 2 twelve inch speaker cabinet and 800 watt amplifier, ready to make some people dance, and that we did. I played with a group of talented individuals from as far away as Miami, but mostly from the Bay Area, and we played some Hip Hop, and it was mighty fun, mwahahahaha! I almost never get to play Hip Hop, but I do love to and hope to find more opportunities to do so. We played for thousands of people marching for a great cause and it made 3 hours of working in direct sunlight seem like 3 hours of sunning by the pool with fancy drinks, massage and luxury. It was just delightful, I can say nothing else. The players were great, and the audience was as well. And I must also note that my friends Julie and Rebecca came down and surprised me, and that was awesome, I love them, I do.

My final public appearance of the weekend was at a block party in Santa Monica. I don't have a whole lot of recollection of that event, I think I was so burnt from all of the stimulation I'd experienced in all of the previous shows, and all of the getting about that goes on when you live in a city stretched out end to end like a piece of leather over a drum.

That's about all I've got to spill today. Tonight I perform with Sebastian Clark and the Facets, an indie pop group that is jam packed with strong tunes and a hell of a performance. We play at Obriens on Main in Santa Monica.

Peace and love,
-Sleep Seeker

Watts Ensemble

2008-10-13T15:54:00.000-07:00

I have a moment before I have to get out of my pj's. And yes, it's almost 4pm! So, yesterday, the Insomniac drove out to Valencia to do a little recording at the Roy E. Disney Hall at California Institute of the Arts, or CalArts for short.

I think the best description of the music is mystery jazz, or fake movie music, or something like that. Anyway, drummer and composer Brian Watson, whom I met on an Amtrak trip in the Spring, has roped a group of musicians to bring to life some of his compositions, and we recorded the first of the live recordings yesterday.

I haven't heard any of the play backs yet, but according to the composer, they sound great. I felt like it really came together nicely, which is great for a mid sized ensemble doing live takes (14 piece, maybe?).

I will have to post some clips once they're available. I got to play a very exposed duet with the other double bassist, I think my pitches were pretty darn good. But I won't know for sure 'til we hear it. Either way, it felt pretty good, and I am very excited to see, er, hear the outcome. Check out the Watts Ensemble (http://www.myspace.com/wattsensemble), the compositions are brief, but much fun to play. And, I met the composer on a train!, which speaks volumes, but that's a whole other story (minds out of the gutter, please...)

okay, time to get moving for the show tonight.

-join me at Camp, won't you?

Joshua Tree

2008-10-13T13:12:00.001-07:00

Saturday was a long and incredible day for me. I spent my coffee hours at my nemesis of a music store that I only visit in a pinch because their shelves are packed with all the crap that I find myself needing in a pinch.

So, we had a show, or two at a gallery in J Tree, as it is known to some out there. My musical partner Ryan of the Ryan Bradley Affair met me at my house, we packed up the car and headed out. I will spare you the details of the drive and such and bring you full speed ahead to the show.

We found ourselves playing outdoors in between a couple of galleries on a stage that was a converted military cargo trailer. It had recently been shown as a work of art itself at the famed Burning Man Festival. The trailer/stage was decorated with sculptures of flowers whose petals stretched out about 5 feet from end to end. The center of each flower had a field of stamen made up of dildo's. Yep, that's right, approximately 30-40 dildo's made up each flower's reproductive parts. I hope to soon post a photo of our performance, but for now, here's a picture of the stage taken at BM. It was a sight to see and a performance that had some extra inspiration.

We played two performances and though I fucked up a plenty, we had some amazing moments, weaving in and out of familiar and new tunes. The audience at both performances were awesome, it was a nice exchange that took everything out of me, and fueled me at the same time.

I sang a very impromptu version of Kiss by Prince, as a special birthday request. I shocked myself by pulling it off while playing a deep grooving bass. It's a simple line, but add the singing by someone who doesn't regularly sing... It was a blast.

Alright, that's all I've got for now. It's just words, they don't compare to a live performance, but I love to write, so, enjoy.

Until next time...
your friendly Insomniac