Acoustic All-Stars 2012 = Success and Mucho fun!!!

What a weekend!!!  

Let me just start here….. See, this is the 5^th year of the AAS and a tiny bit of history is in order to give you a better idea of how awesome this weekend was.

We started our search for a venue to hold an acoustic music festival at a place called Club Celsius in Park City. They closed down and show was a no go. Then we played at The Star Bar for a show opening for Joshua James and Benton Paul. We fell in love with the staff and the bar set up and got our first venue for the AAS. The first year we had a small crowd.  The second a decent crowd. We implemented the ticketing system that year.  The Third year, we opened the doors to a line down the street of ticket holders.  Then, discord with staff and owner at The Star Bar made all the people we were previously working with jump ship. We couldn’t ask our artists to rely on such unpredictable circumstances and had to jump ship as well. We thought, we want to go to where Celsius was again! So the 4^th year was at The Downstairs. This year we were able to get a few sponsors, make t shirts, pay for advertising, etc.

In the end, I apologize to The Downstairs for this, but we were miserable with the results. The Staff wasn’t friendly, the owner’s expectations were unrealistic, and the seating was atrocious. We had to leave.

The first time we talked to Mischell and Mario about having the 5^th year at Fats, we were at the end of our rope. We heard rumor the previous year of artists complaining that they were too good for a 30 minute set and that we weren’t paying them.  We were at the point that if this year didn’t work out we were going to stop. We also decided that the stress and taxes of having sponsors wasn’t worth it. We weren’t able to spend the time on making the fest the best it could be because we were trying so hard to make money. Unfortunately, we don’t make money on this fest. Fortunately, it is more fun that way. Weird I know. lol

Now, I mean this in the best way possible, but artists…we set up the ticketing system because we can’t afford to pay you. What’s more, we will never be able to pay you all more than you could make with your tickets. Yes, I know you’re being nice and giving them out just to get people to come see you, but that’s YOUR decision. We have had a few people over the years say ‘now if only you could pay us.’  Well, we technically do. You’re just not earning it. I’m sorry but that’s the fact. We give you enough tickets (and you can request more) to sell them and make a good profit. We give tickets out to get people in so the bar makes money and we keep the little bit of money from the door which rarely covers our overhead. We apologize because this year we just didn’t have the money for any advertising but IMAGINE next year when we do J

What you don’t see is that 90% of the attendees are A:Friends of the bar and don’t pay, B: Have Tickets or are on a list, or C: Come in late enough we don’t charge them. Honest math…..If we took our profit (Overall income  + our own merch profit – (MINUS) Photographer, Food, tipping bar, making T shirts, making posters, purchasing tickets (that we give you), and gas to hang fliers, pick up fliers, back and forth to venue all weekend, etc that would pay each band evenly $8.09. I’m totally not exaggerating lol.

I just needed, for myself, to explain that to anyone who wonders why we don’t pay you. We would love to. We really would. But the tickets were brought out to make sure you all could make some money. If you don’t we are not responsible. We also don’t mind if you give them out. But really, what’s the difference of asking people to buy them or asking them to pay a door fee? It’s the same amount. If they are your friends / fans they’ll give you 5$  J

Anyway, what was wonderful about this year was that there was no discord, there was no artists acting like princesses, everyone was on time or early, people hung out, ate, bought or were given tickets, and we all had fun. The staff was friendly, the food was great, the drinks were cheap, and we all left with a happy warm feeling.

We will definitely have a year 6 and it will be even better. 

Off subject for a second…….Last, I want to pay tribute to our good friend Ischa of Minx.

I have been watching her amazing stage presence and ability to just give her performance all she has and I truly look up to her. She is a phenomenal performer and I see her as any musician’s perfect role model. There are things I have always wanted to do on stage and seeing her grace and professionalism has been pushing me to get out of my comfort zone and just do it.

Last night I took my mic off the stand for the first time and sang Alanis. I was so scary. I thought sure I’d pull the mic off and hit myself in the face and end up bleeding, ruin the song, everyone would laugh at me, and Id go home and curl up like a dead spider lol.

It was amazing and empowering and I loved it.

Thank you Ischa. You’re beautiful and inspiring and your inspiring nature lead to one of the best performances we have ever had . Xoxo

Last!

All the musicians this weekend were awesome and we want to thank everyone who stayed for our performance. It was Sunday and everyone works today but the people who stayed for our set are the best friends anyone could ask for. We like to take smaller sets and lesser loved times every once in a while just to makes sure its fair and that everyone knows that side stages and opening the show are not a reflection of your talent but merely the fact that not everyone can play the main stage and not everyone can have the best time slot. Those of you who took time out of your busy schedules to stay and listen to the last band of the festival are our heroes and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You made last night end with a bang and we had no idea we could even imagine that outcome.

Thank you all again. Next year is going to rock your socks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Check out photos!!  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Tim-Candelaria-Photography/305338682811887

Next. Acoustic All Stars August 11 at Rovali's in Ogden!!!

Top 10 reasons NOT to give up

1: Everyone who ever told you that you can’t/ Wont….Don’t you DARE prove them right!

   2: You will regret it for the rest of your life and anyone involved with said quitting, you will secretly resent as well

3: Do you REALLY want to? I doubt it!

4: Because it’s like working out, or trying to date someone that isn’t necessarily sure they’re ready but you both know its right…..If you do it, with all the struggles and trials and bad things that no doubt will happen, you will look back and be so grateful for the ride.

5: THE RIDE!!!! OMG the bad and the good and everything in between is what makes this whole damn thing worth it.

6: Because, musician or not, things that you have to work this hard for are so great and test your character, morals, motivation, and even stamina. You find who you really are and when you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone, which you have to a lot whether its pleasing a different crowd, or telling a booking agent to fuck off because they’re ridiculous, its good for you to stand your ground and be who you are.

7: You will learn what drives and inspires you. If you believe in Karma and Chi you know that this sort of thing is the best for finding your center.

8: It’s different than what most other people do in their lives and someday you can inspire others with your commitment to something so different and really looked down on. People never think you’ll make it so when you can do what you love against all odds its inspiring no matter what level you’re at.

9: You learn who real friends are, who has character, who will stab you in the back for a dollar, and who will stand behind you when you act like a total douche. Some of the best actors I ever met were musicians who act like they’re you’re friends because as any of you know, we can all help each other somehow. There is a LOT of people who will use you. The reason not to quit here is that when you find your friends they’re so everlasting and important to you that you will have people you can rely on that you may have never met otherwise.

10: Because if you were really passionate about this to do it and say you want it you would NEVER give up. Everyone has a split second where they say ‘maybe I should just be done’ but it’s in you. Its part of you and you need to do this if you’re REALLY passionate about it. Do not let the pressures of society get to you. Don’t live your life wishing you had.

Practice Makes Improvement; My month of daily practice

I challenged myself last month to practice guitar and/or sing every night for a minimum of 20 minutes. All but 3 nights, I did it.

I wanted to tell you about what I learned because it really pointed a few things out to me.

First, I am retaining the songs I practice better when I play that often.

Next, I never played for only 20 minutes. It was always an hour or more. Its so easy to keep going once you start.

Then, I started feeling my voice getting stronger and my guitar playing getting better.

I also had nights where I was MISERABLE and tired and didn’t want to play so I would have to make myself do it anyway and all but one of those times, once I started, I was glad I did it.

The biggest thing I got out of it was that we played 3 shows on Saturday, and then again 1 on Sunday and by the time we got done I was exhausted but there is NO way my voice would have held up for all that if I hadn’t been strengthening it.

I know now that this challenge I gave myself is something I need to continue. I challenged all our Facebook followers to challenge themselves to do something and got no response. It made me sad because as people AND musicians we should always be challenging ourselves to be better and not one person wanted to improve anything.

I challenge you now. Think of something you need or want and challenge yourself to get it. Sometimes it will be hard. Sometimes it will be the hardest thing in the world. I wanted to just go to bed and sleep quite a few nights and the first night I missed, I only missed because I got home from work and was about dead so I went strait to sleep. I was so sad the next day that I missed one day. It was easier to push myself on tired nights after that.

I truly believe that we all can improve ourselves; we just need to decide what’s first to work on. Now that I know I have at least a LITTLE discipline, I will try to eat better lol.

30 Things I've Learned in 30 Years

I apologize for not writing for so long. Honestly, between work and music and also having a shitty laptop that is so slow it takes forever to register typing it's been hard. But. No more excuses.
I will start back in with something that just came to me and made me HAVE to start up again. From my phone. Because my laptop. Ya know lol.
Everyone keeps acting like turning 30 is such a big deal. Sure. It's the end of a certain time in life. Like high school graduation. Suddenly there are things I feel are less socially acceptable and growing up is a little more important. But I feel no older than 25. It's all on the inside. So here I go. MY list of what I learned and opinions I've formed in 30 years.
1: Do things sooner. We all wait too damn long to follow our dreams and then wake up and we forgot about them. If you are inspired let it be and go for it.
2: Standing up for myself is 100% ok. We all deserve to be heard and no one should make you feel nuts for feeling a certain way. It's also 100% ok to stand up for someone else even if no one will agree with you.
3: I would love to have Giselle's body BUHliEVe me! But. I'm Hott damnit and that's just fine. Being happy with yourself MAKES you attractive. I'm like a fine wine. I get better with age. I feel better. I look better. I know myself better.
4: Pay your bills first. Then have fun.
5: Have sex, make out, fool around, and.....you know. Other stuff. It's healthy and fun and good for you and no one should die without feeling one of those feelings. Just one.
6: I tell the truth because a close family member is a habitual liar. It hurt my family deeply. I won't lie to you. If you're have something hanging from your nose I'll tell you and if I think you're making a mistake I'll tell you but I also value a sensitive friendship. I may tell you you're being stupid but I'll also tell you l love and support you.
7: Being A little selfish sometimes is ok.
8: Do it if it feels right or regret not doing it when you had the chance.
9: Keep your private battles private except for a very few close friends. Too many ears cuts your battles value and clouds advice.
10: Thank people often.
11: Gay people are just fine by me and add an extra umph to any party ;) I am pro LGBT and have a very strong stance that if you are lucky enough to find somone you love, thats all you need and no one has a right to tell you other wise. On the same token, to come out or change your sex wouldn't be an easy thing socially and I respect the guts it takes to do so.
12: Politics are bull shit. It's a bunch of rich ass holes fingerpointing.
13: You can become famous for REALLY anything. Just do it over and over enough until enough people see you do it that you're mentioned in conversation. Done.
14: Dream Big It's Free!
15: Traveling is a must.
16: I am the nicest bitch you'll ever meet. Be good to me and it's returned. Wrong me in a real way and see the wrath. It's not fun.
17: Nothing turns out like you think
18: We can't do it all. We can't have it all. We can sure WANT it all.
19: Dissapointment starts and ends when you're born and when you die.
20: So does happiness
21: The best times I ever had were sober. Alcohol is fun but not everything.
22: It's ok to loose at the game 'I've Never'.....Depending on the raunch level.
23: Change is scary. Its also inevitable.
24: Sugar is bad for my teeth and everyone in my family gets diabetes but I eat sweets a LOT. Live it up while you can. This also applies to more than sweets.
25: Sacrifice is hard but necessary if you want something.
26: 30 shows no signs of wrinkles but I am tired more. Fighting that is good for you. I have to make myself do things more than I used to. Make yourself do things.
27: Work out. No weight loss? Who cares. It makes you feel good.
28: Playing games is for the young and patient. I am FAR from patient and never liked playing games. Save yourself some time and heartache. Don't play games.
29: I never broke a bone in my life but I have many scars from love. I have had more relationships, loves, and losses than most normal healthy people and I wouldn't trade any of it because sometimes we don't know what we DON'T want until we have it. AND Sometimes we don't know what we DO want until we don't have it.
30: This has become my motto. 'The only thing in life you CAN control is whether or not you have regrets.' I have some regrets and mostly its things I DIDN'T do. Keep that in mind.

These are the highlights of what I have learned. I know there are more but its hard to fit every piece of wisdom in a top 30 list. :)

Honestly, 30 years have been sad, happy, awful, and wonderful so bring it on 40!

Jaded

I have 2 blogs sitting....waiting to be published, and I find myself writing a new one.

Ty and I were coming back from Park City tonight after a really fun and inspiring talk with Mateo Coletti and Rachael Alvine and after talking about music here in Utah, it brought a conversation that I decided would actually be my next blog.

When we moved to Salt Lake, we were new. We wanted to meet people and perform with people and build this scene. It was like dating. When you put yourself out there, you're bound to get burned. As previously posted, there have been issues we have seen here in Utah.... I am sure they're the same everywhere.
When we started getting ready for this years Acoustic All-Stars, I started writing the contract and Ty put his 2 cents in. We found our old contract on my computer and started reading it. It was night and day. Last year, the contracts were more information, mission statement, and encouragement. This year....all business.
I guess somehow, I got Jaded. I started looking for all of the wrong people do and trying to prevent it instead of just being me, doing what I know needs to be done, and if someone shit on an opportunity, so be it....we would roll it off.
Now, we are always seeing the negative. I have realized recently that those arent the people we want to be. I have realized that we need to be better about being those people that are just trying to help and are genuinely concerned and into the beauty of building this Utah music scene we so strongly believe in. People are unreliable in every trade. Its not just musicians. We are right brainers, its hard to combine forces with a bunch of overly creative free thinkers, but it CAN be done.

My Blog will be short.
Dont let people bring you down. Now that I can see how jaded I have become, I want to apologize. If we have ever given you the impression that we were jerks, snubbers, or clichey, let me assure you....we arent. Please... ask us to collaborate, ask us for advice if we have anything of value to you. Let us open for you, let us be reliable, nice, and fun musicians. We will return the favor. We know we aren't better than you. We know that we are just people doing what we do the best we can.
Dont let the bad ruin the good cause there is SOOO much good about this crazy, bumpy ride that is musicianhood. :)

Please dont hate me...its just how I feel....

We, The Gulty Party.....

Not only will this make light some things, but it may also come across rude to some people. For that I apologize. I started writing a blog because I wanted to voice my oppinions on some things going on and tell cool stories of our experiences. As you read, keep in mind that my oppinion is neither fact, nor popular belief, but my opinion only. Remember that Ty and I are a fairly unknown band, who has yet to see any level of success beyond working on building a fan base and therfore, our view is slightly different from the next level of musicians, and even promoters, bookers, and arena performers. I say none of this to complain, but to say what I see and if you disagree, please comment politely as I will write this as politely as I know how.


I have only lived in Salt Lake for a few years. We started performing here about 3 years ago. I love it. Seriously, Yes, there is a group of people that everyone wants to be a part of that gets asked to play everything that I secretly long for, but acceptance is never THAT big a deal. I just say they haven’t heard us yet and we aren’t quite ready ;) But honestly. Salt Lake has a scene. Its big. There are shows I have no idea are even happening. BUT. We don’t have a large fan base yet, though its growing. Thats fine. This trip to heaven through music is the ride I love. People come out of nowhere here with these talents that make me want to kill myself. But, no one goes to their shows. And then, if they dont give up, sometimes, that changes. But many give up. Or take 2-3 year breaks. It can probably still happen for them, but I dont see how you can be full time trying to just get people to hear you because you want to share what you love to do, and feel oh so good doing, and then just stop. Things in life happen. Horrible things. Yes. I get that. I dont want anyone to think if they lost a family member or something that I would look down on stepping back. I also wouldnt expect you to judge me for playing as soon as I could because it releases my deamons and I personally would need that.
One of the most beautiful things about musicians is that we get up on stage and bear our souls. It is so fun to meet other musicians here and see these people that are SOOOO good. But, even the flowers need manure. There are also some bands that are ok and a few that are amazing that get ALL the bills. Sometimes I feel so jealous but then I realize that I need to look at this differently. Its survival of the fittest. If fans could all focus on 35 bands at a time with their undying love and money they would obviously be rich and have endless time and manpower to do so. Following a band is A LOT of work!!! So, we earn fans. They aren’t in stock at Wal-Mart and just because 25 people are in the audience doesn’t mean you now have 25 new fans. At best? 2 email listers.
And guess what. Facebook is on its way out because of musicians. Yep. I said it. Here is what we do. We are locusts on social media and open the doors to spammers and Phishers because we send out so much shit that does not apply to 99% of the people we send it to. We did it to Myspace, now we are doing it to Facebook. Ready? Here it is. The way to never get another 20 Billion Reply All Messages that all say stop hitting Reply All. Go to your friends lists, and make folders that you can name. Add people in certain areas to each corresponding name and then when you make invites, send them out to those groups which apply. Do you know I never look at my invites anymore and many other people dont either. Why? Because I have 10 invites to an event in Nashville that I have nothing to do with and its a band I have never heard of and I got an invite from all the band members as they all make their own events! WHAT!??!?! Wow.
Now, I really would love to hear from other musicians if this is the same for you in your city at our level.
There seems to be this thing where all the musicians (us included) ask everyone to come to our shows and then not go to other peoples. Feel my pain here. Last week:
Monday, work 8-5 5:30-7:45; Make dinner and eat, Ty usually some graphics stuff, me practicing or booking. 8:00-12 Salt City Indie Arts Sound-Off Competition. home. Sleep.
Tuesday work 8-5 work. After dinner about 6:30-1 am Final Acoustic All-Stars Picks and email send out. These werent forum letters people. We sent out all rejections (which I HATE having to do. It sucks!)personalized. We realized this year though that we need to call anyone we didnt accept for many reasons and for this we apologize. We owed you that and we appreciate everyone taking it so graciously. I know we are not Bonaroo or something but rejection is never easy. There was SO much talent it makes me sick. lol.
Wednesday 8-5 work, 7:30- 10:30 ish Jam with Brian Bingham and Whitney Blayne for a show we are woking on.
Thursday, 8-5 work, 7:00- 9 practice 9-1 graphics and contract work.
Friday 8-5 work, 5:30 shop for house concert liquor and such, 7:30 arrivals for house concert. show w Silver Glen ended about 12 partied till 2.
Saturday; 10:00 wake for Utah Musicians Breakfast Club, meet, breakfast from 11:15- 12:30, started blogging and Ty graphics. 9:00-1 show at GoodTimes Saloon in Layton.
This is a full time job. Anyone who puts their time into anything has a similar schedule with different inserts. So, literally, if we didnt work on the AAS we could go see shows on weekdays, but we play every weekend. Heres the delema. How am I supposed to be mad that you didnt show at my show, when I missed yours? I saw someone on Face Book post on this the other day. Its a good point. I am not sure why but we all seem to bark up the wrong tree. Ok, we need bigger paying shows to live off of music. Fact. But I am friends with mostly musicians which is cool for gig trading, but I know very few people outside of that and unwittingly seem to make little effort to do so. Shazaam. Guess what. “Hey guys I am playing friday night, come and bring your friends” “Oh sorry. I am playing Friday night and my friends with be with me.”
How do we combat this? Is there a way? Are there a neumerous amount of music players and a small group of music lovers? Thousands of bands are competing for thousands of the same exact fans on a weekly basis.
Harsh--->......Guess what. Thats our fault. Ty and I are not the answer here. I mean to stay far away from that presumption. We have very far to get anywhere near the point where we can make any dent anywhere from the performance side. That comes with time and we are new. There seems to be a pull to be an epic musical battle with lightening and forces of nature new to man between the band, and the solo chick who is just as bad ass, and the one man band guy who sounds just like a band anyway all playing the same night. I bet Nashville is a LOT like that.
I wonder sometimes if we help each other more, that would bring more to this large yet quiet scene without ruining what it is. I see a lot of people trying to do this, but they go about it the wrong way. No one wants to get 1000 emails in 20 minutes because you added them to yet another group. Ya. Groups are a great idea, but I hate when I get invited to a group because I have no option of denying said invite. I also believe that we dont share other people with our fans like we should and if we do they’re the same 5 people/bands. We are guilty of this. We tend to get burned and stick with those we feel we can rely on because so many unmotivated bands come and we want to support them and you set them up to play a big show with you and they text you 30 minutes prior saying they dont feel well. Who cares!? Or Someone bad mouths you for absolutely no reason, acomplishing very little, and just making you not trust them. I am sorry.You get,AT MOST, 2 chances with us. We skip strike 3. Having a band not show up, or show up late, or be ass holes, or play half their set, or complain and be rude at a show you booked reflects badly on you and is something you try to avoid at all cost, and sharing a stage and maybe $ isn’t something you try to do with people who try to make you look bad. (Tip: Generally, if you have a good relationship and you have made sure to have a good reputation overall, clubs will toss aside any shit talk they hear until you do something to them, so have a good reputation and jealous green monsters trying to hurt you wont get far.)
Another thing. If you make a comittment... you keep it! Would you just not show up to work? Probably not. I dont know, Maybe you would. There is a level of comittment that you look for with co performers etc to avoid shooting yourself in the foot. So. I am making it my personal goal to find more musicians we haven’t heard and bring them to play w us because someone has to make the first step to bring all these cool groups together. We will just make sure we dont get burned. I hear people complain all the time that this big group in Utah is a bunch of douches and ass holes but, like I said, Rejection isn’t easy and usually those stories go back to a story where they rejected the upset person in the past. I dont blame them. But there is a lot of complaining and very little of anyone trying to do anything about it. Including us.
Heres the harsh reality that I tell myself everyday. If you’re good, you’ll get where you want to go. Thats all. No excuse. If you’re not seeing a growing fan base after 3 years, try something else. Dont change you. But try something new. Friends like you cause you’re their friends. Fans like you cause they connect with you. If you fool them into thinking you play Reggae cause its cool and then you start playing Heavy Metal, they’re going to be pissed and feel betrayed. Stand up if you sit, learn a loop pedal, Get a drummer, get a sax guy, play lullabies under all your songs, who cares. But how is anyone supposed to want to go see the EXACT same show every weekend for 3 or 4 years. Change it up. Thats whats so cool!! Theres NO ONE telling you what to do with your music and if they are and you dont like it, get out. Who cares what they may do for your career. Do this because you love it not cause you want to be a rockstar....well, thats fine too lol but not cause you want to be a rich ass hole. It seems those people are weeded out and shunned in the future.
Also, we are not in High School. I hear so much from people about other people etc. Here are our general rules to live by. Being a musician takes a certain amount of politics. Good Guidelines:
1: If someone wrongs you, yes, when appropriate, you can warn someone before they do business with them but NOT because its just in converstation.
2: If you believe working with someone will hurt someone else, keep your mouth shut if you dont have proof. Its unfair to nail someone to the wall for one thing they did once. If its a habit and it continues to go on, fair warning is advised. But dont tell everyone someone is an asshole and you didnt like working with them cause they drank your Dr Pepper once out of your fridge. People listen to other people about who to work with and that one person thinking they’re an ass probably will warn others.
3: And, if you are going to warn someone about a maybe issue dont be a jerk. I have seen a few people hurt by innocent passer by comments and suddenly people want to get away from them. Maybe its their fault and people should back away, but intent is 90% of the importance. If someone’s intent is to help you and you dont like how they’re doing it tell them what you want and if it doesn’t work, stop working with them.
We should all be able to take those instances as adults. I can’t believe how much shit talk I over hear. And whats funny is that its usually personal and has nothing to do with talent etc.
In my particular group, we support each other as much as we can and we have built a mutual respect and trust and if someone says stay away, I listen. A musician I trust has a word like the bible to me.
So, maybe we shouldn’t be talking about a better scene, maybe we need to talk about a better comittment to the scene. If you like something, you want it. No matter what you believe or normally do. If you hate iPhones, you may not want IT but you want something like it cause its super sweet. If someone hears a band like us, and goes “eh they’re ok”, and then they hear a band in the same style and sounds etc etc but they’re way better, guess what. They arent going to come crawling back to you. Do it your best every time and try to get better every time you perform. You cant lay stagnet foaming at the mouth and singing the same line over and over again and continue to do that over and over again, it doesn’t matter how good you are, you cant stay the exact same forever. Why do you think people like Madonna are so big?. People fall in love with a band as they grow with them and they watch them get hits. Bands are like our secret friends and when you see them on TV and hear them on Movies, you get excited because you ‘know’ them. Dont be so scared to grow and if you are going to do this for a year or the rest of your life, do it right. Keep your word. Show up.ON TIME. Besides, if clubs, bars, and Restaurants etc trust that all of this will be handled when you play they’re more likely open to having music at their places therfore opening up more performance venues. Work on getting better no matter how good you are. There is no such thing as stunted growth for a skill in my opinion. If you care enough, you will work harder and get better or come up with some harebrained skill that will get you rich overnight and retire lol. We need to support each other. I know its hard. I know it takes time, but I see a lot of bands who are stuck and SO good!!!!!

At ASCAP I heard
{“There is no Magical formula that will make you famous. There are steps you must take and if you skip one of those steps if will come back and shit you out”} -Matt Nathanson
Forget the fame. Enjoy the ride. Learn how to pay the bills and taxes on that alone if thats your dream.
OH! Dont let anyone tell you you suck so give up. I dont believe thats healthy. I have heard people originally that were horrrrible get better and we see them again and go SHIT YA! Stop telling people to quit. Be inspired by the desire. If they are jerks and suck and have no dream theyll drop out anyway and you need not make yourself look bad in their honor. I have actually seen people say these things to other people and its completely imature, mean spirited, and innapropriate. What kind of person is comfortable with telling someone to quit. Terrible!
There is so much around here that can build. Share your ideas. Be willing to let someone else carry them out if you can’t. It benefits us all! Dont be so damn selfish. “Well, I came up with it but I never told anyone and now, here, 20 years later, someone got to it and its amazing! Yay me!”lol
If Utah knew you existed and heard your music, you would see them come to your shows. Lets find a way to get all of us comitted, driven. and talented musicians out into the state and then grow. We should be nourishing the talent that is here, not putting it down, and helping them learn how to be self sufficient not stealing money from them by booking and taking more than your fair share and not telling them you’re doing that. Ex: Kyle made 200$ from the show he booked Geena. Geena recieved 30$ the the entire night and she was the only act and Kyle ONLY booked the show. People do it. Its terrible.
Dont be scared. Well.....be scared. Its scary. Let it drive you. Stop the negativity and realize that if you can bite your tongue and hold back the personal shit, those people will return the favor. Imagine a Utah where we give credit to the good and just sit down and listen for a second. Do it because its fun and we will get to be a part of this movement that can make Utah and great place for music.
If you are booking a club, Please let me give you some advice not just from us, but from other people. If we contact you to book, please get back to us as soon as you can and dont make us track you down. If you are avoiding bookng a band, tell them they dont fit and they wont bug you. If your only excuse for not booking a band is that you think the trumpet player’s hair is too long, get over it. Shit. If they show and up perform and are reliable and talented, and their hair is your only issue, get over it.Your job isn’t hooking up your friends. For the good of the venue you work for, your job is to bring in good music that people will come back for more because of it. If we ask to play and we arent that, honestly, let me know. We will work harder and contact you when we are better.
Bands. Dont call the booking person every hour all day and into the night. Dont call them after 9 unless they instruct you to do so. Most of them have day jobs. Email; yes. Follow up if no response; yes. POSSSSIBLY again follow up but stop after that. Do this in increments not one day. If you play with other people you dont know, for shit sakes, introduce yourself or at least be friendly to the other bands. You dont have to take shots all night together but honestly, where are your damn manners? OMG lol. No stories but sometimes people are jerks lol.
Guess what. You CAN make the big bucks and be a total dick band. Good luck with that.
Lets just try a tiny bit just a little to support our fellow musicians even if we dont know them. If they dont return the favor, fine. You never know why. But keep going if it sounds fun and maybe introduce yourself if you get the chance. Get off your ass. Go drink or dont, but next time there is a band near you, please, applaud at least once.
Thats my rant. MAN there is more but thats all I can say now lol.
I challenge you to re read this and think about it. Nothing I brought up was a person I know or heard of. They’re examples of what I see around me. Make good music guys. Thats all. Good to you is going to be good to someone else.

Emotional Constipation Put to Good Use

I am anti-emotion.
I don't like touchy feely conversations.
Getting close to anyone is very hard.
But.
When I love I love with everything I have, and I fall with everything I have, and I hurt with everything I have when the time comes. But I hate to cry. I'd rather throw up than cry, and I'd rather be stabbed in the face than throw up. So, If you look at it, I'd rather get stabbed in the face, then throw up before I cry lol. I dont know where it came from, but I never liked it. I always felt like every time I cry, people chalk it up to being a girl or on my period, which leads right back to being a girl. I hate that. So, when I do cry, its alone, quietly, unless its something horrible and then its all over.
I don't deny the therapy of crying. It's such a release that I'd compare it to orgasm when you get it all out. But, then, you're left with a headache, red dry eyes, make up everywhere, spit all over your hands, dirty kleenex's all over your bed, and a messed up pillow case. That last part sounded dirty lol.
I used to cry a LOT. As a kid, I'd fly off the handle and let out the waterworks anytime I was remotely provoked....and other times when I wasn't. I remember a time my brother came to visit. He ordered Pizza and ordered something I didn't want. I cried so hard. I never forgot how embarrassed I was to act that way but I didn't know how to control it. Until I started to write music.
I feel these songs so deeply. As deeply as a mother probably feels love for her child. When I write, something comes from me that can't be released any other way. Its like a new song has sucked the venom from me and I can live again.
Im sure its hard on Ty because I get so impulsive because of it, and most girls seem to wear their heart on their sleeve. He didn't see me really cry until a few months ago when my dad had a health scare. But then, he also doesn't have a girlfriend whining about stupid shit all the time lol.
I heard Sara McLaughlin one day and knew how to clean up my heart. Her voice tells me that her pain is safely stored away in those songs. I realized I could store my feelings in songs too. I started first by learning her songs and storing them there. Then I started writing. The first few songs did nothing. Merely paper with notes and words. Soon I wouldn't have to whine about failed relationships anymore once I wrote that safe keeping song. What ever the pain, happiness, or anything else, if I capture it with a song, I'm lighter.
This past year has been rough on my songwriting because I have had to learn to draw from other things to build a new repetoir of upbeat bar friendly music (because bars are the ones who pay). I went so long in serial relationships to write the happy, confused, sad story of a love. I learned how to fall fast because I knew that those extremes would be my sweet spot. Now, I write differently. It's exciting actually.
Part of me always wanted to be in a band. I want to be that bad ass rocker chick with tattoos and pierings wailing on a bass guitar with a killer drum beat behind me and I'm singing the shit out of a song. Helllllll Ya!
But I also feel this need to write to my roots. To stick with that hearbreakingly soft music with that ache that everyone feels pouring out through me. Then this horrifyingly poppy song is born and I'm thinking WHAT THE HELL! lol
But, in recent months, I am seeing something new take form. A rhythm backbone with a catchy tune, and Ty's lead guitar but still using those lyrics telling my exes etc that they REALLY messed up and we both know it lol. Or telling Ty things I couldn't ever sit down and explain.
Yes. Music is therapy. Its the way to tell everyone in the world your secrets with out being 'that person'. Its what makes me feel happy, sexy, alive, and loved. Who doesn't want that? But most of all, Its cleaner, better, and less invasive than a REALLY good cry. No matter your musical level, you should write a song. Exes are my fave cause you can pretty much mame them with words and you're not a bitch lol.