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!

One CRAAAZY Week and A Half!

Sitting here enjoying some quality day time television because I dont have to work I am trying to remember all that has happened. A few weeks ago we had the busiest week we have had in a long time and we felt like total Rockstars! LOL It actually started on Thursday a few weeks ago. Our festival is well on its way and we are/were in need of sponsors. No one would give us a strait answer so I went out to park city, Sponsor Packet in hand, and went to any business I could give reason and asked them to give us money. Its scary and uncomfortable. As statistics usually go in these things, we came away with 1 yes. BUT, we found others in other ways. It felt like a wasted day off at first. Now I realize it was successful. I found a place called Reyes Adobo in Park City who has delish tacos. Friday night we played at Fat's Grill with Steven Swift. He is so damn good! Saturday night we played at a benefit concert in Layton for a little girl named Paige with cancer. We then drove over to Poplar Street Pub to watch Steven Swift play the rest of his set. There was a 'Le Bus' that dropped off a group of people who I am pretty sure are extras on Jersey Shore, and this group of women who were failing at dancing sexy for the bar lol. Sunday, we were working on good ol Acoustic All-Stars stuff and did the father's day stuff. Monday, we worked and then joined our new friends Mateo Coleti and Rachael Alvine to be extras in their new show on Park CityTV called This Is Park City. That was a very fun night. Spending time filming clips at Butcher's Chop House... And Lindzee O'Michaels where we took a shotski, found out a salad from the sushi bar next door isn't exactly what you expect, and danced in the parking lot. And this guy, Tuesday night, we played at The Grove Theater event to break the world record. Unfortunately, they had a few things happen that stopped them from succeeding before it even began, but I thought it was super cool that they just kept on going anyway. We met this cool guy (and I apologize because I can't remember his name) that did THE best cover of John Mayer's cover of Tom Petty's Free Fallin. I think I found my next tattoo lol. JEALOUS! Wednesday, We met with Mateo and Rachael, and Alex from Rovali's Ristorante about the July 16 all day all ages version of the Acoustic All-Stars Music Festival. Thursday work from home night, then Friday, we packed up the car for a long weekend and drove out to Lyndon to play at Naarah Black's house concert with her and Greg Downs. Her mom made these AMAZING cupcakes and treats. MMMMM Then directly after the show we drove to Logan to sleep and got there around 2am, and got up at 5am to drive to Bear Lake and play at a 5K benefit for cancer. Woke up early, and played in Bear Lake 7am , then drove strait to Cedar City to perform at Groovefest at 7:30 pm. We ended up playing for about 30 minutes where usually the side stage gets 2-3 songs. They had some problem with the power and kept asking us to play more. We only had 4 songs ready because I dont know our songs. (hence the book o' songs) So we had to pull 5 or so songs out of our asses and hope to God I dont forget it in front of thousands of people lol. We did it though. It was a great show. Apperently, after we left, a lady had heard us on the radio (as they boradcast Grovefest in Cedar City) to buy our CD and we had taken our Merch with us (dumb us lol)so she didn't get one. SOOOO cool though :) Sunday morning, after we took a few pictures with Steve, we were on our way home. This was so much fun and we thank you all for being a part of it.

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.

ASCAP 2011 and Ass Punching Buzz Lightyear

Last Tuesday was the longest day ever. We were getting ready to drive our new road trip car to Los Angeles for the ASCAP Expo, a 3 day music conference put on by The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) which is a membership association of more than 400,000 U.S. composers, songwriters, lyricists, and music publishers of every kind of music. (ASCAP protects the rights of its members by licensing and distributing royalties for the non-dramatic public performances of their copyrighted works.)
We went to this last year, but it was our virgin attendance and we were so overwhelmed we missed out on a lot. This year, we knew exactly what we wanted out of it and took it by the tail.
We left Wednesday morning and drove strait through on I15 getting there and going to bed. We got up early Thursday morning and headed over the The Hollywood Rennaissance Hotel where the event was held which is attached to a super cool outdoor mall with several levels and arranged with a courtyard area and fountain in the middle and the shops working their way around. It was right on the walk of fame and attached to the Grauman Chinese Theater.


There are restaurants, shops, theaters, and bars as well as a few bridges going across to let you look across to the Hollywood sign, and the street where the stars are marking the walk of fame. It really is a cool sight.
We attended only 2 classes the first day because we met so many people and got to hang with Coop talking about our plans etc. where we found out one of our friends Shelly Riff (http://shellyriff.com/home.cfm) has been fortunate to get some placement deals (its the way to go kids to get music on TV, Movies, etc). It was exciting to hear that a good person like him has Kharma smiling on him! We met a cool guy through Shelly named Tim who invented a cool ball that doesn't deflate for kids in third world conntries who is organizing a large concert for this ball with U2 and with Sting backing the product. I though it was such a beautifully selfless cause. He was a very nice man and I honestly dont believe he is full of shit like many people with claims such as those. We saw the ball too. Its pretty damn cool!
Friday we woke up to a 70$ ticket on the car because I guess you can't park on one side of the street on Fridays because of the street sweepers. We are contesting it with no real hope of winning lol. Good start to the day lol. We attended more classes including the "Road Warriors" Class about touring which I will talk about later. Saturday was more of the same and then a night of fun....which I will also talk about later..
There are classes at this thing taught by many behind the scenes big wigs, stars, and not so stars but they ALL know their shit. There are thousands of musicians, writers, managers etc there and all sorts of booths with stuff to help you in your craft. There are also crazy people singing in the hallways and stairs as well as when they are given the opportunity to ask questions, some stand up and sing because they think it will get them discovered. Now, this is frustrating at times but really more entertaining.
But then, there are talented people who take opportunities correctly and get to perform for guitar sponsors and camera men like Valerie Mize. She was a nice girl with a great voice and catchy songs who humbly asked to play his guitar and because she wasn't a crazy person he said yes. She was beautiful and very nice.


We met some very nice people. A few from last year, a few from this year. We found that Twitter is the best for that. (tip: If you are attending something with a "Hashtag" (if you dont know what that is, you need to start from scratch and thats perfectly fine) find that tag and follow other people using it. You gain followers with the same interests, and they you and get the chance to set up face to face meeting with them as opposed to random followers in different places than you) We met 4 people face to face this year due soley to Twitter including Brandon Liss (http://www.brandonliss.com twitter= brandonliss) Ruby Castillo (http://www.youtube.com/user/MlSSRuBy twitter= MISSRuBy) Brian Franke (http://www.brianfranke.com twitter= bfrankemusic) & Antwoinne (http://www.penmeetspad.com twitter= antwoinne). Each of these people are awesome and very talented! Not only that, but they really made this experience so much better in their ways.


Melody, Brian, Mike

Ty, Brian, Mike

There were classes on everything from songwriting, publishing, composing, social media (twitter Cyberpr for a great person to listen to on Social Media), even a class on touring with someone I looked up to before, Matt Nathanson (his song "Come on Get Higher" was a big hit not too long ago and his other songs are awesome http://www.mattnathanson.com). I liked him before but he has a truckers mouth and I LOVED that lol. Now I am a forever fan. He made the biggest impact on me because he wasn't about bull shit. Mainly he was just flat out honest. He basically said what everyone needs to hear including me...You can't skip steps. There is no magic equasion or solution to the music business and breaking in. You have to work your way up just like anything else, it just takes longer. If you skip those steps they're going to shit you right out. I also got to meet Jonatha Brooke (http://www.jonathabrooke.com) who is a fantastic singer/songwriter and so beautiful in person!!!
Ty's favorite class was an interview with Bernie Worrell by Will Calhoon followed by some cool jammin. Ty really loved this class as he looks up to Bernie.


You can't see this but Bernie has a plate of food he was trying to sneak to his room to eat but I cut it off lol. Aaah stars...
Sara Bereilles came and interviewed Lindsay Buchingham from Fleetwood Mac. He seemed so down to earth and cool. But....I am betting that guy partied the shit out of his rockstar years! I was surprised that this talented songwriter said he hated it and liked performing and producing much better. He also said he liked bands today like Arcade Fire, Phoenix, Vampire Weekend, and Dirty Projectors.

SHIT it was beautiful there too. I didnt want to leave I swear. I heard it snowed back here in Utah while we were gone. Sorry bout that SUCKAS!
Another of my favorite things about LA are some of the little quirks.


(right) This was a crazy manaquen in a costume shop...fucking wierd!!!; (left)I posted this one day with "I wonder the nutritional value of Love"
Saturday we finished classes and found that the place we did dinner last year was closed down. That place was BADASS! We were pretty dissappointed so we went to The Hardrock Cafe with Coop, Brandon, Brian, Mike, Brandon. Amy, Shelly, Brandolyn, and of course Ty and I and ate and drank a bunch lol. During this time, Ty and I went to smoke with Brandon and some street performers came and talked to us. Then a bum they knew joined in. He suddenly looked at me, asked me to hold his stuff, (which consisted of a partially consumed Sierra Mist, and what looked like a cat bowl with money in it) which was more handed to me than asked so I did. Now, in case you dont know this..... The walk of fame is a place where people are dressed up like almost any character and actor you can think of. Some are in full suits, some are in clothes with wigs and make up. One we saw on Friday looked like RuPaul and then he/she walked into the makeup shop next to us and started working behind the counter. We were really glad we didnt ask for a picture lol. Seriously...looked just like RuPaul. Sooo...the bum hands me his shit, and walks over to a very plush Buzz Lightyear character and ass punches him!!! No. Seriously!!! So Plush Buzz, walks up and gets all up in the bums face and they do the I'm in your face' dance for a bit and the Buzz walks away. The bum gets his stuff from me and walks back over to give the stink eye to Plushy Lightyear and they do the dance again as you can see part of in this epic youtube film but Tyler Forsberg lol...( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjcTm4rvre4 )
It was nutso. WHO ASS PUNCHES BUZZ LIGHTYEAR!!??
We drank our fill, continued on the night to getting kicked out of Brian's room because we were jamming too loud, walking back to our room a few blocks away which was sad because there were all these people waiting in line wearing extrememly nice clothes to dance in a club and not more than 15 feet away were 2 people sleeping in a doorway. It made me realize that someday when we have money, my foundaton will be for the homeless in our country. There are far too many and no one should have to sleep in a doorway while people ignore you and go dancing. Its wrong people. Its wrong.
We made it back to our room and the drunkness took over. I vaguely remember Ty ordering a pizza which I literally woke up to eat and passed back out.
We left early Sunday morning and drove home in a daze. I didnt want to leave. I wanted to come home, get our guitars, and start our travels. Anyone who says ASCAP expo is a waste of time doesn't understand how inspiring it is to be in that atmosphere.
This weekend made me want to roll up our foam mattress, sell our shit, and just drive and book, drive and book. I realized that I want to be a musician yes. But I want to travel and meet new people. I want to see the strange, sad, messed up, and exciting. I want to be cold, hot, and comfortable all in the same day. I want to sit down in a place I have never been and play what ever I think people will like as long as I am feeling it. I want to get up early, nap in my car, and perform late. I want to do something so uncomfortable and so out of the norm that we can't help but feel like that is where we are supposed to be and all the people we meet along the way will make the road our home.

To all you haters out there.....

We play A LOT. I mean.... A LOT. I dont mean a bunch, or quite often. We play a LOOOOTTTTTT!
This year alone, we have already played 24 shows not including Radio performances, Open Mics, and the Music SLAMs. There have been 15 weekends this year so far. That means we have played almost 2 times a week every week all year on average as of now. From today, we have 25 shows through September booked with 99% of those confirmed. That means, if we don't book another show through our farthest booked show, we would play 1 show a weekend every weekend until our last booked show in September. Many pay. Many don't. Many feed us. Many give us a tip jar which we then bang our monkey symbols for customers until they drop a dollar or 2 in. Some don't even give us that.
Because of this constant performance schedule, we are busy bees. Sometimes we get a lot of shit for playing free shows, coffee shops, and pizza gigs. I'll tell you shit talkers what..... YOU try playing for 4 hours for free or tips and see how easy it is and then tell me if you learn something every time you do it. Even better, shit talkers.....in Lamans terms.....try going to school with out rich parents where you have to work part time at a coffee shop for minimum wage until you get your masters degree in what ever the hell you're going for. Tell me if its worth the abuse you take at your local Starbucks to earn a living while you work your way to your dream job and dream income. Now. Lets compare class. We are working our 8-5 jobs now to pay the bills and yes, playing at coffee shops and pizza joints so we can get the knowledge and experience we need to earn our version of a masters degree in performing and singing and playing instruments.
You can't just show up at Trump Towers and walk into the Donald's office and get a job with no experience and no knowledge of your trade can you? No. Well, we sure as shit can't show up at the 'E Center' AKA The Maverik Center with guitars in hand and expect to open for fucking U2 without some background and experience can we? Nope. SO to the girl who made the Chuck-E-Cheese comment the other day....What do you do when you get home at night? Do you study? Do you learn about what you're dreaming of being? What do you do on the weekend? Do you go out and work when everyone else is partying around you because you know that you have to and luckily enjoy it at the same time? Do you get to create things that people enjoy and build a business from it? I surely hope so honey. Cause we live a charmed lucky happy life with little drama, and little to worry about except what's next. We are so fortunate to have friends and family who support us, buy our CDs and t shirts. We have such a great support group that, even though this blog may sound mad, its not. I feel bad for anyone who sees us as losers, dreamers, time wasters, idots, or anything else that you can think of. We do what most people dare never dream. We get to listen to some of the most influencial people in music at conferences and strive to be like them.
Being a musician isn't enough. We are entertainers and it is a lot of fucking HARD, exausting, work that involves savy, skills, talent, business knowledge, and guts. This isnt a matter of sucks or doesn't suck. Its not a matter of talent or no talent even. Some of the most talented people I have ever met were quitters and some of the worst musicians and actors I have ever seen were gutsy rockstars. Its all a matter of never giving up.
Somestimes the haters can get us all down what ever our dreams. We all need to remember that they're haters because they dont have the balls to do what you are doing and they stopped believing in dreams long long ago. I refuse to work for someone else for the rest of my life wishing I was doing something I loved. Of course there will be days when we are touring that I wish I was sitting back at my desk answering phones because that was easier. But I would never forgive myself if I look back one day and wish I would have done more.
When all is said and done, there are moments in this life that make it all worth it and you realize that you are on the right track. We will sometimes play several shows that are good but they're average shows where people enjoyed it, tiped, bought merch, and it was an overall good experience. (We have been lucky enough to have less than a handful of 'bad' shows) Then, we perform somewhere where the planets aligh, the stars shine brighter, and all is right with the world. This past weekend was that times 1000000. We performed in Idaho Falls last Saturday to a crowd of people that were more than any performer could dream. They were attentive, excited, interested, and just made the night something extra special. We all laughed together, sang together, clapped together, and had a relationship during our short 2.5 hour set that we had never had before. It was so fulfilling to have this experience. This group of people became our biggest fans and best friends. They were talking to us and interacting in a way I haven't even seen. They filled our email list, bought CDs, TShirts, and asked for autographs as well as took business cards to have us come play at their private functions. There were a few self asteem building moments where we could hear them talking to eachother about how much they were enjoying us, and a few beautiful times where we started a cover song knowing they would love it and we got applause as soon as they recognized what we were about to perform. I have never seen a crown interact and add to a performance like this except in big named bands DVDs of big shows they played. I couldnt believe how it felt to be held up by them like that.
We left that night with heads held high, but not too high, and feeling a sense of accomplishment knowing that we are on the right track and that we CAN do what we dream. Shows like that happen so seldom, and we were so fortunate to experience it. We will never forget that group of people and how they made us feel. You all took us from musicians to performers in one fail swoop and that debt can never be properly repaid except if we keep going and working and never give up.
So. To all you haters out there (who probably dont read this cause you hate), You go on home and drink your beer alone and be all sad cause some girl bought those shoes before you. We will be here. Being something more. Working toward something bigger than us because we just love it so much and never giving up. But mostly, we will be dreaming and believing in those dreams enough to chase them. Hate it all you want. We love it.

CD RELEASE MARCH 25!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last September, we went to Redding California and recorded at Coop DeVille Records with the great Marc Cooper. Coop.....I will now begin gushing. Marc has done/does clinics for Johnson Acoustics, Digitec, and TC Electronics (those are the ones I KNOW of lol). He has performed with Pat Martino, a very talented jazz musician who had a brain anurism that took his memory and then, thats right, learned to play the guitar again. He also performed with Steve Morse, Guitarist from Deep Purple, and Kansas. Also, Howard Roberts who played lead guitar in the theme from The Twilight Zone, guitar on the theme from The Munsters and rhythm guitar on the theme from I Dream of Jeannie and more. Danny Gatton who was ranked 63rd on Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time in 2003, and on May 26, 2010, Gibson.com ranked Gatton as the 27th best guitarist of all time. Robben Ford has played with the likes of Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, and George Harrison as well as having a very successful solo career. Joe Walsh, played with the Eagles, and even Steve Howe played with Yes! More more more yes but I honestly can't stalk him enough to know anymore without being crepy lol. BUT, I will say this. ALL of the people in his biographies or that I know of he has performed yet, they ALLLL have their own Wikipedia pages. What does that mean? Well....do YOU have a Wikipedia page??????
I tell you all this because this isn't some guy with a computer packed away in his closet in a dirty neighborhood where he's spitting into a cup and saying 'Shure, I kin Ra-Cord ya!' This guy is not only a music lover, but he knows music deep in his soul in a way none of us newbie musicians even know. He has a trained ear that takes time, effort, obviously talent, and persistence to develop.
We are so excited for this CD release on March 25 at The Fifth in Bountiful 21+ come damnit, shameless plug, and can't wait to see what you all think.
We have super sweet t shirts, (nice ones!!!!) being made right now, a banner on its way, and CDs almost finished. (funny story. They were done, and then they weren't, and now they almost are. lol.. I want to post here, that we have always worked with Rose Pedal Records, and we appreciate all they do and their amazing turn around time. You guys rock!!
Also! Narrah Black and Rockfish Records recording artists The Wayne Hoskins Band are performing with us as well as Andy Livingston playing keys and Marc Cooper himself playing some guitar. seriously?!?!?
We are so excited for all that is happening and are planning our next resordings. Please please please. If you have a song you just HAVE to have recorded to listen to over and over again until you have to buy another from us, let us know. We would be MORE than happy to oblige. :D

Love to you all and All our best!