Jungle Room

So my roommate met some dudes at a bible study that were into music and took a liking to one of his songs. One of the dudes used to work at the Jungle Room, a recording studio in Glendale, and had access to it after hours. They decided to record one of his songs in an all night session last week and I tagged along. The studio has a modest homey vibe and some pretty solid gear. I was just browsing the studio credits and there are some pretty entertaining ones: Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, and Billy Idol ...I ended up playing bass and guitar for the track. I was really nice just to be recording again, but here was my favorite part

Yep. Tielines to the control room right here the in bathroom!

more life lessons from music school

At the end of last quarter we had a quirky substitute in my reading class, while the real teacher was on the road for a week. He pretty much started class by telling us that he doesn't read all that well and that we don't really need to either. The more complicated stuff we were looking at, like 6/8 (i think he was just to lazy to change the metronome) and cut time he just sorta glazed over. The second day i walked into class to him telling a story about how he became an Honorary Citizen of New Orleans. He was just there playing a gig and then the mayor wanted him to come to a banquet for which he didn't have the right attire. Apparently when you become an Honorary Citizen all you get is a plaque, which my teacher was to drunk to remember receiving until he found it in his closet a few days later. The story ended something like this, "So, remember to always bring a necktie...and don't get too drunk."

This is why i pay the big bucks people.

And here's another quote from Schroeder. "Pop Schlop! Nobody ever lost any money by underestimating the taste of the populace."

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Goals for 2009

After seeing a few people post some goals for 2009, i was reminded of my Dad always saying, "if you want it happen, write it down and review it often." So I took some time the first weekend of this year to reflect, pray, and contemplate (something i picked up in my Capital Christian Center days) and write some goals for '09. So, i've been working on some of them already, but i figured if i put them up here, then i'll be obligated to report at the end of the year, and a little accountability never hurt anybody, even if it's just for my own guilty conscience.

The Goals:

Journal More (at least once a week)
Ok, so i've had the same journal since 2003 and i'm not even close to the end. Shameful, i know. But during my weekend of reflection i did a little "journal harvesting," a term i picked up from Morris Weigelt (side note: who wrote, this book that changed so much for me) meaning read and remember how good God is. Anyway, one a week, sadly, would be a big improvement.

Practice Guitar at least 18 hours per week
18 because that's 3 hours a day with a day to rest, or a couple days where there's not as much time and I slack a little.

Send Snail Mail
My folks were helping my grandparents go through some things last year and they found some really old letters. It was go great to touch the yellowed paper, see the handwriting of my kin, and get a glimpse of what their lives were like. I want my kids and grand kids to be able to do that! And write now i'm all about investing in people in ways that aren't a screen. I didn't put a number on this one, cuz really, if i send one letter, i think that would be more than last year...

Finish at least 2 songs
Again, one more than last year. With all the guitar practice to be done, songwriting has been pushed to the back burner. I started a lot on songs last year and only finished one.

Memorize more scripture
I started making a better effort to memorize scripture at the end of last year. I started in James, cuz I was reading it through in my quiet time and I found, "But be doers of the Word, not hearers only deceiving yourselves. (1:22)" Uh...whoops. I'm probably doing a little deceiving... Then in Chapter 2 There's the whole "Faith Without Works is Dead" section. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17)," right? Or as the Tracy Wilde Amplified Version says, "Faith comes by hearing, hearing, hearing, hearing, hearing the Word of the Lord." (Tracy, I'm not making fun.) So what better way to hear it over and over than to memorize!
Jesus knew the text. When he was tempted in Matt 4, he answered with, "It is written..." And one of those ends, "...man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."
Ok, really, I could go on and on with reasons to memorize, but i'll stop. I didn't put a specific amount in this goal because i want make sure i contemplate each piece as I go, making sure to get it in my heart, not just my head.

mojo monkeys

my roommate and I saw the the coolest band last night at this great bar called Busby's where a Capt. Jack Sparrow look-alike (not impersonator, i have to make that distinction here...) was the bar tender. They're called Mojo Monkeys. the from man was the drummer, standing front and center behind this dirty 3 piece with just a crash and a little trash cymbal with a bite taken of it. He wore a sequins black top hat and a black tank top tucked into belt-less jeans. the guitarist played this beauty of a Gretsch with some vibey tremelo. how cool are these dudes? I heard some Stones, Spoon, Wallflowers, Tom Waits in there = good. then they pushed back the drums and this great country band called 29 mules did a set with four singers all trading lead and great harmonies. dig it.

ye ol' year end music list

My Favorite Records of 2008
(In no particular order)


The Hold Steady – Stay Positive
Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
Beck – Modern Guilt
B.B. King – One Kind Favor
Sigur Rós - Meo suo Ì eyrum vio spilum endalaust
Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
Ra Ra Riot – The Rhumb Line
The Punch Brothers – Punch
Frightened Rabbit – The Midnight Organ Fight
Derek Webb & Sandra McCracken – Ampersand EP
Damien Jurado – Caught In the Tree
Radiohead - In Rainbows

When i compiled this list, i had to cut out a few that apparently we're from 2007 or earlier and I had just gotten hip to, so let me know what i missed!

escalators

so you know the little strips of soft bristles that line edge of escalators? i'm never sure weather to be thrilled or completely disgusted when my flip flop clad feet brush up against them coming out of the subway. part of me wants to be tickled all the way up. the other parts wants to jerk my foot away and dry heave. but then, our subway system is remarkably clean...