THE BEGINNINGS OF A NEW ALBUM

I recently started recording a new solo album and I thought it would be interesting to put my thoughts down on paper (paper?) about my plans for it so when the project is completed I can see how much it changed (if at all) from my original intention.

My over-riding goal on this album is to not be so concerned about getting every little guitar part perfect and every vocal track just the way I want.  Rather, I want to let myself make little mistakes in exchange for capturing more continuous, consistent, and authentic sounding tracks. NOTE: I was inspired in this regard when I learned about Gavin DeGraw's approach to his new album "Free" and then hearing the results he got.  Anyway, that's the general approach.

Right now Double Stamp drummer Greg Blair has layed down drum tracks to 5 songs that will be on the album: "We Should Be Alone," "Oh No (She Cries)," "Idea of a Girl," "Over You," and "In Wonder."  Double Stamp bassist Dan Herring is scheduled to lay down the bass to these tracks on June 14 and I'm really excited about what he's got up his sleeve for the bass parts.

Greg is then coming back in the studio with me on June 20th to lay down the drums for 4 additional tracks.  This will bring the track total to 9.  Here is a very tentative track list:

We Should Be Alone

Over You

The Wrong Girl

If it Grows

Oh No (She Cries)

Idea of a Girl

In Wonder

I'd Run

Just a Singer

Tentative album title?: JUST A SINGER

Check back for updates, pics, and video.

SIGNATURE

This is a picture of the signature that will be incorporated into the front page of my re-vamped website soon. As you can tell from the loops above, I had to practice my own signature upwards of twenty times to get a good one.

CRANE'S HOLLYWOOD TAVERN

Had a great show at Crane's Hollywood Tavern last tuesday (4/28). This is really a fun venue with great sound, cool stage, and great bar. Above is a picture of me playing a new song called "The Wrong Girl." Below is a picture of a group of buddies who came to check out the show all the way from Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Valencia.

Set-list for the half hour show:

If It Grows

Cries at Night

Free (Gavin DeGraw cover)

Over You

One More Chance to Say Goodbye

Tracks of My Tears (Smokey Robinson cover)

The Wrong Girl

ROUTE 66 TOUR MEETING

Had a great meeting this morning with tour manager Lawrence Buisson.
Looks like it's going to be 28 cities in 25 days from Chicago to LA along historic Route 66. Cities tentatively planned include . . .

Chicago, IL
Joliet, IL
Bloomington, IL
Springfield, IL
St. Louis, MO
Springfield, MO
Joplin, MO
Miami, MO
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma City, OK
Clinton, OKElk City, OK
Amarillo, TX
Tucumcari, NM
Las Vegas, NM
Santa Fe, NM
Albuquerque, NM
Gallup, NM
Winslow, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Sedona, AZ
Williams, AZ
Kingman, AZ
Needles, CA
Barstow, CA
Victorville, CA
San Bernadino, CA
Los Angeles, CA

THE HOTEL CAFE

Just e-mailed the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood to see about a booking. I've been there once before to see Joey DeGraw, brother of singer Gavin DeGraw, and it was a really cool venue. Look forward to hearing back from them.

CAFE MUSE

I swung by the Cafe Muse for their monday night open mic last night and was reminded just what a great level of talent they have there on a consistent basis. I saw my friend Wayne there who is always great and met two other outstanding musician/songwriters: Aaron Beaumont and Clare Means. They both have myspace so look them up!
I started off by playing a track called "Cries at Night" off a record I did with my old Band Double Stamp called "Hand Tighten Only." Despite the guitar cutting in and out due to a bad cord, it seemed everyone enjoyed it. Also played a new song called "The Wrong Girl" which I'm really excited about. As you may imagine, it's about liking the wrong kind of girl . . . the kind of girl that's no good for you. I have played it live a few times now and it always gets good reactions.
I also really like The Vermont Restaurant open mic on monday nights so I will have to start switching off. The verdict: monday night is a good night for open mics in LA.