| Date: | 2010-01-16 19:58 |
| Subject: | Ophelia |
| Security: | Public |
There isn't much to say about Ophelia in terms of upgrades. She's never undergone any. The story with her, is that she, along with Nigel and Ezra, are my oldest instruments. I bought them back when I was a High School student, when it would take me half a year and a birthday or christmas before I could afford an instrument, and when I could, $600 was my limit. Ophelia cost me just that, $600 on the nose. She is a 2001 Ovation Tangent Acoustic-Electric. I bought all 3 of them in that year, and they were all I owned until my second year of university (when Gabriel joined the family.)
Ophelia has been my mainstay for writing songs for the past 8 years. She can be heard on Maestro and The Muse's debut album, "And then there was you" backing several tracks. In fact, most of them were written using her., if not all of them.
There is something to be said for those instruments you own when you're young and broke -a certain sentimental attachement. I've been quite lucky with Nigel, Ezra and Ophelia, as even years after, owning a number of instruments that are twice as expensive (at least,) they are still my favourites. Ezra especially, is my favourite of all my guitars, and her new modifications make her the go-to-guitar for all my live shows.
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| Date: | 2010-01-15 21:27 |
| Subject: | Nigel |
| Security: | Public |
| Mood: |  calm |
I started as a bass player in 2000, just before graduation from senior public school. My first bass was a broken down old 1970s Precision bass copy I found in my uncle's basement. That bass was with me for 6 months until I went out and bought my first bass, which was a sunburst Fender Precision. You're probably wondering where Nigel comes in. Well, the Fender was quite the lemon, and while it was fine to learn on, by late grade 9 I had saved the money to purchase my first "real" bass.
Nigel is a 2001 Ibanez Soundgear SR480. The beautiful mahogany body is what first sold me, in fact, way back when I bought the Fender. I said "I'm going to own that one day". Back then, $600 was a lot of money. Nigel has been with me ever since.
While Nigel was the only bass I played throughout High school and early in my university career, with the purchase of Gabriel in 2nd year, Nigel started to see very little play. I mean, my Warwick was my dream, and so there was no reason to play the old Ibanez, save for one: Nigel had the fastest, smoothest and narrowest neck I've ever played -and still does. In 3rd year, I figured it would be a shame to waste such a great bass, so instead of selling, I went down to my local music shop and had them make Nigel fretless. Now I had a whole new set of tonal varieties, and there was no reason not to play Nigel more.
Over the years, Nigel has gone through some electronics overhaul to make better use of the fretless sound. I replaced the Ibanez electronics with an EMG P and a Seymoour Duncan Vintage Hot J Basslines to get the best of both worlds: a rockin' Derek Forbes sound (a la simple Minds,) and a jazzy Jaco Pastorius sound. I also overhauled the preamp to make it more basic, putting in 2 volume and 2 tone knobs and a toggle switch, a la your standard Les Paul.
I've always been quite happy that I never sold my first "real" bass, out of sentimental value, but now thanks to some handy-dandy custom shop work, he does more than just sit on a stand.
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| Date: | 2010-01-14 12:55 |
| Subject: | Ezra |
| Security: | Public |
| Mood: |  working |
Ezra has been with me for a long time. In fact, she was my first electric guitar. I had little intention of actually being a guitar player back then, and had bought Ophelia earlier that year with the thought that I wouldn't ever want to play electric guitar -after all, I was a bass player, and wanted Ophelia solely as a tool for writing music.
I bought her in grade 10 from a guy in North Bay, and he shipped it down to me. He had already done a number of upgrades that I was going to do myself, (specifically the machineheads and the toggle switch), so that saved me some money. She was about 7 years old at the time, and that vintage, for Epiphones (see my previous entry for model specs), is a particularly good one. Epiphone made her at their Samick Plant (another stellar company for cheaper guitars,) in South Korea, and was one of the last ones, too. After that, they moved their production mostly to China, and quality control has suffered. Lucky me (though I didn't know it at the time.)
I played her, stock, up until this summer. It was then that I had the itch to finally replace the terrible stock pickups you can find in about just any Epiphone. I searched around for some used Gibson pickups, thinking that would be the natural progression, and stumbled upon a company, "GFS", that made versions of the world's best pickups (Seymour Duncan '59s, JBs, etc,) with their own twist, that were less than $100 a pair. Quite skeptical, I checked some reviews on Harmony Central (the best place for music product reviews,) and found hit and miss reviews. Some versions were stellar, others were awful. I bought a pair of their '59s (a version of the Seymour Duncans at 1/3 of the price) and have loved them ever since. To compare, I tried a set of Lindy Fralins that I got in a trade, and while these pickups were 3x the price, they were half as good. Needless to say I've stuck with my '59s.
After upgrading to these pickups, I had the itch to do more mods, making this guitar more my own. I quickly found authentic Gibson electronics for cheap, and upgraded it so that Ezra was everything high-quality, except for the Korean body and neck, which I loved to death anyway, so there was no need to change that. I always wanted a B.B King Lucille because I loved his blues tones, being as clean and crisp as they were. I came across a "Varitone" switch on craigslist one day, and just bought it. The Varitone switch is that little 6-position rotary switch that B.B King uses to make his guitar 'more jazzy'. So, I subbed out one of my tone knobs, and installed it. Ezra was now a Les Paul and an ES-355. Two guitars in one.
Just recently I remembered that the pickups I bought had "coil-tapping" capabilities, which meant that the humbuckers I had could be swtiched to single-coil pickups by just a change in the wiring. I'd never considered this until now because I have 2 single coil guitars, and so didn't reallly need another. However, with the magic of a push/pull switch, I could have both! So this weekend, I'm installing a push/pull pot, so that my master tone knob will be able to switch between humbuckers and single coils. This effectively adds another guitar to the mix, the '56 Les Paul model. Now she's 3 guitars in one.
I can't really think of any other mods for Ezra at the moment, and I don't really think there are any really interesting ones left. I'll post pictures of her, post-mod, sometime later this weekend.
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I've come to the conclusion that I'm not just a musician, and not just a guy who likes building, repairing and custom shopping guitars. The economist in me will always make me partly a collector, and so I have realized with my most recent acquisition. Having the money kicking around, and instead of investing it, I chose to purchase a newly-discontinued guitar that was getting some rave reviews. I saw some arbitrage in the price (well, ok, A LOT of arbitrage,) and decided to buy it -the best part about these investments is that you get to play them in the mean time.
For the gearhead friends of mine, I purchased a 2008 Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded (OHSC and all!) in Tobacco Burst for $1000. For those of you that don't know what a 'Faded' is, it's a Les Paul Standard in every way, but instead of the heavy gloss of 8 coats of nitrocellulose, it's about 3 to 5, giving it that wood-grain feeling -similar to 30 year old Les Pauls where the finish has worn away. I don't understand how this sort of work makes the guitar worth $1000 less, and neither does the market. They're selling at a premium right now, and I'm loving it.
On that note, it's a beautiful guitar, and I plan to hold on to it.
On a more general note my collection is up to 8 now. My Gibson doesn't have a name (I'm still so excited to own an authentic Gibson), but she will soon.
I currently own:
The New One - 2008 Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded with Grover machineheads
Ophelia - 2001 Ovation Tangent Electric Acoustic
Ezra - 1995 Epiphone Les Paul Custom with the following upgrades, (making her the most versatile guitar on the planet)
- Gibson USA pots/switch/jack
- GFS '59 Vintage Humbuckers
- Big D Varitone (a la B.B King's ES 355)
- Push/Pull Tone knob for coil-tapping (a la the PRS Custom 22)
- Grover Machineheads
Fiona - 2006 60th Anniversary Fender USA V-neck Stratocaster Deluxe with Texas Specials
Sylvia - 1982 Fender USA 'Dan Smith' Stratocaster Hard Tail
Nigel - 2001 Ibanez Soundgear SR480 Fretless bass with the following upgrades,
- Gibson Les Paul Wiring (2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-way Toggle Switch)
- Active EMG P
- Passive Seymour Duncan Vintage Hot J
- D'addario XL Chromes (Flatwounds)
Gabriel - 1999 Warwick Thumb Bolt-On (with '98 wenge neck)
Liesl - 2009 Maestro '57/'75 Custom
I will continue this hopefully as the weeks go on. Expect pictures soon, and an entry for each guitar, as well as some progress reports on some of my upgrades.
You can see a picture of my new Gibson (which was taken apart for cleaning) on my girlfriend's inspira-blog at http://oneshinything.tumblr.com/
-something that inspired me to write this, and continue my LJ, hopefully permanently.
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So I'm free. I finished my first of two sets of exams (the other in april) for my Master's in Economics. It feels so good, freedom. And it feels romantic, but that's because it's snowy, and sparkly with Christmas lights, and a small town smelling of wood burning fires. But it's been about a year and a half since this manticore (perhaps less so these days,) has posted any thing, so perhaps I should recap for all of you. Here are some highlights May 07 - April 08: Co-managed a campus and community radio station in Kingston, Ontario. Worked myself within an inch of my life, but still made it out with my Honours B.A. A nice handful of band gigs. No vacation.
Sept 07 - Homecoming happens, no one dies.
Dec 07 - Been in love with the perfect woman for three years.
Jan 08 - Was accepted to the MSc in Finance and Economics at the London School of Economics in the U.K. Eventually turned it down, but will frame the acceptance letter, it's pretty.
Feb 08 - Sweet gig at the Grad Club, Kingston.
March 08 - Accepted to M.A Economics programme at UBC and Queen's. Chose Queen's for a myriad of reasons. A couple of gigs for the band.
April 08 - Finished undergrad exams forever
May 08 - Had first (co-authored) journal article published in Resource and Energy Economics
June 08 - Graduated, gown, hood and all.
May 08 - Oct 08 - Worked as a research assistant for two profs. Still no real vacation.
Aug 08 - Lined up second co-authored publication. (and I'm not even a real doctor, yet.)
Sept 08 - Began my master's program at Queen's. Began Ph.D applications. A couple gigs in big public places. Still no vacation.
-also, homecoming happens, no one dies.
Late Nov, 08 - Finished Ph.D applications. Results expected in mid february through mid march. Possible homes for next year include: Rochester (NY), Manhattan, Ithaca (NY), Chicago, Evanston (IL), New Haven (CT), Boston, Toronto, Kingston, Twin Cities (MN), Ann Arbor (MI), NYC.
Dec 08 - Been in love with the perfect woman for four years.
Dec 10th, 2008 - Finished first term exams. Vacation? I think so.
And that's what I'm going to do. Maybe I'll have more time to make more posts. I was told once that I should keep a journal of things that happen to me when I'm young, because it'll give me perspective when I'm older. It's a nice idea, but it's difficult when you don't have the time. Maybe I'll make the time, this time.
Love and Kisses, Mouse.
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Today I said something to someone that I've been waiting 8 years to say. And I wasn't even planning on it, because I hadn't the contact with her for 8 years to do so. It was nice to have done it, but it was all too easy. My conscience is finally clear, but its going to take some time to get over just exactly how quickly this all happened. Assbook, I never thought I'd appreciate you like I do today.
I feel a bit dirty for saying that.
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I can notice my hair getting longer, the more I don't have time to go have it cut. Its because I work too much, and I've cut back my hours at the haunted walk quite a bit. But atleast I can put more of an effort into CFRC. Its where my greatest passion lies. I've also been recording some, I finished a track the other day. It makes me happy, because its really the first of Gabriel's Symphonies. And it came out so well, too.
If any of my Vancouver friends want to put me up for two nights, June 9th and 10th, I'd be greatly in your debt. I'd take you out for dinner, and such. Maybe I'd get you backstage passes to NCRA concerts too! (ok I'm not sure if I can promise that one.)
I'm 21, too. Some of you missed my birthday. But I don't mind, I may have missed it myself if my great friends at work, at home, and my darling Katy hadn't made sure I didn't. I love you all.
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| Date: | 2007-04-25 16:07 |
| Subject: | NCRC BABY! |
| Security: | Public |
| Mood: |  chipper |
It is official, Sylvia (my co-manager) and I will be flying out to Vancouver from the 11th to the 16th! Its going to be all sorts of fun. Learning and partying, concerts and dancing. There is so much to do, and I'm so excited, for both me and the station. I'll be a good representative, I promise.
There isn't much going on for the 11th, so if I get there early, would you like to hang out sometime, Jess? I'd really love to see you. I'll be on either the UBC campus, or at the SFU Harbor I think it is.
I told you I'd come out sometime soon to see you. I just didn't know how. Now I do.
Love,
Mouse
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| Date: | 2007-04-23 22:03 |
| Subject: | One more to go. |
| Security: | Public |
| Mood: |  apathetic |
I finished my third of four exams today. Finance. I learned something, too, while writing the exam. The answer to a question, that is. I love wasting extra time during an exam to derive an answer from first principles when I can't think of the easy way. Its comforting.
I'm almost too tired to study for the exam that's on friday, but I think I'll do some reading before I go to bed, just for good measure. I'm really busy this week, too. I have a tendency to take on too many things at once. Its not that I can't do them, its just that it drains me in the end. I just agreed to work three hours on thursday, when I know I should be studying. Apparently he says he wants me to do a few computer things, and then just listen for the phone while I study. A decent way to make $30. It'll pay for my night out, friday, when everything's done.
I have training this weekend for the Haunted Walk again, and I've been training all week for my CFRC Managerial Job, and its been hectic around the station. Hustle, bustle, and alot of moving. And my summer class starts on may 8th. So there is alot of work to be done. I want to get home and see my family, but budgetting time for this stuff is very difficult. I just agreed to take out some of my sunday to tech a show at CFRC for a couple weeks while some new programmers go through training. I know it is going to be a horribly busy summer, and a terribly busy year, but I'm sure I'll love it. I'll love the feeling in the winter term of next year, when I'll have some acceptances and fellowships in hand for gradschool. When all I'll have to do is graduate. When the courses won't matter. When I can leisurely write an exam for FUN. It was great to watch some of the guys today just enjoy their last exam, like it was the end of an era. And for them, it was. The last pen scratch was a triumph, and some of them will never write another exam again. That will be a good time for me too, in 4 years when I write my Quals.
(assuming I pass)
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This year's National Campus and Community Radio Conference is not in Ottawa.... Its in Vancouver! And this means, if we agree to stay in cheap hostiles, and take the cheap airfare, that Sylvie and I may be going on a week's conference to Vancouver! This happens the week of June 11th-16th, so I'm kind of excited. We've got to budget it, but I'd really like to give it a shot. It'd be a chance to learn some really awesome things, see the Vancouver independent media scene, and maybe even catch a Vancougar concert.
I've never stayed in a hostile before, but it sounds exciting. Hurray for finding cheap places to eat, etc. etc. I'd probably have to put some pocket money into this, but I'm ok with that.
Vancouver! Its been so long. I hope this goes through. I really do.
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It is a beautiful day outside. People are drinking and playing sports.
And I finished that exam in two hours. But that shouldn't happen for a writing exam.
I am just that good.
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I'm not the biggest fan of Economic History. Its history, after all, and I've lost my flair for that. Now its only math that I can do. Its not that I'm doing poorly, its just that I care less. And I think I'm ready for this exam, that is on a SATURDAY, too. It'll be nice to get it over with, because finance is on Monday (which I have studied for, in procrastination from history). Econometrics is next friday, so I have a while to study for that one.
I figure I'll apply to those American graduate schools anyway, but I'd almost like to stay in canada one more year and do a masters. Get some research experience, some T.A experience, and get the first string of graduate courses out of the way. I could get another year with my band, as I know that when I go to the states, I won't play as much music. a Ph.D will do that to you. We all have to stop trying to do things so fast. There are so many opportunities that you leave in the dust with more experience. A friend of mine is graduating a semester early. It sounds like a stupid thing to me. Its one less semester of school fun. You can't do these kinds of things with a job. You can't have this kind of fun with a job. In fact, this is something I don't want to leave. Especially when you get to the top of the food chain like this. People look up to you. People know you. You the face of certain groups. What more could you want?
I won't slow down my degree process for much. I won't take less courses. I won't make things easy. But I won't rush through things either. Perhaps I'll take a master's -I have the money. It would give me an edge in thinking about a dissertation for my Ph.D years, too. I suppose I can say that I'm really enjoying the band scene, but I want to give it time to grow a bit. Lisa Horvath of Riely, an old schoolmate of mine, plays in a fantastic band that has toured up the east coast. My cousin Kirk has guested his sax talent with them at shows, and she teaches piano and vocals at long and McQuade. She also co-owns a recording studio. Sometimes I think I should have gone to school for music and math. I love teaching it, and its not like you ever need to retire -you can teach till a disease takes away your functionality. And by then, life is over anyway.
Perhaps if I become a professor, I'll find time to sit in on some music courses. Music is such a large part of my life, I wonder what I'm doing here sometimes.
I'll probably expand on this more later, after I've studied a bit. I probably should be spending a decent amount of time doing that, but I don't study enough.
Love,
Mouse
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At CFRC studios, starting 1am on Sunday April 15th and stretching until 4:30am, Sargasso Sea recorded its debut EP, which is currently untitled. Fueled on Dr. Pepper, Iced Tea and Pizza Pops (as well as suger supplied later by Andrea Prins) the band powered on through into the wee hours of the morning. Even with (the lead singer,) Dave's cold, tracks seemed to be laid down effortlessly. Many were one-or-two-offs. Pete Rae produced the album and is currently mixing it in his home studio. The album consists of 5 tracks, a number of them coming from solo projects such as Mousencrantz, Sailboat Choke and Major Major. While the album is a short one, the band agreed that it was better not to release a full length album with post-summer songs. The band believes their sound is going to take a different turn after four months. Nonetheless, the album will be released for sale (most likely $6 per copy, $7 for those who want it mailed to them.) in early may, but the official CFRC Radio release, as well as the CD release party in Kingston, Ontario, will be post-poned until the fall. By then, the band should have a name for their album.
The recording went well last night. I'm very tired myself, despite having slept 6 hrs. We had a few epiphanies last night about band direction, and I'm looking forward to next year. Everything was recorded off the floor (except vocals). I'm slightly disappointed with the vocals for hold your tongue, but I know it isn't my singing style, so I'll have to live with it. All in all, the vocals for each song sounded pretty darn good, given its not our strength. But the kicker is that pete had not mixed and produced it yet! So we're expecting to sound better when he does. The album will be ready for pick-up (by us) sometime next week, most likely. I'm looking forward to having something that showcases what work we've put into this music thing since late January. Its pretty decent work for 2 months (we had a two week break, so its not 2 1/2). Things are changing though. I picked up a new effects pedal, and so songs like "Nutcase" are going to become more frequent, and we're planning to adopt a more Porcupine Tree sound, which would be awesome, because they do great work.
In the band, I am always the realist. I always bring people down from their pedistals, including myself. But last night, I had nothing but good things to say about our timing, dave's vocals, our harmonies... Despite how late it was, we rocked the house, often on the first try. I don't say this enough, but I'm proud of you guys.
Love,
Mouse
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I've got more tutoring students than I really should have. I am finding time for studying, but I have rehersals, recordings, being here for this meeting, there for that person, etc. etc. And half the time the things I do are for free. It makes me a very busy person, and sometimes I just wish I could relax. I have to tutor at 4pm, and that means I have to leave here in 2 minutes. I have a rehearsal tonight, and that's supposed to be a relaxing thing, but I'm so tired that it's made me less excited about it.
Usually tutoring is my thing, but after 4 straight hours of it today, I don't think I'm going to be as bright-eyed with this one. I hope my patience is still here. That's what keeps most of my students coming back.
I'm going to run off to this session now. I hope everyone else's lives are up to par, and that everyone else is getting ample time to study for their exams. I hope that I'll have the time to crack down on studying soon enough.
Oh yea, and 89% on my Econ history essay that I wrote in two days? Score!
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Happy Easter Everyone! I'm alone in a big house, but that's fine.
Things have gone back to the intense study mode, as they were last term with a month before exams. But things are busier now than ever. I am now a new manager of a radio station, so my transition has begun fairly quickly. As well, I am studying for exams and also attempting to get ready to study for the GRE that I must take in the spring. And all the while, trying to sell my old amplifier so that I can purchase a louder, yet more compact, one. (You don't know anyone that wants a 150W Peavey TNT 115 Bass amp, do you? If so, I'd like to hear from you!)
I love, atleast initially, searching for new gear. Its kind of a rush, when you've set aside money that you know is going to be spent, and you're just trying to find the right one. But it can also be tedious, too, when you can't find the right one.
I'm studying macroeconomics right now, and we're looking at two-period life models (which are easily generalized over n-periods). Its got me thinking about characterizing my own utility preferences in that case. I don't think I care about leisure enough right now. I should, and I think as time goes on I will, but I don't care enough about it right now. I care very little about consumption in this early period of my life; most people like things, and think of all the nice things they'd like to have, but I can't really come up with any. I have a preference for 3 things right now, and that is beer-outings with friends, music equipment and band-related items, and gift giving. That is excluding the necessities. I'm considering my consumption functions to be net of necessities, which is not quite true to the model, but its an easier way to say what I want.
Its kind of scary, because while I'm young I can do so much, and probably do so much more with the money to enjoy my youth years... but I don't. Today I missed a brunch with friends. I wanted to go, but I couldn't justify spending $20+ on a buffet brunch. That's just over half a week's groceries for one meal. I know its with friends, and that adds a definite value to the meal, but its really really too much. Especially at such late notice. Now I won't always think of things in those terms, but this time I did. I went out for beer last night with Viriginia, so I couldn't afford that twice. I should be a borrower. The interest rates are low, and as such loans are cheap, yet I'm still a saver. I'm still a lender. My dad says its a good thing because I'll never want for anything in life, and I'll always be happy. I suppose he's right, and it means my wife and my kids will have everything they could ever want -because I'd rather spend it on them and not myself.
But things are different today. I've decided to fight my utlity preferences and spend some. Do my share in keeping the economy rolling. This kind of goes back to my amplifier ad, because I am going to go out and spend enough to get myself the amplifier I want. I've justified it to myself that this is the one I'll use forever, and as such it has to be pricey enough, but I'm still selling some gear to get it, so its not like I'm only putting new money into it. A reward, nonetheless, for working 50-60 hr weeks, now soon to be 2 years running. I actually feel deserving today. And not just that, I don't feel guilty in the face of my period 2 self. Probably because I budgetted my life for the next three years, and it fits in the books.
But I like to think its because I'm living on the edge for once. (Will I actually look back someday and wish I still had that grand, plus interest?)
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I was raised a catholic, but defected at age 10. I have denounced my Christian roots and vowed never to be a blind sheep. But I still pray, you know. I rarely ask for anything. Most of my prayers are thank you prayers, and whenever I ask for something, I compromise. I suppose I am too humble with my prayers, my mom tells me I am. She says to ask for what I want, and that God will deal with it. But I can't seem to do that, because I believe my wants are not worth God's time; his time is better spent on the prayers of the much more needy.
I put alot of work into my application for Program Manager of the CFRC. I worked so hard, and I deserved the position that I got today. But I also prayed for it. It took a while though. First I started by asking God to do what he felt was right. That whatever happened, I would accept it as the right thing. But then the voice of my mother in my head told me not to be so shy. So I asked for the position, but still left the caveat that if I didn't get it, I'd be alright because I'd know it wasn't the best thing for me -that God would know the best thing for me. I still can't ask for things right.
So when I got the position, I told Katy, then my mom, then my dad. And then I prayed another thank you prayer. I don't like to miss those. I may not ask for alot, but I keep in mind to thank for every little thing.
I still hate religion for the blood it sheds and the cataracts it grows in people, but I still believe in God, no matter how much eternity scares me. But you know, there is a comfort in my image of God, and I think people would like my church, and my religion. It asks so little that we aren't already born with, and it gives so much, but you'd never notice any of it.
So I suppose I should tell those who've tried to convert me that I will not be swayed; not because I am lost, but because I have already found all that you truly need.
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| Date: | 2007-03-26 20:23 |
| Subject: | Just call me Dr. |
| Security: | Public |
| Mood: | accomplished |
I'm closer to being a professor now than I was before. Sure I'm closer every day, as I progress further and further to my degree, but that's not really what I mean. I've just acquired a new tutorial student, which brings my current total up to 4, one being a returning student from last term. I had two earlier this term, and three students last term, nearing the end of the term. Its always great, too, to have a student keep coming back. It means you don't totally suck. And I rarely find it that I feel I've done a horrible job. Today's session didn't go nearly as well as I had planned, but the things she wanted to know were things I hadn't been taught myself. I learned them in about 10 minutes while tutoring her, but that's just how I roll.
In other news, I had my interview for Business/Programming Manager of the CFRC today. I'll know by wednesday. There are so many good candidates that applied, so I won't have my hopes up too much, (they will be alittle bit, that's just my nature,) but I do honestly think I did the best job I could have for curbing my nerves and presenting myself as best I could. My application was stellar, thanks to Katy's help, and I think in many cases it will speak for itself. My application last year showed a lack of experience in the station, but things are different now. I think I sounded a bit nervous on the first few questions, but things warmed up as the interview went on. Regardless, I'll know by wednesday, and then on with business as usual.
In fact, its on with business as usual right now.
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Sargasso Sea's 4th show is coming up soon, on March 29th at Clark Hall Pub. Doors open at 8pm, and we go on first. We have a special cover for all you guys, to remember the good old days. And by the good old days, I mean late 80s, early 90s, when T.V was still good. Things have changed a bit lately, and I've been overly busy (well, that's not exactly new,) on some new things, mostly work at the CFRC, applying for manager and what not. I had Nigel defretted, and he sounds beautiful. Its so much easier to pretend to be Jaco nowadays with him sporting the Jaco sound.
I haven't written any music in a while. This tends to go hand in hand with playing the bass more and more. I write my own parts, of course -no one in the band could even dream of writing bass parts like me, but there has been alot of guitar licks and chord progressions coming from Geoff lately. Dave usually says that Geoff should write all our songs, but I think its because he's scared that the Prog half of the band is starting to take over. Most of my pieces are Epic, and by epic, I mean 8 minutes long. You can't treat an idea in 3 minutes, its really a joke to think you can. This is probably why there are so many lyrical and musical topics in albums today that seem like their missing something: because they are, they go through everything too fast. And for the music, it tends to be just one riff, that we hear quite a few times, (enough to be sick of it,) and then its done. Its something to try and take a few riffs of the same key (or God forbid, DIFFERENT keys) and put them together in one song. Its things like that that made "Instruments for Fat People" such a great band, and what makes the Porcupine Tree what they are today.
Yesterday, Geoff wrote a song in 5/4. I'm starting to appreciate that kid's music more and more.
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I only ever post when I remember to. In fact, I mostly read friends pages, and occassionally it causes me to post. Today I read something from Eleasa, and I figured I had something to post. Sargasso Sea played a show Wednesday for a Masquerade Semi-Formal "Singles Night" fundraiser for an Art Gallery. It was, in my opinion, our best show yet, and I think we all had such a great time. Not only did we have a great time playing, but our Guitarist actually picked someone up; she was absolutely gorgeous, and what's more, is exactly like him. That made us all happy, but at the bar after, we had our fun with him. Its great actually get out with the guys everyone once in a while, to come home late and sometimes skip your morning class because you're too tired. Good times. Sargasso Sea is also playing shows in the 29th, and April 4th (possibly April 5th, as well). The Sargasso Sea demo EP should be out sometime by the end of April (that seems to be the timetable for now), and the actual debut LP should be out mid to late September, so I will keep you posted on that.
Cheers,
Mouse
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Tuesday Night's Sargasso Sea show was filled with equipment problems, including broken strings and dropped guitars. Our singer had an emotional breakdown, the poor lad. Anyway, it was still mostly fun. We've decided on a few covers coming up, including "Ghostbusters", "Everlong" and "Stayin' Alive". That should be good times. We have three more concerts coming up this month, and so far our song "Zombies" and the song I wrote "Hold your Tongue" have been very well-received. Hurray!
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mousencrantz's journal
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