Week 13. The End of Eisley's ep's...1 month till Street Date
January 10, 2005 06:25 PM
The End of Eisley's ep's January 10, 2005
And...as Eisley's ep's slowly fades into the West...
(sound of pony express galloping off with leather bag with handful of Eisley ep's)
It is with a sort of sweet sadness that I bring to you the news that Eisley's
ep's are going to fading into the sunset. Whateverz' on the shelves are all
that remain. As supplies dwindle, there will be no restocking. We'll sell
the last few small boxes on the beginning of their Winter West Tour.
(see below)
The purpose of Eisley's early recordings have been fullfilled: 1. Give the
band something to sell. 2. With them, build a small fanbase. 3. Give
them experience in the studio. 4. Let them try out a variety of producers.
I think the intent is to celebrate the new full length record without diluting
the impact (retroA) of the collection of songs. As you know, there are 3
earlier versions of songs re-tracked for this record. Taking the early
works off the market gives the past a sort of an endearing memorial. I
think it sweetlizes the early music... encapsulates the precious into
a chamber of remembrance... (that would be...your collection)
I wondered how long it would be; After I finally got my hands on
Coldplay's early works (they sounded so different. not bad...just early), I
realized that one day, too...Eisley's ep's would be obscured; hard to find;
perhaps collectible. It might seem hard, but it's probably a good choice.
Four Weeks Ya'll... YEEE Haw!!
The new record is 4 weeks from hitting the streets. I hear reviews and
rumors of reviews. It's sorta exciting... sorta scary. Nobody in Eisley's
camp is expecting some big fanfare on the 8th... especially a cymbal
crash at the end; I suspect the day will go by un-noticed, except by you
lovely people. No one is expecting first day sales to even be something to
look at... and that's what I love about where Eisley is at. The pressure
isn't too severe... it's a first record. It should do ok... there are great
songs on it. It's accessible but doesn't skimp on creativity; it's pure,
unadulterated Eisley. Whatever that is... I cheer WB records for giving
Eisley artistic freedom and supporting exactly who and what they are.
Reminder to Vote on Launch
I know...you've already voted. I'm sorta tired of dealing with it, but...
maybe it's just an email to your mom or brother or someone who you
know already likes the band. It would be amazing if they won. I saw the
big banner for Straylight on the front page. That's amazing exposure.
Funny - My brother works at a big oil company and has people stopping
in at his office - wondering if the band on Launch.com was related to him
in any way. I guess people do go to Launch.com. He gives them an ear-
full, of course.
Sorta unrelated, but lately it's been getting weird lately... or amusing:
every postman, water meter-reader, electric meter reader... even our
FedX guy ask about the band when they come by. Today, the water
meter guy knew everything about the band... when they're playing, the
tours... he wanted to know when they'd be playing local. And last week,
the postman - we had never seen. He acted shy and nervous, but wanted
an ep. 
______________________
WHAT??!! OMGosh.
Holy b-shmolee - Did you see it?! http://www.newfoundglory.com/
Those guys just put up Eisley's freaking picture w/ Room Noises cover
and the Launch.com link for the vote on their front page!!!
Do you understand the significance of such a selfless act on their part?
1000's and 1000's of hits per day are now seeing the new LP and are
being encouraged to go vote for Eisley with the endorsement from NfG.
That's what you call: over the top. I posted a link about it in eisleyblog:
http://www.eisley.org/viewtopic.php?t=11445 If you have comments,
toss them there. Thanks!
______________________
Eisley Leaves For LA January 11, 2005
It's all because Sherri wrote a song about 3 years ago called, "Telescope
Eyes". The song is responsible for all of Eilsey's indie radio airplay (which
was sizeable) but before that... it probably had something to do with
them getting signed - among many other songs. The video shoot for this
song that won't seem to go away is Thursday. Tomorrow is a travel day.
Most of them drove to DFW this aft. to snag Wes/Sherri. The others are
scrambing to find 5 wardrobes, guitars, pedal boards, etc. for the trip. It's
gonna be a late one... or rather an early one. Have to leave by 7am. The
typical, controlled, shoegazer, chaos is in full swing.
I Need A Sicko Pry-bar
I'm sick...but can't slow down. Basic fever, head krunk, aching and
moaning. I know, I know... cuz I don't get enough sleep and don't eat
right! shut-up. But, there's no other way. 5am last night to get the jump
on the day. At the end of today, I'm trying to get the jump on tomorrow.
The website has to get done. Revisions and changes and lingering
projects are amost complete. Might have to toss up a solid but stripped
down version and whittle away with it. WB wants it up. my head... i need
a pry-bar and a can of Bart-Oil.
Launch Update
I hear it's going well... but who really knows? I suppose Yahoo knows. All
I know is - NfG's website has to be generating lots of clicks. And I
subscribed to their newsletter awhile back... BAM, it hit last night with
Eisley front and center. crazy. Not gonna bug you any more. Ok. well...
what about your Aunt Bob. Has zhe voted?
WATERLOO in-Store Added!!
5pm electric instore on 1/31. That's the scoop. I don't know the time
yet. Eisley did an instore last year...it was very packed. Not sure what to
expect this time. Depends on how well it's promoted. Just wanted to let
you Austin guys know.
I hear rumors that they're trying to set something up for Seattle as well.
and maybe San Diego. Don't quote me. in the works.
I'm just not feeling it. I ache. so... hope that's a decent entry. thanks.
Will try to bring more new tomorrow. Thanks. boyd
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The Days R running 2 gether January 12 -13, 2005
It's 5:00am and all is well. Here goes - I went to sleep at 5:00am last
night and got up at 6:30 (1.5 hrs) , drove the band to DFW and back,
worked all day and all night with no nap. Just sent zipped e-blast with
new template to Jeff at WB for morning delivery. (well, his morning is our
noon). btw. i worked that late because i received an email around 2am
which basically sent me into a panic to get several unexpected things
done - "by morning". What choice did i have?
The band and that Kimbertones chick are all safe in LA. (it takes less time
to fly to LA than it does to drive from Tyler to DFW airport) My round trip
was almost 5 hours w/ traffic. ha.
They're not staying in mud slide city - or Studio City, where we were for
months. (that side of the north mountain had the collapse....and Laurel
Canyon where we traversed daily. Woah. But yeah, they're in Hollywood
where it's flat. And i hear the weather has brightened up.
Anyway, they're at _____ hotel on S__S__ and worked tonight with the
stylists on wardrobe. Tomorrow, they go over everything...you know, act
2, scene 1 - enter Sherri with clown suit : "HEY YOU JERK. COME 'EER!
BANG!! BANG!! (sound of loud pop gun)....WHY I OUGHTA".
Then Friday, they shoot it. Saturday...I guess they come back. I wish
they'd win that danged Launch.com gig and be able to stay over to do the
deal-ee-muh-bob or whatever dealee-ka-bob that is or whatever. I hear
it's going good, but...i know everyone on the WB team are freaking
optimists because they're doing everything within their power to get
Eisley maximum web presence! They're sic. I'm more impressed than
ever lately. Serious.
I have to plop. Right there... on that plopping matress. g-night.
(crash)
______________________
Cold Espresso 'n Power Naps January 14, 2005
Making Everything Right
I just woke up from an amazing power nap. The only probem was - my
espresso was cold. So, to make everything seem right, I drank it. Every-
thing was great until i logged onto eisley.org for the first time today and
found 26 unanswered pm's. So, to make everything seem right, I ignored
them.
Goodmorning. Is there a book entitled: You Know You've Lost Touch
with Reality When...? ...and the first entry would be: "at 2:00 am, you
hear yourself muttering: "well, at least I'm getting an early start."
My Vast Disconnect
How is it that life seems so normal? Half my family is 1,500 miles away -
probably trying to get rest for their 5:50 alarm that will kick off one of the
most important days of their young lives, my 10 year old son is laying
across my king size bed watching "Even Stephens" (male bonding at 2:
20 am), I just finished making myself a nice pile of scrambled eggs for
dinner that I chased with a power nap and a cup of expresso to prepare
me for a hard day's night's work...err, morning's work.
And why is it that - what's really seems important to me right now is -
simply, how cool it is that gRegor 'n Thomas and I worked out a smart
way to load all the eisley url's into one wonderful, non-redirective frame
(well, technically, it's not a frame) so that all of our products, tools,
communities and content can be accessed from one environment - while
keeping their own separate identities if accessed independantly.
It also seems important that i deliver the Ringtones banner, the Waterloo
flyer, the revision to the Winter West tour (Denver date added), update
MySpace and Pure Volume and this finish this website before The Bunny
Label sends me another "What's up Doc?" email. But, you get the point.
Life seems normal...but is it? I feel disconnected from others who have
"normal" lives.
The Denver Date
Feb 16th, Denver, CO, Larimer Lounge ...'nuf said.
Launch.com
WHAT THE HECK... WHAT'S HAPPENING?!! I'm dazed and confused over
it now. After the big push, I can't tell what's happening. I wish we could
have answered the question: can you just keep pushing the button? btw.
Did you know some of these other bands have songs on Nat'l radio and
appear on TRL?! !@$%!$#?? how is that a fair match? hmmm... we'll see
about that. TRL-BR549! (sah'-lute.) Is my family coming home? What if
Eisely wins? And what's happening with Eisley on AOL? Is that a reality?
Somebody oughta go see. please.
I don't think i have time to answer those pm's. Please forgive me. I hafta'
go. I hafta' go work. This is just fun. When I'm having fun, an alarm
goes off in my head... the ringtone I hear in my head sorta sounds like:
"WORK, YOU FOOL!!"
______________________
Just a Shell January 15, 2005
I actually am too toast to post. 5:25am. The days blend into nights like
cream in my coffee. I notice it was pretty outside but i haven't been
outside all week. This haking cough is getting me cage-gudgered.
Eisley's shoot went well, I heard.
nite.
______________________
The New Eisley Site January 15, 2005
L a u n c h D a t e : F r i d a y
Ropin' with mah' NET! - This Friday
I'M 'rustlin' up a real A WEB HOOT!! - Yee Haw! "Rollin', Rollin', Rollin' -
keep those swf files up-loadin', how to code i'm learnin' - raw CODE...
RAW CODDDDDE...." (you have to know that song...)
Wild Boid Web...pokin' the code dogies!
'Working solid. My broken record: 5:30am. Up at 8:30 back at it. I just
had my second latte and am reeling in the 'fein.
I'm sorta joking about all the web mastery. gRegor and Thomas are
making the div's the layers and the tables and complex poly frames. I
keep them on course by offering suggestions like: "well, should we drill
down and try to bore out a hole in this cascading style sheets... would
that help?" Sounds like a big deal. Not really. Well, it is because I can't do
what they do... and they're helping me cuz they love Eisley and feel sorry
for me. They're making sure all of our url's can load into my silly Dream-
Weaver design-0-page with background and header. The site is just
another flash site. That's all.
So. People of the Forum: People of Laughing City: I am prepared to
make my world wide disclaimer about the site at this point. (turns to
production people, signals for cameras to roll, thumps mike...thumps
mike..thumps mike..."is this thing on?":
The new Eisley site will always live in the shadow if it's original parent -
(the current piece of poo that is up). This site, in fact, might become the
knee jerk reaction to the former. If the first one was confusing, this one
will be simple. If the first one was busy, this one is plain. If the first had
too many swirlee's, this one has NO swirlee's. If the first one was slow,
this one will be fast. If the nav on the first one was hard to figure out, a
child could figure out this one. And all of the aforementioned features
happen to be what will best serve the need as defined by me...oh, and
that label. Oh...one more thing: where the other one didn't show the
band, this one will. See what I mean?
And yet...you'll see it and say..."that's very eisley...it's the same...and,
maybe you'll say - "good; nobody changed Eisley into their image." And
you'd be wrong. I did. jk. but nothing has changed. I'm just doing what i
wanted to all along for this next site. You'll prolly see it and say, "that
boyd...he's nothing more than a hak". And you'd be correct. I'm tired of
disclaiming.
TellySkoap Eiz Vidyoh is HOT!!
Just kidding. I really...I don't know anything...like if it was good or great
or anything. I'm so out of the info-flo, ya'll. All I could get out of Weston
was, "um...it was... it went fine...yeah". So, Boyd restated the question:
"So.. but, how was it? What are people saying?" to which the lad said:
"well...I didn't really talk to anyone..i mean, i did my parts, and...it was
cool; everything went fine. it was good". That's what i like about Weston.
He's no hype. Remember...I had to wake him up 3 minutes before his
show at the Garden (with Coldplay)... he was very indifferent about the
whole big wup. 'Said he was half asleep during the entire show.
Anyway, I haven't picked up on any detail from their shoot. Brief little
phone moments have been more about, how we're doing, how
their doing... no hard core info. So. you know as much as me. And that
makes for a dull boyd. I can't report the news. I can't bring the goods.
So...it's back to work i go.
O MY GOSH THE TOUR IS IN TWO WEEKS AND I'M WALL TO WALL WITH
DESIGN WORK!! I HAVE TO FIND TIME TO SET UP THE TOUR!!!! (panic
attack) jk.
have a good weekend yall. bd
Week 12. New Years Eve Reflections / Expectations
January 02, 2005 02:37 AM
New Years Eve Show
January 1, 2005
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Sincere affection and thanks to everyone who came
to very memorable, very special show last night. wow. I'm still reeling.
I wanted to put up something from the show, though there could be
more... This song is one of two that will be available on itunes. (well, not
"this", literally; an unmixed demo of the song tracked by the band here in
Tyler).
Eisley -
New Year's Eve. Vintage People
So this is the new year. I don't feel anything different. I don't have a New
Year's Resolution, a new year's speech. I don't even feel like I have
closure on 2004. Maybe it's Eisley's fault. They missed the countdown!
The standard mechanisms and conventions that usher in the new year
weren't void...but, for some reason, I enjoyed the transition more than
usual.
Tree's
Let's talk about the show! I thought it was a very fitting, very superb
performance...full of very eisley antedotes for conventions they protested
- such as their rebellion to the classic encore; and their indifference to
the classic (aforementioned) countdown.
For me, "memories" provided the perfect passage from 04 to 05.
Everything in our lives has been so centered around these musical
seeds... I couldn't help but wonder - you know - whether or not they'd
actually spring from these rows... bloom into beautiful sounds. Lord
knows there's been a lot of sewing. But without being too literal, it was
the best song for that moment. Hope you guys were ok Sherri's, "oh
well....then, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!" I like breaking rules.
Tree's is a great club. Lot's of spaces for different environments - front,
back, side balconies, back balcony with seating, etc. What a great turn
out... I never heard exactly how many total (paid and unpaid) were
there...but best indications were about 600. All 3 bands sounded great,
the crowd was great. What a fun night. Wish you all could have been there.
Attempted Thanks
When you're sincere, it should just pour out. So why is it that I feel my
expressed thanks to all of you who drove for days to get here will come
off cheap? I think it's because I feel shock and... awe that you'd do such
a thing; that feeling overpowers my sheer gratitude. Maybe it's because I
feel a twinge of guilt.
I tried to meet as many as possible. There were droves of you...herds.
flocks of northern migrants, packs of Westerners, heaps of Easterners,
Plethora's of Central Folk...but even more - there were amplitudes of
Texans. You wonderful long-time supporters were there, like always... it
was awesome. All I can say is: you're the best and thank you for coming.
Russell, the club manager, say's it was huge... that traditionally, it's
almost impossible to get very many people to New Year's Eve Shows in
Deep Ellum... because people don't like to get out... and there are so
many other things you can do that doesn't cost much... Anyway, he was
thrilled at the enormous turn out. And...as usual, he freaked over the set.
Everyone at Tree's is so nice to Eisley. It's a good relationship. We
appreciate everyone, including the club for being so supportive.
It's late and i have to get to sleep. Haven't recovered from all of this yet.
Goodnight.
Dazed and Confludged
January 4, 2005
What day is this anyway? Monday? Tuesday? How could it be the 4th? I
feel very disoriented. I'm eating squirrel food to try to stay awake... that,
on the heels of a few Hershey's bars and some e-mergenC for brain food.
Been working on the web site all day. Around midnight I got brave and
checked email. 15 emails from the label...all - "boyd, this...boyd, that". I
can't keep up. They keep inventing new things to do. It's all cool and I
wanna be all over it, but sheesh. My head is caving in.
Maybe I should just go to bed - double sided flyers and new eblasts
featuring Eisley's new Launch.com push and the AOL feature and new i
tunes and I need blogs and content on e-merge and ads for the Winter
West tour to booking and updates/facelift to myspace.com/eisley and pop
ups on the website and final comps on the new website and ringtones
banners and new backgrounds and new eisley merch and the store. (etc.)
But, I'm not complaining. I'm just...going to sleep; after I finish these
comps. It's 3:10 and where are YOU'RE Children? bd
-------------------------
...To Which I Might Add:
January 5, 2005
Do you realize what all this means? (reference above paragraph) It
means that WB eisley is on the front burner. Ever read those books about
the record industry and how bands can get shoved to the back burner? I
think Eisley is on the front - on high. They're looking for a rapid boil.
That's very cool.
The Launch Thing
This week, we're going to talk about this Launch thing and this AOL thing.
I'm told it's a freakin' huge thing. (as far as things go...) Voting on
Launch is going to be essential. This E-merge thingis starting to play
a very important role in all of this. But, for now, I have to send a cargo of
ruffs for the website out. Be back soon.
___________________________
What They Did
Today they took Luke to DFW (2.75hrs) to fly home to California. I
worked in a house that was as quiet as 10 mice playing the quiet game.
Only the sound of the Christmas tree lights could be heard as I toiled -
except for the phone calls. I should have muted those phone calls.
A big Wup Thing Comin'
This Launch thing - it's really big. I'll get more info soon. A big e-blast has
to go out by Friday when this big deal starts.
iTunes, they are a comin'
Official word: the itunes thing goes up January 25th. Here's the deal as I
know it: it's "Telescope Eyes" with the two demo's packaged together:
Pretty sure it'll be "Vintage People" and an early version of "Tree Tops"
from Nebraska w/ Mike Mogis (sessions from Laughing City).
Dis-capacitated Thinker
Today I invented "The Blogumentary". I'm working on a short, random
clip that...well, it's more like a blog - with boring narrative yamberings to
sortof get you along. NO, dummy!!..it's supposed to be hack; like these
blogs. Forget refined video transitions or beautiful gadger-gadgers (i
couldn't think of a word so I rebelled...against the empire of iron-ore-
ites). jeegz, what am I talking about? I might be retarded. That's not
a bad word!! so stop condemning me If I'm not...(the bad word) that
might be why they didn't tell me so far. But, I probably - I totally am...
which is why they didn't tell me so far. Would it help me to NO!!?
If this first blogumentary turns out as dumb as a regular blog, then it
might be worth putting up on the e-merge site. They want me to gib dem
somtin' tuh put up. (shakes head) I'm so sleepy after my alone-in-the
dark-den-day. I didn't even discover Cleo was outside till it was almost
dark. When I let her in, she just stared at me as if to say - "thanks - and
you were here all along? - I'VE BEEN OUTSIDE THANKYOUVERYMUCH!!..."
sheeze. Give a dog a load and she'll take a heap on the couch. What a
life... it's time for you to feed me again.
It's Happened..
January 5, 2005
I've reached saturation point. 20+ WB emails, 4 phone calls, outside
eisley related calls and emails requesting stuff, 10 + projects on my plate
- all due now, tour in a few weeks...12 pm's in my bin unanswered. I'll
see another 4 oclocker if my impecable, physical cadaver holds up. ha! ha!
That's a joke. I laugh as my head caves in and my spinal column melts to
my anterior skull sternum.
But, he work is SO fun... and I SO believe in the cause. That's what
keeps me going. I do apologize since I can't answer the pm's now. Please
post questions on eisley blog and plead for the well informed among us to
dig up the answers. Thankyou.
Did I mention this big Launch thing? Get your voting booths out. Friday is
the big vote day. if you need a motive - it's vinyl. Don't forget we're
making VINYL!!! make that your happy thought. much luv. bowed
Vinyl Wukin' Gud
January 6, 2005
It's 4:29am. My feet are cold and that infomercial about the facial goop
that replaces plastic surgery is annoying me - only because those 2 court
TV shows were aired back to back.
But the good news is - I started the vinyl packaging art at 8:00pm and
I'm finished. It's ready for to send off.
Only thing I'm wondering - what are the spec's on the insert - 4/0? I hope
so...that's what I did. Also, I deviated from the cd back...just to give an
option; different photo. (nice one) Very clean. no clutter whatsoever.
The label (that's the circle) was the hardest... lots of conversions on
images; like I had to use line art only....colors limited to one solid pms
and either a black or a silver for the type. It still looks much like the cdr
label - same pms base with black.
That was perhaps the most boring bit of blormification I've ever slarnked
out of my dried out medulla femor majoris. So, I'm going to splatter
myself on that bed right there. After I turn off ole' Oreck - who's selling a
professional air purifier.
Eisley? oh, they're fine. Visions of sugar plumps and video shoots dance
in their heads. And when the first shipment of printed CD inserts come in,
they have to sign 1000. Oh, btw... they're scheduled to print...like right
away or already have. They sent me the match prints - which looked
great. btw.
Disclaimer - that digital jpg is probably way too bright on your cheesy
monitor. I never wanted the art that bright. You have to understand -
your monitors are not color corrected. It's almost impossible to simulate
what happens on press. ink on paper. cmyk dots. rosettes. the brightness
of the sheet-fed paper will effect the final outcome, but I'm just warning
you... the cover is very rich... it wasn't supposed to be like a saturday in
the park. It surely is "a real celebration" - but more like something
Rembrant might have imagined. And yes, that grid is pretty much gone.
bd
The Never-Never Ending Wall to the End
January 6, 2005
The pile of projects keeps growing. It's very-very exciting...seeing all of
this and being in the middle of it. Amazing. It's overwhelming. How are
you guys? I hope OK. I answered the pm's. I can't stay on here long
(oh..please boyd...please...all 3 of us who read this are crying...whaa...
whaahh!) jk. anyway.
Ok. So...here's my stupid, weird spew that describes how bad it is for me
today: "The crimson folds of cortexial mass - now floating in my own
head-uranium sparks and flickers...warning of meltdown" (These
ridiculous kinds of phrases are for my own pleasure. They just come to
me and give me pleasure. I don't apologize though I know they're gross.
And that's what I need. Gross Pleasure) "My shriveled eyes are as the
dried prunes of Bandernon...I see the murky about, though they
ooze manowar guk." gross.
TOMORROW IS A BIG DEAL DAY. E-BLAST GOING OUT. THE LAUNCH
THING! Don't touch that e-dial. If you don't want to do it, I suggest you
go for a drive or study or listen to music. That's really the only things I
can't think of.
Paul isn't dead. Miss me. miss me.
______________________________________
The Last Sip of Chauntelle's Left Over Latte
January 8, 2005
Goodmorning and welcome to the 3:30 Tell Tell Heart Hour. I'm the
dragoon boid and I'm sipping the last of my generous daughter's latte
from their trip back from DFW hours ago. mmmm...it's lickin-lickin' good.
slurb. but now it's gone. I lap up leftover Starbucks...cold and all.
Boid Sufferage
I just read all of the 6 pages of posts....for the first time this week. I
must have complained too much. Yes i did and you know it. So let's hear
some more. I went past the numb zone - Certainly, into what Navy Seal's
must experience in the field or in training. The brain boils in it's own sleep
deprived chemistry and threatens to shut down...until wHambo. it's like a
second kick in the wind happened; I muscled out so many projects today
and really feel better even tho' I'm worse off for it. That means that
emotions really enter into the physical realm. I'm like some kind of bio-
synchronical sleep-scientist or something.
The Growing Archive of Work
The vinyl went out for routing, I did the e-merge e-blast template, I did
the 1'X1', 4/4 retail card, the 4 up, 2sided flyer for the WWTour, the
Launch pop up window on the .com, got the eblast out, conferred with
New Media about my digital websketches for the site, answered 12 pm's -
directed some of them to WB, handled (but really almost dropped the
ball) a sherri phoner, and a lot of mortar that floats those bricks.
Yesterday (for my records) I did planned and prepared Tshirt designs
and sent off another sherri drawing complete with color suggestions w/
instructions to make HOODIES for this tour... i made revisions to the cd
sticker and sent that out for good, wrote and put together the eblast w/
calendars, and...something else.
The Tangled Web to Weave
I'm clearing a path to go deep... go really deep into the world of
webness. It's going to be hard and fun. Creative and...what's the
opposite? right and left brained... arty and geeky. But mostly - simple
and effective in disseminating info., content, etc. Everyone seems to love
the ideas... they just didn't want it quite so drab. I had proposed limiting
the color pallette of the key background images as much as possible to
decrease load times...but, hey if they want zingier, I can bring up the
saturation and slow down the load. hey...it's all taters.
Fam-O-Bliteration
Our lil tight knit-nit fam' is getting obliterated. What am I saying? it's
BEEN obliterated - which is why we held close during these last months.
Today, Sherri accompanied by her lurchy 6'4.5" brother, made air
passage to Long Island or where ever those BN guys moved to for a
splendid social hang.
Brand New is starting on their "most anticipated" record of the year and
this is the last time (even during Rich Costey's pre-production perhaps) to
yuk it up. Cuz' on the heels of this, the young band known as Eisley flys
to LA to make their 2nd video.
Videoscope - Eyes
I think maybe Kimbertones will go - as I am laden with webness and
burdened with the Dago-Gorim's of Triffleage. I will equip her with video
cam and tapes....and a hard mandate to film all that she see's. It's
something I sure wouldn't want to miss - but, I cannot deny - i'm all
about the website. If she loads me up with plenty of coffee beans, me
and the 'lil ones will survive and flourish - even under certain hardship.
Everyone has heard by now that T.E. (no surprises) has been selected as
a tune to cast over the land in various medias... I happen to believe that
this medium might be the joust and sheild for this battle-worn song. (no,
the treatment not about canterbury... )
That Bunny Label
WB is freakin' me up. They're so hard-core all over all of this - and I'm
continually very impressed. They're danged aggressoids... hot on the
break eisley trail. I think they'll be heart broken if Eisley doesn't win
this Launch gig. It's inspiring me to go vote as all of the boids i can be.
'Makin me wanna dang quesa-dilla. AND (addendum), I should add - that
management's Ricky, who worked at Capitol, is kicking some merch
bootie for us. He's really the one driving all of this now. What a great,
enthusiastic guy. He's going to make sure merch is a priority. Manage-
ment is getting stronger and stronger.
The Winter West Rumbles In
So anyway, the tour. it's beginning to rumble through the Eisley corridors
like a 60's bowling ball that jumped a gutter. I'm getting the deal
memo's, the contracts, all the details... management is working out final
budgets... there's talk of a sound check party in Seattle at that 21+ club
(talk, i tell you. waiting on the word from the club)... and i have to start
planning the tour soon. (with LANYARDS!..oh...oh...i always wanted to
make those lanyards to pass out to everyone... a lifes dream come tru)
Swag to Pedal
And Merch! - talkin' 'bout my m-mer-mer-mer mercheration. But NOT so
much as what we're talking 'bout for the NewifoundGlory tour. omygosh.
Talking lithos and cool new t's and zip hoodies... maybe even old fashion
lunch boxes... (wouldn't that be so fitting. eisley always loved those old
brand oriented metal lunch boxes. so dumb and vintage. yes) Merch is
going to get very, very fat indeed. You will see. It's a whole new realm.
Musical Rings
And there'll be... ok, if this is cheezy, shoot me with a large grade A
black, hard-shelled bug of your choice through a pigmee pipe ...but,
everyone seems to be doing Ringtones these days. At first, I was
like..."oh man, that's so cheezy..." but then I met Eisley fans that i love
and respect who had them on their phones. And, it sorta sounded
cool...so I thought, well, maybe WB is right - maybe it is the next big
wave. I, in fact, am now putting photos of people so that when they call, i
can see them. Backgrounds and banners and ringtones, oh my!
The New Eisley Store
So....there'll be these sorts on the website...and a juicy link to the new
WB/Eisley store, which will undoubtedly rock hard. I'm not joking. Those
guys are gonna do so many cool things - like advertise the site, push it
on all there web entities... work with us on origial art merch... try all
kinds of things to see what works. Robin Bechtel, the head of New Media,
is in fact, a Texas girl from AUSTIN; she's really cool. we met her day
one at the label....she's always been a fan and so so supportive. She's
now heading up MERCH at the label. so...woo-hoo...a great team;
sensible, artistic, smart, no egos. It's all working out so well.
See. I'm riding the quest of nocturnal emissions. You'd think I'd be too
dead to have any coherant thoughts...but i really wanted
(plop)
______________________________________
The Sunshine Bath
January 8, 2005
BE GONE!!!
The dank, pressing, vaporous, nebulon of darkness hovers no more.
The brittle, crackling of light shafts from our earthen sun now surges -
giving way to a brighter sanctuary - a wonderous backdrop for what I
never call: the creative flow.
The Mug of Magumba
I'm sitting comfortably - in my corner - alone; AHH, but not so alone...
for I am sipping, perniciously, from the rare indie-mug awarded to me by
none other than the vivacious Grandpa Turtle and the cerebral Ryan
Fisher. For this reason.... I AM ALL POWERFUL!!!!
And what a mug it is...rather an urn of malgroitous proportion. It is the
end all to bev'rOcontainers. Rootbeerish and barrelesque, rotund,
tall...it's wooden handle clasps round the deep-amber glass with brassy
rings - one atop and one below; it's decorative presentation employs the
less than precise, screened with a deep-treasure-golden ink - bearing the
words: "I BET YOU CAN'T".
ahhh... to relish my freshly-brewed-double-latte in such a worthy urn is
making me a fine, fine gentleman. It gives me the power to engage
THE... WORLD....WIDE.... WEB!!! YES!!! HA HA HA AAAAAAAA!
OOOOHHH AHH-AHH-AHH-AHHHHH!!!!! ( the boisterous chortling of
sinister yaup )
i ain't missin' you
ok. that's all. already miss sherri n weston. they safely landed. kim and
all have gone to D. Chauntelle is hanging with Pilot drift - they have a
show at the Tea room tonight, StacyChristieJessie are probably preparing
to have fun again...like they did last night. Girl time.
I have to go make some content for Karina - the emerge girl, who is
quite awesome. So, let me jump off here. No one is reading anyway. It's
Saturday. have a great weekend everybody.
OH....PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE ON LAUNCH!!
http://launch.yahoo.com/promotions/whosnext/
Click the little circle and then click vote. Also... go into the other section
and vote 5 stars for every song, every record, etc. (if'n you wunt. if you
don't, it's ok) But, if Eisley wins...there will be a super duper show in LA.
No joke. So... for the love of Californians, everybody - help them. All for
the cause of celebrating original, indie music that now has an opportunity
to invade the commercial world with it's honesty and love.
bd
sunday blues
January 9, 2005
I don't have much to report really. i'm sitting here trying to force myself
to work - projects piled up last week and worked slightly to hard. my
brain still hurts. i'd rather watch a movie with everyone and just chill. but
tomorrow's string of emails from the west coast will hit my desktop at
approximately 11 oclock - "boyd, where's this...that..." So, it's off to work
i go. I have to clear my plate for the website. all of this other stuff is
choking me.
Eric Pullido (Midlake) drove down from Denton last night for some good
catch up time. We hung out, drank lots of coffee, went to a local show to
see friends band here in Tyler, stayed up till 3:30am and...it was great.
So. I have nothing to say. Everyone is taking a Sunday nap. I just
thought i'd close out the week with a few words and we'll catch up
tomorrow. sigh... it's going to be a crazy week. bd
Week 11. 6 Weeks Left!...and, News on tunes.
December 27, 2004 02:11 AM
In 6 Weeks, Eisley will be in LA at the Troubador
and "Room Noises" will be on shelvesf.
Sunday, December 26th
Packaging Update
Amazing that a label can turn around a product in less than 6 weeks from
the time they get final art files untill it's sitting on the shelf in stores
where people by records.
After I finish this brief entry to kick the week off, I'll send over 100 mgs
of corrected color (files) to the WB server where they'll output film again,
print match prints, send them back to me...and more than likely go to
press. But enough about the minutia and behind the scene production on
the packaging.
Website
SO HOW ABOUT WE TALK ABOUT THE WEB SITE?!!
Look. I might need to start a separate blog about it, but...I have
questions. I might actually want to develop a string of questions that
could help me develpe a site that delivers.
1. You know those front page news blogs that everyone has on their
sites? You know... you scroll. They post links and write words that within
a day or two are buried just below what you can read...
Here's my problem with them: Say you want to post some tour dates.
Fine. But the minute you add another layer of words....(say you post a
blurb like "Eisley on FUSE!" or whatever. The tour dates get buried, but
they're on top of the hot subject from the week before which was -
"Check out emerge" or whatever.
Like... on NfG's site, they posted a thing about the tour and Eisley; but it's
long since been buried. Sure you can dig for it... but who wants to? So -
though I think these blogs are a necessary thing, I'm not sure how to
resolve this dilema. Do I make such a blog? (back end functionality and
very active updating, of course...not like before)
There are many other questions floating around in my head, but frankly,
some of them are just random otions that don't really matter. Personal
preferences... things like: should the nav be broken into pics and video
or should there be one button for media. And, do we want reduced
thumbnails of pics that you click onto and enlarge within the frame or
those annoying blank window pop ups? And... well, I don't know really.
Or care. I need to get rest. Big demand to move forward on this site this week.
New Years Eve Show
Speaking of this week: Who all is going to the New Years Eve show?!! It's
Friday. Like...THIS Friday. That's...coming up fast. The band will be
rehearsing like wild mutant warriors this week. Time is moving so fast. I
don't get it.
Good Morning. Here's a bit of news:
The Track Noise is out of the bag
Everyone keeps asking about the track list. Since I'm sure there are
many of you who are just now tuning in or haven't stopped by for awhile.
Here's it is:
1. Memories
2. Telescope Eyes
3. I Wasn't Prepared
4. Golly Sandra
5. Marvelous Things
6. Brightly Wound
7. Lost At Sea
8. My Lovely
9. Just Like We Do
10. Plenty Of Paper
11. One Day I Slowly Floated Away
12. Trolley Wood
(see comments below on track list)
eisley itunes!
Sometime very soon, like... soon, (very soon) WB will release a few (2)
eisley treasures on itunes. These are tracks that did not make it on...say
a "Laughing City" EP or...oh, say a "Room Noises" LP.Actually, I
won't say which 2 songs just yet. But one is from the Mogis sessions and
one is from the Tyler sessions (same time Golly Sandra and My Lovely
were tracked.)
Why? I could say the answer is: why not? - since the tunes are just sitting
in the archives collecting dust. Makes sense to dust them off and give
them some opportunity; Plus, obviously, it increases exposure for the
band, digs into the sweet past a bit and foreshadows what is to come. For
less than I'd pay for a tall caramel machiata, I can have a few Eisley
songs. Sweet. (both, but I'd never order a tall...no waythat's the girl
size).
My zipped file (the cover/insert) is 66mgs of 81mgs uploaded now. I need
to hop off and get to work. have a great day.
------------------------------
Boyd's Amazing Comments on
The Track List and The Record:
Yes. The band...that band - Eisley, listened and listened and listened to
various track lists and changed the order many times; They listened and
changed the order again and again...(all in itunes, of course); they
conspired with Craig, their A&R and management and then listened, and
was open and listened some more and changed it quite a few times
before arriving at this perfectly positioned track list...
NO HYPE
First of all, I want to preface this by saying... I don't want to hype up this
record. I think it's dangerous. When someone say's - "OH MAN, you have
to see this movie!! IT's HILARIOUS!! IT'S SOOOOO FUNNY"... I always
think..."i'll bet it's not so funny, really". And it usually isn't.
You can quote me - I think this record is really good and I love it. And
I've said many times on this very forum...it's a next step, but not some
over-the-top, master-moguled, glitzen-sheistered, sensationalized,
ZING into the outer cosmic realm. It's a fitting effort... I believe
the perfect first LP for Eisley.
ON ROOM NOISES
Room Noises is, in my opinion, a prodigious, broad collection of Eisley
songs that define the band from beginning until current. It reaches back,
grabs the past and pulls it forward like a warm blanket... enshrouding,
adorning and equipping the band with a covering that invites a new
audience to share in what friends/fans since 1998 have been
experiencing.
There are stirring songs, rocking songs, mature songs, whimsical songs,
creative songs, pretty songs, folksy songs, rootsy songs, poppy songs,
catchy-quirky songs. I believe it's the perfect next step for the band,
keeping in mind, the best thing for a band is a slow-growth curve... not
some blown out success story that gives a sophmore project less than a
hope and a prayer.
PRODUCTION
It's clean, it breaths...it's not too wet but not too dry, it's layered with
Stacy key's and shwangy Chauntelle guitars, it has clearly definable parts
that can be heard, the drums are packed with warm, rich tone, the 5
songs are arranged by the band with a little help from Rob Schnapf, the
other 7 are arranged totally by Eisley; No attempt was made to turn any
of these songs into radio arrangements. Eisley writes 3 minute pop tunes
by default.
MIX
It's mixed by Jerry Finn...with no intent other than to sound good, with
the band standing by...listening to the sounds filling the console room at
Larabee Studios in North Hollywood - yes, mixed to sound good on
crappy stereo's like ours, for nice fat, powered system's like Westons,
for car radio's, car cd systems, for people.... It's not very compressed
yet it's not mixed for indie-lo-fi ears either... it's perhaps a bit clearer
than the ep's, but it delivers vocals with precision, clarity and beauty.
You can hear the lyrics, feel a presence from the band instead of a
muted, dull apparition of the band.
This was randomly splattered out the facial blow-hole of boid in about 25
minutes. I might have written something deeper and still might...but, this
is NOT my xanga. Good day and make sure I don't come back here. I
have too much to do. bye.
December 28-29, 2004.
Screeching towards 05
Coming soon. Our wireless router is blocking us from this ip address
forcing us to bypass the malfuntioning resistant piece of hardware...
rendering the rest of us OFFline while someone is on the forum. Will have
to write remote and send it up later. Gotta go!
-------------------------
NEW YEARS EVE SHOW IS UPON US!!
The crescendo of activity surrounding the New Year's Eve Show is
starting to take over. Phone calls and plans and logistics and last minute
rehearsals, etc. It's THIS Friday!! 0 my.
I'll post this somewhere else, but...just talked to Russel (Russel, general
manager; was there the night Kurt and infamous band freaked out,
crashed instruments over the monitor board, which caused all total chaos
and a big fight to break out, etc. - see video out there somewhere from
that night Tree's and Nirvana left their mark on rock music).
Doors at 8:00
Pilot Drift at 9:45
Radiant at 10:45
Eisley at 11:45 -
Out by 2:00am
HANGTIME: Cafe Brazile is open 24 hours. (right down the block) If any
of you or us or whoever are not ready to cash it in, we can hang out in
Deep Ellum or wander over to Cafe Brazile for some java or food. The
last few times we did this (we have a history of going over there...for
years now) their eyes about popped out since there were about 50 or so
in our growing entourage. I fear it might be too much. We were wanting
to find some place to go hang out... but couldn't dig up anything.
Screeching towards 05
We're closing in on '05. What EVER is in store for all of us? In the wake of
the world's biggest natural disaster, we are so thankful to be alive, safe
in our own little cozy nest... but feeling the pain as we watch the TV
reports in horror... trying to begin to imagine what these countries and
people are going through. SEND MONEY TO RED CROSS! Even if it's 5
bucks... 10 bucks.... if every American gave a pitance, think how many
millions we could send...
I have a feeling that Eisley will be on the road most of OFive. It could be
grueling. Deep thoughts. I have to go. bye.
Blernnch. Gavb. plernnk.
Thursday, December 30th
What words should I say? None? I can't think of much to say. Brain is
scrambled. I'm out of kilter. What's kilter? Is that a word? One side of my
head is on the phone with Eric Puliodo of Midlake, talking about singles
and videos and the music business...He's a knowledgeable, creative,
communicative guy so it's always rewarding to chat; Also, Friend, Eddie
of the forum, is here staying with us. Tonight, the band has to do a dry
run with Daniel mixing so he can warm up his ears and sharpen his Eisley
mixing skills. Then we'll probably all stay up late, drink lots of coffee...
listen to vinyl and eat cookies. I'm having a hard time concentrating. Eric
is talking about artwork on their new single: "Balloon Maker" (to be
released in the UK). Midlake is so genius. (pause) Well, we're pretty
pumped about tomorrow night. Hope you are too. There ARE tickets at
the door. I know that. On-line sales are going great, but there are tickets
available. Ok. Better go socialize. bd