Plano Show Reviews, Thoughts, VIDEOS!
Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:19 am
Mood. Mist. Java.
That's what's inspiring this journal... and home. never forget home.
That Plano Show
I just wanted to say thanks. Last night... I mean, yesterday was
wonderful; I mean, the other day...Sunday; it was great hanging out with friends, re-connecting with old friends... meeting other bands, hearing lots of music; a different experience for us in a way. Not like driving 8 hrs to a gig, followed by the usual fast pace, the chaos and the stress.
In a way, it was the same... I mean, things were sorta the same - you hook up with the promoter, figure out where to load in, unload, find dressing room, deal with an interview, deal w/ merch details an set it up while the crew breaks out gear, etc. All of that was the same, but what wasn't the same was... space and time. Time to hang out in the space. Everyone kept asking me..."wait. now WHEN do we play?" and it'd be like 5:30 or something and there were 7 bands to go. "Now why are we here so early?" (they just get in the van when I tell them to... ha ha ....) I told them..."Aden wanted us here this morning, so... technically, we're very late..." I mean, everyone chilled... it was just different being there with time to do nothing; so, some played catch out in the back, some wandered in and out of the venue meeting and talking to people, visiting w/ old friends...just low stress stuff. It was awesome.
The Difference in my head.
But something that's hard for me to put in words is something I feel around Eisley and their fans. It's stirring. I fully realize that their simple simple display of songs so-called: a show is not very "showy"... it's lacking-in-acrobatics, it's ordinary, if feels like reading a book instead of snow-boarding; watching one of their shows at this stage in the game (no pun...stage) is almost like having a random spy-camera filming a rehearsal...less of a show and more like hanging out. It's informal, it's chummy, it's leisure... and I shrink to use the cliche' "intimate", but if the sweater fits, wear it.
And you guys... some of you are excitable; which is nice too, but most of you just seem to relish the moment, enjoy the songs, let everything else go... The seeming result of combined action and reaction wouldn't seem something to write about. I TOLD you I don't know how to put it into words. I think it's partly - I'm always so overwhelmed at how much love and support you guys give the band. I'm starting to feel like you guys deserve each other. In a good way.
When Stacy said, "Did you see all those indie kids? I really thought that they were all there for the screamo bands and would hate us... but they stayed; i think they liked us or something because when we signed, the line just kept getting longer and longer..."
I honestly believe that Eisley will always be shocked that anyone wants to listen to their songs or buy their cd's or come to shows. When she said that, I was thinking - wait, but... why are you surprised? Don't you understand or see what's happening? People love you guys... and your songs... the whole thing.
The Tongue in our heads
I think some of our natural defenses kick in as we're gaining ground in anything; you know what I mean? Like... if you line up 100 domino's, your saying to yourself, "right, but I realize that at any moment, this could topple and I'd be back at square one". Eisley still gets those pointed, destructive words now and then... and it's probably easy to remember those. They say 1 negative word counteracts 100 positive ones. (so tell your wife she's pretty every day to combat the 1000 thoughts in her head that she's not).
I see the myspace messages these days because I'm curious to see what people out of our fold are saying. Like... 99% of them are over the top... "omgosh, I LOVE your music... you saved my life... I'm dancing to your songs right now... I was depressed but "My Lovely" made my day... I just lost my mom and your songs are helping me through..." But sometimes, there's a: "YOUR MUSIC SUCKS!!! eat SH_ _ and DIE!!! or... "Your songs are good, but your music is so boring I fell asleep in the pit at the NFG show... " or... someone will pm one of the band members and let them really have it... they'll misunderstanding a personal blog or a certain look or lyric... like accusing them of having a victim mentality. No way. Being able to create art while trying to build a small business that hopefully, one day, pays some bills... doesn't automatically make you immune to emotional pain. You can be thankful, happy, productive... and still get side-swiped by one little phrase without feeling the world is against you.
Observations. Insecurities.
I do declare...this journey is so interesting. You hear about stuff in the tabloids and think... man, those stupid stars... they're so Hollywood; SO what if people slam them... poor millionaires. Ha ha... I guess I'm learn about human behavior; mostly my own, but I'm watching this small band grow up, learn about life, learn from their mistakes, learn how to get past their mistakes and forgive the mistakes of others around them.
I've learned that people's expectation that "known" people have some impenetrable guard around their hearts that protects them from the cruel words and criticisms... that somehow, being "famous", gives these special people a greater responsibility... to take loads of crap without being wounded...because, after all, the status of "fame", is a privilege that "non-famous" people don't have. It's like, "hey, you're lucky...so take THIS!!!"
On the other hand, maybe they're partly right. Cuz if you get 1000 positive comments a day and only 1 hateful, malicious comment... shouldn't you be impenetrable? No. Because insecurities and feelings and emotions run deep....supercede strokes and jabs. "sticks and stones" is a misnomer. Words hurt worse, but it's also true that we can all gain from being a little thicker skinned, a little less defensive, quicker to forgive those who maliciously want to hurt us with their words. We have to understand that they're probably coming from wounded pasts and are very insecure about themselves. We typically attack others to build ourselves up.
Sorry, I got off track.
Video Clip
I'll go make a video... or try... or see what came out from the show the other night. It was very loud and usually when it's loud, the subtones blast the little mic and it sucks badly. So.. no promises.
In addition, though it was heartful to hear old tunes like, "The Winter Song", Sherri's voice went out due to trying to talk above the crowd and the other bands blasting in the background while signing... so their show started taking a dive about then. She TRIED... and still stayed in the game, but her poor voice started losing strength. That song and others didn't turn out so great. I choose songs for clips that are worth not only old fans but new fans who don't know what the band sounds like live. At a live show, you hear everything - the good, the beautiful, the quirks, etc. But when you hang a VIDEO out there on line - is permanent. It never goes away. So.... I'll see what works from Sunday's show. Check back.
thanks. boyd
I tried to make it better but there was no getting rid of the sshhhhStatic throughout. And to make it worse, my camera had something goofy going on with the focus. From everywhere but close up, they were a blurr. Combine that with the crappy audio, it's not looking too good. Still, I'm about to go drag out the first tape to see how it came out. Check back. Thanks...
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I can't find tape 1
I've looked everywhere, so I don't even have the Winter Song. I think I'll go toss the video on this mp3 and try to salvage it. I might be able to turn it into something decent with the tricks I have up my short sleeves.
Working on it now. bd
GUYS. Sorry. I only have the last 2 songs and Sherri's voice is all but gone... even on Many Funerals, she's having so much trouble. And I have several vid's of that tune. I'll wait and look for something cool to put up soon.
But Luke just talked me into putting the movie on line, so if you think it's lame, you can blame him. Disclaimer: Though Sherri's voice is fine now, her loud talking - over the music - at the long festival, especially during signing, wrecked her chords; she started having trouble 3 songs earlier. Her voice has only really gone out once, in San Diego, when she had larengitis.
"Many Funerals". Buzz Oven show.
"Over the Mountains". Buzz Oven show
btw. I JUST FOUND THE MISSING TAPE!!
Adendum I think i inadvertently focused on the wrong message in my lengthy journal above. I elevated the shpeil about mean-spirited comments and reactions to them. I meant to focus on the show and how it's awesome to see how sincere you guys are... and how; i dunno.... how the upshot from the shows for me sometimes is something I feel and take home. At the risk of sounding queerfully stupid - to me, often, I feel the benefactor of some emotional synergy between you guys and the band... it's lifting. "lift" as in... like a colorful hot air balloon that rises and gives me a unique vantage point. But then again, maybe it's because I'm often standing on some chair trying to video what I feel. One day, I'll have a great camera... 2 of them...
Baking that video now. Not that all 12 of you are on pins and needles, but... it's coming. bd
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