Week 29. The Bane of Time's Grappling Releases Her Hook.
Tue Aug 03, 2004 9:17 pm
The 3 Lost Days
First Let's Catch Up.
Our Tiny City Was Bombed and Rebuilt
Friday
Ever work so hard to make something happen that you finally just realize
it's either going to happen or not and the outcome has little or nothing to
do with you? Like, you did your best and it's out of your realm to control
what happens...That's the way I feel right now. I can't really get into the
specifics and I'm not really feeling like this is my xanga right now, so I'll
refrain from a boid-expose'. All I can say is - I pushed the button, sent
the cargo and the pieces have to fall where they may. Good cheer awaits
our ears.
But it was cool to push the button and jump in the van and head out to
the outer wilderness of the East Texas woods with Sherri and friend - Jay.
Have you ever heard of the boon-docks? That's where Jay (diddlebaum)
lives. In fact, he's way beyond the boon-docks. To get to his home-built
house, you drive on a big road for about 30 minutes....get off on a
smaller FM road for 20minutes....get off on a country road for 10 minutes
.... get onto a gravel road for 10 minutes.... get off on a dirt road for 5
minutes.... get off onto a half washed away dirt road for 2 minutes.....and
then you come to his gate. (no, the mail man don't deliver there)
Anyway, the 3 of us stomped all over his 30 acres in search of the
perfect place to do a photoshoot.
After 2 hours, we were drenched in sweat, eaten by mosquitos (i'm lying,
we sprayed deep woods off on us), were covered in Ticks, and juiced our
pants/shoes with poison ivy real good.
Goon on the phone
Sherri shoots clouds
East Texas Woods - where Tarzan lives.
Jane.
jay's spring.
J-goats. They aren't attack goats.
Jane walks thru the jungle.
J-Pears. mmm...tastey ones.
Jane, standing in the woods.
Jane. "better run thru the jungle". (CCR)
Sullen, Jane did not find her Tarzan in the East Texas Jungle.
Saturday
Final Pieces to the Puzzel
It occurs to me that there are several bits of data that haven't been
downloaded to guys yet relating to the final decisions and producer/mixer
decisions for this record. Some of the choices on the list didn't work out
because of schedules. Dang - those guys are a busy sort. But, I'm happy
with the selection: #1. Rob Cavallo is going to produce the last 3 songs.
His work includes: Movie and TV soundtracks ranging from "Smallville" to
"Phil Collins/Disney/Tarzan and DVD/video's like: Prince's Purple Rain,
CD's like: Fleetwood Mac, Michelle Branch, Kiss, Greenday, Goo-Goo
Dolls, 6 Pence None the Richer, Alanis Morissette, Phil Collins, Ash, Best
and Unplugged - Eric Clapton, etc.
#2. Jerry Finn will mix the record. His discography as mixer/producer: He
just finished Morrissey's new record (hello. lead singer - the Simths,
Radiohead's fav. band). I think that's the coolest project in his
discography but he's mixed or produced or mixed AND produced tons of
rock bands over the years: A.F.I.,Goo-Goo DollsGreen Day, Blink 182,
Sum 41, Rancid, MXPX, Sparta, Vendetta Red, Superdrag, etc. I think
these are good final choices and I'll tell you why. First, Rob has worked
with the band - is crazy about the band... they've tracked and worked
together before so, to make 3 songs happen in 1.5 weeks could be
doable. I think his work with so many kinds of artists on so many hits
gives him an eclectic flare to help interpret Eisley's individuality - that is
to say: he isn't about making Rob Cavallo kinds of records. He knows
how to make hit records and that's what the label is banking on, but I and
I alone know how much he digs the band. That's important to the
outcome. As far as Jerry Finn is concerned - hmmm....sheesh, he just
finished Morrissey's record, for cryin' out loud; but beyond that, I like the
contrast. This record needs to be mixed by someone who is known for
mixing rock records. (ok that's my humble opinion, but I believe I'm
right)
That's that... there's now a way to finish the record; a schedule is set,
there are warm body's to fill the positions and studio time is booked.
Believe it or else, the band is super excited and are SO ready to get it
done and over with.
Sunday
O' Beo-the-Wuf, O' Beo-the-Wuf... what gangleon of tangly, woven web
do we weave? For whether there is no blur in the mind, we suffer the
slings and sorrows of their outrageous misfortune, having off'ed the pin
heads of frabjous foe and scattered the thorax of many to the Bluedogs
of Gutters-Grove.
And howl we did, intrepid and low - sing low sweet chariot... for Beo-the
Wuf has yaped his languid yowl; and skithering forest creatures now
(some translations add: also) bellow their lo moans, quenching the
darkness, robbing the night of her moon-glow ...sending the furry ones to
their graven caves. And the dark sapling of shallow root dances no more.
Hark Beo-the-Wuf, for he is marching (now) into the bog...
Rob Memorandum added: I spoke with Rob Schnapf yesterday for an
hour. I just want to say that Eisley loves Rob. Rob is very capital-A.
Though questions arise as to whether Rob could have finished the mixing
as well, in spite of the conundrum of time's evil lapse, it appears that it
can now NOT happen, which sucks. The business is screwy and things
happen. Whether you're on either end or caught in the middle, life
happens. One thing is for sure - Rob Schnapf get's the credit for making
this record happen. He's the biggest contributor.
Monday August 2nd
Songs for the Marketplace
Reference Last Thursday's Feeble Attempt to
Define Eisley within a Business Model.
Songs Left to Record
I started to get into a discussion last...I guess it was Thursday. I'm not
gonna dance around this information. The band is going to re-track
Telescope Eyes. BITE YOUR MIND!! (jk); I guess it'll be a hybrid - taking
the best features from a.) eisley's indie recording and b.) the Laughing
City version. The band has very specific criteria for redeeming the song.
Here's why it makes sense... (NO, not to you or me). Well, ok, I'll tell you
the whole story. You want the whole story? Ok. You get the whole story...
Dang we're peeling back the layers tonight. WB A&R, Craig Aaronson,
was listening to some of Eisley's music - reflecting on what they've done
in the past, what they're doing and where they're going... (in short, kind
of a stroll down Eisley's Music-memory lane) when "Telescope Eyes"
cycled by. He kinda freaked out and started marveling over how
the song impacted him. He remembered how, at the Troubadour show...
Eisley played Telescope Eyes as an encore...and how everyone cheered
and woo-woo'd and made a little frenzie over it.
So the next day, he had their radio people call "The Edge" in Dallas out of
curiosity because he'd heard rumors that the song actually charted in the
Dallas market and, in fact, was "researched". (they only spend money on
songs thru research if it really does well....) So, WB spoke to the head
guy over there...I guess, the program director. In fact, (and some of you
know this), the song was researched and did so well, it had something
like a 98.something % approval rating. (Josh told me that this % usually
indicates it has the potential of being a song that is remembered in rock
history).
ANYway, (ya'll hate this story) the program director said, "you guys
should really re-record the song and introduce it to the big market...the
potential is there to have a National hit; it could be what really makes the
difference for the band".
So, management/label called us last week to say it would be a good idea
to at least record the song - and give it the chance it deserves. The band
has never forgiven John Goodmanson for hacking out the second verse
(jk) and stacking those fat, creed-crunch guitar tones on the chorus. (not
j.k.) Perhaps, they say, it could be cool if they got to do it the way they
wanted to do it. I know it's not everyone's favorite song... THEN again,
you guys, like me, don't listen to radio, so...whatev'. If it makes it
that far, you and I will never know. 
The other two songs - you already know: Trolly Wood and Lost at Sea.
Both are very important songs.
Tuesday August 3rd
Progess and Good Vibe to All
T-Shirts to Arrive Tomorrow
Hi everyone. Today the forum is back up....or about to be. I'm the only
one on here right now but will soon change one line of code and you will
be with me.
Long awaited T's
Sherri and us just got back from press checking the T-shirt job. Interestingly
we bailed on the entire 3 color thing. Oh, we made it work and it was
pretty cool, but...once (wunct) we saw the one (1) color, straight-up line
art we said, Vah Vah Voom dad..dad..daddy-0. It's just like this big artsy
stamp. Very high contrast. Midnight blue color on a light blue Fruit of the
Loom. The band loves it. Now don't think we might now go and print this
on some other deeper, drabbier, color; it could happen. I'll try to get the
shirt up on the merch site asap. Like maybe tonight.
The band has been rehearsing like a wild man. yup. just one wild man.
Every night without fail till at least 20 oclock. The drag in at wee hours...
of course to find the rest of us up and doing things. It's getting fun, I tell
you. The bane of time's grappling hook is finally releasing us to get on
with life. The frozen forest is starting to come back to life. Creatures are
moving about. Everyone is getting twitterpaited.
Thanks for Sticking with Us.
Thanks for being patient with this entire glob of discontent over the last
many weeks and weeks and weeks and weeks and weeks and weeks. It's
been a long, hard year.
I'm just now starting to get excited over this record. Graphics are moving
along, record titles are coming to the surface, photography is emerging,
progress is in the air. Not saying there won't be hard times ahead...but,
man a-dang-live, it feels good to be back on track. bd
The Edge of Night
In Search for Tomorrow
Dark Shadows
So, about The Day's of Our Lives... Nah, we're boring. If it starts to sound
like a soap opera, let me know; I'll give it up and slap some time on
other pains. So, what's up with you people? Everyone is so cool... we're
all happy that the forum is back up. You guys are so wonderful to us and
to each other. I like you. And life feels normalish again.
Promotional Vehicles - Moving Forward
I'm working toward wrapping up all the business stuff with WB for all
my projects; it's going great. What label would be so cool? Other bands
tell me it's rare...they're letting us do everything. And with such good
vibe...and encouragement. You're ears would curl if I told you the good
things they say about what we're doing.
Nice Peeps continued:
I deal with so many department heads and every person, without fail,
is so amazingly nice. How could it be? A&R, Art, Marketing, Publicity,
New Media, and Legal...even Radio. They're all super nice...like regular
folk with great attitudes. Lot's of women in the mix. That's probably why
it's so good... But even the guys are sensitive and caring. (music attracts
such types) I think it's the people at WB that make it so great.
CD Packaging
I have to talk to the band when they get back from somewhere...(eating i
think) about the package. The price point is good - $13.98. That means it
can't be as full blown with a zillion panels, but on the good side, you don't
have to pay 18+ bucks for it. I have the option of using the exact same
format as the ep's (wallet, digi-pack) or the standard jewel case with a 6
page, trifold insert. Of course, that way, you get the back and the front of
the tray card insert as well, which gives you that nice color area - seen
from the front of the package... you know, all that good stuff.
Anyway. I've done tons of these and, I know the jewel case format is
sorta boiler plate, but I think you guys might want a bit more real
estate for eye candy than what we had on the paper-packs. I'm sure I'll
get opinions both ways...so I'll ask the band. Still...weigh in. I'd like to
know you're opinion.
Ok. I'm keepin' it short. Too much reading. Easy on those eyes. cheers.
bd
Thursday August 5th
Questions about Songs
The Anatomy of Song Desire
Over time, I read posts...and have contributed to so many persuasive
discussions about songs and bands and everything in the middle. This
post by a new forum member caught my eye and I really like the candor
of the discussion. The post is called: What's so great about Telescope
Eyes?
It's a regular, friendly discussion...but has interesting arguments and
thoughts. Many of the thinkers are weighing in. Care to comment?
http://eisley.org/viewtopic.php?t=7945&start=15&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=
Otherwise, the feedback on "jewelcase" vs. "same-ole-ep-style digi-pak
as-before" has been helpful. Hey, I still need to ask the band. We hang
out and chat all the time, but most of it has been about other stuff. I took
those girls to work out today... wooh-hooo...they're gettin' muscles. I just
sat in the club atrium with music and my espresso (had my over-branded
WB logo shirt on) and worked on the CD cover art. It was super nice.
Hey. Thanks for the orders on the T's. By next week, we might be able to
turn around (using the dough) and make another shirt...err, print a new
design. Pretty risky...i dunnOH... yeah, we must. i want two new designs
out for the tour. This one, for sure and another Sherri art one.
Any suggestions? Like, what do you like....or don't like? The blue is sure
a deviation, but it's a good, all around, popular color. That's what another
very big band told us... whatever. What color shirt should this new sherri
art go on? (oh boy, here I go... but honestly, I love your feedback; if not
you, who else? It's all for you guys...there is nobody else)
I'm finishing up a little better version of Silver Bugs for you
guys also. Several of you requested it. Look...it's not anything so great,
ok? That song hasn't really been played live...like, not in some prolifically,
brilliant way...ok? So, here's what I'll do. I'll make this QT clip and look at
it and decide if I think it's even good enuf to put out there. If so...well, so
be it. If not, I vow to keep looking. Thanks. Gotta jet myself to go make
coffee. Friends coming over. bdout
Friday August 6
Marking Time
Kim wants to use my computer
Which saves you from some long, boring read. We're sitting in bed
watching TV, I just answered like 15 pm's and now i'm burnt out and
want ice cream She wants to check her messages so... that's cool.
The band is doing an interview tomorrow with some magazine out of
California. Get this, the writer, lives in TYLER and is an Eisley fan. So,
we meet with Evan Harris tomorrow. I'll post the name of their publication
and website under this later. Right now, I want ice cream. bd
Saturday August 7
This First, Wonderful Record
What's Left After the Cull?
Young Evan Harris of Amplitude Magazine just left after a healthy dose of
DuPree hospitality and a nifty interview with Eisley. If I were a writer,
which I'm not, but am by default, I would gather info. by hanging out
before I'd attempt to launch into typical questions. Evan was great
because he didn't put the emphasis on the awkwardness of weird, pointy
questions. Being a fan helped, I suppose. He has early ep's from actual
shows...(old school). But when he started asking about our friends bands
- like Midlake and Ester Drang and The Connnotations, an arena of depth
in conversation ensued. Before the afternoon was up, we were listening
to Bamnam and Slivercork, drinking Chai Tea and Espresso. So there.
www.amplitudemagazine.com
Eisley's First Record
About this record - I think this record is going to be amazing. Because,
well... I like it. I like all 17 songs...wait, let me rephrase that: I love all
17 Songs... I'm in love with these songs; and I'm sad that all you
get is 10 - 11. I'm sad that 6 - 7 songs will be discarded like Monday
morning's garbage. Yes, that's right...trashed. Gone - never to be heard.
Nahh, I'm kidding.
They won't be trashed...but what will be done with them? Another ep?
An exclusive with i-tunes like Death Cab is doing right now? (go
check out their ep) Or do these little song-gems just fade away?
I, in my boidness, took it upon myself to make a list of all the songs that i
KNOW will make it on this record. (based on what i know - and having a
clue about what WB wants, at least) I don't really know, but...if I
were a gambling man, I'd say these could absolutely be on the record:
Songs Boid thinks will be on the Full Length
1. Lost at Sea
2. Just Like We Do
3. Marvelous Things
4. I Wasn't Prepared
5. Memories
6. Brightly Wound
Additional Wonderful (recorded) Songs
(Pick 5 and kiss 6 goodbye)
Trolley Wood
Vintage People
Sun Feet
They All Surrounded
The Esaping Song
Telescope Eyes
Plenty of Paper
My Lovely
One Day I Slowly Floated
Silver Bugs
Golly Sandra
More Songs Never Recorded:
(kiss some goodbye; some in question for record #2)
Lady of the Wood
Lullaby
Wings and Windows
Queen of Leaves
2 Songs written in LA
4-6 Songs written here in Tyler
Old songs never released x-cept on early ep:
(kiss goodbye forever?)
Head Against the Sky
Blackened Crown
Old songs that never got recorded:
3-4 (songs like Becoming You and Good Times)
Closing, confusing thoughts
Anyway,I can honestly say - I KNOW that some of my favorite songs will
not be on the record. I guess it's a good problem to have, but...in a way
it's not good. I guess it's good that the band has a history layered
with great songs...and they just keep coming. So, yeah, it's good for the
band, but not good for you guys. It's ok for me because I get to hear all
of them anyway. hmmm... what did I say, really?
YOu knoW, I do have videotape of every one of these songs. E V E R Y
last one. Over time, if these songs dissapear, I suppose live perform
ances should should make their way to the internet at some point... not
now, but... some day.
EGaD! It's upon us...
Woah, yawl. We're leaving one week from today. That means, packing,
getting gear straight, preparing for the tour since we won't have time
before we get back, making massive progress on the CD art, having a
successful photoshoot (Monday) and on and on. Everything is starting to
spin. Including our heads.
Speaking of getting ready, Me, Weston and Collin finally removed that
massive tree and the debris and broken trampoline from our war torn
back yard yesterday. It was hard. ok. so. that's all. bye for now.
p.s. btw. I'm thinking that the Silver Bugs doesn't meet my new standard of
quality. I can never take it off the internet. It's WAY better than what's up
there, but...I regret that what's "up there" is up there. I'm still thinking
and looking.
Sunday August 8
Naming the Record
Borrowing from Time's Titles
So, a few of us boardies were talking while drinking coffee and hanging
out at the Vineyard this morning about album names:
Pablo Eisley
Wish You Were Eisley
Fragile Eisely
Hotel Eisley
Houses of the Eisley
Sgt. Eisley's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Bridge Over Troubled Eisley
OK Eisley
The Unforgettable Eisley
Deja Eisley
The Magical Eisley Tour
Goodbye Eisley's Brick Road
The Eisley Bulletin
A Rush of Eisley to the Head
Otherwise, the record still doesn't have a name.
That's all for Sunday unless i think of something
that needs to be told later. Otherwise, nahh....
In exactly 1 week from now, we'll be rolling into
LA. I wonder where we'll be staying and what
studio we'll be at. hmm... well, I do wonder. bye.
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