Week 29. The Bane of Time's Grappling Releases Her Hook.
August 03, 2004 09:17 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=a sc&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.
Week 28. Preparing For The Rapids
July 26, 2004 07:11 PM
Monday July 26
The Storm before the Storm
Sitting on our hands
I didn't want to post today unless I'd heard word from management.
Why? because our knowledge level will increase drastically. Like, from
being completely in the dark to...say, the way Adam felt after he ate
from the tree of knowledge.
Since they didn't call, I can only guess they're still wading thru the
perplexing logistics of getting the producer and studio time/mixing time
nailed. Yikes. I just know they're gonna call and say, "pack your bags,
and get your butts to LA!"
These next 6 weeks should make or break us. I'm not going to get into
all the whiny issues and how hard the schedule might be...on me, let
alone the band, but if I say I've been waking up every morning to the
loud voice screaming in my ear: YOU'RE GOING TO FAIL! YOU CAN'T DO
IT! YOU'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!! All I have to say to that is: "meh...
I prolly won't die".
All ages/some ages
I've heard from a few of you that there are issues with age limitations on
the venues. (!@$#!) I would cuss but my mom would wash my mouth out
with soap... and she reads this. (hi mom and dad) Seriously, I hate this if
it's true. I have to blame those who manage and book the band. But, in
their defense...Eisley was invited to tour with Snow Patrol. It's S.P.'s tour.
I guess if you're an agent and you get an attractive offer, you either go
for it or not. If it's already mapped out, what choices are there? Contracts
are contracts... SnowPatrol is an older band and probably don't have as
broad an audience. But you'd think they'd want a broad audience, right?
Whatever. In the future, Eisley will headline their own tour and all the
shows will be all ages. In the meantime, find out if any of them will let
you come with a parental unit. That's how we get those Eisleyoids into
shows. Maybe that's just Texas, but...it's worth a try.
TOURS
Hard to imagine this, but this this will be a pre-release tour. This will just
be to "set up" the record. There will be non-stop touring next year. Many
other opportunities, right? So...everyone is happy. (nope. i don't blame
you; it sucks. cuss.) It probably seems weird to say, and I've said it
before, but WB doesn't really consider the other records as...records.
There is no record. Those eps's are unmarketed; They didn't "work the
record". All they did was allow the band a small budget to make them
(ep's), manufacture them, and distribute them. Management said it was
very rare that WB backed them with tour suppport. Consequently, all of
the previous shows were more like set up shows. Like..."go be a band
that doesn't have a record out...go play. See if people like you. Sell a few
ep's to stir interest."
Useless Info
I spoke with the head of marketing today about things like packaging and
price points, etc. Very amazing guy. I've told you about him... he flew to
Iceland several years back to see Sigor Ros play in a Cathedral with
candles before they were really "discovered". That sorta say's it all. He's
smart, sensitive, loves art, music and is a likeable guy.
About 6 months AFTER Eisley got signed, he personally took us out for
dinner, then to Tower Records where he said, "hey...do you guys need
some records? How about you each spend like 60 bucks or so (each) on
cd's...my treat." But then he bought them a stack of his own choice also.
Crazy? They were like, "no way"...but Xavier won. (chalk that up as
behind the scenes content that you can't get anywhere else... and then,
you can file it in the useless information trashcan. 
hey, they're screaming, "food's ready!!". I gotta go. much love. bd
Tuesday July 27
The Goons of Frolic Past
The bovineal pursuit
Those titles are placebo's...chunks...place holders...randomness...ignore.
Waiting on Guthrey
I waited and waited and waited for that phone call from management.
Well, I didn't wait at all. I actually got tons done today, but I'm still
waiting for a call from LA. Will i get it? meeh-ow. I'm not waiting, Kitty.
How Can I Help You?
What can I say? What would interest you? Speak to me from behind the
green-muck facade. Oh, stubborn, are you? Well take THAT. (i just threw
a big, nasty slug right on your lips.)
Every Night is Movie Night at the DuPree's
We're getting ready to go watch "Hellboy". So, I don't have much time.
Now I'm getting pressure... "Dad, mom wants to know - are we still
waiting on Daniel or can we start the movie? (Daniel, you might remember,
is Eisley's amazing sound engineer, who just got off tour with Copeland) I
hear yapping and chortling and loud noises in the happy room. I should
go make coffee and leave this Apple behind.
Fitly Spoken Words
Woah ya'll. I got an amazing pm this eve. I was at the peak of juggling so
many stressful pieces of complex poly-eisely-carbons, when, unexpectedly,
the soothing, beautiful balm of Gollywood slid right through the pm portal.
I won't quote him/her, but... I surely held back tears. It was one of those:
this makes it all worthwhile memo's. If Eisley's music was just for
this one soul, it was reason enough to exist.
The Man-legend
Chatted with Aaron of Sprinkle for a long time today. I'm so freaking
happy for him. He just completed a full length for "Acceptance" - a band
a major - Columbia. Major accomplishment, under budget, on schedule...
totally wow'd the egg heads at the empire. clap. clap. clap and a couple
of la-di-dah's for Aaron. He is the man. A sweetheart of a guy. The best
in the biz, I say...and so I said. We will see he and fam in Seattle. Also,
his fav' new record is Snow Patrol's new one. That show is sold out... so,
of course, we're getting him in.
I won't keep you. I know you're tired...and weary. If I could get the
scoop, I'd have something to say...but I don't, so goodnight. If I learn
anything important, I'll jump back on and conblibberate you. bd
Wednesday July 28
The Schedule Becomes Clearer
It's O So Tight.
Tight. This is what you call a tight schedule.
We leave on the 14th for LA. Eisley starts working with the mystery mixer
starting Aug. 16th thru the 20th. As mixing continues, they the 3 songs
that next week - the 23rd thru thte 27th (checking in with mystery mixer
in the evenings). Final tracking and mixing will end around the 30th in
time to for us to jump in the van, fly across the country toward Texas
where we grab Daniel Ellis who'll be standing outside at the gas station in
Van, pull into Tyler in time to kiss our wives (ok, my wife), hopefully
spend the night before we keep cruising to Florida for the first show on
Sept. 3rd.
So, the tour is real and everything is on schedule for the record to be
completed and mastered by the first week in Sept.
I guess that's pretty much everything. Dave Holmes told us that the
show's will be sold out. Some already are. (yikes, I know) The band is so
excited to be getting out and touring again.
We worked all afternoon until 7:30 on continued photoshooting...inside,
outside, downtown Tyler, all over. It was awesome. Good stuff. We still
might do more.
Well...I'd better go. Talk more tomorrow. Thanks everybody. Take care.
Thursday July 29
Photo Tweakage
Planning for a tour
Eisley is preparing for the tour by planning a set list and rehearsing like
rabid grazing goats (you can really work those grazing goats if they're
rabid). Hey, I need to find out how long their set is... (wanders off to
email management and returns). I just dropped them off at rehearsal
space to crank their little molee's.
So... I've been buried into the depths of tweaks and tricks gained from
15 years of slaving over a hot photoshop sink...and am channeling the
tenure towards bringing out the beauty from this new motherlodal bevy
of digital images taken yesterday. (i think that was the worst sentence
i've ever written) Occasionally, I swap heads, build elaborate masks to
enable localized work...you know, the regular stuff. Everything I'm
working on now is targeted toward next year's press.
I read today that the new thing Hollywood is seeking are artists like
Hillary and Jessica - more wholesome than nasty. And have you been
seeing all the fashion magazines? All the trend-setters are saying
"showing skin is out"... covering up and layering and textures are in. I
wondered if WB was following cultural trends and thinking...."were we
right on with Eisley or what?" But Eisley isn't following trends. Interesting.
We're sitting in the den listening to the Snow Patrol CD. The girls bought it
today. It's nice. I think it'll be a great match. It has a happy vibe... I can
see why they might have picked Eisley out of a line up.
Here's a question: do you think Eisley fits in better as an opener with the
Snow Patrol/Brit rock scene or the Brand New/emo scene? It's not a fair
question since most of you know the outcome from the Brand New tour.
It's an interesting hypothetical question.
Markymark is in here...(me, kim and mark hanging out) we're talking
about all of this stuff. He thinks Eisley is fitting in with the scaiter/emo
scene kids even better than the kids who like Travis, Coldplay... Brit rock
kids. Interesting. He say's most of the kids at his high school that Eisley -
like them because they're so different - and respect them even if they
aren't avid listeners. hmmm...
I have more thoughts along this line of thinking and, have some more to
discuss about singles, etc. We've been theorizing that the majority of this
record's songs are extremely marketable, but not marketable for radio.
Like Mark says, all of my favorite songs - like Vintage People and The
Escaping Song... could never make it on Radio.
The issue of radio just won't go away. So, today I was trying to make
sense of it in my head. If you think of Eisley as a business that needs a
good stable product that can go on the shelf and compete head to head
with the other brands, it makes a little more sense.
Like imagine that Johnson and Johnson is WB... and has whatever
products in their portfolio, uhh...BandAid. That's their big money maker
right? So, another hot J&J product DermoBond and Fibrocol. (i looked it
up) Now they've added a new product: BioClusive. (eisley) Who knows if
the retailers like Eckerd's will add it to their sku's? How will they market it
if not? If nothing gets on the shelf, WB ends up trying to peddle Eisley in
different ways.... ways that take longer to get a return on their
investment.
To Be Continued tomorrow. gnite. bd
Friday, Saturday, July 30, 31
The Trouble w/ Fish Who Use Septors with Electrodes
The Finned Ones Watch Us
If you're here and notice there's little content, it's because our forum was
moved on this Friday the 30th and did not return to the land of the living
until Tuesday August 3. I made the decision to take my hard earned copy
over to next week because I think...we're thru with this week. It's over. I
couldn't control the downtime. I'd rather gain readership. Any activities
that occured on Friday/Saturday/Sunday will be addressed - if there was
anything worth mentioning. And now...onward to next week.
Week 27. Atrophyliacs
July 19, 2004 05:08 PM
Monday July 19
Jan.Feb.March.April.May.June.July
Teenage Wasteland
Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an off-hand way
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way
Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain
You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today
And then the one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun
And you run and you run to catch up with the sun, but it's sinking
And racing around to come up behind you again
The sun is the same in the relative way, but you're older
And shorter of breath and one day closer to death
Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time
Plans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled lines
Hanging on in quiet desperation in the English way
The time is gone the song is over, thought I'd something more to say
_______________________
The Root Word is Atrophy
I read those words in the 70's and made them my own but it seems more
fitting today...and best describes the frustration i feel right now. tick. tick.
tick. tick. Pink Floyd was pure genius.
Teenage Wasteland was a great song on the: "Who's Next" record
about the bloodshed in Vietnam...but lately, the lack of activity has made
it feel like a teenage wasteland around here. Gosh...whatever happened
to shows? Why can't Eisley be doing shows? Meanwhile, I notice Stacy
and Sherri are toiling into the wee hours of the morning on songs in
garage band - not from pressure; from inspiration, so there's great
productivity in the wasteland. In talking with Stacy last night in the
kitchen at 3:30am, she's all about the second record. Anxious to get this
one out; get over it; tour it. I tried to calm her worries about the world's
reaction to it. Life is weird. At 15, I was thinking about getting home from
school so I could jam in our upstairs bedroom with my brother and our
best friend. Pressure meant having to mow the lawn before Dad got
home. History has not repeated itself in our case. Well, maybe partially.
Wouldn't it be fun to announce that we're just going to book some shows
in Texas and hit the road for a few weeks? Ain't gonna happen... but,
wouldn't it be nice...if we were married. Well. Luke just called and I'm
gonna end it with that random song reference. Talk more later. bd
Tuesday July 20
Shooting it up
Eisley's New Schedule
It's looking like this: it's looking like we don't leave for LA until August 15
in spite of whatever story I heard last. It's looking like Eisley begins
recording 2 more songs the week of the 15th followed by several weeks
of mixing. It doesn't look like I know who the mystery producer/mystery
mixer is. I can't say for sure it will be Rich Costey. His manager said he
had previous engagements. It looks like I have no clue.
We're all upstairs watching a movie. Any guesses which one?
"The Shaz-a-'meter, the-daddy-o, the belly-go-round. the hoop-sucker,
the swinger...the hud-swinger". Probably my favorite film. Meanwhile,
Stacy has been working on recording in Garage Band all night.
I started the day by moping, making up beds, cleaning...mowing followed
by making a stiff pot of fresh ground coffee in time for Antrider's camera
to arrive. I desperately needed to do a photoshoot for the band, and
Jamie was cool enuf to let us use his super duper Nikon digital camera. I
didn't wake the band up until 11:00 because we were up last night till
about 3:00 am. (i wanted them to have their beauty rest)
After many, many hours, shooting indoors at our good friends - Tim and
Dianda's house, we left discouraged after only getting beautifully blurry
images. Second attempts to shoot outdoors as the sun went down were
more encouraging. I think I got some good stuff on top of the bus. I'll
look closer at the files tomorrow. There's always photoshop.
I'm so sleepy i can't stay awake. I'll post more tomorrow on this. bd
Wednesday July 21
Entitlements and Marketing
Atop the Bus
Woah, my golly. Ashlee moved 300k of her first record as a new artist on
it's first day on the shelf. Of course, there is that little MTV reality TV
show that gave Geffen the day one cash cow. It's brilliant.
You know what I was thinking today? Well, first of all, i listened to the
clips of her record on itunes. It's that typical, catchy, radio pop - written
by whoever writes those catchy hit songs... Anyway, I realized that for all
my critisisms (writers write the songs for her, vocal coaches sing the
songs for her, studio players play the songs for her...she sings as good
as the next girl, breaths air, is the sister of Jessica and has a TV show)...
in spite of all of that, radio listeners don't care.
All that matters to the listeners is that they can sing to catchy song when
it comes on the radio, right? Then they all go buy the record the day it's
released and a star is born... with no years of experience, no working her
way up, no gigs in dive venues where only a handful of people show up
and the broken toilets are full of poop and where you don't get paid when
you leave...paying dues is for bands.
So, I just thought... that's the way it is. Then I moved on. Not that I'm
not happy for her or them or Geffen, etc. No sour grapes. It's just the
way i process info. I just picked Ashlee Simpson because I got an email
with her sales figures and some hype.
Eisley will be lucky to sell ___ the first day their full length comes out...
for all the work they've done. (i deleted my guesstimate) Gosh, how
many active users are there on this forum? Plus, I figure there are those
who might buy it who aren't users. I can promise - Eisley won't be
looking at opening day numbers.
Like I said, we shot some pics yesterday. Here are a few shots of the
exciting day. Can't you just sense the electricity in the air?
The shot above was when a fat locus was buzzing around - it sounded
like a silver bug on a motorcycle... the girls were sorta scared. I snapped
this when they spotted it. The shots atop the buss will probably be used
for press. I'm not sure they're great for anything else. We'll see.
Anyway, you can see how we kid the ole bus in our narrow driveway. OK.
gotta go. Take care. bd
Thursday July 22
The Droning Sounds of Counter-Inertia
The Eisley Enigma Revealed
If the flavor of the week tastes like BellyAche, I can't whole-heartedly
apologize. You can take it with a grain of salt, but... bellyache with salt
isn't any less digestable. Maybe I should apologize. I just think the band
could be excersizing - working out - (well, they are these days, ha). But,
I'm frustrated! They could be working out at real clubs in front of you
guys. Playing SHOWS! Why can't they play a few shows in Dallas? Or do
a Texas Summer Tour?! They've been here for months now! sheesh-a
damn-molee. Excuse my French...but, I am a DuPree.
Moving on and picking back up:
Killer posts in response to my diatribe about Ashlee Simpson's first day
record sales. CanadianAlias and others waxed eloquent and I think it
might be fun to dig in that field for a bit.
First - a disclaiming reminder: I'm an open book...it's not like I'm hedging
for any desired outcome, so...it's typical that I would explore the gamut
of emotion. One side one day - the other end of the spectrum the next day.
Yesterday's topic was random - just a passing observation. Without that
reality TV show, I wouldn't even know of that strange pop kingdom. O.K.
I'm over it, but have to comment - I saw a bit of her show today; Here's
my last reality pill... She just performed her first show ever in front of a
live audience at "The Knitting Factory" in Hollywood with about 1/4th the
crowd that Iron and Wine, an indie band, had in the same room, yet she
just sold 300k records her first day. Oh, what a world we live in.
Another great thing I've learned from watching the Simpsons: I want to
go underground, so-to-speak. Beyond providing the best content I can
muster up for this forum and beyond communication-design, etc. ...and
loading, unloading, helping as a grunt, etc. I want no public role. After
seeing daddy Simpson MC Ashlee's first show ("this is a big day for the
Simpsons"), I will avoid camera's at any cost. It's too late for the CNN
piece. They tricked me. I can only hope they don't use any of it.
Brain Quenching Reality
This Eight O'clock dark roast - strained thru my new Starbucks French
press/coffee thermos is giving me a solid buzz. I did something weird. I
tossed in the grind AND the brown sugar AND the whipping cream before
I plunged so I could drink from the flacid, suculent, urn of magoomba
and reap the full monte-cafenoids from it's caverous belfy. I having a
coffee ecstasy, thankyou very much.
Pop Stars Aside:
Eisley is a band. Public opinion will vary but any way you slice it, there is
little to compare with the Avril's, the Jessica's, or even the Morisette's
that rule the popular scene. There is no contrivance toward a manufactured
heritage; Eisley's birthright is natural... not medicinal; They are nobody's
creation... and can certainly prove it. HOWEVER... National press hasn't
been very natural with their storytelling. Both of these extreme cultures
must come together in harmony at some point if bands like Eisley are to
survive. Obviously Modest Mouse is proving it can be done.
I'm not sure exactly how to describe what I'm saying; I'll try. And keep in
mind - this discourse is merely giving me/us something to discuss:
Eisley is going to puzzle the world. As they rise from whatever feeble
footing they have in an expanding underground market, they'll anger the
scene; Conversely, as they invade pop culture, they'll expand minds and
raise conventional eyebrows. As they join hands with the two worlds and
pull them together, they'll create a new market position in the real estate
of American minds.
"Cuz' we found all the dire dreams of men and machines
and turned them all around to enjoy them and benefit ourselves
- our paper back books, our charming looks, our identical hands
- imposing our commands."
Eisley's positioning, which I equate with their reality, will be very critical
in reaching a market that engenders progressive culture (the indie scene)
AND, as well, extends beyond - encompassing a larger element of society
(pop culture). You guys realize that they can't anchor in either - they
are who they are but if they don't appeal to both, they're not going
to persuade WB to protect their investment long term.
I cut the moon in halve...and stuck a piece to my hair
and made the back of my head glow gold and yellow
and then i took 10 stars on sticks and placed them in my
small medal bucket and i gave the other half of the moon
to you - oh, so you wouldn't forget me while i'm gone.
Do you really wonder why I ponder these things? Do you ever wonder -
who's rationale it was to sign such an act? Who believed the authors of
lyrics like this would appeal to a big market? And yet, like they...I believe
it. Like you, we believe it. Maybe we all need psycho-therapy. Or maybe
we need change.
I conclusion: as objective as i can be - and without sounding arrogant -
Eisley is, at the very least, something new. Try to put 5 very similar
bands in the box with them and label it "Same Brand X". At best, Eisley's
music transcends everything I've said about positioning and who they
are; Maybe Eisley's music is meaningful and stirs our souls. Nothing else
really matters.
BTW - This went to press yesterday. Don't hold us to these exact colors
but we should have them ready in about a week. It's going on a light blue
T-shirt. New MERCH. YES! cheers.
Friday July 23
I Went Non-Postal
The Eisley Smithsonian
We're darting out the door soon - for a wedding at the Rose Garden.
Friends Lucas and April are tieing the knot. (congrats!) I have to be
quick.
Eisley is doing well... chirpy, lolly, holding a hap-happy vibe in the middle
of this atrophoric state. There are always stresses looming o're-head.
The stresses try to steal everyone's chirpy soul. But overall, eisely is
doing all the things they do when they're feeling good - shooting photos
outside around the house with sib's, staying up late watching old movies,
new movies, going to local shows (see my post somewhere:
http://eisley.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7719&start=15 ), making
brownies, writing music, drinking coffee, hanging out with friends, sitting
around the happyroom in the morning talking with fam', online with
friends, etc.
Yesterday I went non-postal. (many distractions) Sorry. If I were to
really talk about what's really in my head at all times, this forum would
be more popular because we all love the really engaging, dramatic
stuff...the gossip and secrets and behind-the-scene stuff. But if I
unearthed...or unleashed that kind of content, we'd have to re-name this
forum, The Boyd Enquirer.
Anyway, it's not like anything bad or weird is going on, ok. But, honestly,
every time I sit down to this monitor I have a choice: Say what's really
on my mind or say what I can say that's on my mind that won't get me
into trouble but still makes you aware that I'm being vunerable and...
respect you guys as friends.
There's still no word on Eisley's apparent rendezvous with Snow Patrol.
We're totally in the dark.
(see: http://eisley.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7755
I emailed management to find out info so the band could actually be
involved in the info-chain, but haven't heard back. I'm sure we'll get
caught up soon. It is cool to think of actual shows for a change, huh?
But I have the weight of the world on me... design wise. If those crazy
kids could come up with a name for the record, it would help. It's like
naming a band...and they're super picky. I don't blame them.
Icurate reminded me that old Eisley posters should be vaulted and
entombed for safety and longevity. Posters at the old Rev.Room span
several years and one of them even bares the name: "Sinclair" - the
name that lasted a month or two - after The Towheads and before
MossEisley. I saw old signed posters on the walls that will come down -
from 2001... Wish I had kept more of this memorabilia for our own Eisley
Smithsonian. I have quite a bit, but wasn't REALLY planning for what's
happened. I would have saved every little nugget, ticket, flyer, poster,
photo... I'd have started video-taping shows regularly...earlier. As it is,
I think I left a great paper trail and am always fascinated with the past
and keeping good records; but, I regret I didn't do more.
Still....if this all fizzels, it won't matter much; just something to stuff in the
attick and show grandkids.
Ok. gotta go. I guess this is Friday and Saturday so I'll post something
else this eve for today. Have a great day, yawwwl. bdaway.
Saturday July 24
Showdates On the Verge
Eisley Fans - Meet Snow Patrol
I'll post this in the "Eisley opens for Snow Patrol" thread also, but... for
those rare few who only read this update - I spoke with management
while we were at the wedding reception today and... the offer from Snow
Plow is for the entire tour. Management hasn't confirmed it or spoken
with the band because they're trying to tack down the last details of
getting the record wrapped up. We only have about 5 weeks to get it
done so the band can get on the road.
So, it's pretty much a done deal. Just letting you know. Here are the dates:
bd
9/3/2004
Culture Room
Ft. Lauderdale , FL, United States
9/4/2004
The State Theatre
Saint Petersburg, FL, United States
9/7/2004
Cotton Club
Atlanta, GA, United States
9/8/2004
The Norva
Norfolk, VA, United States
9/10/2004
9:30 Club
Washington DC, United States
9/11/2004
The Call
Providence, RI, United States
9/13/2004
Paradise Rock Club
Boston, MA, United States
9/14/2004
Irving Plaza
New York, NY, United States
9/17/2004
Opera House
Toronto, Canada
9/18/2004
St. Andrews Hall
Detroit , MI, United States
9/19/2004
Newport Music Hall
Columbus, OH, United States
9/20/2004
Metro
Chicago, IL, United States
9/22/2004
Quest
Minneapolis, MN, United States
9/23/2004
The Bottleneck
Lawrence, KS, United States
9/24/2004
Bluebird Theatre
Denver, CO, United States
9/28/2004
Richard's On Richards Cabaret
Vancouver, Canada
9/29/2004
The Showbox
Seattle, WA, United States
9/30/2004
Aladdin Theatre
Portland, OR, United States
10/2/2004
The Fillmore
San Francisco, CA, United States
10/3/2004
Harlow's Night Club
Sacramento, CA, United States
10/5/2004
Avalon (formerly The Palace)
Los Angeles, CA, United States
10/6/2004
Canes Bar & Grill
San Diego, CA, United States
10/8/2004
Marquee Theatre
Tempe, AZ, United States
10/9/2004
Plush
Tucson, AZ, United States
10/11/2004
La Zona Rosa
Austin, TX, United States
10/12/2004
Meridian
Houston, TX, United States
10/13/2004
GYPSY TEA ROOM
Dallas, TX, United States
10/15/2004
Zydeco
Birmingham, AL, United States
10/16/2004
Voodoo Music Experiance
New Orleans, LA, United States