Week 9. Finishing the CDGraphics / TOUR INFO
Mon Dec 13, 2004 4:57 pm
MONDAY DECEMBER 13, 2004
A Short Breather from the Corner
» Vote for Subterranean’s Best of 2004
http://www.mtv.com/onair/mtv2/subterranean/best_of_2004/index.jhtml
Post the above link wherever you go - on-line. I'd doubt if Eisley is a top
contender - considering this line up, but it can't hurt, right? They were in
regular rotation on Subterranean for awhile. Maybe we have some pull
power by our numbers. (forgive if this is already out on the forum
somewhere... I've been hybernating from my e-life)
CDGraphic Cerebral Stew
The cover is the hardest, sure... but the rest of the project has so many
complexities, including templates, building mechanicals, making type fit
(especially because a certain forum enclave requested all the lyrics to be
on the insert); I have this quagmire of criteria that I run every decision
through... the sequence of the experience determines what visuals are
assimilated... (when this opens, what do they see and how does it relate
to the title and the graphics they've already seen), how do the color fields
relate from the outside to the inside, what are the selected images
conveying about Eisley's reality... too glam, too indie, too serious, does
everyone look ok or does just Sherri rOcK!? etc. On and on... this
working model has constants but shifts randomly based on the
keenest thought I can muster at the time... what will Eisley think...what
will you think, what will the industry think?...critics, the label,
the WORLD!!?? It's really not safe to be me. My mind is too clouded with
weighing out the greys. I live in the 20% part of the 80%... that's the part
where most type A, sales people/execs think is worthless and wasteful.
So...WB art department just called me to ask the proverbial
question: how's it coming since the drop dead deadline for approval is
Wednesday? I'm 85% finished...which means I'm being true to form. The
rest 15% is what I'll obsess over till the pdf's fly out of my Titanium mid
tomorrow morning. (well, I said I'd have it on their desk by the time they
arrive, which is like 9-10am pacific time...heck, that's noon my time)
Gotta go. Sorry if this has gotten boring. I admit, it's seemed a bit more
like my Xanga and that's lame. There ARE a few cool things brewing
however... news about the Eisley headlining tour - like, I should have it
by the end of the day so stay connected. And there are a few other
things... at least in my mind; if I have time to do them. That made no
sense. I'm very toast... having crashed at 5am (last night/this morn) but
tonight I might not sleep at all.
Perspective on where we're at: Chauntelle told me a few minutes ago:
"I'm finally getting excited about this record coming out". I think seeing
graphics somehow is making it real to them. OK bye.
3:15am
I'm getting close! I'm getting close! - just finished showing the band
members that were hanging out downstairs with friends all the panels. A
great reaction. Sweet. For some reason, I always know that if i like
something, they'll like it... so it's never scary showing anything to them.
Anyway, I just finished shooting more stuff from Sherri's sketch book so
I can make sure there's enough sweet eye candy for you guys. I'm really
not joking... Especially today, as I was designing, I was thinking... what
would I want to see if I were on the outside looking in. If it looks right
and works conceptually, I consider it for usage.
OK. Gotta go. Looks like it's gonna be a long night. I have the entire
"label" for the cd to do... (that's the screening on the cdr). I have to
include every song this time...so, there's a lot to pile on there. gotta go.
See you sun-up (or earlier if I need a break from graphics). Writing
copy is easy. I'm not supposed to be good at it...so, I can have fun being
a hak. 'nite. bd
7:20am
Think I'll get a few hours and hit it again. All pdf's are cooked and ready
to send... just a few questions still floating around in my mind that I need
to sleep on. A fresh look and an hour or so of tweaks might solve the
problem before delivering the eagle. 'nite.
Mamma, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Artists...
Up all night. Crashed from 7:45 till 10:00 - got up, rethought the cdr
label, tweaked it and sent everything by 10:15 pacific time. btw. I just
read the posts on this thread... thanks for the nice words. Thank you.
I was thinking about how some of your responses focused on the
originality of the band - or, I guess their involvement, their hand, their
thumbprint being on all of the creative processes...and then I got to
thinking about how they produced two songs on their first full length - and
how punk rock their attitudes have been lately about everything. Then it
hit me - maybe that's why Eisley comes off "indie". It's a philosophy, not
a status. Here's the thought process that led me to my foregone
epiphany.
Anywayz I extrapolated the idea: I first thought - well, I guess every band
that's now on a major label was at one time "indie", right?...hmm...as if
their prior identity was wrapped up in their (prior) status? no way... and
(along the same lines) would it mean that their new identity on a major
label would shift automatically to the opposite of self-reliant, self
directing, free-spirited, rugged individualism (an American thing - so
we're taught).
So, then I thought - well, then it's not contractual status, or necessarily
even self-reliance...because there are probably plenty bands that are
very involved and self-reliant...who are not "indie" at all. Think of..Linkin
Park or whatever. They are very plugged into everything they do.
So what is it about Eisley's work, character, creative involvement that
makes them indie? It's their vision... Sure, it might can be supported by
the industry eventually - mtv, clearchannel, trl, major labels, etc. but it
(Eisley's vision) does not belong to the industry). And btw - it's not my
vision either. I happen to share the same vision, but I didn't impart it to
them - not directly, at least, as if it were a fabrication... a plan, an
invention.
So my mental ascent began to take wings, after having picked up tiny
nuggets from various realms- and I came full circle: maybe it IS
the music... and the emancipated spirit, and the vision that's so indie
about Eisley.
All I know is that you will see Eisley's dna throughout every fiber of their
expression - visually, musically. The CD graphics are chocked full of their
world. It's easy to interpret this world. It's all around me.
Or maybe i just need to get some sleep.
tilt. (plop)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wedesday December 15th Working Thru Projects
Hey everyone! Again, I don't have much time...(as you can see, it's the
first time i've been on line today) Quick update for the record: (get it? for
the record?) I got thumbs up on the package! There are only minor
tweaks...type things/copy things, very insignificant. Nothing artsy, which
makes us really, really happy.
Gotta make the changes, and muscle it out the door... then finish the
sticker that applies to the front and try to slam out the vinyl art. After
that, I have to cram, cram, cram, cram-slam on the website.
Then there's this tour that starts January 31 and lasts for a few weeks.
Obviously, the record will HIT while we're on the road. Sound good?
There are lots of request for encoded masters these days. CD's are flying
out of WB's office like frizbee's. The evil critics are lined up...(sorry
Joseph, sorry Eddie...write whatever you want...our friendship is all that's
at steak 
) I know Blender got their copy and have pen in hand.
They wanted xtra info...xtra scoop, so we were accomodating. And,
Absolutepunk.net wants to do a review! woah. I talked to the guy... he's
a fan. That's sorta cool i think. Anyway, on this topic, there is lots of
activity. And it's going to get out of hand...especially on the road. The
difference between a band with a full length major record release and
one that has a few ep's out is enormous.
Let's hope those reviews are sweet. If not...will you promise just to all
move to Tyler and we can open up...like this little mini-Vegas show room
for Eilsey to play every weekend; And they could charge just enough to
enable them to keep writing songs and making ep's. And everyone in
bands could just use the 'lil auditorium (eisleyville) for their own bands to
practice in...and the scene could grow and Tyler could be this little piece
of music heaven. ok. Let's do that. Grandpa...could you and Ryan
organize it? Thanks.
Meanwhile, I have to get back to work. It's been nice. All 10 minutes.
No spell check. gotta go. Much love.
boydee-boo
p.s.forgot to mention. dropped the band off at 10:30pm to
begin rigorously rehearsing and planning the New Years Eve
show. It was collllldddd unloading. Stacy and Sherri are
worried they're getting sick. not good. So they made
"emergen-C" drinks before we went out the door.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 16, 2004
WAVE LOSS ...the secrets of sleep - Unlocked!
JUST KIDDING...
That was a hookey headline. Unfortunately, I don't understand sleep. I
can tell you this: lots of sleep = a Thick brain. Little sleep = a Thin brain.
I prefer Thin. Also, consistent sleep is better than sporatic, random
swings between no sleep and lots. Avoid sleep hangovers. Also...thin =
creative. Thick = quagmirical sludge.
The Tour
So...I keep waiting for details on that lil' tour I keep talking about.
Management won't give me anything until they give me EVERYthing. I can
tell you...(or will tell you) it's heading West. It starts in Houston and
heads West - ending in Dallas some 2 weeks later. It's anyone's guess as
to which major cities the tour will go. My guess (BIG DISCLAIMER) is that
it heads...umm, West. Why guess?
I do know the openers. 2 openers. Eisley had little to do with the
selection, just so you'll know, but that's not a disclaimer that points
toward a lame outcome. Actually, I think the main support is a great
choice and I think it'll be a great match. I confess - at this moment, I
haven't heard the first band, but soon will.
Of course, the tour will go to LA. Of course, it will go to San Diego, and
other major pit stops... I'm guessing all the way up to Seattle? I dunno.
I'm guessing again.
Album Graphics Closure
I finished tweaking and making the small typo revisions to the various
panels. btw. It's a standard 6 panel, tri-fold insert...traycard (inlay) front
and back...and of course, the label (the cdr screening). I'm sending new
pdf's off to everyone for a last round of proofing. Then I have to pull
bleeds, double check modes, get some color proofs, flight check,
compress, burn to dvd, send FedX... then official match color proofing,
revisions if any, sign-off, final film.
WB Strength
During the interim, I have to work on SO much stuff. I won't get into it,
but today I received an unexpected, impromptu converence call from all
the heavy's at the label, plus one of my new favorite guys also in the
meeting from management (Ricky) who is a brilliant guy from Capitol...
he's a genius at merch. We're really going to deliver some great stuff;
lots of it, lots of variety... very cool.
Anyway, they were like..."boyd, we wanted to talk to you about the
website...and schedules and...blah, blah, blah... we're really pumped
about how everything is going; it's looking great...e-merge site is really
outperforming our other bands, Eisley's fans are amazing, the new media
player is almost finished, massive e-blasts will go out from other bands,
traffic is going to get heavy...we need to get something up fast, also we
need a email template for emerge and we want boyd stuff over there...
can you write some stuff? and how about some content... some exclusive
stuff and...we need the band to do some custom art work for these fans"
and on and on and on.
I really, really like these people... they're enthusiastic, they never stop
dreaming...thinking...figuring out ways to get the word out on Eisley - on
line. Very smart. And, whether it sounds suspicious or not - they love the
band. Some of them have told me how - after getting their official copy of
the cd, they've played "Room Noises" non-stop. I've been in many
corporate settings - worked with tons of different kinds of people. I know
ego's, I know styles, types... but nothing really matters unless there is
truely inspired talent. I get lots of encouragement from them, lots of
direction, and I'm learning tons. Very thankful.
5 Interviews this week. 6 if you count the scoop that Blender was digging
for. Rehearsals are in full swing... major progress is being made on all
fronts. It is... as someone said, getting exciting. Goodnight. bd
p.s. be looking for that media player soon. very soon. like...soon.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 17, 2004
EISLEY THE ELECTED THE COLOUR
...and, I'm working on the Vinyl Art!
THAT'S THE TOUR. I still don't have dates. I have a poster due. I guess
you guys know that "The Elected" is Blake's band from Rilo Kiley. This
should be a great match... Blake is a super nice guy, a genuine music
lover, very indie, writes wonderful melodic, folksy-indie-pop and has a
great band. Eisley feels very honored to have such a superstar like Blake
opening. Well, those are my words...but, they're very humbled.
I don't know anything about the Colour, but I think they're from LA. All of
this is set up by management and agent. So far, they've done a great job.
Sweet Vinyl
I'm working on the vinyl art!! wow. What can I say. It's been a life's
dream. Though I was an inspired young illustrator/artist, I was too young
when everything converted...by 80, when I graduated, LP's were starting
to fade away...and I never had an opportunity to do anything for this
wonderful, warm, ancient medium. (a medium with big real estate)
More than likely, because of time constraints and limitations, I'm going to
blow the cd up and slap it on the big boy. (sounded very cheesy on
purpose). I'll absolutely put a big picture of me on the back.
Art Monkey
So... I also have to have several other significant projects finished by
monday morning so...looks like the art monkey/slave will not break for
air. It's getting sad again. When I pop out of the room, they all gasp and
look at me like..."what are YOU doing in here"?
But today I was up and down... the band had 3 phoners and I had
numerous calls from WB. You can't imagine my e-mail bin. Today was
fairly light..only 20 from the label. But it all spells progress. It spells
momentum. The beginning of the stage the band might have thought
they'd been at a year ago. All in good timing, right?
New Found Dates
Hey! There are some dates up for the NfG Tour! Garrett emailed me
tonight. (It's the first blog)
http://www.newfoundglory.com/
Apologetics
Guys, I'm doing a terrible job of keeping you informed. I've been
spending an average of 15 minutes per day on this forum... a place i
dearly love. I apologize. I believe things will somehow return to normal. I
can't say how soon, but it will... right? I mean... it will.
The Brink/The Beginning
Today a wave of reality hit me. Mail brought a bunch of cd's from fans
who wanted responses, all kinds of old and new friends were calling the
house, there were calls from 3 journalist, 6-7 calls from the label,
multiple streams of communication, news coming in, responses going out,
new responsibilities being dumped, people - in/out, coming/going,
wanting, requesting, deadlines, practice, tours, posters, phone ringing,
demands, stress...confusion...CHAOS!!
It occurred to me that things were dropping through the cracks; and
we're not even really IN-to this lifestyle full-fledged. I already can't keep
up. I started wondering how bands who are really in the lime-light,
or...band that are really big - survive. For now, it's great being small. I
almost don't want it to change. With recognition and visibility comes
weirdness and all manner of stress, i think. But I don't know.
ok. That's all. Thanks. Merry Christmas. I might have a little surprise
soon.
boyd
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2004
THE MEDIA PLAYER IS UP
http://www.hyfntrak.com/eisley/fromafriend/
NOW, if you're wanting to gain those e-merge points, don't send the link
from here or from your email. Do it from emerge, but in case some of
you aren't into all of that ....here's the link.
I wanted to show you guys the player right after i finished it in Flash, but
had to wait for WB to load it up with goodies. Wanted to do something
that looked very eisley...sorta indie-ish, but professional at the same
time... and not glam.
In other news. I have a thread out there in Eisley blog soliciting your help
in naming the upcoming short headlining tour. There are about 4 pages
already. Thanks for the help. I think we might have it...
ok. it's late. gotta get some slam shut eye. bdout.
77 Comments