Dispensations of Relevance (edit +1)
Sun Jun 08, 2008 3:08 pm
At DK's house prior to his well-planned bon-fire in the deep woods near his house at 3am
Multi-postal
I've never seen us post so many lil' bloggetts in a row. It's good, right?
Weird - we've made tons of entries from home - when we supposedly
have nothing to say. But we were supposed to blog tons from the
road when we supposedly had something to say. Actually, I do have
something important to say today. Good stuff. btw have you ever looked
up the word blog? I did... on one of those urban dictionaries:
click to read more important news
1. blog
n. Short for weblog.
A meandering, blatantly uninteresting online diary that gives the author the
illusion that people are interested in their stupid, pathetic life. Consists of
such riveting entries as "homework sucks" and "I slept until noon today."
Chauntelle watching Vedera in audience @ Rocketown before her show in Nashville
Bloggernots
Of course, Chauntelle hasn't blogged much. I can't say I blame her. In fact,
I back her 100% on whatever she wants or doesn't want to do right now.
Jeeze. I started to name this post: The Throes of Grace and I was
going to try to disguise my intent by talking about Sherri's horrid
ear-ache. Like a slide of hands. Actually they both are rocking right now...
and aches are subsiding. btw - did you ever realize that the word ear
lives inside the word heart? I didn't know until I was searching for a
clever way to define two kinds of pain. Also - did you ever think the body
part known as a stomach, might better be termed:stom unless it
(the stom) has an ache? That just came to me.
"Dispensations" (title cut for this album)
This post title was chosen specifically to throw you off. My bent toward
clandestinance (no it's not a word) has been amped to new levels lately.
Sorry. It's a way to communicate sublime messages to your brain without
you knowing I am slowly turning you into metal (60's) robots with those
accordion, rubber arm things w/ pinchers on the ends. Soon, I will give you
the command. No... seriously. Since I'm so honest, I'll tell you straight up
what my subject line is referring to:
Firstly, I was just sitting here staring at the blank canvas... fingers
hovering over silv'ry keys... contemplating life... thinking about what to
write about. I started thinking about the history of eisley and her various
dispensations... especially the relationships/partnerships; I was thinking
about how we've worked with some really cool people. For those of you
who don't know the band's history - we really have worked with some of
the best managers in the biz... Dave Holmes (Coldplay's management),
Rick DeVoe (Blink182's management). Eisley has grown leaps and bounds
as a hard-working, indie band under these great people. We appreciate
them greatly; where would we be without them and others?
But now - strangely - perhaps through the natural course of history,
we are self-managed. That is to say - I represent the band in perhaps
the most tangible, naturally connected, idealogical way... spearheading and
championing the collective ideas of the band. I have inadvertently been
making decisions for Eisley... with Eisley, since the beginning of time -
even before the Spam, Slice-0-Whacker was invented. And even
when the ideas seem to be mine, they are always the band's ideas too...
like our brains are tied together by genetic wave-strands - I dunno.
Sometimes it's eerie how simul our thoughts and sensibilities are. I suppose
the trust factor is something we've been able to establish over time. As you
know... there's been plenty of that.
I've been working for this band since before there were any "dreams
for me". I am perhaps the most surprised that I have a role with a title -
much less any official role within this organism. From photographer to
designer to web-guy to tour manager - to manager, I've worked as liaison
for the band... making decisions w/ management, label, agent.... and
mostly with Eisley since '98. I've worked with (I swear i am going
somewhere with all this) virtually every department at WB, I've nurtured
the vital relationships w/ all those guys on the inside and all those out -
promoters, writers, publicists, sponsors, publishers and least not - the
special ones that facilitate everything I am discussing: fans.
You've all been very gracious to Eisley... so loyal, protective,
defensive, faithful... to all of us within this bizarre', relational structure. We
all know - the familial vibe w/ this cottage industry approach has not the
popular one. It's been on a slow growth curve. I mean... they aren't the
Jonas Brothers and Eisley.com is certainly not the Disney Channel; we
haven't seen a great deal of 'success'. But that depends on your definition
of success doesn't it (another topic)? Yet, Eisley is still here; still lighting up
the dark forest w/o casualties (ok, a few... cuts and buises, gashes,
amputations). I can't get away from Sherri's words - in the beginning: "With
lightbulbs in our pockets, we light the darkened forest". We learn, we live,
we grow, we trod, we fight the fight... and must maybe, we pave the way
for others. And we drink coffee often. That keeps us grounded.
Where was I? Oh... I was going to say - speaking of my affinity and
work w/ this band: I've only ever wanted them to succeed because I
believe in them; in their music. Period. As you know, this has never been
about me. I'm a pauper. A starving artist. I am only talking about me
because I am setting up a conversation about my lack.
I am not the end all. I have skills but am limited. Sure - have several
strong qualities: a.) I never give up and b.) i stick with the game-plan.
True, perhaps... I throw caution to the wind 
. My wife probably thinks I'm
crazy by now. Sticking with the plan has spelled adventure... also hardship,
pain, fun, fear, joy... (insert any words you want here). But I have no
regrets. Eisley has been the plan for 10 years; we've stuck to it
because...that what you do. Giving up is the wuss way out. Bands that quit
simply die. Dieing is not an option.
I think if i were a dog, I'd be the kind that doesn't bite; but if I did bite...
and my teeth finally sunk into something, I'd be that really stupid kind of
dog that wouldn't let go. I'd look like a scrawny pit bull... with no growl.
People would be kicking me and trying to pull me off... they'd eventually
grab bats and knives and whallup me. I'd probably die like that. It could be
a bad thing - yes; there are risks. So what. Life is a risk. There are no
guarantee's. So you stick to what you love and what you believe in.
Stick-to-a-tive-ness is important ('specially in marriage). Not letting go is
the key ingredient in longevity. That's my thing - our thing - with Eisley.
This is my essential understanding. Take one step in front of the other one
- every day.
But I also understand that the emerging "music industry" is
changing. I understand that the "recording industry" is dying. I understand
how it's going to break apart and what the pieces/parts to the whole look
like. I also see clearly how record labels are going to survive; I see how
bands are going to survive; I understand that publishing and sponsorships
and licensing and touring and merch sales and lifestyle marketing and
relational marketing and web-marketing and relational websites and
international marketing are the new revenue streams for bands in a market
where CD's aren't selling as fast as ipods and iphones and itunes . I
understand that retailers are selling 25% less CD's than they did in 2000
and that Walmart has just thrown in the towel (no more CD sku's) and that
other mass marketers and chains will follow in their footsteps.
But i do NOT know understand or know everything
(surprised?). This is why I am making the decision to partner with a very
smart person who have more experience than myself (and this small
enclave of die-hards). If you assumed I had an ego, well... think (about
me) again. Sure, I'm a pretty big deal, but I'm not so big that I can't admit
that I need someone to help me co-manage this band. btw - if I have to
say i'm just kidding about being a big deal, then I quit. If you don't know
me by now... you will never, never, never know me.
With no further fanfare: Ladies and bro's... meet the very unique,
very accomplished, very intelligent, strangely extraordinary with a twist of
quirkish whimsy: Jason Miller. Relatively young - circa 1980 model human,
he's first - a music lover and has been a fan since he was handed
MossEisley's ep1 (circa 2002) at Warner Bros Records. Confused? It will
make sense, i swear. He ended up in this strange industry by running a fan
website for a band (greenday.com) in '94 - which happened to be the year
that Green Day and the internet became household names.
As fate would have it, the head of Warner's New Media at the time
(his friend Jimmy Dickson - now an itunes honcho w/ Apple) was stoked
over his skill-set and introduced him to the (then) pres' of Warner Reprise
(Howie Klein) who would later hire him (in between segments of his touring
career). I can't imagine being in this role at 19. uhh? At that age, I was
studying art in College, playing in bands, blaring Dark Side of the Moon
(and some 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky) out my college dorm with my
brother, Wade, who is none other than Garron of Eisley's dad.
Anyway, his connection w/ WB and Howie led him to Kevin Lyman, creator
and owner of the Warped Tour - who became his next mentor... bringing
him on the tour, teaching him production skills, etc...
I could say a lot, but it might take too long. He's currently writing his
International Affairs thesis on "Possible Solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian
Conflict", primarily working/living in Montreal, Canada (still spends some
time in Los Angeles - but only when he needs to, for business), etc. He is former
head of New Media at Warner Reprise, he's worked as a tour manager
and tour accountant for some impressively huge bands as well as some small
ones; let's see, what else; he has a ridiculous mind - almost an encyclopedic
knowledge of more subjects than I've ever heard about, he's tri-lingual:
(English, Spanish, German... learning French currently so would that be
Quadro-linguistical?), he's a techno-geek (Apple and other recording +
live technologies, communication technologies, recording technologies,
etc.) a natural administrator, he's goal-oriented (success-oriented - he
accomplishes his goals) he's very strategic, understands branding/marketing;
oh - he also worked as CTO (chief technology officer) for the Warped Tour, and
now is in the process of starting clinics in and around the Montreal area for drug
and alcohol addiction treatment... on and on.
On the music side, but he is all about artist development, has a
grasp on the new world (similarly, he was championing the cause at WB to
move into the digital realm way back in the day). Now everyone is moving
into the digital realm, right? Jeeze, what else are we gonna do?
Interestingly, we have some answers to that question . I think you will
love the outcome:
New music for one; new music and touring is always at the core of Eisley's
happy thought/s. Hope you agree.
Speaking of new music... omgosh. Coldplay's new record! I mean, of
course, I couldn't have heard it... but woah. %!%$# Buy it in 4 days - June
12th. We will be in line with copies and cash. This is not an ad and nobody
cares what I say anyway. Simply - when you believe in a band, you buy
their CD's... as long as CD's are still around, that is.
Anyway, Jason's artist management company has offices in Montreal, Los
Angeles, Spain... and now - Tyler, TX. weird, right? I am a branch (yes!).
I'm not only a co-manager, I am an office; rather - we are an
office. Ok, maybe Eisley is the band. Kim is the office. I am probably...
mmm... just a bunch of wires and the hum of a Mac intertwined with flesh.
Speaking of Mac's - I now have two. My old G4 and the newish MacBook Pro
that Jason gave me. All's i gotta do is fix the screen. woot.
I could go on and on about the new dispensation, but won't. There will be
time for all that. I have already written, yet, another novelous post... and
most of you dropped off 1000 words ago. No apologies.
Bottom line - Jason is stoked to be working with Eisley. We are equally
stoked to be working with someone who shares our big dreams for Eisley.
He is going to be a powerful ally. His knowledge of the biz (especially the
restructured one), his natural affinity w/ technology, his understanding of
domestic and foreign markets (yes, including Canada), his background w/
sponsorships, new media, his ridiculous touring experience, and his
connection within the music biz are going to help move things forward
rapidly. He's one of the most resourceful people I have ever met.
Oh, and I have some more Eis-pics for you; that's probably all you wanted.
MORE PICS
Garron glows with red-ruby luminance for this lush photo-op.
Chauntelle in NYC. Highline show. good times.
Garron blurred himself so that the lens would focus on cous' Weston. I swear this isn't photoshop.
Minneapolis keeps growing. Chauntelle's hardest day of the tour.
I think this was just Garron's night or something. He charmed the camera.
omgosh - this coffee house. I want to bring it home.
Actual fire. There were probably 15 people out there.
w/ Jay-bird and fam' on the beach... St Pauley's, NC (right?)
April 10 - Sunrise Theatre, Southern Pines, NC. They were amazing people and our hospitality was freaking awesome.
DesMoines was a rocking show. We loved the people. Have us back.
Minneapolis keeps growing. Chauntelle's hardest day of the tour.
We went on a hike. We found a train. I have other shots.
John's last tour... sad. I shot this to commemorate his rememberance.
Bus, Tree's, dim lights, around about were Jamie, Nora and friends
-----------------------------------------------
EDIT
My inSIGNIFICANT blog was covered up by Sherri's neato photos so this
post probably won't get a lot of comments. And I don't care that this is
covered up. Dang i love her stuff.
All of this news of management alliance is just about me keeping you guys
informed. And I read a comment about how since I'm managing the band,
you won't know anything anymore. Actually - you'll know more. The
info-buck stops here.
Also - the reason I added an (edit+1) is because I wanted you guys to
know we're going to brand the management company... and it will be
eisley-centric. Not overtly, as in a song lyric, but... we're going to combine
the best of eisley and business. Working on identity now. Am i stoked? yup.
No more edits. New news will merit a new post. Cya!
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