Update + Industry Banter
Mon Sep 28, 2009 12:07 pm
Detail of pic we shot for Mesa/Eisley. Jamie (Antrider) shot it!
TROLLEY OFF TRACK? - I often stare at this journal entry page with full intent to update but decide not. The blank canvas gets me; it's not fear, laziness, lack of passion. It's a content issue. 'What to say' about our reality poses problems sometimes. Also - not gonna lie... Twitter is fast, convenient. I get more work done that actually helps the band. Anyway, after 140 words, what's left to say. Fluff. I blow it out and u end up breathing it.
Stacy chillin'. Shot by Jessie or someone.
Trollywood requires effort. Effort is fine... 'been making it for quite some time. I guess - if u guys want more Trolleywood updates, cool. Doable. I just don't like forcing things. I don't sense the interest and there are newer relational portals that cover the bases; we can broadcast most of what we consider to be important new elsewhere. Still, I don't want to abandon Trolleywood. It's still the culdesac, the coffee table... a conversation with friends.
The 'fraidy-cats got flu shots. Touring is germy.
Another reason for the diminishing posts syndrome (DPS)... it's an awkward position for me to be sitting on sensitive info. (some time sensitive) that I can't share. Hate it. It's reality. U have no idea... there were so many things were shoved under the carpet during the past 18 months. At some point, I'm probably just going to stop posting altogether... or I'm going spill my guts. Instead of TrolleyWood: No More Mr Nice Guy... or forget that; maybe I'll just write a book that warns bands of the wilds of this crazy industry. OR better - a book about a space worm epidemic. The main character will be a Snow Yetti. He alone will have the bacteria in his blood that can save the world. Only - he'll be the variety of monster that eats human heads... because he likes the taste. He will hide out in snow caves in the frosty tundra known as the Abuzabundee Mountains. The end.
Taylor Guitar shoot snapshot.
CONTINUED RANT - I was talking to a friend who's a SR A&R at a indie label who spoke at a conference in Australia about the music industry. His favorite quote: "The genie is out of the bottle... and guess what... he's never returning..." Great metaphor, right? I would add: Free is an attractive option for everyone - for the weak and the strong. It's wrong and moral compass's are no longer working; cheap is better than free but make no mistake... no matter what people pay or don't pay... music has held it's value. The price tag has little to do with that value. Music is life... it's not a luxury we hope to afford or even a commodity we need to help make life bearable... it's air... water... And music is winning even if the shoddy industry who keeps struggling to monetize, market & distribute it is losing the game.
This is just an iPhone shot but we also did a shoot for Taylor Guitars/Eisley which you will see at some point. Jamie also shot.
Do I think it should have a price tag? Yes. Do I agree with those British artists currently ranting about illegal downloads (hurting the little guys)? Sure. It hurts bands like eisley but it also helps bands like eisley. We all trade music... discover music, go to shows, buy cd's, t-shirts, etc. But even if not - we can't cry over what we can't fix. The music Moguls mismanaged the precious and now it belongs to everyone. They had a cookie but dropped it... and it's mostly their fault. We can't blame technology. Labels might should stop trying to monetize all of the ancillary products band's need to actually 'make it' in this biz'.
Chauntelle backed up Christie at a well-attended BrewTones show Saturday night.
The band is talking about having her open on a future tour. She's really coming along.
Possible that bro' Collin might accompany.
I quote my brother in a recent email. I think this is brilliant: "The economics of music are upside down like a roach lying on it’s back. The labels can’t get traction. Yet the demand for music is huge… Supply is as near as your cell phone… Everybody’s brother is now a studio putting out indie music on their Mac or PC.... no longer are the poor musicians unable to make themselves heard without the big money structure… Distribution has had it’s legs cut off by the internet… Labels are saying “it’s just a flesh wound!” (Holy Grail). I guess the live show is about all that is left… barring an endorsement now and then".
You who follow Twitter might have seen this. Weston/Garron are weird and don't care what anyone thinks.
Not saying we don't need labels; I'm not picking on them. I have this conversation with them. There are no answers really. They're going after band's stuff... what else is there? People are not buying CD's anymore. I'll stop there. I wrote a paragraph and duh-leted it. Having worked with a major for 7 years, I know what what walks and what talks. The individuals who believe in you are the only ones who end up helping your band. The rest is usually corporate Bulls@it.
Sherri uses her iPhone a lot when Max is out of town... but what a happy girl these days.
BIG WUPDATE
Whether there is much to say or I prefer not to say it, one thing is for sure... the Tour is on track! And the ep is on track! (I protest exclamation marks but those 2 sentences merit). We'll preview this Monday October 5th. I am talking to Jason at ap.net to see if he wants an exclusive. He has given a head nod but it might be best to push the content here as well. Will let you know. Not trying to hype, but we might as well show u guys the cover, the litho, the track listing and a clip of one of the songs.
Peek of the boo. I tried to cover it up. Some of you saw this shot on Twitter.
FIRE KITE EP - will be available the next day - Tuesday - on itunes... and the physical version will be available at the shows that day as well. The band is playing both songs from the ep plus an xtra from the new lp. They are surely going to present a delectable smattering of the best of previous records.
This is one of those iPhone panorama shots but u get the idea. It's way smaller than this.
REHEARSAL - is going better than ever. Friend Steven Rogers hooked us up with friend George Montalvo who runs communications at Grace Fellowship here in T-town, who hooked us up and got sign off's to rehearse in his lock and key room video studio room. The band is isolated and can rehearse non-stop. Intense rehersal-ing... Todd is running monitors, they're hooked up on in-ears... Not for the light-hearted. Hard core day after day... werkin' it. blah, blah... aws'm.
It's cool for me because i get to see these beautiful instruments all the time... up close.
The LP - There's a lot I might want to say but won't/can't. I love it. Happy to let a few cats out of the bag on October 13th. You've waited for a long time. I wholeheartedly believe next year will be filled with new opportunities and good vibe. Oh, and lots of touring that new LP.
LaRose Guitars - I don't like to push this on our sites and Todd doesn't push me to do this but i see his Tweets and know he and Chauntelle need to sell that axe he made for her last year. Getting married is expensive and she said they should just sell it. My guess is - there might be .1% of you who would even be in the market for such a work of art. Todd's guitars are up there. His guitars are only for the serious. See the main pic? Why do you think Mesa wanted LaRose in the shot. Anyway, here's the ebay link if any of you are interested: http://tinyurl.com/lwewuu
You will see/hear the band playing them on tour. They are custom built for certain sounds the band needs/utilizes/recorded on their record. So there. Boom Shot!
Chauntelle in N.O. restaurant when we were there for MM show
I gotta get back to work. fyi - sometimes I blow fluff-o-tweets and even feature behind the scene band shiz if anyone expects more (here) from this hack-writer. It's usually ridiculous so i really don't advise following. So why am I promoting it... I'm not, but pls follow http://twitter.com/eisley - especially on this upcoming tour. We will be wanting to send immediate messages to you guys. There will be weird opportunities along the way. Those who follow and check eisley's twitter will hopefully enjoy some close encounters, in-stores, coffee moments, special whatever's... but mostly, you will be armed with time sensitive updates and info about the tour and surrounding opportunities. Thanks.
Sherri uses her iPhone a lot when Max is out of town... but what a happy girl these days.
Parting shot
We will see you guys soon. There will be more posts if you want. cya.
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