I have twenty-six minutes until Erik picks me up to go play at the Magic Stick's Christmas thingamajig. Before I get my Martha on, I will spin you a tale.
-------------------------------
Mick Bassett was just like any other boy in town, except for one very small detail - he was very, very good at baking cookies! He could make any kind of cookie you could imagine - chocolate chip, shortbread, sugar, almond, no recipe was outside of his baker's instinct. Men, women, and children from all over the globe journeyed to get a taste of Mick's legendary cookies. Other bakers and chefs were baffled - how could this nobody have trumped their own deeply refined craft so mightly? One baker in particular found himself so jealous that he could think of nothing else. This baker's name was Jeremy Smith.
Jeremy was a baker in a town not far from Mick's. He worked seven days a week at his bakery, manning the ovens from open to close. Business had been steady until the sudden revelation of Mick's gift. Now Jeremy considered himself lucky to get three customers a day. He knew something had to be done - but what?
The answer came to him in a dream. In this dream two angels came to him from on high, playing their harps sweetly as they fluttered to earth. These angels were named Gordon Smith and Ryan Wiese. They explained to Jeremy that there was a very easy solution to his very big problem. Gordon drew Jeremy very near and whispered the answer. Jeremy couldn't believe what a fool he'd been - the answer was right in front of him all along! The two angels and Jeremy shared a big hug, then went their separate ways.
The next day when the thousands upon thousands came on their pilgrimage to Mick's bakery, they were sorely disappointed. Mick had baked no cookies that day. He had been poisoned with arsenic.
The end.
-------------------------------
Happy Holidays!
-J
Friday, December 19, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Update from the Annex
I'm in bed as I type this. I have a bit of a cold, or a fever, i'm not sure which. My head feels like it's filled with helium. My body is sore for no reason at all. I have become REALLY LAME.
It's been almost a year since the JSB Squad mission began. It started out as Jeremy, Erik and I getting together to play a show because I told Mick I'd have a band ready to open for him, and has now ballooned to an eleven member extravaganza. I'm pleased with the progress. I think those who have been to a squad show have been equally pleased, if not more so. We are, as you may know, the mayors of Pleasure Town.
It's also been almost a year since the release of the first Mick Bassett & The Marthas EP, and we are on the precipice of releasing our sophomore effort. This one will excite you, I promise . . . it's turning out much grittier, rock 'n' rollier. I'm excited.
I lied to everyone and said I'd release an acoustic EP at the end of November. I never ended up completing it. To be honest, it's become very hard to be enthusiastic about music lately. Any artist will tell you they go through their ups and downs, both creatively and motivationally, and this is definitely a period of motivational drudgery for me. I can barely get out of bed these days, let alone set up a microphone or bash out some chords on the piano. It all takes too much effort. I'm thinking of this as my vacation. Hopefully it'll be over soon, I'm getting a little homesick.
I'm going to bed. Hugs and Kisses.
-Jesse
It's been almost a year since the JSB Squad mission began. It started out as Jeremy, Erik and I getting together to play a show because I told Mick I'd have a band ready to open for him, and has now ballooned to an eleven member extravaganza. I'm pleased with the progress. I think those who have been to a squad show have been equally pleased, if not more so. We are, as you may know, the mayors of Pleasure Town.
It's also been almost a year since the release of the first Mick Bassett & The Marthas EP, and we are on the precipice of releasing our sophomore effort. This one will excite you, I promise . . . it's turning out much grittier, rock 'n' rollier. I'm excited.
I lied to everyone and said I'd release an acoustic EP at the end of November. I never ended up completing it. To be honest, it's become very hard to be enthusiastic about music lately. Any artist will tell you they go through their ups and downs, both creatively and motivationally, and this is definitely a period of motivational drudgery for me. I can barely get out of bed these days, let alone set up a microphone or bash out some chords on the piano. It all takes too much effort. I'm thinking of this as my vacation. Hopefully it'll be over soon, I'm getting a little homesick.
I'm going to bed. Hugs and Kisses.
-Jesse
Saturday, May 24, 2008
BLUE CIRCLE, RUBBER BANDS
JSB SQUAD
BLUE CIRCLE, RUBBER BANDS
1. The Unfinished Adventures of Agatha
2. Battling Hindsight
3. ????
4. Ezekiel's Habitat
5. Head In the Sand
6. Factors of Astrology
7. Changing of Turns
8. Sunlight
9. You Said You Saw Red
10. The Limit Lost
To be released June 20, 2008! Woohoo!
BLUE CIRCLE, RUBBER BANDS
1. The Unfinished Adventures of Agatha
2. Battling Hindsight
3. ????
4. Ezekiel's Habitat
5. Head In the Sand
6. Factors of Astrology
7. Changing of Turns
8. Sunlight
9. You Said You Saw Red
10. The Limit Lost
To be released June 20, 2008! Woohoo!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Okay so I've been slacking
Well it seems it's somehow almost been a month since my last entry. Oops.
Almost all of the recording is finished. I came down with that nasty cold that's been floating around Michigan, so there are still some harmonies left to do as soon as I can inhale properly. Here is the UPDATE:
It looks like the CD has gone from being an EP to an album. The track list isn't 100% final, so i'll just tell you all of the candidates (stuff recording during these sessions and resurrected from previous sessions).
Demigods and Sodapop
The Unfinished Adventures of Agatha
Battling Hindsight
I'm Gonna Be Gone
????
Ezekiel's Habitat
Head In the Sand
Factors of Astrology
Tess
Changing of Turns
Sunlight
The Horrible Blues
You Said You Saw Red
An Update
The Limit Lost
It's Taken Care Of
Cecilia
More info soon I PROMISE. I will tell you (because you've been so kind) that the album will be released on June 29th, 2008. That's very soon!
-J
Almost all of the recording is finished. I came down with that nasty cold that's been floating around Michigan, so there are still some harmonies left to do as soon as I can inhale properly. Here is the UPDATE:
It looks like the CD has gone from being an EP to an album. The track list isn't 100% final, so i'll just tell you all of the candidates (stuff recording during these sessions and resurrected from previous sessions).
Demigods and Sodapop
The Unfinished Adventures of Agatha
Battling Hindsight
I'm Gonna Be Gone
????
Ezekiel's Habitat
Head In the Sand
Factors of Astrology
Tess
Changing of Turns
Sunlight
The Horrible Blues
You Said You Saw Red
An Update
The Limit Lost
It's Taken Care Of
Cecilia
More info soon I PROMISE. I will tell you (because you've been so kind) that the album will be released on June 29th, 2008. That's very soon!
-J
Friday, February 22, 2008
RECORDING UPDATE #3
Wednesday, February 20th -
Tonight we were joined by Dr. Tomorrow, whose wisdom led to a much improved method of recording Max the guitar. The good doctor also contributed some guitarwork of his own to Changing of Turns and The Limit Lost. After working on a few more guitar tracks, DT and I commenced recording our interpretation of the Simon & Garfunkel classic "Cecilia". I'm excited for you to hear it.
Thursday, February 21st -
Today was a relaxing affair. I spent some time assessing the tracks as they stand, mixing some stuff around, then decided to go to bed early in order to function for the huge day that awaits tomorrow.
-J
Tonight we were joined by Dr. Tomorrow, whose wisdom led to a much improved method of recording Max the guitar. The good doctor also contributed some guitarwork of his own to Changing of Turns and The Limit Lost. After working on a few more guitar tracks, DT and I commenced recording our interpretation of the Simon & Garfunkel classic "Cecilia". I'm excited for you to hear it.
Thursday, February 21st -
Today was a relaxing affair. I spent some time assessing the tracks as they stand, mixing some stuff around, then decided to go to bed early in order to function for the huge day that awaits tomorrow.
-J
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
RECORDING UPDATE #2
Monday, February 18th-
DJ Malvitch returned with his bass amp, through which I laid down tracks for Agatha, Changing of Turns, and Sunlight. After a few hours of dillying and dallying he made his way back to his woman. At this time I met Erik for a cup of coffee, and we were surprised to see our lovely friend Rachel at the same establishment. She came back to help record It's Taken Care Of. After I recorded the acoustic guitar track, we fleshed it out with Erik's piano work, Rachel's Whistle, and all our combined hands' snapping. After Rachel departed I went back and redid a bunch of guitar parts. I also recorded my voice in a new manner that better suits the recordings. Yippee. Went to bed at 9:30 am.
Tuesday, February 19th-
Erik and I were again joined by Jeremy, who was accompanied by Eric (with a 'c'). We recorded Jeremy's drums for You Said You Saw Red, and after I conjured up the guitar for The Limit Lost, Jeremy threw his hot beats on that. Feeling like perhaps some music besides these few songs deserved to be created, we took a break to jam for a while. After that ended I spent the night working on editing the new tracks. Now it's time for bed - I'm getting better, it just turned 5.
-J
DJ Malvitch returned with his bass amp, through which I laid down tracks for Agatha, Changing of Turns, and Sunlight. After a few hours of dillying and dallying he made his way back to his woman. At this time I met Erik for a cup of coffee, and we were surprised to see our lovely friend Rachel at the same establishment. She came back to help record It's Taken Care Of. After I recorded the acoustic guitar track, we fleshed it out with Erik's piano work, Rachel's Whistle, and all our combined hands' snapping. After Rachel departed I went back and redid a bunch of guitar parts. I also recorded my voice in a new manner that better suits the recordings. Yippee. Went to bed at 9:30 am.
Tuesday, February 19th-
Erik and I were again joined by Jeremy, who was accompanied by Eric (with a 'c'). We recorded Jeremy's drums for You Said You Saw Red, and after I conjured up the guitar for The Limit Lost, Jeremy threw his hot beats on that. Feeling like perhaps some music besides these few songs deserved to be created, we took a break to jam for a while. After that ended I spent the night working on editing the new tracks. Now it's time for bed - I'm getting better, it just turned 5.
-J
Monday, February 18, 2008
RECORDING UPDATE #1
Saturday, February 16th -
Erik and I spent a few hours converting my house into a studio before we were joined by Jeremy, who laid down some perfect drums for Battling Hindsight, Changing of Turns, Sunlight, and The Unfinished Adventures of Agatha. I threw a guitar part and vocals on Battling Hindsight, Erik added a bass part, and then we called it a night.
Sunday, February 17th -
Erik came over around eight. Shortly after that we were joined by DJ Malvitch and and his woman. We messed around with getting better sounds out of amps and all that jazz. After they left I recorded more parts to the aforementioned songs til 7 am. It was wonderful.
Erik and I spent a few hours converting my house into a studio before we were joined by Jeremy, who laid down some perfect drums for Battling Hindsight, Changing of Turns, Sunlight, and The Unfinished Adventures of Agatha. I threw a guitar part and vocals on Battling Hindsight, Erik added a bass part, and then we called it a night.
Sunday, February 17th -
Erik came over around eight. Shortly after that we were joined by DJ Malvitch and and his woman. We messed around with getting better sounds out of amps and all that jazz. After they left I recorded more parts to the aforementioned songs til 7 am. It was wonderful.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Open Mic is fun
Cafe 1923 is my favorite. Songs I played Thursday February 14th (special valentine's day set!) -
1. Timeout Box
2. An Update
3. Last Night Vs. Today
Dean David also played, and after he played his stunning version of Karma Police I joined him for a folk rendition of Bluechild Strumpet Machine. What a blast.
-JSB
1. Timeout Box
2. An Update
3. Last Night Vs. Today
Dean David also played, and after he played his stunning version of Karma Police I joined him for a folk rendition of Bluechild Strumpet Machine. What a blast.
-JSB
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Tonight tonight
Tonight begins the recording of the first official JSB Squad project. Before we begin, here are the updates -
*Played a show February First at Jacoby's in Detroit. JSB Squad lineup was Jeremy Smith on drums, Erik Roosen on bass, and I played good ol' Max the guitar. Here was our set -
1. Battling Hindsight
2. "F#/Am Song"
3. What I Know
4. "5/4 - 6/8 Song"
5. Sunlight
6. You Said You Saw Red
7. The Limit Lost
*Played an open mic February Seventh at Cafe 1923 in Hamtramck. It was a lot of fun I may go back every Thursday. I played three songs for the lovely people there -
1. What I Know
2. My Door
3. The Limit Lost
More updates as recordings progress, I promise!
-JSB
*Played a show February First at Jacoby's in Detroit. JSB Squad lineup was Jeremy Smith on drums, Erik Roosen on bass, and I played good ol' Max the guitar. Here was our set -
1. Battling Hindsight
2. "F#/Am Song"
3. What I Know
4. "5/4 - 6/8 Song"
5. Sunlight
6. You Said You Saw Red
7. The Limit Lost
*Played an open mic February Seventh at Cafe 1923 in Hamtramck. It was a lot of fun I may go back every Thursday. I played three songs for the lovely people there -
1. What I Know
2. My Door
3. The Limit Lost
More updates as recordings progress, I promise!
-JSB
Saturday, January 26, 2008
About that piano . . .
Well I ended up forgoing the piano at the show last night. Instead I played a set on acoustic guitar.
1. What I Know
2. From Your Door
3. Such and Such
4. For Lisa
5. An Update
6. The Limit Lost
7. Last Night Vs. Today
I had fun, thanks to everyone who came out. Looking forward to the show Friday February 1st - All Hail JSB Squad!
-J
1. What I Know
2. From Your Door
3. Such and Such
4. For Lisa
5. An Update
6. The Limit Lost
7. Last Night Vs. Today
I had fun, thanks to everyone who came out. Looking forward to the show Friday February 1st - All Hail JSB Squad!
-J
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Back In Action
"your blog is a sham of a mockery of a travesty of a sham." -myspace comment from Frannie
I guess she's right, I haven't posted anything on here for a while. I've spent most of my absence recording / preparing the "Here's The Whirlwind" EP, which is the offical debut of Mick Bassett and The Marthas. I played bass on the recordings and they sound lovely. Hooray.
I'm taking most of February off of work to officially record my debut EP. I think Erik Roosen will be helping me record it. A certain incredible drummer may also be joining the effort. It should be very interesting, much more rock and roll than anything I've done in a very long time.
Tomorrow I'll play my first solo show since July. It'll be a set of songs written for piano that I've been working on. The show's at Jacoby's in Detroit. It should be a blast.
Exactly a week after I'll be playing the aforementioned "EP" music with Erik Roosen and Jeremy Smith. This show is also at Jacoby's. Coincidentally, Erik and I will also be headlining the show as Marthas with our fearless leader Mick Bassett. What a funfest THAT will be.
I'm going to start posting setlists on here as well as recording updates.
Here's a brief preview of some of the piano songs I'll be playing tomorrow -----
Righty Tighty - a bouncy song about my favorite kind of people in the whole wide universe. This is not only the first time I've used the word "plaque" in a song, but also the first song with the word "whatcha" since Cool Cat.
Tess (We'll Get There) - a reworked version of "We'll Get There", it now has lyrics. Not one of my happier songs.
Sixth Floor Secret - a pretty tune with quips like "boundless spectacles" and "sauntering lunacy"
Limerence (Bad News) - this song's about too many things to discuss without getting a headache. Nancy likes it.
The Backwards Ballad of Benjamin Burns - this song actually should be a piano duet but I'm not sure if Erik's coming to the show. If he does I probably won't let him onstage. We had a very awkward telephone conversation today involving sleep, cell phones, and medication. I'm not sure how long it will take us to recover.
We'll see if any other songs show up. That's all you get for now.
Hope this update compensates for the dry spell. Sorry Frannie.
-J
I guess she's right, I haven't posted anything on here for a while. I've spent most of my absence recording / preparing the "Here's The Whirlwind" EP, which is the offical debut of Mick Bassett and The Marthas. I played bass on the recordings and they sound lovely. Hooray.
I'm taking most of February off of work to officially record my debut EP. I think Erik Roosen will be helping me record it. A certain incredible drummer may also be joining the effort. It should be very interesting, much more rock and roll than anything I've done in a very long time.
Tomorrow I'll play my first solo show since July. It'll be a set of songs written for piano that I've been working on. The show's at Jacoby's in Detroit. It should be a blast.
Exactly a week after I'll be playing the aforementioned "EP" music with Erik Roosen and Jeremy Smith. This show is also at Jacoby's. Coincidentally, Erik and I will also be headlining the show as Marthas with our fearless leader Mick Bassett. What a funfest THAT will be.
I'm going to start posting setlists on here as well as recording updates.
Here's a brief preview of some of the piano songs I'll be playing tomorrow -----
Righty Tighty - a bouncy song about my favorite kind of people in the whole wide universe. This is not only the first time I've used the word "plaque" in a song, but also the first song with the word "whatcha" since Cool Cat.
Tess (We'll Get There) - a reworked version of "We'll Get There", it now has lyrics. Not one of my happier songs.
Sixth Floor Secret - a pretty tune with quips like "boundless spectacles" and "sauntering lunacy"
Limerence (Bad News) - this song's about too many things to discuss without getting a headache. Nancy likes it.
The Backwards Ballad of Benjamin Burns - this song actually should be a piano duet but I'm not sure if Erik's coming to the show. If he does I probably won't let him onstage. We had a very awkward telephone conversation today involving sleep, cell phones, and medication. I'm not sure how long it will take us to recover.
We'll see if any other songs show up. That's all you get for now.
Hope this update compensates for the dry spell. Sorry Frannie.
-J
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