Recording with Gigi Edgley. Issue #16

Like I said last week, the plan was to let everyone know what was going on with the project with Gigi Edgley. Well, after another very productive weekend I'm even more excited than I was before. I am producing her E.P. to be released in early November, and it's been a very rewarding experience. The E.P. will serve as a sort of "unofficial soundtrack" to a comic book she also has in the works to be released soon after. Earlier in the summer, my friend Brian Meredith told me that he was in discussions with her to work on the mentioned comic, and that she was interested in putting together some new music as a follow up to her single, "Poison", which she had released a few years before. Brian gave her some of my music
to sample, and she decided that we should get together to see if the chemistry was something that would work.

Since this was to be a co-writing situation I began to research her earlier work to get a sense of what her new songs could like by watching video clips of interviews as well as gaining a better sense of her personality (fun, sweet person), and what she likes by talking over the phone and via email. Technology really is a wonderful thing as we've been sending song ideas back and forth online, and as she would leave voice messages with vocal lines written for me to put music to. I had never written with someone this way before, and it surprisingly worked really well. In the first weekend she was town, we finished writing and recording one song, and we got a lot of good work done this past weekend as well. She will be flying back up in a few weeks to finish recording and I'm expecting we'll be really thrilled with the finished product. It has been really interesting and a stretch as a songwriter for me to write in a completely different style than my own for these songs, and I feel very thankful to be involved with the project. I can't wait for people to hear it, and without giving too much away, expect something in the vein of Bjork, Sade, and The Sundays. More news on this later...

I'm in the process of building my new website from which you will be able link to my blog as well as the myspace page, so that will surely keep me busy this week. Now that my album is done (and being printed as we speak), it's time to do a lot of P.R. stuff (like the website) that I haven't had to do for a while (my last official release was 5 years ago). Obviously writing and recording is a lot more fun, but everything else you need to do to let people actually know you have a record coming out is just as necessary.


Thanks to my Aunt Jamie for thinking of me at the store and bringing me one of last week's mentioned "Night Owl" pumpkin ales. I now have four, and that must mean I own twenty-percent of the Seattle's stash...

On Friday, I went to see my friend Greg Garcia's band 17TH CHAPTER play at The Tractor for what was an much overdue viewing. A cool fun band, and check them out when you can...

COLLIDER rehearsals continue to go really well as we seem to have hit a songwriting stride in the the past month with what we can almost say is a fully functioning set of songs. A demo is currently being put together to put up on a myspace site in the next month or so...

Next week I'll share the track listing for "Songs From The Orange Room", as well as talk more about the tour TJ SHERRILL and I will be embarking on the following week.

Finally, today is an independence day of sorts for all young men across this land as HALO 3 hits the shelves. Three years ago when HALO 2 came out, I swear it wouldn't be long until someone did a documentary on the hysteria and obsessiveness it can generate (I might know something about this). In fact, if someone does, the title might go something like this..."Halo: A Peek Into The Mind Of The American Male Via Conversations Translated From Xbox Live". Oh, how I've missed hearing 12 year-olds screaming in my ear to have me give them the shotgun...

Until then, be well!

Drinking Pumpkins. Issue #15

With the first day of Fall greeting us on the 23rd, my favorite season has shown glimpses lately of arriving early in very untraditional forms. The most important one being from which I have had a spiritual battle stemming within regarding if I should tell people about or not. Not that I don't like sharing the love, but more from a selfish standpoint from which I fear not being able to find any once I get others (if anyone listens to me) on the in and in. What I'm talking about here is the first sighting in the wild of Elysian Brewery's seasonal "Night Owl" Pumpkin Beer. Finding this stuff is like watching General Patraeus give his review on the progress in Iraq, and believing that Bush wasn't going to give him a cookie afterwards. Not easy.

I don't care if you don't like flavored beers, you'll like this unless you don't good things, Fall, or babies. Everyone likes babies. Seriously, this stuff is REALLY hard to find but has been spotted in the wild in the last week at Thriftway in Lake Forest Park, and the organic co-op in downtown Everett.
Also, it should be on tap at one of my favorite places, The Old Town Alehouse in Ballard. Not to sweet, not to spicy, just right with that hint of pumpkin amongst all the yeasty goodness. I myself grabbed 3 (they're big) last week and felt like I scored the whole day. Oh no, maybe I built this up to big to deliver (kinda like watching The Blair Witch Project after those Domino's commercials). Really though, it's AMAZING and I don't throw that word around just for anything like many annoyingly do, but that's for another blog rant (time and place...time and place). If anything, take it on faith...you'll love it! Patrick, am I lying?


I'm really looking forward to Gigi Edgley flying up this weekend to continue work on "The Project I Can't Talk About Yet". It's interesting how you can go about your daily life with one had constantly covering you mouth.
I don't have to much longer though because during her visit she will be having a Q&A/signing at THE COMIC STOP in Lynnwood to announce what she's been working on and then I can let everyone know. She'll be there on Saturday from 3:00-5:00 talking with people and answering questions if anyone is interested in attending. I'm pretty excited to talk about it next week and I think you'll like it too.

I also spent a couple of days last week finalizing booking the dates for the mid-October tour that TJ SHERRILL and I will be embarking on starting in Idaho on the 11th. We've been trying to come up with a tour name, and so far they only thing that sounds good is The "Those Aren't Pillows" tour Fall 2007 (R.I.P John Candy). Any suggestions? If so, leave me a comment! We're also throwing around some ideas for songs that we can do together at the end of the night, and the only one I can think of at this point is "500 Miles" by The Proclaimers. I don't know if it will work though because only one of us wears glasses some of the time and it just wouldn't be right.

Speaking of "right", I forgot to mention that Penal Code #8675309 in the state of Washington says that it's illegal to enjoy a pumpkin beer before the first day October. Some things are right, and that's just not.

See you next week!

-Kyle

Get Your Dance On! Issue #14

The CD is done! Yep, Brian (who did the design) and I just got back from meeting with the wonderful folks down at Discmakers and it's officially off to the printers. YEAH! Last Thursday I met with Mark Guenther for the final step at Seattle Disc Mastering to add that little bit of shine that mastering provides. It was good to see him again as he did a LT album back in 1999. We both couldn't believe that it had been 10 years, but also had to believe it as time seems to be flying by at a record pace these days. Wouldn't you agree? Needless to say he did a great job and I'm VERY pleased with the results of what will be my first solo release. Currently, I am working on a release show for you all to attend in the near future to get your rock on...keep and ear to the ground.

I'm thinking now would be a good time to let you know that the E.P. will be called
"SONGS FROM THE ORANGE ROOM". Yes, that is a real place, and yes you need a treasure map to get there so start digging...

It was nice to cap off a couple of months of staring at the walls of the studio by getting away this past weekend to attend the wedding of my good friend Rich Harrison or "Rich-Lovin". And yes, we did have this name years before SUPERBAD'S "McLovin" so don't front...

Anyways, early Saturday morning Mandi and I caught the ferry at Anacortes and caught up on some X-Men on the way (Wolverine is gonna go crazy next month...not to be missed (snort, snort)) The wedding was at Rosario for those of you who have been near there, and started at 4:00 atop a beautiful bluff surrounded by water. Short, sweet, and beautiful was the ceremony and then it was off to get our dance on. When I say dance on, I mean DANCE ON. No joke, I'm still sore from dancing for what I swear to God was at least 5 hours straight. It reminded me of my days dancing in Pioneer Square in booty shorts for free fries at the J&M. It seems like a lifetime ago really...


I really like weddings because it's kinda a reminder of why you did the do in the first place, but REALLY like it because it's the guaranteed place where I know FOR SURE/REALS that I'm gonna hear mass amounts of early-90's R&B in a row. For those of you who don't know that about me, it's kinda a fetish. I can't get enough TLC, Montel Jordan, Adina Howard, Wrexx-N-Effex, Blackstreet (any Teddy Reilly really), Early Snoop, Onyx, Shai...When these groups come on THIS WHITE BOY WILL MOVE. I promise you that. I think I'm hearing a playlist in my future...


I woke up the next morning feeling great after sweating out a good amount of wine that would normally put me in a "Hot Mess" (thanks Noah for the update on the slang the kids are saying these days and helping me move on from "Sike"), and went to breakfast with my other good friend Noah Katka and his girlfriend Shannon. Noah and I go way back from when he used to date Mandi's sister (now in Greece), and I also used to live with him and Richard. The only time in my life when I thought it was a good idea to shave my head was when I lived with these guys, and once every other week we would buzz each other on the weekend. It was very brotherly...

After breakfast we hiked to the top of Mt. Constitution (I'm sorry, I mean drove) for what was a breath-taking panoramic view of the San Juan's and parts of Canada. It was really pretty, and I was glad my Grandma said she'd yell at me if I didn't go see it. See pictures below (not of my Grandma yelling at me)...

All in all, it was a great weekend and a good feeling of accomplishment in finishing what I feel is a mile-marker in my career.

Now I just have to see if you like it... :)

More album news next week!

-K

Labor Videos. Issue #13

Hey Everybody, not what it sounds like...I just thought that since it's Labor Day weekend I'd keep it a little light this week and let you to enjoy some of my favorite videos of late! You don't want to be inside on the computer on a "day off" do you? Detach from the nets kids...detach...
This week I finish mixing my album, and have a mastering date on Thursday to get the final product before it's sent off to the printer. Will update in detail next week...
It's a good feeling over here, and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you...have a good holiday!

-Kyle

You Say Potato, I Say Potatoe. Issue #12

Last Thursday night TJ Sherrill my hetero-lifemate, his wife Jess, and I embarked for a six hour journey to Idaho for a Friday night show. It was funny because we originally had three shows booked, but two canceled a couple of weeks prior. Still, we decided to make the trip for what was my first time playing in what the kids call "The Gem State". I realize as I can see the year ahead of me and tours we are planning that I need to get WAY better at riding in the car for long periods of time. I'm kinda like a nine-year old, and easily get a little stir crazy when confined. My wife is always saying I'm a little autistic and this might just be another indicator. The nine-year in me did like this though...


When we got to our destination, I found we were staying at their couple friend's house who were in Africa for a month helping orphaned children find families (insert feeling of needing to do something THAT GOOD here). The husband's name was Zack, and I immediately loved the guy without having met him when I saw how cool his paintings were, and wished I had his skillz. Their house was full of them, and I hope someday to be able to purchase one for mine. Until then, I will try to create knock-offs...


On Friday we did a little sight-seeing and got to check out Coeur d'Alene (where we were playing) and tried out a few of the local eateries. This really is almost my favorite part about traveling, getting unnecessarily really excited to eat a bunch of food that I don't have here no matter if it's good for me or not. Score of the weekend was The Pita Pit which was basically Quizno's in a pita but REALLY GOOD and fresh tasting.


That night we played The Barrel Room, a wine-bar that has some of the best wine I think I've ever tasted. Also a little strong from how I felt the next morning after not having that much...

TJ's friend Chris Has opened up the evening and I followed. It's pretty fun, and also pretty hard to play in a new town where no one knows you. The challenge is to get people to want to stick around in the first song when they probably have plans after seeing their friend/family member plays earlier or right before you. Unfortunately, the days of "lets just go see some new music" are pretty well gone with so many things competing for your entertainment dollar. This will make you learn really quickly what works and what doesn't when trying to keep a crowd interested in an artist they don't know. I felt I performed well, and made some mental notes on how to approach the situation next time where live music is not main focus of the venue, but still a fun place to play. Also, this trip shows me a little preview of the good time that TJ and I are going to have when we head out for a week in October. Like I said before, hetero-lifemates need to be travel compatible...

It's my last week to finish my E.P., and asked Patrick Porter to come by and lay some sweet-sweet Patrick licks on a few songs. He's a master of pedal-steel, and I can't wait to hear what it adds to a stripped down number I have on the album. Oddly enough, last week I exchanged a song that was meant to go on it for a new one I just wrote that I knew I would regret if I didn't record right away. It ties the overall lyrical picture together though, and I think I'll be glad I didn't let it escape...

Enjoy some classic Mitch Hedberg to get your week going right!



-Kyle

Apple Baseball. Issue #11

Last week, the E.P. release became a little more real when I booked a mastering date with Mark Guenther at Seattle Disc Mastering. Mark did the 3rd LAYMANS TERMS record (the red album) and I remember being happy with the way it turned out and thought he was a cool guy. For those who don't know, mastering is the final step of the recording process and the definition (which is really long) can be found here. It will be nice to have the songs interpreted by fresh ears, and given that little bit of extra shine that mastering can provide. I asked Brian Meredith to do my artwork for the record after much internal debate as to which direction to go, mainly because of two schools of thought. The first school of thought states that you should never put your picture on your cover. You should go for the more arty interpretation that is vague enough to make the listener ponder why you chose such a deep piece (even if it's because you couldn't come up with anything else, but don't tell them that...).
The second school of thought says you should ALWAYS go with your picture on the cover, and in that way it's also like a full press kit and an advertisement for the entire package. A lot of times this is a good idea for up and coming bands or an artist's debut. That is unless your stage attire is sweatpants, but even then you are rocking your own vibe so good for you!

What did I decide to go with? Hmmmmmm...


I can laugh about it now (can I?), but last week I was going into panic mode as parts of my finished songs were LITERALLY BEING ERASED by my external hard drives that though they said were formatted for a Mac, really weren't. Imagine this if you will for a moment...You are working on your album for months, and then one day you open your song file and PARTS ARE GONE. WTF!?! You close the file, restart the computer, open the file up again and MORE PARTS ARE GONE (insert crying here). After an hour and a half on the phone with Apple, I think the situation is remedied (knock on plastic), but it left me with some re-recording and damage control to do. It was panic mode for sure, and I wish that hell on no one.

After being cooped up in my studio for the past few months, and without a vacation planned for this summer, my old friends Matt from COLLIDER, and Ex-LT bassist Matt Campbell decided to go camping up by Cle Elum at a place called Cooper Lake. It was pretty relaxing and fun despite the fact that there was a burn ban and fires weren't allowed. What is camping without a fire!?! After much debate and talk of "The Man", we decided that it wasn't worth the $500 fine we would win if we got caught. That, and the fact that I would mentally see Smokey The Bear shake his head at me in disgust for a long time.



The next day we set out for reliving some adolescent memories in the form of APPLE BASEBALL. This goes back to when we were 13 and decided that it would be a good idea to make use of all the apples going bad in Matt's mom's backyard. We were happy to find that Safeway had 10 lbs. for $10, and knew the universe blessed the Safeway club card for us that day. Yes, for those who need to know they were Gala apples...
There really is nothing like the satisfying joy that fruit meeting the end of a bat can bring to you, and decided that it definitely needed to become a yearly tradition, and that getting juice all over my camera did not. It could almost become a purifying Burning Man of sorts for those who can't make the trip to Nevada. Tickets go on sale today...

In The Lab. Issue #10

Since it's about 2 months from now that TJ Sherrill and I will be hitting the road for a week-long tour, it's about the time to start booking dates and seeing which venues would be great to play for a first time out. Obviously we're not gonna be in the best of spots for our time around, but also we don't want to be playing the pizza parlors on the flip side of the coin. This is the challenge, and also something I want to get right as I remember the jaunt that LAYMANS TERMS did down the west coast in 2002. We were really eager to get out for an adventure, but found that when we got to our musical destinations in Portland, Oakland, etc...they were not the best of places. In fact, and I'm dead serious, both dates we played consisted of NO ONE in
the crowd except for our tour buddy Star, and the bartenders! First date we cried, and second date couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculousness...
So obviously as strangers in a new town, we are hoping to play some venues that have a natural draw, and fit well with the demographic we feel our music connects with. Mine obviously being senior citizens, and I won't speak for TJ because I don't know who he's going for...
Seriously though, I'm going to be really glad when it's all booked and we can get all the busy work out of the way!

Mmmmmm...Pie!


Matt and I have been working hard on getting a full set prepared so COLLIDER can get the rock out to the masses before the end of the year. As I stated in earlier blogs, I had some concerns at first how I was going to write differently for COLLIDER by collaborating with Matt, and make it sound separate from my solo material. At this point I feel like it's a non-issue and that the material is different enough as it's own entity.

"The Lo"


There's not really much new to share this week other than I am in the process of recording the final two songs for my E.P. It's been exciting, and a bit of a challenge for me as it's my first solo release. I've found it challenging in the fact that not only has it been almost 5 years since I've officially released a new album, but a bit of a mental challenge as well. I've also found when you are in a full band setting that there is no shortage of opinions, and though that poses it's own set of issues, it keeps the ball rolling constantly as everyone hopefully has the same goal. Working alone, you are obviously only accountable to yourself and the mind game that comes with it. In my case, I've found that constant forward motion is the key as I know I have the tendency to over-analyze my work which gets me stuck in the occasional case of analysis-paralysis (if you've been reading my blog you know what I mean...).

In the past, I used to think of my albums as something that needed to represent me for a long period of time, and now it's a lot more fun and freeing to think of them as "snap-shots" for a moment...

I'm really curious in seeing how this E.P. will be received, and can't wait to get it in everyone's hands. That's all for this week, gotta keep working! :)

-K