Thursday, May 26, 2011
Blue mojave
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dylie drivie.
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What's hite beer?
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Brandon S Thompson
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Disco driver!
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Heaven or the highway out of town
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Saturday, May 21, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Show Prep
I've enjoyed taking a couple of years of from constantly battling to play live music. Though through the years I feel like we learned some valuable lessons about what kind of shows not to play, it still can beat at the heart and the head to keep after an absurdity in modern Los Angeles. That being said I am excited to play tonight in long beach. I feel confident about our level of preparation, at the same time there are enough new challenges in our set to keep me feeling some butterflies. I have to hand it to my brother, when he is in charge of making a set list he doesn't fall back into old comforts. I find that I work harder to just to be sure to keep up. I realized that the other moment after running through the set on my own in my new studio room, "I actually practice on my own now." It was a very nice feeling.
After work last night I drove over to Hollywood, to a vintage clothing store named Iguana, just down the street from Devin's office. I met Angela and Devin there and we proceeded to look for outfits for the show. We didn't really accomplish much except that we held up a lot of stupid articles of clothing to our bodies, called for the attention of the other two and said "Hey, what about this?". For some reason that gag never got old. In the end the shopping trip was really only good for a few cheap laughs and 2 overpriced bow ties.
After Iguana I went to Devin and Dylan's to pick up some amps and speakers. I got to see Princessa again too which was nice.
When I got home I had a quick dinner and then Angela cut my hair.
It's my job to make the live show backing track work together, so I then retired to the bedroom to work on that. We have been working to make the live show flow constantly, without having to start and restart a sequencer or a backing track, so I have been building the track as one long wav form with each song one after the other. In between each song I've added drones and noises, to give us time to recuperate and change settings or tune. I had done one version of the set the night before but Devin wanted more time between each song. It took an hour or two to redo but in the end I am glad I did as I was able to tweak the between song sounds and make them much more evil yet less speaker bursting than they had been the night before.
While I had the file loaded I rehearsed the songs that I thought were my weakest in the set and then I rendered the file and started to sort through the various cords and connectors I will need. Being in a psuedo electro band takes a lot of equipment and each piece of gear has many cords running in and out. I take great pains to make sure I have them all because otherwise I die from the stress.
I wrapped all of that around 11pm and called it day.
After work last night I drove over to Hollywood, to a vintage clothing store named Iguana, just down the street from Devin's office. I met Angela and Devin there and we proceeded to look for outfits for the show. We didn't really accomplish much except that we held up a lot of stupid articles of clothing to our bodies, called for the attention of the other two and said "Hey, what about this?". For some reason that gag never got old. In the end the shopping trip was really only good for a few cheap laughs and 2 overpriced bow ties.
After Iguana I went to Devin and Dylan's to pick up some amps and speakers. I got to see Princessa again too which was nice.
When I got home I had a quick dinner and then Angela cut my hair.
It's my job to make the live show backing track work together, so I then retired to the bedroom to work on that. We have been working to make the live show flow constantly, without having to start and restart a sequencer or a backing track, so I have been building the track as one long wav form with each song one after the other. In between each song I've added drones and noises, to give us time to recuperate and change settings or tune. I had done one version of the set the night before but Devin wanted more time between each song. It took an hour or two to redo but in the end I am glad I did as I was able to tweak the between song sounds and make them much more evil yet less speaker bursting than they had been the night before.
While I had the file loaded I rehearsed the songs that I thought were my weakest in the set and then I rendered the file and started to sort through the various cords and connectors I will need. Being in a psuedo electro band takes a lot of equipment and each piece of gear has many cords running in and out. I take great pains to make sure I have them all because otherwise I die from the stress.
I wrapped all of that around 11pm and called it day.
Monday, May 16, 2011
First Dip in the Big (Sound) Waves, Etc.
A good weekend has come to pass. Friday on my way home from work I stopped for bunny pellets, hangers and a frozen pizza. I then called and had my standing Friday evening conversation with my mother, who was travelling to Lucas, KS to stay with her sister. We had a nice fun talk about all sorts of topics. Friday had already been a good day because my sister had picked up "Hall & Oates" tickets for their show at the Hollywood bowl on this coming Independence weekend, and she and a couple of her friends will be attending it with us.
I arrived home at approximately the same time as Angela did. She was beat from a long day of volunteering at the animal shelter and then going into work. She's a little dynamo like that, but sometimes it catches up with her and I have to order her to lay down and turn on the TV and do nothing else.
Having finally put Angela into a resting position I changed into some shorts and a tshirt for a nice run. I ran along the river to the equestrian crossing under the 5 freeway and ran a loop around the golf course. It's exactly 5 miles from the corner of Los Feliz and Garden. Lately running this flat path has been very exhilarating. The combination of a lot of hill running and the ridiculous number of push ups I've been doing has really improved my overall time mile for mile. Another reason I love to run on this path is there are often other runners out, going in the same direction, and I love to pick them off one by one. Some of them will even get a bit butt hurt about getting passed and try and give chase. I don't lose these races though, because I have the psychological edge, I knew we were racing for the last 5 minutes and those Johnny Latelys didn't figure it out till I passed them.
Yes, I realize that is a bit childish but I enjoy the hell out of it.
After running I took a very nice long bubble bath. I've been reading David Brin's "Glory Season" and loving it. I should switch to the new book club book, but I only have it on the ipad, which doesn't make for a good bath.
After the bath I ate some Pizza and chatted with Angela, who was still whipped from a day of cleaning cages and crunching numbers.
We needed a few things from Home Depot, and Friday night is the only sane time to go there, so I made a trip there and contacted Devin on the way. He was home enjoying Princessa, a friend's dog who they were dog sitting. It was decided then that Angela and I should head over there for a visit.
We had a nice visit with Devin and Dylan and Princessa. I showed Devin the new keyboard I got to be able to play the Ipad as a synth. Devin and Dylan then showed Angela the new cross stitch kit Devin had bought. We chatted for a bit and held the puppy and finally called it a night fairly early.
Getting home and climbing into bed felt so nice. I had a nice long sleep and it lasted all night.
Saturday I got up around 9:45 and headed to Craig's house for a bit of extra work. We ran some errands and did some heavy shopping and cleaning up after the dogs. I finished just after 4pm and headed home.
We had a Devin Tait and the Traitors rehearsal at 7pm so I got started on packing up what I needed and also remixing some of the backing tracks. I put it all together and Angela and I headed out the door 10 minutes till 7. We had time to stop for cash and were still able to get to the studio by 7pm. This was to be the first time I would play my new guitar through an actual honest to god amp. In the room was a nice Marshall with a 4x12 and man did it cook. Seriously so much fun to play that guitar.
The studio we were in was new to us. Atwater Deluxe, just on the south border of our neighborhood. The guy at the desk was super nice and the room was clean with great equipment. It was such a fun rehearsal. I had been nervous about this gig since we are down a member and I've felt a bit like it snuck up on us, this being our first and only time even rehearsing in studio. Yet through that I felt like we had a nice vibe in the room. We will be debuting a new Turbo Sunshine song at this show that I'm really excited about, "Beat of the Broken Hearted", a song I wrote for Angela to sing. It was sounding amazing already. We also have 2 never before played covers, the Human League "Never Let Me Go" and Whang Chung's "Dance Hall Days". I was pleased with and excited to perform both of them by the end of the rehearsal.
After rehearsal Angela and I stopped and picked up a 6 pack, which just feels like a nice way to come down off a good rehearsal. We were both happy with how it had gone and were excited to wind down a long day. While I worked with Craig she had as usually busted her little tush on our own home. I had been asking Angie to watch Zombieland with me for the past few months. We had originally seen it at the drive in but my truck was just a touch to comfortable and she slept the whole way through it. Finally Saturday night she relented and we watched it. Of course she enjoyed the hell out of it. We had a very nice night drinking our beer and finally falling fast asleep.
Sunday was all about laundry and putting the house back together after the big re-arrange. Pictures and Chandeliers had to be rehung. Sorting and cleaning and organizing had to be done. I was a domestic slave until mid afternoon when Angela I think sensed that I was getting a little stir crazy sent me out to run. I smoked a nice bit of green an headed back to the park for the second time of the weekend. It was a beautiful spacey run.
I finished the evening by working some on the backing track for the show Tuesday, adding some suture sounds between the songs to give us a few moments to regroup and change settings on gear. I then ran the set once for practice. I have really come a long way as a focused musician... I actually practice on my own now.
The weekend ended easily and peacefully. I'm glad to have been a part of it and I look forward to many more.
I arrived home at approximately the same time as Angela did. She was beat from a long day of volunteering at the animal shelter and then going into work. She's a little dynamo like that, but sometimes it catches up with her and I have to order her to lay down and turn on the TV and do nothing else.
Having finally put Angela into a resting position I changed into some shorts and a tshirt for a nice run. I ran along the river to the equestrian crossing under the 5 freeway and ran a loop around the golf course. It's exactly 5 miles from the corner of Los Feliz and Garden. Lately running this flat path has been very exhilarating. The combination of a lot of hill running and the ridiculous number of push ups I've been doing has really improved my overall time mile for mile. Another reason I love to run on this path is there are often other runners out, going in the same direction, and I love to pick them off one by one. Some of them will even get a bit butt hurt about getting passed and try and give chase. I don't lose these races though, because I have the psychological edge, I knew we were racing for the last 5 minutes and those Johnny Latelys didn't figure it out till I passed them.
Yes, I realize that is a bit childish but I enjoy the hell out of it.
After running I took a very nice long bubble bath. I've been reading David Brin's "Glory Season" and loving it. I should switch to the new book club book, but I only have it on the ipad, which doesn't make for a good bath.
After the bath I ate some Pizza and chatted with Angela, who was still whipped from a day of cleaning cages and crunching numbers.
We needed a few things from Home Depot, and Friday night is the only sane time to go there, so I made a trip there and contacted Devin on the way. He was home enjoying Princessa, a friend's dog who they were dog sitting. It was decided then that Angela and I should head over there for a visit.
We had a nice visit with Devin and Dylan and Princessa. I showed Devin the new keyboard I got to be able to play the Ipad as a synth. Devin and Dylan then showed Angela the new cross stitch kit Devin had bought. We chatted for a bit and held the puppy and finally called it a night fairly early.
Getting home and climbing into bed felt so nice. I had a nice long sleep and it lasted all night.
Saturday I got up around 9:45 and headed to Craig's house for a bit of extra work. We ran some errands and did some heavy shopping and cleaning up after the dogs. I finished just after 4pm and headed home.
We had a Devin Tait and the Traitors rehearsal at 7pm so I got started on packing up what I needed and also remixing some of the backing tracks. I put it all together and Angela and I headed out the door 10 minutes till 7. We had time to stop for cash and were still able to get to the studio by 7pm. This was to be the first time I would play my new guitar through an actual honest to god amp. In the room was a nice Marshall with a 4x12 and man did it cook. Seriously so much fun to play that guitar.
The studio we were in was new to us. Atwater Deluxe, just on the south border of our neighborhood. The guy at the desk was super nice and the room was clean with great equipment. It was such a fun rehearsal. I had been nervous about this gig since we are down a member and I've felt a bit like it snuck up on us, this being our first and only time even rehearsing in studio. Yet through that I felt like we had a nice vibe in the room. We will be debuting a new Turbo Sunshine song at this show that I'm really excited about, "Beat of the Broken Hearted", a song I wrote for Angela to sing. It was sounding amazing already. We also have 2 never before played covers, the Human League "Never Let Me Go" and Whang Chung's "Dance Hall Days". I was pleased with and excited to perform both of them by the end of the rehearsal.
After rehearsal Angela and I stopped and picked up a 6 pack, which just feels like a nice way to come down off a good rehearsal. We were both happy with how it had gone and were excited to wind down a long day. While I worked with Craig she had as usually busted her little tush on our own home. I had been asking Angie to watch Zombieland with me for the past few months. We had originally seen it at the drive in but my truck was just a touch to comfortable and she slept the whole way through it. Finally Saturday night she relented and we watched it. Of course she enjoyed the hell out of it. We had a very nice night drinking our beer and finally falling fast asleep.
Sunday was all about laundry and putting the house back together after the big re-arrange. Pictures and Chandeliers had to be rehung. Sorting and cleaning and organizing had to be done. I was a domestic slave until mid afternoon when Angela I think sensed that I was getting a little stir crazy sent me out to run. I smoked a nice bit of green an headed back to the park for the second time of the weekend. It was a beautiful spacey run.
I finished the evening by working some on the backing track for the show Tuesday, adding some suture sounds between the songs to give us a few moments to regroup and change settings on gear. I then ran the set once for practice. I have really come a long way as a focused musician... I actually practice on my own now.
The weekend ended easily and peacefully. I'm glad to have been a part of it and I look forward to many more.
Friday, May 13, 2011
The Cars
I left work last night as fast as I could and drove like a bandit the whole way home. Once home I caught up with the lovely miss Angela. Then it was time to get pretty. The Cars played early last night, we had to leave home by 6:50 to make sure we got a decent place in line. Parking was easy since many of the spaces on sunset don't open up until 7pm. We parked right near the venue and walked to the massive line that was already stretching around 2 corners of the same block. It moved quickly though and soon we were inside waiting in another long line, this time for a drink. This line didn't move nearly as fast. Beer in hand we strolled to the GA floor and waited for our friend and old roommate Adro and her boyfriend Quinn to arrive. They showed up just a few minutes before the Cars took the stage.
They Opened the set with "Let the good times roll", the sound was great and the band seemed on it. After the first song the announced that they had not been in Los Angeles as The Cars since 1987. The rest of the set was awesome and it clipped along. The high lights for me were "My Best Friends Girlfriend" because the guitar work was just amazing, "Moving in Stereo" & "Sad Songs".
The set was short but great to witness. There are very few bands that have such great songs with such a clearly defined sound. I will always hold the cars up as a yard stick to musical achievement.
After the show we fought our way through the drunkens to the door and said good night to Adro and Quinn. We then headed over to Toi, a Thai joint on sunset for a late dinner. As soon as we set down Angie said, "Is this the new Cars album playing on the jukebox?" And sure enough it was. We ate a nice dinner and listened to the entire second half of the new album.
Tired but happy we headed home to spend time with the kitties and the bunny. Angela soon fell asleep and I stayed up late watching "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World".
They Opened the set with "Let the good times roll", the sound was great and the band seemed on it. After the first song the announced that they had not been in Los Angeles as The Cars since 1987. The rest of the set was awesome and it clipped along. The high lights for me were "My Best Friends Girlfriend" because the guitar work was just amazing, "Moving in Stereo" & "Sad Songs".
The set was short but great to witness. There are very few bands that have such great songs with such a clearly defined sound. I will always hold the cars up as a yard stick to musical achievement.
After the show we fought our way through the drunkens to the door and said good night to Adro and Quinn. We then headed over to Toi, a Thai joint on sunset for a late dinner. As soon as we set down Angie said, "Is this the new Cars album playing on the jukebox?" And sure enough it was. We ate a nice dinner and listened to the entire second half of the new album.
Tired but happy we headed home to spend time with the kitties and the bunny. Angela soon fell asleep and I stayed up late watching "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World".
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Vroom
I took some time off from writing here. I will now begin to write here again because I found that I was missing it. If I don’t write here I only write invoices, text messages, instant messages and a few emails which apologize for their brevity. I wish to write more than that. I need to establish some sort of routine for that. As a person who is able to really appreciate spontaneity, and the mad flashing instant I still tend to respond well to some form of routine. I’m going to try and start blogging from 9am to 9:30am every weekday.
There has been a lot of good stuff going on, and there have been weary days as well. Our apartment home is in a state of flux. The bedroom moved the living room, and the studio moved to the old bedroom, which is now an office/music studio/mega closet.
We have a gig coming up very soon, with DT&T. I’m excited to play my brand new guitar in public. Hell, I’m excited to play my brand new guitar through an amp even. Elene will not be joining us for this gig, as it happens to take place when she has a class. We’ve worked up a nice cover of “Never Let Me Go”, a brand new Human League song. We also have the good fortune of getting to Debut a new Turbo Sunshine song, “Beat of the Broken Hearted”. This is Dolly Dagger’s signature song and I feel like she is gonna knock it out of the park.
I soon plan to write about Devin’s album and CD release party. This and other things.
Tonight Angela and I will go see the Cars at the Palladium. I’ve been listening to their new album today at work and I report that it’s good.
Toodles.
There has been a lot of good stuff going on, and there have been weary days as well. Our apartment home is in a state of flux. The bedroom moved the living room, and the studio moved to the old bedroom, which is now an office/music studio/mega closet.
We have a gig coming up very soon, with DT&T. I’m excited to play my brand new guitar in public. Hell, I’m excited to play my brand new guitar through an amp even. Elene will not be joining us for this gig, as it happens to take place when she has a class. We’ve worked up a nice cover of “Never Let Me Go”, a brand new Human League song. We also have the good fortune of getting to Debut a new Turbo Sunshine song, “Beat of the Broken Hearted”. This is Dolly Dagger’s signature song and I feel like she is gonna knock it out of the park.
I soon plan to write about Devin’s album and CD release party. This and other things.
Tonight Angela and I will go see the Cars at the Palladium. I’ve been listening to their new album today at work and I report that it’s good.
Toodles.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Ambition
This is my 900th post. I have not been very wordy here lately. The lifestyle re-arrange is nearly complete.
I'm taking some time to myself this evening, to climb a hill. There is a fire road on the glendale side of the verdugo mountains which has always looked like a particularly fast way to cruise down from the top of the mountain. it's about a 2500ft climb in about 4 miles, and a nice 2500 ft drop in less than two, though it appears to be all even graded fire road. Should make for a very fast 1.5 miles.
I was looking around the other day in the neighborhood near my house and wondering why it is that I seem to be the only person I know that just has to stand on every peak within view of my home.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Good bye desk
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Thursday, April 21, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
A whole week of hash marks
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Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Friday, April 08, 2011
Born 11/17/10, Nashville Tn
I have a new guitar. I'll talk more about it at another time. My guitar collection is pretty near complete. I could down the road justify upgrading a few models, but for the most part I have all the tools of the trade. Sure, a quality acoustic guitar would be swell, but that is another thought for another time. I just wanted to mark the day here, I'm not ready to talk too much about the guitar yet. I will only go so far as to say that it's the most magic I have ever felt from a brand new guitar. There must be some force, some reinguitarnation, because this instrument has a certain soul to it. Perhaps I put it there, I willed it into being, and it's a synergy of my desire.
I have been sick. It sucked. Missed half a day of work. Feeling better today. Just tried to do a set of 40 push ups. Completed them only to find out I'm dizzy as fuck. I don't think I'm ready to get back on that horse.
Everyone is out of the office this morning. I'm going to take a nap on my desk.
Ta Ta Ta.
I have been sick. It sucked. Missed half a day of work. Feeling better today. Just tried to do a set of 40 push ups. Completed them only to find out I'm dizzy as fuck. I don't think I'm ready to get back on that horse.
Everyone is out of the office this morning. I'm going to take a nap on my desk.
Ta Ta Ta.
Monday, April 04, 2011
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