& The Boat Club Rd. Band
hi sweet people. Im proud to announce the debut shows of our new band, Son of Stan!!! Excited to play both Fort Worth at Live Oak and Brooklyn at Glasslands for our epic debut world tour. click the dates above the fliers for the presale links for both shows!!!
Monday November 5th. Glasslands. Brooklyn. NY. 9:30pm. w/ A VA VA and Andy T
or feel free to listen right over there on the side…. ————–>
Everyone has their best friend for this and that. There are certain friends that you’d happily watch a shitty football game with in pajamas. There are certain friends that you’d never let watch you take down an entire bowl of queso. I guess once even in a rare occasion, though, friends come along that allow you to truly “come as you are” in every situation imaginable, whether they are cutting, dyeing, putting gum in, or holding your hair (while you puke). But, I would guess it’s truly the MOST rare when the person that you are closest to is the very same person that was there when you entered this rowdy world, covered in slime. And Im not talking about your mom’s obstetrician. Meet my sister, Natalie! She is the one only and most super duper friend in the world. And she’s done more for me than just about anyone else, as well! Check out her thoughts below as I probe her mind with something other than a stick from the yard, as I would have to her face at age 7. She has some absolutely amazing insight. She loves Janet Jackson maybe more than I do. And be sure to watch the video at the end of the interview. Whoa, right?
THE CREATIVE PROCESS
1) Do you have the ability to create on a consistent basis, or do you find that most ideas come in those rare ‘flashes of genius’?I constantly create in my mind.
It’s the only thing that keeps me going…it’s an escape from reality, the mundane marching of ants that we as Americans, or maybe just humans have decided is the way to live. Flashes of creativity are constantly in my mind, the idea of playing the situation in a different way, the creation of a different way of seeing something, the creation of a thought that doesn’t exist, turning music into a movie, the drama into humor, the idea into a choreographed dance. I find that I create most easily while running or while I’m about to fall asleep. These are the times that I’m in least judgment of myself and my thoughts. I learned at a young age from some pretty smart people in what can be thought of as a not so open environment (in other words Crowley, TX) that in order to truly create flashes of genius there can be no judgment…not only of yourself, but others. So when I run, my conscious mind concentrates on the task and allows my creative mind to just flow…it’s the same when I’m tired. It’s like my conscious mind is too worn to judge my thoughts. Often times I wake up the next morning only to then judge what I thought was so brilliant the night before.
2) Further, how do you maintain motivation to stay hungry and create? What notion drives you to see an idea through?
I continually create in my mind because I’m never satisfied with what is. I’ve yet to really feel “it” and to really experience what it is that I feel deep down is what I was put here to do. I don’t do anything half way. You put a wall in front of me I will create a way to climb it, dig under it, go around it, smash through it (to a fault). Maybe when I become satisfied with life, my mind will go black?
3) What other creative avenue or area would you most want to work in that’s not your main focus? (ie: You may be an accomplished xylophone player, but deep down you really just want to sculpt busts)
When I hear music, I see a movie in my head instantly…it’s how I translate what the music makes me feel. Therefore, I’d like to translate that feeling through both picture and movement…..option A (and most obvious): a music video director. Option B (more challenging and passionate): a ballet choreographer. I find that ballet is the most passionate dance…the most dramatic and descriptive of feelings.
ME BEING A MUSICIAN, I WANT TO KNOW EVERYONE’S FAVORITES TOO
1) To me, the best music should either make you want to dance, or make you want to cry. What’s your favorite song to move to? What song makes you sob?
Anything Michael Jackson makes me want to dance..specifically “Off the Wall” and “Shake Your Body” (technically The Jacksons) and also “September” by Earth, Wind and Fire. Music that makes me cry is usually because it touches me specifically at the moment…however, “Just Breathe” by Pearl Jam, “Something” by The Beatles and for some reason “Adia” by Sarah McLachlan makes me emotional.
2) What’s been the album you’ve most consistently listened to in your adult life?
It’s a toss up between Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation” and “Control”…that’s why Janet Jackson’s “Number Ones” is the perfect album for me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkZyxIFimW8
3) Does Steely Dan creep you out?
I just got a stomach ache and had to walk away from the computer thinking about Steely Dan….something about that shit ain’t right.
LET’S DIG A LITTLE DEEPER.
1) What’s the one thing no teacher would’ve ever taught you in school, but you wish they would’ve?
There ain’t nothing wrong with some people that a good ass kicking wouldn’t take care of.
2) The world is a super scary place. Are you optimistic about the future of it?
I’m optimistic that it will only get worse.
3) What happens after we die?
You go to heaven or hell….but based on seeing some family members die…someone comes to get you and take you there.
LET’S GET A LITTLE WEIRDER.
1) Tell me something.
The time I peed in front of Mr Peppermint was the defining moment in my life…I was 3.
Period. I live in LA, but Texas is home. My hometown of Fort Worth, TX seems to be bubbling at the surface right now, musically speaking. When it comes to the FW scene, I’m super torn between cherishing the two notions of “wanting the world to notice” or “best kept secret”. Fort Worth has long lived in the shadows of Dallas, Austin, and even Denton…but I think Panther City’s time in the sun is no doubt coming, so BRING IT ON! I’m back in the Fort for a few weeks producing a few projects for the likes of Skeleton Coast and Quaker City Night Hawks and others, as well as working with my band EPIC RUINS. It’s so motivating to be here. Speaking of motivation, check out some of my current local favorites. So much good stuff.
FUNGI GIRLS
SKELETON COAST
QUAKER CITY NIGHT HAWKS
PINKISH BLACK
THE ORBANS
BURNING HOTELS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n74npakIDmo
EYES< WINGS< AND MANY OTHER THINGS
NEW FUMES
MADRAS
EPIC RUINS (i have to, ya know)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esZ7W6WMMbI
She sings. She shreds. She dances. Negahdari style. Check out what makes this LA rock and roll madwoman tick…tick…tick…boom dynamite! Look for a new album out from Happy Hollows soon (they are wrapping it up in the studio as I type). And if you’re in LA, be sure to catch Pisces at The Eagle Rock Performing Arts Center on June 22. Watch the music video for ‘Voodoo’ by Pisces.
THE CREATIVE PROCESS
1) Do you have the ability to create on a consistent basis, or do you find that most ideas come in those rare ‘flashes of genius’?
There are times when I am more inspired than usual, and I have inspired “flashes”, but on the whole I am constantly creating. I am totally motivated by the never ending desire to create! All of my friendships usually revolve around creating a project together, too. I’ve never had a close friend, or even a boyfriend, that I didn’t end up working on some sort of creative endeavor with!:)
2) Further, how do you maintain motivation to stay hungry and create? What notion drives you to see an idea through?
The notion that drives me is the pure bliss of it! It is such a blissful feeling when you create something where before there was nothing! I can’t think of anything as joyous! It would be a sad day if I wasn’t on fire with something I wish I could make. This desire inside is like living with a constant mix of passion and sometimes frustration, because I can never keep up with myself!
It’s just the way of life for every artist, I think. You have to live with this energy that pulses through you. Your only job is to try and keep up with it, and not judge the expressions that are trying to make their way through you, and into the world. The world can judge it all they like, but it’s not even entirely yours, really. It just comes through you…you just let it come. It’s just so strange. I sound so strange, but any creator knows this feeling, and that what I’m saying is true! 🙂
Continue reading “My Interview w/ Sarah Negahdari of Happy Hollows and Pisces!!”
Hi all,
It’s been a pretty exciting couple of months in the world of…everything. I hope you like the new look of the site. It’s a work in progress and will be changing over the coming weeks. How exciting?!
Fresh off of SXSW, I’d like to share the first single off of the upcoming Son of Stan record. Simply click below and it’s all yours. Love You.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD CORSICA
Definitely the highlight performance of this year’s Grammys!
Best Performance by Duo or Group. and The Grammy goes to: Morena y Clara, No Llores Mas!
It thrills me that today is finally upon us. It’s Grace Day in the USA….The incomparable Grace Woodroofe, and more specifically, her album ‘Always Want’ has stormed the American shores with fury today. This is a very special record to me and the family for lots of reasons. Not only is it an absolutely beautiful and whimsically dark experience of an album by the world’s most talented young voice, but it also features myself on drums on and vibraphone, as well as the rest of the Relentless7 brothers (Jason Mozersky and Jesse Ingalls) backing up Grace on their respective glass axes of musical force. Brother Ben Harper was at the helm and produced the furious piece that you’ll call an album, and the aural-wizard Danny Kalb engineered the thing into outerspace….Production help also came from the talented Mr. Justin Meldal-Johnson. And Over the past few months the family has expanded to include other dear brother-colleagues as well, as the incredible Justin Pate (keys), Daniel Marcellus (drums), Aaron Herbster (bass), and Kyle Crusham (all things music) have joined Grace as her live band. As you can see, we definitely kept it in the family.
And The New York Times love Grace too!
Additionally, I co-wrote the tune “Battles” with Grace, which will be released soon as a single.. I think all you grandsons and granddaughters of stan will really like it, I hope.
Here’s a visual taste of the first single “Handled”.
But honestly, this is far too much talk about the album. You just all need to do yourselves a favor and grab the album and give it the olde college listen. and listen. and listen. and listen again. And do it now. Its available everywhere music can be purchased (or enjoyed). like on iTunes here:
Always Want – Grace Woodroofe
In 2000, when I was still in college, I went to The Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth, TX to see a Vagrant Records tour which featured some of my favorite bands at the time (The Get Up Kids, Hot Rod Circuit and, (ahem) Dashboard Confessional). Having already been a life-long drummer, I couldnt help but be captivated by the dazzling silver sparkle kit that served as house kit for the entire touring lineup. Determined, I elbowed my way through the sea of little league t shirts and horned-rimmed kids up to the stage to try and make out what the killer looking and sounding kit was. I noticed the two crossed C’s on the kick head and immediately knew that was my future kit. As if seeing my young heroes all bashing the same kit wasn’t cool enough, I also was floored at how amazing the drums sounded. I surely thought it was some old type of Vintage kit I had never heard of. After some initial research, I started learning about the history of CandC drums. I learned that they were from (the then indie-rock hot bed) of Kansas City, I learned that they had been ushered to some success with the help of Ryan Pope, drummer of T.G.U.K. And, being fond of my creative roots handed down to me from my dad, I was stoked to learn that the two C’s symbolized a father and son team of Bill and Jake Cardwell. A few years later, when I was touring through KC with my old band, we had a tour stop at The Record Bar in Kansas City (a fine establishment). After our show and apparently impressed by my drumming, a couple guys (one which I recognized to be Ryan Pope, one of my drumming heroes) started feeding me shots of Chartreuse. Through a lavender tasting haze of spirits only the monks could create, I quickly realized that I was throwing them back, also, with Jake Cardwell, one of the two C’s of CandC drums. A quick and real friendship was quickly born. Long story longer and cut to today, I now am a proud member of the CandC drum family, and have been for 5 years. I’ve got 3 kits with them and a new one on the way.
The crafstmanship and attention to detail that the guys put into every single handmade drum, doesnt go unnoticed in visual or aural quality. They are complete pieces of art, handbuilt one at a time, in a shop in Gladstone, MO. They are the Vintage Corvette/Rolls Royce of drums, yet with a cutting edge detail and attention to the future. In every essence, their motto “Modern Vintage” is true. You can hardly turn on a late night Talk show or televised concert without seeing CandC drums adorning the stage, with some of the biggest drummers in music using them. AND EACH DRUM IS HANDMADE!!!
With me this week, is Bill Cardwell, the founder and master builder of C and C Drums, and of the new, built from scratch, Gladstone Drum Shells. He’s also a good pal. Read below and be inspired. I know that I was! I’ve yet to forgive his son, Jake, for the Chartreuse, however.
THE CREATIVE PROCESS
1) Do you have the ability to create on a consistent basis, or do you find that most ideas come in those rare ‘flashes of genius’?
Bill: There are so many things I want to do that time and financial limitation inhibit. Making dreams a reality sometimes can be a frustrating and slow process. At this point in my career, I am able to create some things on a consistent basis. Others are still only dreams and visions. Having the drum shell molds opened up a whole new world of creative desires that thus far have been consistent. Financial limitations keep things from moving more quickly. We (C&C and Gladstone shells) have our own creative desires that have only scratched the surface (in the area of drum shell innovation). Sometimes it gets so hectic just trying to get the next kit out the door that these desires get placed on the back burner. I am still the guy cutting every bearing edge for every drum shell. Doing every snare bed, And about 60% of the paint jobs and all the abalone work. Still…I have a head full of desires.