Find The Silver Key

August 12, 2010

GAMES and Facebooking

Filed under: Hints for Treasure Hunt, New Music News, Silver Key, Silver Key Hunt Tips, Weirdo Deluxe — admin @ 5:33 pm

Hello.

Welcome back, I suppose. It’s been an involved summer.

I had a real vacation, and that was nice. Been writing lots of songs for a variety of uses. Playing ukulele and piano. Writing. A surprising bit of writing, too.

But you don’t care about that, do you? Probably not.

You want to know:

1) there’ve been some ads in GAMES Magazine of late, which will hopefully bring some more players to the game.

2) Facebook. Yes. We’re there. Go in and search for The Silver Key and you’ll see us. Please link and spread and all that. Also, as I clearly know next to nothing about Facebook, if you have any tips or tricks or whatever, I’d love love love to hear ‘em.

3) Hints. Clues. Yes. Between now and Sept 15 (halfway, dontcha know) I’ll have some art and at least one song. They are clues. Things that might help you sort out how to find the clues in the puzzle. AND I hope to blog soon with a roundup of the clues people have solved (or think they’ve solved) so far.

4) YouTube. Nope. Not there. There’s been a few folks who’ve asked me about the Marvin videos on YouTube. Let me be very clear about this: there are no clues there. None. Zero. This is not a false hint, a bit of misdirection. All the needed info is in the album.

Back sooner than last time. Promise.

May 29, 2010

it’s been six weeks

Filed under: Hints for Treasure Hunt, Music, New Music News, Silver Key, Silver Key Hunt Tips, Weirdo Deluxe, songwriting — admin @ 10:41 am

Indeed. Sorry ’bout that. I was sick (pneumonia) for a bit. The hard part was not the lay-in-bed-for-some-days part, the hard part was feeling just fine but having to take a break midway up a flight of stairs ’cause I was just too winded. Terrible.

Anyway, since last I wrote I’ve somewhat immersed myself in some other art projects, very few of which are musical. As I’m not making a living with any of them (i.e. relying on them for income) I’m just sort of letting things flow where they seem to want to.

I have almost finished some songs for the annual album by The Weirdo Deluxe. Odd calling it an “album”. Dunno yet if I’ll press actual, physical CDs or just make it a digital only release. They tell me the music business is changing, but what do I know? I just make songs.

I’m really thinking about putting together a regular band thing – doing western swing and new orleans stuff – or maybe making our own category where those two things merge. Whatever. Gotta swing and have a clarinet in it.

And a hint. Yes. A hint for The Silver Key is coming. Actually, it will be hints. A small collection of three or four things: a song, a map, an image, perhaps a code or cypher-text (or what appears to be a song, map, image, & cypher-text). The song is written, the rest is planned: I know what I want to do, but haven’t created it yet. I called a drummer the other day to schedule a session, but it turns out he’s on vacation on Kauai. Nice. I’d l like to vacation in Kauai.

I have no idea when the hint(s) will be released. On or before Sept 15, though.

More soon.

April 2, 2010

been awhile

Filed under: New Music News, Uncategorized, Weirdo Deluxe — admin @ 9:24 pm

First there was spring break, which means SxSW in Austin. And the Ides of March. And St Patrick’s, naturally. I played, I think, five gigs with The Silos, which was great fun. Walter even asked me to mix some of the new record, which was a very kind thing.

Then I threw my back out and spent a good number of days horizontal & not moving much. Not fun. Not very highly recommended.

April Fool’s Day came and went and I didn’t get pranked. Last year I was in on a rather elaborate plan to ensnare my grand-boss – he’s a pretty sharp guy, too, but we got him. He was embarrassed as he normally catches all kinds of people and prides himself on being difficult to fool. So I anticipated a reprisal at some point. But nothing happened. Perhaps next year.

Music? Why yes, I’ve been writing a bit, my fascination with the ukulele continues, and I have a recording session next Sunday (4/11). I still need to write the horn parts. I’m rather stumped, but pressure and deadlines have a way of frightening things out me, so we’ll see what pops out. I do hope it’s good.

Tomorrow: shoes. Probably some more Keens, probably from REI. I like Keen’s ’cause they’re wide enough for my toes. Many brands aren’t. I’m not 100% sure they’re ideal, but they’re damn close. And I am a firm believer in REI because of their customer service & return policy. It’s hardly ever come into play because they carry quality stuff, but it’s nice to know I can return anything, for any reason.

O – and it looks like The Silver Key will get a small spot of advertising in the near-ish future. And I’m contemplating some sort of hint: how to do it, how it will work, what format(s), etc. It’s fun. Almost as good as making the album in the first place. Watch here and/or the site for updates, etc.

AND, as if that weren’t enough, there will be a website for the Weirdo Deluxe shortly. I’ve seen the layouts, and it’ll be cool and simple with lots of music. Slim on wordy info (like, say, this post) but it should encompass most of the things I’ve worked on in the last 15 years or so. Which is a lot.

Sleep. Now.

March 3, 2010

dog bites man

Filed under: Music, New Music News, Weirdo Deluxe, songwriting — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 11:21 pm

I got attacked & bit by a dog. Again. This is the 4th time (I think – it might be more). I’ve been chased innumerable times, but only bitten four times. Like, broken skin bitten. This is the first time I got bitten twice, though, so that’s remarkable in it’s own way – once on the knee and once in the meat of the hand.

The dog is very kind, has never bitten anyone, a young lab mix. But apparently I bring out the biting in some animals.

Just got back from a session with Kyle, one of my favorite drummers, and George. That was cool – recorded a little ditty. And I haven’t seen Kyle since we recorded the last little ditty with George, which has since turned into a big ditty with a TON of vocal tracks. Lots and lots of fun.

I am now actively trying to contact one of the greatest living guitarists. We’ll see if I can get a message through. The message is this: Wanna play on my next album??

I have, I think, 5 gigs with The Silos over SxSW. At least one of them with Exene Cervenka. And that is rad.

And the new website has begun. The beginning has started. I’ll post more later when that is up but I spent a nice evening scanning this and that, then some time listing songs and looking through old albums. The site should have things going back to 1992 or so. Should be cool.

February 19, 2010

back to Nashville ?

Filed under: Music, New Music News, Weirdo Deluxe, songwriting — admin @ 6:35 pm

Looks like I might – MIGHT – be headed back to Nashville for another recording session, which has me stoked beyond reasonable belief. I was talking to the head engineer I’ve been working with and he not only agreed to mix the tracks we’ve done so far, but to perhaps, maybe, record again. YES! Good news. This is the studio I was in last time. Might well be there again.

Looking for a 6-string ukulele. Like a Kamaka or a Kanile’a. Why? because they are devastatingly beautiful and sound lovely. I figured out what my attraction is (or at least one of them) to the ukulele. It’s that with this small, deceptively simple instrument, you can imply enormous, complex beauty. That’s something to treasure.

- – -

Apropos of nothing, the things that matter:

Food & shelter, love, laughs & smiles. The rest is the rest.

February 14, 2010

the size of my smile

Filed under: Music, New Music News, Weirdo Deluxe — admin @ 1:20 pm

Last June I did some sessions in Nashville with the mother of all studio bands. It was incredible. Unreal. My songs have never, ever sounded so great.

I brought the tracks home and got busy with other projects (The Silver Key) and other songs, and didn’t do my work for the longest time. In part, too, ’cause it’s a daunting thing to hear the songs played so well, and I’m not *enter great singer here* and I want to measure up as best I can. To help me do so, I invited over George.

I must have met George Reiff right after I moved to Austin. He’s a fine, fine musician and bass player. Bass players normally don’t hang out much. There’s only one of us on any particular gig, and the only times we’ll run into each other is between sets when one is moving stuff off stage and the other is putting stuff on. But somehow back-in-the-day we met. And we’ve played for about 5 of the same bands (usually he first, and me after). Off the top of my head: Kacy Crowley, Kitty Gordon, Cotton Mather, Patricia Vonne, Billy Harvey. I think that’s right. There are more, most likely.

Of late George has been doing quite a bit of producing. He’s very good. And he agreed to come over, bring a great mic, and then twiddle knobs and offer perspective on my performance. And he did. And it was great. Not perfect, maybe, but about the best I’ll ever sing those songs. And I am very happy. My smile is wide.

NOW all I gotta do is write & record horn parts. Then find someone to mix. I might mix it myself – it was recorded so well it’d be difficult to mess up – but then it’d sound even better if I got a pro in. Plus, someone owes me a favor, so….

All of these songs, and more! will be available on my annual The Weirdo Deluxe album. This year’s, (Vol. 6), should be done in August or so.

February 7, 2010

a whole new treasure hunt

Filed under: New Music News, Weirdo Deluxe — admin @ 2:52 pm

I don’t have enough time and money to do the projects I want to do, and here I am thinking up more. I just had a super-cool idea for a whole new treasure hunt. Somewhat more limited in scope, perhaps (I’m thinking a state vs. a country; but maybe not), but the title, the concept, and most important, how to hide/order the clues just lined up in my head nicely. Crap. No I have to write it down somewhere and NOT LOSE IT.

And maybe someday perhaps maybe get around to making it. You know, when I have nothing else to do with my oodles of free time.

Still, it’d be a good one.

tv

Filed under: Music, New Music News, Weirdo Deluxe — admin @ 10:35 am

It just dawned on my I never linked our tv spot here. Or maybe I did and just forgot about it.

At some point I’ll get a clean version and drop it on YouTube, but until then, it’s HERE.

- -

Today, Sunday (there is also some football game of note today) is when I start my second big PR push. Not that I am a PR expert, but so far the word has not spread as wide as I wanted, so I’ll do what I can to holler from the rooftops (figuratively speaking) and see what happens.

And my clawhammer ukulele technique is developing. I swear, I need to find a local ukulele teacher. That’d be so cool

February 4, 2010

sick again, and an 8-string ukulele

Filed under: Music, New Music News, Silver Key, Weirdo Deluxe — admin @ 3:23 pm

Ugh. Virus, please go. It wouldn’t be so bad if not for the slitting headache, the back/body/joint ache, the sneezing and runny nose, the fever, chills, sweats, and the sore throat. And by “sore throat” I don’t mean that it’s a little red and sore, I mean it’s like broken glass when I breathe. Argh.

The Dr found no flu or strep, so that’s good; but that also means no antibiotics. I’m relegated to bed rest, fluids, and chicken soup.

And here I was planning on doing some vocal tracks this week. Ha!

- – Although, on The Silver Key, I achieved a particularly strained/gravelly vocal sound on “Where The Blue Meets The Blue” by singing with strep throat. I had some other sessions booked and had to cancel ‘em (no way am I gonna spread that shit around) and Jon said, “try singing with it” so I did. Came out OK and I used some of it.

Also, I took delivery yesterday of a marvelous 8-string ukulele, also sometimes called a Taro Patch. Sadly, it was damaged in transit. Like, the neck broke. So I opened a claim with UPS and they picked it up to inspect. I suppose they’ll make some kind of determination that absolves them of any liability; but hell, I used to work in the San Jose hub and I’ve seen how packages get treated. And this uke was in a hard-shell case, and very well packed by a reputable dealer. We shall see.

- -

And, just an aside, ain’t love grand?

January 27, 2010

a new song, great joy; older songs, too; Spring

Filed under: Music, New Music News, Weirdo Deluxe, songwriting — admin @ 4:22 pm

Seems like winter has lifted in my head. Spring has sprung.

I was sick last week and that lifted, making me feel energized and capable. Like a million bucks. Then yesterday morning, just getting out of the shower, a brand new thing popped into my head. By the time I got to a guitar I had the first verse (melody, chords, lyric) and was working on the second. It played in my head on and off most of the day, and by the time I got home I had the big pieces finished.

Now all that’s left is the twiddly stuff: intros and spacers, an end to the bridge, the right key, and making sure the words fit in the mouth just so. This last part is important. The words have to do right on paper, but do even better in the mouth. Vital.

So far it’s called “Yours Is Mine” and I don’t see that changing any time soon.

On another note, I’ve been reviewing scratches, demos, and actual recordings in various stages of completion. Gonna be FUN to finish these up.

I love spring. The only downside is I don’t have enough time to tend to everything that comes up; and some things get lost in the weeds.

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