Kinda cool seeing my own record on Spotify, iTunes, AmazonMP3, etc... feels all official and stuff. I remember when you used to need a big label to get any real publication. Well, no label here. We did this all ourselves.

Anyhow, after about 6 months of in and out of the studio, it also feels great to have it done and move on to the next record.


American Stories - "Where the Grass is Green" (Listen on Spotify)

If you enjoy this kinda stuff live, we're playing DBGB's at the end of June.

I like how this one turned out...



We've been working hard on this recording all winter. I can't believe it's almost ready for release.

We're not expecting any real following for what we're making here, but the experience has been worth it, 100%.

This winter and spring's been trying for me personally, to say the least. Lost a child in the womb. Lost an uncle and mentor in a freak accident. Made a record that I'm proud to be a part of.

Anyhow, I'm looking forward to a warm summer with brighter days ahead.

It's been a long time since I'd posted anything here. I forgot how much I like this site, actually. Still smooth and effective with good readin'. Looks good on an iPad, too, which is where I read most blog-type-stuff.

Anyhow, I've been working with a new local band, American Stories. We'll be releasing a record soon to the usual non-existent fanfare that local bands get. Still, it's going to be a good record and I hope people enjoy it.

We had the good fortune to have friends from "Nickel City Blend" film a recent rehearsal. They're posting them as videos and I think they sound pretty good for straight-from-board rehearsals.

Nickel City Blend does mostly hip hop videos. So, I think it was especially cool of them to branch out and take interest in our little indie/americana/whatever rock band. (Whatever you want to call it, it isn't hip hop. It's far from it.)

Without further ado, here's the videos.

Here's one called "Little Bird":


and here's another called "Occupy My Heart":


If you enjoy this kind of music, awesome. I hope you'll follow us on the interwebs and such and maybe come to a show. We make the twitter noises at @AmerStories.

Every month or so, you can catch us playing a free show at Ulrich's tavern downtown. It's a lot of fun and still unbeknownst to many a hipster.

Anyhow, glad to see estrip still alive and kicking. Leave comments, for I like the validation!

About 2 weeks ago, I got an email from an old friend, Bob Fera. Bob and I go way back. I played bass with his band for a few years, wrote songs with Bob, recorded a record or two. Needless to say, I love Bob like a brother. A brother I hadn't really heard from in a decade.

Here's the backstory...

About 10 years ago, I'd quit his band. Just showed up at practice and said "Sorry guys, I'm done."

I just wanted to play different stuff, was fresh out of college, broke, lost my parents, and just needed a change in my life. It was a bit of a dick move at the time, but people quit bands. It happens all the time. Bob was not happy, but accepted it. After that, we hardly spoke.

So, a decade went bye. I got a job, played in other bands, recorded my own stuff (some good, some not so good), and generally moved on. Life's been, well, pretty good lately. I could complain about a few things, but compared to my 20's, my 30's have been a breeze.

About Bob Fera's music:

I think Bob's voice is unparalleled. Just about everyone who sees him does. The man can sing. Unfortunately, he's never gotten the acclaim I really believe he deserves, not only as a singer, but as a songwriter. Bob's songs are simple, catchy, honest, and full of heart. The fact that his voice is so perfect sometimes distracts the listener from hearing how damned good the song itself is.

Here's an example... I was at his gig last weekend at the Tudor Lounge and shot this video:


Please excuse the cheesy video cross-cuts, I was covering up for my poor iphone camera skills, beer spills, etc. In the end, I tried to make the footage fit the song (titled "Just another mile...") and cut out my thumb on the lens!

Here's another track that I'd recorded with Bob back in the 90's. (The man can sing, but the song itself is pretty excellent..)

::DOWNLOAD SOUND::

Anyhow, seeing Bob perform this past weekend highlighted (for me) how important Bob should be on the buffalo scene. More people should hear his music. Seeing Bob light up a stage is something we need to see more of.

So... why did Bobby email me 2 weeks ago? Well, Bob asked me to come back and play bass with him again. He's moving the current bassist (Nate) over to the piano.

Of course, I said "yes". Bob's making some of the best music in town and I am excited to be a part of it. More importantly, I'm even more ecstatic that I'll be seeing my old friend a lot more.

Hey folks. I've decided to create a new art form. It's called Reading Poetry to the Lawn Mower. This new medium is sure to revolutionize the art world. You see, garden equipment needs more culture. It's starved for some lyrical content. As such, I've taken up the task. I've even offered services to read to my mower on commission.

There's nothing quite like the expression on a weed wacker when you read it a nice passage from Frost, Poe, Dickenson, or Lady GaGa. You can see the years of abuse melt away. I had to document the phenomenon.

For my first forray into this new, emerging artform, I've taken on a song by the budding English artist SiFu Music .

You may ask yourself: "Why SiFu Music???" or "What the hell is SiFu Music?"

To answer both of those questions, I present to you "Aint Whatcha Say", the classic opus by SiFu Music:



I know what you're thinking: "Wow, that's the most amazing thing I've ever fucking heard!!". Well, my friends, you are correct. Your life has been altered. You may thank me, later. I, too, was blown away. With lyrics like "Ju Ju Ju Ju Ju Ju Ju Ju Ju", Bob Dylan's legacy is sure to fall.

I then proceeded to listen to the song for 24 hours straight. Although, it might have been 24 seconds. You see, I can't tell because listening to "Aint Whatcha Say" actually has time travel as a side effect.

So, when I returned to my senses, I said to myself: "Self, your lawn mower needs to hear this...". After hearing myself say that to me, I sprung into almost immediate action. (Ok, I waited like a week, but I'm a busy mo'fo and there was time travel going on.)

I grabbed my trusty video camera and made a movie... check it out:


But that's not all. I felt this song deserved more. It needed a tribute. An homage to the inspiration. Sleepless nights ensued. I was haunted by the sound of "Ju Ju Ju Ju Ju...".

It had become the white whale to my Ahab.

I had to conquer "Aint Whatcha Say".

So I busted out my trusty axe. I started riffin' in tongues. I traveled to the netherworld. I spoke to the animals. My soul took flight. I made an mp3.

::DOWNLOAD SOUND::

Wow. I'd kinda forgotten I had this journal page. Oh well, maybe I'll start using it again as the "Facebook" thing is getting old. (An iphone app for e-strip would probably make me use this site more, as I'm lazy like that.)

Anyhow, at the request of Chris ((e:Ruleofblue)), I've finally posted some of the songs I've been recording on ReverbNation.com. (Feel free to pop over and download some free mp3's if you want.)

It's really just a mixture of tracks I've recorded @ home. No real theme or style. I recoeded everything myself, but I think some of these came out OK. No band to speak of and I'll not be bugging anyone to come see any live shows.

Anyhow, there's 4 songs up there now and I'll be adding a few more when I finish mixing them.

The first track I posted is a ska song. I decided it needed a video and that video needed muppets. (In my opinion, everything is better when muppets are added.)



Watching the video now, I totally should have included the scene where I get the muppets drunk... perhaps I'll do a "director's cut" next...

I read (e:jenks,123) and felt compelled to post a soundtrack entry that fits the scene.

We all chicken out when it comes to asking someone out. Asking someone out involves putting yourself out there, ready to be crushed. It's a vulnerable state to be in, like Rhode Island. (No one wants to be in Rhode Island.)

Anyways... here's a great song that might help change the ending of that scene next time. In honor of (e:jenks), I've even posted the song as my user sound.

Scene: Letting someone slip bye without taking a chance. This is the music that should be playing in your head when you finally muscle-up the courage to walk over and ask him/her out.
Song: Stupid
Artist: The Long Winters
Album: When I pretend to fall
Description: A jangly indie-rock track. These guys sound like Wilco meets Paul Weller. They have a strong Weller-like beat here, with the folk-charm of Wilco in a rock song. The lyrics describe a guy who's been too shy to ask someone out his whole life, but decides he'd be more stupid if he never tried. Great motivation. Perfect "soundtrack music" for a soundtrack moment like (e:jenks,123)


(download this song here: )

I've pretty much stuck to posting suggestions with a joyous theme, but as we all know, not every moment is one of exuberant joy. There are dull, drab days in our lives... and we need songs to fill them. So, here's goes...

scene/mood: Rainy, damp and dreary. Perfect song for driving down elmwood with the rain beading on the windows. Stair at the curb as it blurs in and out of focus and cue up this song...
Song: Tied to a Million Things
Artist: the Pale Pacific
Album: Urgencey
Description: Maybe it's where they're from, but the Pale Pacific have put together a track that's smooth yet driving with a somber, yet energetic feel. This indie pop track fits well into any Cd collection. The band sounds like an indie version of Toad the Wet Sprocket.... enjoy.

As the weather continues to improve, it's an easy pick... nothing says springtime, fresh air and all that like...

Scene: The lyrics can set the scene for you. Roll down the windows and get some fresh air. This track makes a perfect background for a sunset drive in the spingtime.
Song: Rodeo Clowns
Artist: G. Love and the Special Sauce
Album: Philadelphonic
Description: It's G. Love. You need some G. Love in your life. When spring approaches, we all need a little G Love in our lives. As always, this track provides the G Love smoothness, and the Philidelphonic sounds...

Ok, it seems that my last post struck some form of chord with at least a few people, so my research wasn't just a light fluttering among my neurotransmitters. There must be something to this, and so I continue...

This little blog is about improving te soundtrack of my fellow man (or woman... or people... ah whatever... "other people")

Therefore, I'm going with a "feel good" theme right now... I am personally sick of gloomy weather and feel that spring is coming soon. In preparation, I'm prepping my soundtrack (and hopefully someone else's) with some feel good hits. So, after much delay, here's today's 'feel good' two-fer...

Mood/scene: Feeling down on oneself, left out of the mix, but ready to get back into it...
Song: you are invited
Artist: the Dismemberment Plan
Album: Emergency & I
Description: Mathy indie rock with a lot of heart. This track mixes a little bit of cheesy casio and vocals, but explodes with a nice twist. The lyrics are touching and uplifting, like the title. definitely inspires confidence and would make a great "comeback" montage.

and our "bonus track"...

Mood/Scene: Heading out with a bunch of friends. Could fit a "comeback" for anyone who's had a breakup, or run into an old flame...
Song: Outtasite (Outta mind)
Artist: Wilco
Album: Being there
Description: Well, Wilco is a class act and has a lot of great songs, but this country-fried rock ditty combines all of the heart, soul, melody, and guts anyone could want. The line " Look out, here I come again, and I'm bringin' my friends" fits well with today's feelgood comeback theme.