Cops

In California we now have a hands-free law, soon to include no texting and no emailing.  The fucked up thing!  In the past 2 days I have seen 2 cops driving their patrol cars while talking on the mobile phone.  Hmmmm.

It is bad when you see bus drivers, FedEx, UPS, etc doing it but the cops!  Come on.  I know you think you are above the law but come off it

Show Last Night

Stopped by the Henry Fonda last night to see The Builders & The Butchers.  They put on a great show.  Lots of stage presence and personality in the band and most importantly great songs. They did a really great job of performing in front of a hard crowd.  It says a lot about a band who can get up on stage and win over an audience who are for the most part unfamiliar with the band and who are here to see another band that is dramatically different.  Very impressive.  There is this wonderfully organic vibe that comes from the band.  They could translate as equally as well on a huge stage as well as in front of a campfire.  I see a campground tour in their future!

I only saw a little bit of Amanda Palmer but I was definitely impressed with the show she puts on.   This is not something that I would put on at home or in the car but I think she is a great performer who understands her audience and caters to them.  It was very refreshing to see.  

If you do not know the Builders, go download it.  Great stuff.

Top Ten So far

Not in order but here are my favorite records of 2009.  There are other good records but not many Faves.  There are few really good ones that I left of the list because I am not sure I will LOVE them forever.  The older I get the better I am at differentiating between records that I really like now and records that I will like forever.  Perfect example.  My Morning Jacket's "Evil Urges".  I love the band and like the record but I am not sure it will stick with me very long.

1. Dead Meadow "Old Growth"
2. Elbow "The Seldom Seen Kid"
3. Death Cab For Cutie "Narrow Stairs"
4. Cold War Kids "Loyalty To Loyalty"
5. Portugal. The Man "Censored Colors"
6. Sigur Ros "med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust"

Back From Portland

It has been a hellish month for me.  18 days of travel, 5 days of stomach flu and virtually no sleep because Ronan has decided to stop sleeping.   Things are hopefully back on track soon.  I just need to ride my bike and I will feel a lot better.

Portugal recorded a live record this past week.  We filmed it as well.  It was done in a studio in Oregon City and I think we captured something special this go around.

The band has been playing so well that I thought it was imperative to get their Live Sound down on tape.  Yes tape.  Well at least we will lay it off to tape.

Band Rule...created masters.  Keep working and keep recording.  You are only as good as long as you are producing new material for the fanbase.