And seems I've had 20,001 page views as well! Not too shabby for not really promoting this thing. Guess I need to look into some version of Adsense, since my account got pulled for reasons that I don't want to get in to...
Anyway.
Much going on, both good and bad and somewhere in between.
For starters here is where 2013 finds me so far.
Composing this first post on Trin's Mac, as my laptop is going kinda screwy. I don't have the money to fix it. My van check engine light has decided to turn itself off after being on for the last 2 weeks. That is good, sort of, but I still need to take it in over the next few days. And to prep for that I increased the limit on one of my credit cards. Last year I made the most money I have made in my career as a musician, but still too broke to afford to fix either of the aforementioned technical/vehicle-related maladies.
But counting my blessings. I have a home which doesn't leak too bad in the rain. I play in some really good bands. I've made some pretty good music by myself and with other amazing players. My deferred probation (reduced DWI) ends on May 25. So after May 26 I feel safe in even typing the word 'alcohol' in this blog. Much to be thankful for.
There have been some deaths in the extended musical family, and many close friends are hurting. Life is short people, do what you love and love what you do cause our time in this plane of existence is not long, and there are no do-overs (unless you believe in reincarnation, so maybe there are plenty).
Regardless, the past few days have been a flurry of activity.
First gig of 2013 was a Thursday (Jan 4) that ETB got called in last minute at Friends. It was not so bueno. Was very cold that night, middle of a cold snap (for Texas at least). Not many people out and about, and we finally had to close the street window behind us. Felt like someone left the door of a walk-in freezer open.
But the ETB Monday residency earlier this week was great! Finally warmed up a little, lots of foot traffic. Played to a good weekend crowd, most of whom stayed during our set break so that was awesome. Good friends in attendance as well, our bros Moses Blues and Roberto Balderrama as well as tattoo artist Kelley Premeaux. Good to have some friends/musical family in the crowd.
Wednesday the rain let up for the drive to practice for the Shandon Sahm show tonight at 1st Down and Stassney. A Sahm Covers Sahm set, this time with my old Southern Gun Culture bandmate Amber Lucille on 2nd guitar. It sounded good and the show (tonight) should be fun. Also have an early Friends set with ETB tonight as well. I still need to look into leaving my guitar rig at 1st Down and Stassney, as I will have to get off stage ASAP and throw my bassrig in the van to get to Shandon gig as soon as inhumanly possible. Tomorrow night ETB is at BD Riley's.
Busy weekend.
Also, yesterday Eric, Rob, Loranda and myself shot this masterpiece at the now infamous Taqueria:
Figured this was a creative way to promote the Austin Music Poll this year, rather than just blasting FB liek everyone else.
But here's the link anyway:
http://www.austinchronicle.com/feedback/musicpoll/12/
Also been a flock-of-grackles-in-the-HEB-parking-lot amount of ETB band chatter past 2 days, lots being discussed re: plans and bookings this year. Busy is definitely good.
In other news, still putting Ocean of Stars together. Have been talking to a saxophone player who is very interested. Hope it works out with him, as the music definitely needs the extra instrumentation that 2 guitars can't always cover. Plus I want this to be more avant-garde than a straight up heavy instrumental band. Really want to take the audience somewhere, and not just around the block a few times. That, and I really want to raise the bar musically. I want the presentation to be almost symphonic, as this music is like the soundtrack to the Universe.
But have been hashing and rehashing an Ocean of Stars logo idea:
Still working on it. Found the font for the movie Time Bandits online, and had to buy it for $20. Fuck it, I like it a lot.
As always, there will be more to come. Next weekend ETB will be busy as well, Friday in Houston, saturday back at the Saxon, then right back to Houston to be on the radio that evening on 94.5 the Buzz.
Sweet!
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