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I'm a writer and creative director. I make things, collect books, write fiction and don't understand Zen. I'm Vegan.

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Music & Musings

Dan Wallace, a recording artists, songwriter, producer, composer, writer and all around super smart guy has a somewhat-new blog that he’s using as a sounding board for a range of philosophical discussion, criticism, commentary and storytelling. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Dan is best known for his music – putting out 7 CDs both as a solo artist and with his previous bands IZIS and the Pindrops (both of which he founded and fronted) – and developing a sizable following as an indie artist who has successfully bucked convention and eschewed the mainstream, while still drawing rave reviews and critical success for his innovative sound and adventurous recordings (I’d argue he’s one of the best under-the-radar artists in the world).

Dan’s a really smart guy with interesting ideas on pretty much everything. It comes out in his music and now it comes out in his blog which covers music, the music industry, composers, philosphy, writing, pop culture and more.

Give it a read. Leave a comment. Engage in the discussions over there.

And, if you haven’t listened to Dan’s music. I’d recommend that too. It’s fantastic.

American Artifact : Rock Poster Doc

Anyone seen this movie? I knew it was coming out but I hadn’t had a chance to check it out yet. However, my friend and favorite musician Dan Wallace has two songs in the film – this alone is worth the rental. Dan blogs a bit more about this over at his excellent site.

Trent Summar Video Release

A video that I recently directed for the single “Really Never Loved Her Anyway” is out. Look for it on CMT, GAC, CMT Pure and on other country music sites and networks. I loved working with Trent and the video came out really great.

It was sort of a “fun with overhead projectors” kind of experience, which I thought was excellent.

The video was produced by Task Force Films and Executive Produced by Chris Rogers.
For more on Trent Summar and the New Rew Mob, buy the CD, it’s great and visit Palo Duro Records online.

Trent Summar Video Release

A video that I recently directed for the new Trent Summar single “Really Never Loved Her Anyway” is out. Look for it on CMT, GAC, CMT Pure and on other country music sites and networks. I loved working with Trent and the video came out really great.

It was sort of a “fun with overhead projectors” kind of experience, which I thought was excellent.

The video was produced by Task Force Films and Executive Produced by Chris Rogers.

For more on Trent Summar and the New Rew Mob, buy the CD, it’s great and visit Palo Duro Records online.

New Timothy Craig Music Video

Keep an eye out for a new video from Timothy Craig. I just directed You Got It, the title track off his forthcoming CD of the same name due out later this year.

Tim’s been around the scene for a while and is a great artist and songwriter whose live shows are legendary.

You can hear the song over at his myspace site.

The video, which also features Devan Monako, a really talented model and actress, is sure to be a hot one.

So make sure that when the video comes out, you check it out.

New Dan Wallace CD: Culture of Self

Dan Wallace has a new CD and it’s absolutely amazing. In fact, I’d argue that it’s without a doubt his most creative effort yet.

Part of what makes Dan’s music so great is his ability to pull in a broad range of subtle musical influences and turn them into something no one has ever heard before. The result is a sort of cutting edge familiarity.

As for the songs, Culture of Self packs lots of punch. He opens with “Counting” a musical interlude that takes the mind on a bit of an aural journey only to give way to “Heap” another textured offering that builds and grows from vulnerable to soaring all while featuring Dan’s impressive vocal range and unique style.

The CD is filled with musical gems, including personal favorites “Low Road,” “Perfect Weather For A Superhero” and “Capsule.” Throughout the disc there are a wealth of unexpected moments from the atypical arrangements to the instrumentation, which is most on display with Dan’s guitar playing. Here he repeatedly teases us with his chops on songs like the previously mentioned “Heap” and “Perfect Weather For A Superhero.”

This isn’t a safe record. It takes chances and sticks its neck out. But this is precisely what makes it so remarkable. This is where pop and rock should be going as a genre.

Dan Wallace challenges his listeners. And as a listener, I sincerely appreciate this. In fact, as his popularity has grown, he’s bucked the trend to simplify and sellout, instead opting to create an even more abstract offering of songs that once they get inside your head will echo for a long time.

Trent Summar Video Shoot

I just wrapped on the Trent Summar video shoot. Trent was amazing and he brought an incredible cast of characters with him in his band the New Row Mob.

The song we shot was “Really Never Loved Her Anyway” which was written by Trent and Jay Knowles and it’s one of those tunes that you won’t be able to get out of your head once you hear it.

In fact, I’d say pick up the album because it’s great. And once the video is done, make sure you find that too. It’s going to be a great one. It’s fun, energetic, colorful and filled with stunning visuals.

I’ll stick it up here once it’s done.

Cat Power Gives Us Her Greatest Effort Yet

Cat Power’s latest CD is great.

It’s that simple.

Just when you think you have a handle on her style, she changes things up in beautiful and dramatic ways. “The Greatest” is no expection. In fact, it most perfectly embraces this very notion. Part soul, part country and pure emotion, she has created a modern classic. There is beauty in simplicity and no one gets this like she does.

I can’t say enough about how much I like this CD. Favorite cuts are The Greatest, Living Proof and Love and Communication.

Give it a listen.

Now Hear This: Neon and Gold

Neon and Gold, the lastest from Dan Wallace is out and I urge any fan of great independent music to get a copy. From beginning to end, this disc is filled with amazing songs rich with dynamic textures, beautiful arrangements, lush harmonies and strong musicianship.

Clearly an evolution in sound and substance over the well-received Pindrops CD, Neon and Gold shines brightly in what has bcome an increasingly dull and contrived music scene.

Stand out tracks include the infectious Fell, the very personal The Lizard and the Cat, Too Soon, Maybe, Homage and Sonatina. With that said, make no mistake, this album is solid from the first note to the last. And pay special attention to the guitar playing, an element that could easily get lost among the profound lyricism and memorable vocal performances.

Yes, this is a glowing endorsement. But this is one of those under the radar records you’re gonna wish you had so you can say you were listening to Dan Wallace before he blew up.

Planning A Musical Intervention

Ok, the guy across the hall from me at work must be stopped. All day long he sits at his desk, works diligently and listens to the worst collection of music ever assembled.

Not since man first began to bang sticks together and pound on skins stretched across gourds has there been an abomination such as this. He turns his stereo up and down in multi-hour waves so that just when you think you’re in the clear, he rips your heart out with a loud shriek, “We’ve built this city. We’ve built this city on rock and roll.”

For my part, I’ve engaged in a steady ritual of door slamming and wall pounding, always to no avail. I even sneak into his office and unplug his CD player when he goes outside to smoke just to send him a message. His take away: He thinks it’s funny. What’s funny about having to endure daily uninterrupted stretches of Wham, post-Thriller Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, several random metal songs of no merit, more post-Thriller Michael Jackson, some Mariah Carey, Huey Lewis and something by either Jefferson Starship or Foreigner? What the fuck? Is this guy trying to do me in? I tell myself it’s all part of some joke that he’s playing on all of us, but then I hear him sing along and I know the real truth. Which is why I must do something. Why we must do something. And that something is a musical intervention. It’s the only way to save him and to save ourselves.

UPDATE: He spent Tuesday morning listening to deep cuts by Air Supply. If anyone is curious as to what hell sounds like, drop me a line.