Up and coming

Yes, yes, I'm having difficulty getting things done in a timely fashion. I'm about to hit the road for two weeks with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO) as Technical Director for their Summer Festival Tour, so no new episode shall be seen until I make it back into the real world, which will be sad, as it always is when this tour ends (this is round six for me). But, last night, late last night, after a stupendous evening of music from the boys of Farm and a late night set by me (also not too shabby, if I do say so), I was struck with a couple of good ideas for the show. I find that letting things marinate usually creates a better end product. And acting instead of planning. But I digress. Here are my ideas in no particular ordeR:

1. The next episode is Maryse Smith. I'm going to get some footage of her singing live and then splice it with her studio stuff to make it a little more interesting.
2. Her episode will feature a VSO-themed Cigarette Break segment at the end, footage taken on the tour. We're letting worlds collide here, well, not really I guess. Maryse studied piano (classical, I'm assuming), and is working for the Mozart Festival this summer, which is the VSO's direct competition. But don't worry, we're still friends.

So her episode is next, then Lowell Thompson. Then there are a couple of bands on the horizon (there's only so much singer-songwriter stuff I can do back-to-back). Husbands AKA will be on. I'll probably tape their stuff in their practice space instead of the studio. Then Farm, who is doing really well. They really rocked out at the Monkey last night. I can't believe the place wasn't packed. Where were you, people? Anyway, don't know in which order these will come out. Farm will be putting out a disc soon, so maybe I'll get them in there to promote it.

So that's pretty much it. I'm reading Wild Ducks Flying BAckward by Tom Robbins right now. I think a lot of people know how great of a writer he is, but I'm just learning now. He wrote this short essay called The Genius Waitress. It is unbelievable. I think I liked it because the character he describes is so similar to me and the types of girls I like as friends. Anyway, read it!

Episode 2: Kelly Ravin (the sepia episode)

Singer songwriter Kelly Ravin joins me in the studio. Lots of effects in this episode and a psychedelic weekend in Burlington immortalized in Cigarette Break.

Here's another and more to come

Hey y'all,

Sorry for the super long interlude between episodes. It's been a busy time and I anticipate it continuing much in this manner for some time. Do not fret, my pet, for we have taped two installments of Burly Song to be aired in the coming days. weeks, and months. After Kelly will be Lowell Thompson, then Maryse Smith. After that, I don't know. Maybe Farm or someone. Still wondering how long it will take to set up the sound for a band. It takes a good couple of hours to tape a half hour segment with just one person and their guitar, so I fear band sound will be rather involved. I've approached Jonah (you know, the dude that tapes everything and has a website where you can listen to it: www.burlingtonlivemusic.com) about using his sound from live shows and taping them, but we haven't really done more than chat about it at 1:30 AM in from of Esox. So anyway, hope you enjoy the episode with Kelly. I had a lot of fun fucking with the lighting. This is definitely the sepia episode. I like the effects more than how it all looks without them. Trust me.

That's it.
R

You can do it

Thanks to Dan Bolles for all the lovely coverage of this new project. Even though I snubbed him walking down Pine St. Not that we officially know each other, but we know of each other. Sorry, Dan, I was delirious with the onset of the worst flu (or any illness) that I have ever experienced in my days. Apparently, you didn't take it to heart.

And who is Charlie Rose? Maybe my lack of familiarity with this TV peronality stems from the fact that I haven't had a TV in a number of years. Or maybe I haven't been watching cable access? And you probably haven't, either. Perhaps you have flipped by channel 15 and seen two people talking. Talking heads. Boring. But I think there are some other very interesting shows airing, if not only because they are slightly bizarre. Keep in mind my exposure is limited, but I've seen a few shows while taking care of my business at VCAM's studio on Flynn Ave.

As I stated in a previous post, I started out at VCAM (Vermont Community Access Media) because of my job. Now I produce two shows for work and one of my own. I thought that I should be taking advantage of these skills that I had developed and these really awesome staff people who really want nothing more than for you to provide content for air (and to save your stuff to the right place...and maybe a lifetime supply of Diet Coke). So what are you doing to make channel 15 the shit? It's free, people, just call these people and they will get you going. You, too, could be doing something that is classified as better than Wayne's World. And maybe then, just then, it won't be shameful to be watching TV on Saturday night. But you gotta produce something worth watching.

And if you sign up as a VCAM member soon, vote for me.

Amen.

The VCAM number is 651-9692.

R

The set

What do you think of the set? It took me a while to drill, spray paint, and string together those records, but it just isn't doing it for me. The scene I had in my head was way cooler. So this brings me to this idea: maybe there's a local artist that wants some free and regular exposure, someone who wouldn't mind their name being mentioned in every episode of Burly Song, who wouldn't mind having an e-mail address or something on a lower third. So who will it be? I'll happily promote the shit out of your art if you agree to paint (or whatever medium) a mural that will serve as the Burly Song set. Drop an e-mail burlysong at gmail dot com.

R

The music in the credits

Hey y'all,

Forgot to give credit where credit's due as regards the music in the opening and closing credits.

First up is Husbands A.K.A.
Then a little Farm (that guitar solo couldn't have fit more perfectly)
Then a little of yours truly (had to)
Then some Kelly Ravin Trio

Yeah, go listen to these bands.

R

Episode 1: Paddy Reagan

Click to Play

Paddy plays some tunes, we drink some coffee, and talk politics, poverty, and pessimism. Just kidding. We really talk about him.

Let the good tapes roll

Ooo boy, thought I'd never get here. I'm a person that bites off more than they can chew at times. That doesn't mean I won't eventually chew that shit and swallow, it just means I spend more time doing so. I was wrapping up production for one of the other shows I produce (for work) when it occurred to me that I should have a show. Yeah, that's a good idea. Didn't realize how much work it would be. I spent a good 12 hours of time editing just the credits (thankfully, Seth Mobley of VCAM fame started them out for me). Then there was the time I spent spray painting records and stringing them together. Then Paddy and I filmed the first episode. He didn't like it. We did it again. But now, now it's ready for you to view.

My favorite part of this whole thing has been the "Cigarette Break" portion of the show. This is at the end of the episode. It's a bunch of snippets of folks (drunk or otherwise) out seeing shows. I ask these people about music. So far, questions have ranged from "Why are you here tonight" to "If you could be any musician (with unlimited talent), who would you be?" Feel free to comment or e-mail me if you have other questions that you think I should ask. You might be in the spotlight one night. The C.B. footage in episode one (guest Paddy Reagan) was taken on March 1 at a Farm show at the Monkey House. I also was honored to open for them that night.

In case you don't have a pen and paper handy when you're watching and want to send Paddy an e-mail, his address is monkeybarmusic@gmail.com.

E-mail me if you wanna be on the show or if you have praise, etc.: burlysong@gmail.com.

It's a wrap.