Hello LAM! LAM! friends and Fans,


I shocked a couple of you with the announcement that my Cave show on Tuesday was going to be the penultimate LAM! LAM! gig here.


LAM! LAM! was an extreme reaction to an extreme situation. My entire music career was essentially wrenched away from me in one ten minute phone call last spring, a week and a half before I graduated college and started a new job. I was completely flabbergasted, hurt and convinced that I would never work with anyone again. I rejected indie rock in my heart a little, took to listening to European electro and disco classics. I tried to start a new band but was disappointed over and over again by rejection and finally, in an adolescent burst of genius thought "fuck this, I'll do it myself." And for a year, I did.


After almost a year of self-sufficiency, I answered an ad on AMCH about a band needing a keyboardist, wanting to do something radically different. That band evolved and turned into what would finally settle to become vODAK (myspace.com/tehvodak). Then I read an ad on craigslist about a girl band. I emailed the girl back and we met for coffee in Durham. She was quiet and shy, but friendly and when I mentioned Brainiac and The Make Up, she animated. My friend Jessica heard me casually mention the band and jumped at the opportunity to play together. That band became Pink Flag (myspace.com/pinkflagnc), a band that has also had its growing pains but is settling into itself nicely.



Since I've found such supportive, wonderful bandmates in Ben, Kevin, Doug, Jessica and Princess and have found more and more technical issues with my computer, I've found myself less likely to hoard my music and more likely to think, "I can't wait to hear Ben's overlay or "Princess has to sing this part." It feels good, it feels collaborative and best of all, it is safe and exciting at the same time.



I don't want to say that I will never play as LAM! LAM! again, because invariably, I will. My heart beats for trashy pop music and the LAM! LAM! act has been freeing, eye-opening and a real creative stretch for me, a foray into something new but very dear to my heart. The best thing about LAM! LAM! is that it started as something I did in my bedroom to let off steam, to goof off and entertain my roommate, to make a room full of friends giggle using a 10 Watt amp and a laptop. If you call me and ask me to play at your party or show, I will do it. I am ultimately choosing to be less aggressive as a solo artist and focus more on collaboration again.



Anyway, I'll be going out with a bang on August 23, with Sawteeth M and the Particles, and a very dear friend (and former bandmate) from high school who now plays as The Bicycats.

Please come and send me off well. It has been a wonderful year.

We have one (that's right) one shirt per color. I recommend reserving if you've got color preferences.

=)

Here's the prices and colors available (colors arranged in rainbow order, then from lightest to darkest):

Youth Large - $5:
Ivory (black ink)
Fatigue Green (black ink)
Kelly Green (white ink)

Adult Small - $5:
Ivory (black ink)
Ice Gray (black ink)
Shadow Gray (white ink)
Maroon (white ink)
Banana Yellow (black ink)
Khaki (black ink)
Fatigue Green (black ink)
Olive Green (white ink)
Sky Blue (black ink)
Royal Blue (white ink)
Purple (white ink)
Chestnut (white ink)

Adult Medium - $5:
Ice Gray (black ink)
Heather Gray (black ink)
Tomato Red (white ink)
Rose Red (white ink)
Maroon (white ink)
Chestnut (white ink)
Banana Yellow (black ink)
Lime Green (white ink)
Khaki (black ink)
Kelly Green (white ink)
Olive Green (white ink)
Forest Green (white ink)
Sky Blue (black ink)
Gray Blue (black ink)

Adult Large - $5:
Ivory (black ink)
Maroon (white ink)
Chestnut (white ink)
Banana Yellow (black ink)
Lime Green (black ink)
Sea Green (black ink)
Kelly Green (white ink)
Olive Green (white ink)
Forest Green (white ink)
Sky Blue (black ink)
Navy Blue (white ink)

Adult XL - $5:
Heather Gray (black ink)
Shadow Gray (white ink)
Rose Red (white ink)
Sea Green (black ink)
Fatigue Green (black ink)
Kelly Green (white ink)
Sky Blue (black ink)
Denim Blue (white ink)

Adult XXL - $8:
Ivory (black ink)
Heather Gray (black ink)
Shadow Gray (white ink)
Banana Yellow (black ink)
Lemon Yellow (black ink)
Royal Blue (white ink)

For $15 (and the cold weather...brrrr):
3 Adult XL pullover hoodie (black shirt/white ink)
3 2 Adult L pullover hoodie (black shirt/white ink)
2 Adult M pullover hoodie (black shirt/white ink)
2 1 Adult S pullover hoodie (black shirt/white ink)

The "censored" version of the LAM! LAM! 2008 t shirts won out...and they are being printed as we speak. Tee shirts will be in MIXED colors, sweatshirts will be black but VERY limited in quantity. Please see the following list to reserve yours today!

I am sorry that larger sizes are more expensive-- but they are more expensive for me too. =( I am only charging the cost for these shirts so sorry if the prices are a little weird.



Paypal payment is appreciated -- betsyshane(at)gmail(dot)com

Tee shirt sizes -- Mixed Colors, will give more detail when shipment arrives:

Available for $5:
8 Adult XL (mixed colors)
10 Adult L (mixed colors)
14 Adult M (mixed colors)
12 Adult S (mixed colors)
4 Youth L (mixed colors)

For $8:
5 Adult XXL Tee Shirt (mixed colors)

For $15 (and the cold weather...brrrr):
3 Adult XL pullover hoodie (black shirt/white ink)
3 Adult L pullover hoodie (black shirt/white ink)
2 Adult M pullover hoodie (black shirt/white ink)
2 Adult S pullover hoodie (black shirt/white ink)

<3 I am so fricking excited.

..>..>

GETTING READY TO PRINT

Which should be the FUCK SCENE tee shirt?

Version 1 Version 2

View Result

Free Web Polls

If you play a great show at an empty venue
but nobody gives a shit (as evidenced by the empty venue)
does it even qualify as a great show?

I'm gonna be music blogging in my blog.com account that was orginally devoted to durham music.  Since you know, I am part of durham music I figure I'll just start writing there.

that is at http://durhamidentity.blog.com/

thanks guys
<3

Press. It has five letters, but for me it has always been a four letter word. In the Relatively Calm we couldn't freaking PAY people to write about us. Nobody covered us. The only time we ever got Indypicks was when we performed with our solo/separate projects, and even then those usually involved the bands we booked with less than our actual individual talents. When you've worked behind the scenes of music at all, you know that press, even bad press, is of paramount importance. Your music may as well not exist if people aren't talking about it in public forums.

Then the era of the blog rolled in, and suddenly, I have press. Are blogs really the same thing as publication? Well, yes and no. It depends on the blog. It depends on the publication. I could publish a zine raving about a CD but if 3 people read it, is it better than a blog I can direct more fans to read? I don't know. I don't care...as long as I've got something to put on that one sheet...and more to come, hopefully.

So I'm going to throw my shoutouts to two surprising reviews I stumbled on while (of all things) google searching the LAM!, praying for press. I'm pleased as punch and sending some promo to other bloggers in hopes that they'll join the call. In hopes that maybe someone else will join.  Thanks to Bob (who I do actually know) at http://www.adventuresincarolina.com for I think I'm going to Carolina: Lam!Lam!

and thanks to Quick Like a Bunny for The Beat Goes On

I love the democracy of the internet. Oh yea, I also entered a contest from Spin (shut up) and am trying to get myself to SXSW. Although it's a clusterfuck and nobody cares, I want to go. I want to try, anyway. You can vote twice, daily-- sending a message with the text lamlam to 628466 or registering on musicnation.com, going to http://lamlam.musicnation.com, registering (cell phone required here too, for confirmation)
and voting. So yeah. I'm not going to be hyper pushy about it because I just don't see the need. I have so much luck and support around here, there's no real reason to invest too much in a silly contest. This place has been incredibly conducive and I've got more shows than I can dream about, so I'm happy. So come down to one. I'll also be at more shows than you can dream about from other people, I'll be sure to bump into you. Say hi.

Oh and I'm gonna print tee shirts soon I think. Fuck Scene!

Hell yeah.

<3
LAM! LAM! (loves you)

Dear people at the show last night,

Who were all of you and where did you come from?  I don't care but it was SO wonderful of you to stay and listen to all of us play.  I would that all audiences were that terrific.

Resist Not was a good solid force (and a gentleman) even though it's just him and his geetar and I reccommend that you try to catch him.  He's building up some shows.

I love Somebody Sam.  They are just adorable.  I was the only one shaking it a little, but I'm okay with that.  You guys aren't really up for the conservative booty shake.  You want to let loose.

So when LAM! LAM! came there was audience participation, there was dancing, there were clap alongs.  God bless you.  It brings a tear to my eye.

You have no idea what it's like to look into a sea of 20-something people at the bar where you're usually just parked as a patron and hear them clapping along to your music.  It's like zen.  Well, I bet some of you do.  But I love it anyway, it was a first for me.

So from the bottom of my little LAM heart I want to thank you.  The offer to burn you a CD stands, and I think I may print up some FUCK SCENE tee shirts to raise money for a less ghetto method of spreading the electro-goodness.  I mean, who doesn't think that's a cool tee shirt?  Seriously.  

Thank you all so so much for coming.  I know that last night was a HUGE night for Chapel Hill and Raleigh too and I'm honored that some of you decided to forgo seeing some seriously awesome competition and come check out all of us.  We were really quite thrilled.  And although the PA sitch is a little iffy, I wholeheartedly recommend my favorite bar to become a venue ASAP.

I believe I've just  been added to a show at the Resevoir in Chapel Hill, so keep tuned in.  The LAM! ain't done yet.  

Oh, and does anyone need thanksgiving plans?  I was thinking of trying to throw something together because I hate to travel on the busiest weekend of the year and  I loves to cook.

<3
LAM! LAM!

Well, it was another night at the Marvell, and the stage fright was kind of going on, I don't know why... I had my whiskey, met the other bands and I settled in for the Saints Will Do set, and people started trickling in. Lots of you. You beautiful, shiny people. So many, in fact, that it would be silly to shout out. I was just very glad to see all of you, and gladder to entertain you, make you smile.

It made me really happy because a lot of you also caught Saints Will Do's first set ever, and they are just fantastic, and I suspect in about 3 months when you all know about them you'll be going to see them all the time. Although I was disappointed so many people had to leave before the end of the show, I can't help but feel happy that you stayed for my set. It went off without a hitch. Played almost all the songs I'd planned to. Was able to adapt to my new heels nicely. I applaud you for singing along with me and Rick James. We love you very much.

Richard Bacchus, by the way, of D Generation, was incredibly good, and also friendly and helpful. I think if I'd realized who D Generation were before I actually played (seriously, google them) I would've flipped out a lot more, so it was blissful ignorance for the lam. Regardless he is swell.

Sadly, the show in Raleigh was not quite as great for me. There were a good number of people there, and a lot of talented bands, but it was late on a Tuesday, very eclectic and I started to get a little antsy at around 11:30. When I climbed onstage and did my soundcheck, everything was fine. As soon as I started Koala, however, my Ipod conked out, only playing (of all things) the tom parts and very faint high hats. I managed to make it through five songs. Yes, five. And only one of them (Apfelkern) actually sounded right. Go figure.

It's ironic because the Pour House was the place where The Relatively Calm definitely sounded the best. I also want to shout out to Out Of Orbit...at the pourhouse...together again. What are the odds? Thank you, derby family who made it out. Y'all had to suffer a pretty lame set for 11:45 on a Tuesday night, but rest assured next time I will figure a way to be the born dancing fool entertainer that I aspire to be.

While I was there I talked a little bit to James about why I prefer some local bands over others -- it's not that they're better. Some of the locals I love aren't even close to the best at their instruments; it's the fact that they are out at shows, every night of the week, helping to support the local scene, playing with local bands, playing with people they don't really know, whose genres may or may not mesh very well. I am all for support, I am all for equality, and I may be naive but I am all for opportunity. If there are five people at the show that really like what I do, that's great. If there is one person in the other band who wants to know how I sequence or if I want a guest musician, that's swell. It's just about being able to appreciate what other people are doing. I feel like it's hard to do it in Raleigh sometimes, because it's such a different world out there, but I was really happy to meet Richard Bacchus (who, after living in NY for more than a decade, ironically plays a pretty mean brand of punky southern rock) and know that in Raleigh there are people out there who aren't just waiting for their turn to play. There was also this awesome guy who danced to every song that every band played. He went from twinkle toe-ing his way through the dark progginess of Out of Orbit to twirling to Kristin McCabe's alt country croons to booty Shaking for LAM! LAM!. I FUCKING LOVE THAT GUY. I want to be him.

I am in the process of planning the 9/20 show at Sirens that will include RESIST NOT and Somebody Sam. So until then, I'm gonna rub my poor, high heel wearin feet, buy a new baby doll dress and break it in while dancing in the front row at some other local shows. If you want me there, just shoot me a message, let me know. I prefer seeing shows in Durham on weeknights but if you ask really nicely I'll go out of town. Why? Because LAM! LAM! loves you, of course.

<3

Hello my dearest darlings--

I'm going to tell you a little secret. I get stage fright. I get terrible, awful sick to my stomach stage fright. I spend the night before a gig dreaming that I am going to fall off my heels and break my teeth, ankle and worst of all, my guitar. I fuss all day about remembering the words to my songs. I sit in my little cubicle and from about 3pm forward, I am doubled over, shaky, anxious and fidgety. So I go over my songs again.

I tell you this, readers, because it matters to me. You see, I worry and sweat and freak the fuck out even though I know that only five or six of you will be there actually watching me. Maybe five or six more will stand at the bar, trying to talk over the music, will laugh when I inevitably do something goofy, or you'll stand outside on your cell phone smoking cigarettes. I don't really care about why you're there. But you see, it doesn't matter whether I know there are a thousand of you or if it's just me and the sound man.

I have a ritual and I can usually calm down. Whiskey plays a significant role. A scalding hot shower also figures into it. The ancient art of eye lining. Dog walking.

A lot of people have theorized about why people get stage fright. The funny thing is, I never got stage fright in the other bands. we played to hundred people and I didn't bat an eye. But getting up there, alone. Dancing. Trying to entertain you in a way you didn't expect. That's where the fear comes in.

I don't mind people not understanding, I don't mind people hating it. I hate the apathy. So the next time you see a bulletin for LAM! LAM! or some other new little band you've never seen, think about me, sitting in the shadow of an old tobacco building trying to stop shaking so I can go back to work. Think of the hope and the excitement. Think of how happy you'd make some new band for coming to their show and THEY DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW YOU. Maybe I'm a dreamer. It doesn't matter. I am still going to get nervous. Maybe someday, you'll justify it. And then, I'm going to dance like nobody's watching.

Cheese is now back in the fridge.

LAM! LAM! loves you