I've got a new blog over at Tumblr.com - http://jonmtm.tumblr.com/ so come and visit, sign up if you want. Follow me, join disqus and leave comments. Interact, reach out and live, love and survive.
I also joined Twitter - http://twitter.com/jedijon

Ladies and gentlemen, I've updated the top friends to include a few more musicians I've really been enjoying recently including The wonderful Paper Raincoat - AmbeR Rubarth and Alex Wong (Adam Christgau drums for them from time to time), Rosi Golan, who's debut CD is now on iTunes and who's voice is like silk, Alexa Wilkinson, a finalist in the Cosmopolitan competition that YouTube and Myspace dug like Doug, and last but definitely not least, a new contender for awesome sauce awards, Allison Weiss. You can check out Allison Weiss in the GA, SC and NC areas of the USA this next coming week. Please check them out and show them all some lovelovelove.


Winter Wonder2r with Dylan Gilbert starts next week!!!

"Driving on a Winter Wonder Tour: Allison Weiss will hit the road again in the next couple of weeks for what will be, to my knowledge, her second annual quickie tour during a UGA winter break. Her brother A. J. Weiss will accompany her again on lead guitar as Allison handles rhythm guitar and vocal duties. She'll hit Atlanta's Wonder Root on Dec. 16, followed by gigs in Hiawassee, GA, Greenville, SC, Charlotte, [Wilkesboro] and Hickory, NC. Weiss' newest album is Allison Weiss & the Way She Likes It, which was released earlier this year." - Gordon Lamb

This will be a haven away from heaven that is my other blog. I think I'll use this blog to just post about live shows, musical experiences (I'll let Jenny work on her accent) and generally musicians who interest me at that moment in time. Hopefully you'll find some diversity (an old wooden ship, as Ron Burgundy would guess) in my writing and choice of music but there's always a chance I'll be stuck in a rut just overly obsessing with one particular artist. This happens, but hopefully not here.

Lets begin then, with a review of Jenny Owen Youngs' show earlier this month (in August).

Jenny Owen Youngs, The Camden Enterprise - 12th August 2008.
An emotional performance - you can see the thought and energy going into each performance and every song's delivery contains the original raw feeling that was poured into the writing and recording of these songs. There is sincerity, satire and humour throughout. The separation between this is hard to really fully notice and appreciate. She appears sad to sing some words, but as an audience member sneezed she quickly fitted "Bless you" into the songs, and there is no sign of fear for improv or interaction with the crowd. Any person in the audience is included in some way without even really meaning to.

She moves between songs with quite lengthy pauses in which she tunes because "she doesn't want to make it any uglier than it already is", and because "our love has affected the non human guitar, which doesn't understand all the heat" and it is just a pleasure to watch her. She talks constantly about hugging and high fiving people after the show and that is because she too, like us, likes to be accepted and to be loved. Its not a promotional ploy but because she enjoys hugs as much as the next person, and she stayed for every person who wanted one, talked to every person and pretty much was at the event all on her lonesome.

It has been a long, long time since I have been to a show and still been buzzing positively for hours and days after the performance. The entire journey home all I could think of was how many songs had been played, things I'd recorded, the level of intimacy of such a performance and how engaged everybody was with it. An example, perhaps, is that when one person sneezed she added "bless you" between two lines of her song. The level of laughter last night could have had the performance mistaken for a comedy routine yet with great honesty she conveys her own nervous anxiety to the audience. Rather than making anyone or herself more awkward, the honesty just frees her up from other expectations and let everyone else ease tensions away. By the fourth song the crowd had really started responding with whoops, loud laughter and cheering/claps.

Put it simply, she's likeable. Whether this performance could translate to a large audience, I don't really know. To be honest I would like to see her with a larger fan base, but wouldn't have given up a small intimate show where every face is visible and all aspects of the show are communicatable from fan to artist. She has no barriers, and doesn't give off the vibe that she intends to. She can make herself invisible with the crowd and yet she can gain their full attention simply by started to speak. She doesn't appear to crave attention, but to be able to perform and hopefully make a living from doing so. And if none of those make you want to go see her perform, then consider the hug offered at the end. When there's so much judgement and problems with fitting in, or after a long stressful day, there is someone with arms wide open hoping you don't say 'no'.

-------------------------------
Aug 19

Too much hair will kill you everytime

My hair used to be this kind of length. Once upon a time I could balance this kind of length, with actually maintaining some disguise so that people wouldn't think I was just an unkept hobo hustling for change in a hoody. Somehow, the recipe to shiny, gorgeous hair left me. What I'm trying to say is, that in some areas of life, I have lost the plot. For this, I blame electro pop.

Thrash metal, hair metal and classic rock are all hugely about the sound but you still remember the hair as soon as you hear the songs. Think Brian May from Queen, think Jon Bon Jovi, probably shouldn't think any further - its too early in the day.
With electro-pop, its far more about The Cool. You still have the long hair in some groups (see Hadouken!) but its more about the colours you wear and the designs of your shoes than you specifically. To be honest, I quite like that in some aspects. If you want an identity, you just grab a colourful t-shirt. If you want to do something crazy with how you look, you don't have to wait six - a thousand months to grow your hair long enough. In that amount of time you've probably swung the pendulum back and forth more often than you listened to that one group… what's their name… um.

I quite like bands that bring a branded identity with them (though not as much as record labels and marketing firms like them). I enjoy individuality as much as the next clone lining up to be shot (either by camera or pistol), but sometimes the youth need to find something to fit in and be included. When I was younger and (very cliche) feeling outcast, I think I turned to a lot of angst rock music and the great trend of rock-rap (Hey Ladies! [Yeah] Hey fellas! [Yeah?!] And the people who don't give a fuck!!). I built a steady friendship over the last seven years within the Linkin Park fan group, and likewise have built a steady friendship with people from various other band pages, concert goers and just generally on my travels. Sometimes I befriend the musicians themselves… sometimes.

One such group would be Kobayashi, the band I used to manage. For some backstory, flashy cameras and extreme close ups, see Waynes World. I don't know how to do those effects and I am as compitant with video editing as I am with spelling compitent. Compitunt? Bastard.

http://kobayashirock.com

Kobayashi are a four piece from London's southern county of Croydon. They got together with the intention of making sweet, sweet music and when that failed they settled for disjointed melodic changes, harmonies and transitions between extreme volume and whisper-like vocal delivery over gorgeously thick bass and cool subtle guitar. Currently writing and recording their first full length album, Kobayashi made moderate sales of their debut double EP The Bipolarity EP and The Urbanized Beatnik EP, with the latter consisting of three remixes (interpretted by the Bassist, Singer and Guitarist individually) and the original single. Whilst this song (available on iTunes, video on YouTube http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=NOjlKTik8CQ) is arguably their most catchy piece to date, it is also the least representative sound. It was their first song, and as many will recognise, the first is usually the quickest to grow tired of. For those curious to know, pick it up, but it will be merging with the white noise soon.

In fact, their Bipolarity EP (you can hear some of this 5 track wonder at  http://xfmuploaded.co.uk/kobayashi ) shows a growth in song writing and song construction, with Bipolarity itself making the semi finals of the British Songwriting Competition. It speaks of conflicting emotions from either side of the spectrum, the desire to understand each and the metaphors of strength, cause and effect within nature. /As if I could just know, the butterfly, the volcano/. The EP tackles anger issues, starting over, love and last words.

"On wings made of paper, I'll flutter into the maelstrom
Delicate shadow, removes all the pigment and I'm gone
A wingspan, a lifespan too fragile for some hands to touch
As nature selects what becomes of the insects you crush

As if I could just choose, the better of these moods… As if I could just know the butterfly the volcano (repeat)

One day the ground will move deafening sounds to the core
The air fills with heat as we're losing our feet on the floor

As if I could just choose, the better of these moods… As if I could just know the butterfly the volcano (repeat)

You joined the long list of those who let me down. And I was wrong to suppose you'd come around (repeat)" Bipolarity

I'm excited for their new material, but more than that, I am anxious that it gets to see the light of day. I look forward to getting them out on the road again. I miss going to venues and meeting people I don't know. I've started going to a ton more shows in the time off that I get, but it only brings me down when a barrier is put up between artist and audience. I hope that day never visits Kobayashi.

"I think I missed my chance to shine, I think its finished before it started
I thought I had something with you, I thought that one was half of two
I got diminished and broken hearted" They Tried

Their true intensity is visible in the unreleased material that is to come. Classics such as Pure Stuff with the three separate vocal clashes (now on myspace.com/kobayashimusic ) and Dark Matter are just prime examples of unchartered and unmarketed waters they will begin to wade and stride through.

-------------------------------
August 21

The death of a Mandalorian teaches all Kaminoans the real value of life, in this case, 3 million credits. The question now is, "how far would you travel to accomplish your dying wish?" After all, you're going to die regardless, what difference does the imbetween make on an inevitable path? Surely nothing substantial?

This is where being seen to be active, camoflauges real intent. For one, he could not simply let death come to him. He had to follow death. To hunt death down, and to embrace it when he was ready. The real challenge now, would be to sustain and preserve that short piece of life he had, and to ensure that he was not the last of a dying race. No longer was the cloning technique effective. It passed through its life cycle faster than a non-clone reducing the life span by several decades, and every hour is reduced to that uneffectively frustrating countdown known as decay. It is one thing, living in knowledge and preparation for death, another to create life simply to have it kill or be killed. Raising assassins trained to acknowledge their purpose, and lack of worth, to realise that they will die one day soon, and to make the most of their almost meaningless lives...

They get their loyalty from him... that is where they are from. They oversaturated the war fields, until emotion was removed from facing the multitude, until doctors and medics simply saw each procedure as a cut and paste job, until production lines fed the dictatorship of equality and all that had amounted from years of cultivation and creation of a new, unique (newyork) culture into one funnel system... That is not our future though.

Nor is our future a combination of opinionated guesses thrown into an algorithm, that carefully contemplates individual factors and then supplies you with all eventual outcomes. There are always unseen factors, to state there are limitless, is to still misjudge and in itself, limit.

Our future is the product of what we do now, and partly what we have already done. Education and experience fuel our future - learning from mistakes, or simply learning how to not make them in the first place. Careful judgement, yet a carefree attitude. Not letting one another be placed into a box for which we MUST live, with rules that prohibit the introduction of change. "Chance would be a fine thing", so I've heard. Take it. If you don't, someone else will and that will be your chance gone. Care for others but do not become so involved, engrossed in their lives that you lose your sense of self, your sense of worth and your position in society. Do not join The Island, living as healthy rebellious replacements for those who once roamed the earth exploring and experimenting, delving and digging, playing and procreating.

Do this with a consciousness of the responsibility of your actions. Think, but follow your heart. Love but don't deny instinct. Run, if running is what you desire.

Avoid gluttony, encourage one another, grow. Hinderance is unnecessary.

Remain positive. Look for positivity in all that happens.

Perhaps reading is more interesting as a process than the book you actually read. The action rather than the content. Perhaps it offers you something to dive into a conversation with. Perhaps it simply constricts you to one topic, one interest and potentially one misinformed, or unattentive opinion... Don't be afraid to state you aren't sure or simply don't know. Fear... leads to the darkside... So does panic in the air, and sometimes in the disco.

Logical post end... returning to the usual forms of communication shortly.

I feel the music industry is considered potentially oversaturated right now, though in reality I think it is more a case of the same number of musicians being alive and kicking as in the past, just with a wider availability of technology, instruments, and means to let everybody know what's going on. Take my LiveJournal for instance. I regularly post about new music I've heard, as does Davina, and people who I'd suggest listening to. Through FaceBook I just found out that two separate groups of friends are now in bands again and touring with another band I am a fan of. Through the internet I can also keep tabs on the progress of Ryan's group Aerodrone, and can be aware of a Canadian album being released just coincidently by clicking 'random' on MySpace.

I can purchase the music I like within 4 minutes of hearing it (I've only got four minutes to save the world, you know), or find a less legal means to obtain it. P2P, MySpace and whatever sites that host songs, YouTube... its all within technology's means to just take the mp3s straight from the source without any form of coding stopping you from doing so. If you can't beat it, join it. You have bands who no-one knows and bands who everyone knows, all giving away their music for free. An email subscription I was reading today (I saw regular posts in Jeanne's LJ and really liked what I read, so signed up) was talking about giving away concert tickets or discounts for mailing lists and all are great ideas. Kobayashi are doing some of these things before outside suggestions, which is encouraging. ... but (and back to the point) the illusion of an oversaturated market is along with the suggestion that music won't be unique or original any longer.

We forget that some covers are more enjoyable than the original, or thought of more highly by the audience. Look at all the songs Bob Dylan wrote and the countless number of questions as to who wrote the original... whatever... music is wonderful and I don't think there'll ever be too much music in the world for me.

Too many Pokemon toys, that's another thing. I'm going to do a sales post on LiveJournal later. Anyone who may be interested will be linked to it also so they can see anything they want and bid on it.

I am out and about tonight. "You wanna be tough, better do what you can... no-one wants to be defeated."

I bask in the light that the shade can't reach
And I ask all the questions that answers can't teach
I laugh at my life, when my tears cease
And take pride in falls, as life's new lease

Ah so many brilliant things to share with you all. Firstly, I have expanded beyond Kobayashi Management and created my own management company called Mid Tea Management. Its still in its baby stages and being worked through but I plan to do much management from this point onwards.

Secondly, Kobayashi are becoming very mysterious and I think its really exciting. Check out their new homepage at Kobayashirock.com and tell me if you disagree.

On a similar note, Matt Searles, from Kobayashi (keyboard and vocals) has an album out, and its free to anyone who wants a copy. If you go to http://www.myspace.com/mattsearlessoloproject you can find more information. I especially love his imaginary James Bond theme, though he has a full quota of awesomeness all combined. Feel free to add him and show some love.

My friend Holly Brook is doing her first UK Tour and will be in the UK from Thursday for a few weeks. If you get a chance to go see her, then definitely do. She'll be on first and possibly alongside the headliner. She is amazing live and definitely worth seeing.

Medaphoreis doing some wonders with his solo project, which is half way done and so far sounding pretty great. Lots of thoughts going on in his head and so much explanation and growth shown in his music you may not recognise him as the same guy you all were introduced to in 2005.

Rock Underground may be making a return to the scene. Joel Bull is planning to relaunch his company and work alongside OCD to put out some brand spanking new items as well as possibly making the old hotness available once more to those of you unlucky enough to have missed it when it first came around.

MDMA have their first music video out now, which you can check on their profile. Their album is in the works and will have guest spots galore. Pretty great progression being made I'm sure you'll all agree.

My friend Andrew has joined a band called The Clik Clik who are currently touring with Hadouken throughout the UK, so if you're at a show, show some love and please don't step on my dunks, cause I've been cleaning these for months.

Ryan from XDJ has joined a band called AERODRONE who look set to blow up HUGE. Their album is available to be purchased from their site, click on the MySpace and have a gander. I'm sure you'll find something in there that appeals to you, whether its Hold Me Like a Microphone, or just the stunning white outfits and brilliant Classy-Keytars, they're here and making noise.

My boy Rusty has had a name change and now calls himself Jon 1st. He's doing production, as well as a number of shows. I missed his last one, because I'm an asshole and I had ear infection, but his scratching and track selection are brilliant and well worth seeing.

Finally, Toni's joined a band called Dirty Disco. Need I say more? Her voice is brilliant, the songs are catchy, the lead vocalist sounds and looks great... show them love. Come on.

So that's me for another bulletin another day.

(P.s. find me on xbox live as "Jedijon MTM")

J

I owned a snake in my dream yesterday. I lost it. I was phobic of snakes yet I bought one and then lost it. I freaked out. I was afraid. At the same time I kept forgetting... A little while later I'd realise that there was a snake somewhere in the room. I don't quite know why there was a snake.

Last night's show went pretty well. We made a profit from the show, the venue was an interesting and culturally beautiful place. My parents enjoyed themselves as did a few people who'd never seen them before. I got to hang out with Jo and her boyfriend Liam, who she's been extremely worried about us meeting as she thought we wouldn't like him. I got on really well with him and she's very glad about that. A lot of fun.
James ran around with his bass and had as much fun as you can imagine. I danced in my chair for the majority of the show. My sober=with=a=soda is going very well even though I was in a bar that would give me havana rum on steak (that sounded so nice), and on ice cream, as well as serving extremely good mojitos (as I was told by Liam, who's been there a few times before) and other such brilliant drinks.

I ate a steak that was prepared in a garlicy sauce and it was actually amazing. It tasted so brilliant, the meat was tender and it all came together very well. Cost me a bit more than other things on the menu but as said with Liam, how can you put a price on life. Also, I spent 5£ on drink the entire evening, compared to anyone drinking... I think that deserves the very best steak on the menu.

I think 29 joined us last night, plus various other people. The bar's drinks nearly fell off their shelves because of James' bassism at its finest and regardless of Louis (drums) being in a vast amount of pain, he didn't miss a beat and actually looked to be enjoying himself. I've now put them on hiatus, however, as he needs to heal and Matt's and Jasmin would like a holiday. Louis needs to heal like woah - massive arm bruises.

I am very glad that the show is over. It may or may not have shown, but I was quite anxious about this one as it was my first time meeting the promoter on a formal level (luckily Montse is actually a very nice individual and I feel we got on pretty well, which made it quite a casual affair and possibly highlighted how much silly pressure I put on myself), and it was the first show I'd booked. I felt it was successful. I didn't get any CDs sold nor did I have people join the mailing list, but to be honest it was a collective of friends, family and casual walk ins who didn't really seem to want to commit. Those who know the band know how to get hold of these and thanks to our facebook group will be constantly updated.

For those of you on my friends page, if you'd like to hear Kobayashi's version of Goldfinger and know how they are keeping, please email MAILING LIST to mail@ktunes.info to be added to the list and kept up to date. Once signed up you will receive a copy of the Shirley Bassey classic as performed by the glorious four piece and will be loving it.

Anyway, I am happy. I believe Kev had a good time as did all in attendance.  P.s. we rule

I remember when being a musician meant that you
Were ready to sit there and listen not vent
But prepared to review and perform a feat
Sweet combination of techniques from musical feet
Where they didn't judge you on your influence
But simply what you could do to improve with your instruments
And how amazing you could make a tame thing seem
A break beat beam smiles across people's faces
And beat drops and rhythmic progression and stressing
Over fame and fortune weren't important as lessons
Not for much more than for egos and pride
And if you had a problem trying to get by, well money was nice
But if you made a great song it was great for life
And all adrenaline was natural highs from actual live shows
And if you rapped you made sure you flowed
Where being able to compose and transpose showed
That your knowledge was impeccible...
And if you didn't have the knowledge your solos broke through the impossible
Territories were unknown, and that was great
Because to be at your best you had to sit and create
You couldn't sit back, had to take control
And let the vibrations roll, you had to rock and roll
And what you made was gold... not for an acolade
Not for the lemonade, for the underpaid life not the wage
Was to express yourself and just to test yourself
To see how best you could sit and address your health
Or uplift the mind and body, like salvage
Perhaps I've digressed too far, but I remember
Cause it really wasn't further back than my mentor had lived.

I carried a lot of weight when I started my years
Had a father who's near and far, got farther to steer
On long drives without golf clubs heading to work
To break bread and make ends meet; never to hurt
First to divert attention away from my words
To protect but not the first one to flirt
I learned that from my peers with ease
"Grew up a man that didn't drink beer, preferred teas
I guess we get more use to the taste though
Not a fan of the passed out kind's vomit and waste,
Who choke on the fizziness, basically a litmus test,
Would show a blue mood turning easily red
Reasonably fed, I ate as much as the table provided
Stored some for when summer would find us", he said

A few breaths and words form each story we tell
Everyone's got a past and more stories to sell
We all recon our spot in the limelight's deserved
But what's interesting never seems to leave the suburbs
You don't hear a nature related rap about birds
And bees, only sex, drugs and people down on their knees with luck
Down on their knees, with luck
Down on their knees, with luck

I hoped I'd never have to make those two choices
Sat my back against tree trunks as I shiver through voices
Two screams, do I save my own life or theirs?
Do I run from the wreck before blown into spares?
Who cares about me anyway?
Why did I let them drive me in this high speed getaway
Running from life, and now we're spluttering white
And coughing, decaying as we walk to the light
I call through, I might just hear my sister reply
That she and Steve fixed their problems tonight
That drinking never is right, when you drive alone
When you're driving home or when you're drunk at all
But I never get to make that phone call
Just stare into the wreck and watch the fire ignite

A few breaths and words form each story we tell
Everyone's got a past and more stories to sell
We all recon our spot in the limelight's deserved
But what's interesting never seems to leave the suburbs
You don't hear a nature related rap about birds
And bees, only sex, drugs and people down on their knees with luck
Down on their knees, with luck
Down on their knees, with luck

Why is interest in those you fear stronger
That you have to discuss what I'm doing in my corner
I could be a boxer, this could be my ring ready
For me to swing steady hooks into the bully's belly
Why does my 'cherry' need to be the flavour of talk
And why do I get ostracized for every step that I walk
Why do you criticize me for opinions I speak
I'm not a geek I just know what I like, and compete
To make sure that I'm heard above your spittle and surf-
-The world, trying to find a cure for my lonely heart's curse
And form a verse for each person trying hard to converse with me
And put me back safely into boxes and categories

Categories
Categories
A few breaths and words...

To move;
The hurt you nurture further stops progression
The lesson you heard were worked hard for prevention
Pretension existed because it was listed
As digits in binary form for a cursor
I word the best things intertwined in my mind
But like brine, its contaminated from being useful
Spoonful of sugar, supposed to help me out
But my doubt makes me adjust to what is beautiful
All those too cute to call me make my cuticle
Small as I bite more, I need pharmaceuticals
Farmers excuse my calls, pleads for freed sanity
As reasons to be barred from bars of sanctity
Each ramble randomly born from my ardency
Makes me as free to the world as captivity



The sayings;
They say "Home is where the heart is"
So I'm living departed from my own and filling other apartments
Fitting into someone else's compact compartments in their lives
Between a mirror and window lives a quivering heartbeat
And no quills equipped can script the words that my heart speaks
So they label me dumb for not expressing my sharpest
Not addressin' the way that I feel, and like a Marxist
Stickin to ideals the real world labels harshest...
I don't think "rushing life" is not being lethargic
But just impatience to wait and make statements alarming
Never harming with words quite demanding
You've heard that the harp sings when angels are dancing
So let angels move freely with this rhythm, so calming

They say home is where the heart is
Am I homeless, wonder where my heart sits...
They say home is where the heart is
I tend to uproot when the rooms get their darkest

They say gentlemen wait, and that patience is great
I guess if doctors were stating that, then really its true
I wonder what would I do if I rushed family stakes
And got myself into fathership, as something to prove
If contraceptions invention was exceptionly mentioned
In my school then a fool would ignore what they do
Better waiting my time and saving money to find
Myself able to afford a life of luxury, food
The kind of customer mood swings wouldn't do me no good
If its survival of the fittest then I'm dumb, deaf and blind
A paralytic who spits into containers and chews
Through a tube... cause I find living makes me pack up and move

They say home is where the heart is
Am I homeless, wonder where my heart sits...
They say home is where the heart is
I tend to uproot when the rooms get their darkest


BLAP

Who am I, I don't know...Where'd I grow up? Go fuck yaself doesn't sound like me
I'm more likely to tuck myself in bed, get too tired, desire's not dead but yes
I'm still trying to discover me, road to discovery on channeled T-V- I believe I've seen
A lotta things really, monotony's clearly the choice of voice for most shows they repeat
Got a lot of friends re-run, to watch all alone at home, but make amends them who think we're Scrubs I won't
I'm always after tender loving care, even if she ain't there, it depends on who the she is for me


Why the long words?

Vocal boothes are kept filled by wannabes trying to get big
Changing their image, trying to fit in with falseness
Dull lips explain lies away, whilst they lie awake
Vocalising popular concepts omitting wordplay
Most emcees seem to breathe vocab to get by
Try to throw the longest words in and let the rest fly
Talk history and antidisestablishmentarialism.... (someone passes out in the background)
But god-damn you're never gonna flow that to rhythm
Try work these crowds in any strange area, living
From the energy fed to me impairing the vision-
To be driven for money, and while its fun I'll keep giving
Because my future is destined and my stardom is imminent (yeah right)
I don't fight much, cause negative brilliance
Is a waste of ones mind, so I stay happy when willing
And let a care free mind set just remind me that
To be what I want to be is not an easy few steps
Paths that had trod on me were my easiest regrets
So my past few debts could be cleared from society
And revenge was just another word describing the irony


All material within this Blog are liscenced to Jon Barker, only.

I let moods move me... music soothe me
Dreams seem based on the scenes of a movie
Action compacted into minature monitors
My mind is as wide-screen as all that bothers us
Scope seems so limited, like black and white images
Perspective's vindictive, indicating these limiters
Perseverence clearly isn't a must (but more)
An idiom society has forced onto us.
We have a work hard ethos, words scarred me thus
I held a grudge and now ask for forgiveness
(I) need to let it from my system before pistons combust
And tears fall across my shielded wall, burning to rust

{Every stream, every atom...
Every enzyme, all that happens} x2
(He is there [echoed])

But the size of it eyeing me is more like versuvius
Most people let problems lay dormant, their dues rust
And crumble away, cause tempers blaze when afraid
Or tempers flare and decay, when torture rooms take their place
I've seen the anger displayed defuse in an instance
Cause fear of no fear can bring tears to your lips and
Bruises to bodies, irrational thoughts
And confused interpretations of international order
Magazines bore us, talking about borders
True understanding's from experience, or a
Chance to just study, from first hand or fam
So quit reading and believing the twenty cent mags
Cause those print just to make men receive twenty grand
And they print just to cash in on men who are damned
And they print for their own future, point at demise
And if money's its source, then its content are lies.

-------------

Kobayashi are friends of mine's band, and I'd like them to play a festival.

Please add them if you have the heart


------------
If we get enough votes then it's a distinct possibility that they can play at a festival.

Simply click the banner on our page or you can do it from here.

Go on, be a pal.




If you need a postcode, put in SE25 6XP

------------
Excepts from LiveJournal:


You know what I love? Music, musicians and live on the spot moments.

As an emcee (off the top of the head, rather than prewrittens), I am always after spontaneous actions. I really enjoy when things aren't planned out. That annoys some people who would rather their holiday was planned from start to end, or that their music was arranged a particular way, or that the beat rhymed over was thoroughly studied before jumped on, but I think life loses a little bit of its edge when you are planning everything out. I just like spontaneouity.

---When James and Letty turned up, avec Dave, I relaxed a bit more as they're people I actually know and can joke around with fairly easily. We eased into some beers and general chat about spatulas or whatever took the fancy, laughed at Letty's clumsy-drunk momentum she was building but the evening still seemed a little slow, up til around 9pm.

At about 9, Matt head over to the piano just to play some randomness. Almost within seconds the entire mood changed. Matt can play beautifully on the keys and those of us that remained at the Searles' residence seemed to fall to silence. As he played he began to sing an acoustic, different tempo and key version of Bipolarity (Cause if the hairs on your head are numbered, then so are the beats of your heart, and if I had a regret about anything, I'd like to go back to the start). I found myself sitting there making a subtle vocal beat to accompany this, occasionally switching to harmonising, whilst James (bassist, who's journal is now located at [info]james_rampton) sung a lower harmony and Alan (guitarist) (sung harmonies or alternating lines). It was a random, spontaneous and unplanned session that then went through a few other songs and really set the mood perfectly.

I thoroughly enjoy being around other musicians. Its a weird feeling you don't get around non-creative people... there's something really inspiring about watching it all come about, and being involved is even more enjoyable. James and Alan both took a tinkle on the keys (playing, not peeing) and surprisingly (although its shouldn't be, considering how long they've both been playing music for) they are both amazing also. I was in awe. A with a WE. AWE. Sounds like or, or oar, or ore, but its awe.


As most of you on the friendslist that know me in real life, or have maintained a long distance friendship over the vast few years will know, music is my passion. I'm really inspired when around other musicians and I am at my happiest around music, especially live music. I do not have dislike in experimental styles and whilst I may not become fanatic about an experimentation I note how indescribably needed it is in order to preserve creativity and not let the expression go stale. Realistically, music has been around since forever, and I have no fear that it will continue to be large... just whether I'll want to listen if another Linkin Park cd is released, for instance (DAMN U2 COPY)...

Anyway, music, friends, people, anchors, eggshells, water, walking, fighting, fish.


Oh and I really hope Jeanne's feeling better today. She had a shooting pain in her leg through yesterday's marathon and had to be taken out of it for health-related reasons with only TWO miles to go. Its devestating and she sounded very emotional about it, as you would imagine anyone would be about something that important to them.

To the world, I'm not visible forever, but I'm here for now. Appreciate that.