Here it is:

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/news/writers__unblocked/Content?oid=803416

Plus a side-bar feature:
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/news/game_on/Content?oid=803351

They did a good job! Interviews with all the original framers of the Society, and even interviews with some of our favorite Europeans. A lot of subtleties covered, with minimal misrepresentations; some of the stuff about quality and quantity might be mildly misleading, but not too bad. Like for instance, I wouldn't say that old lodges tend to be more focused on quality over quantity, nor would I say that we raise the bar on what is considered "good". Quantity is always the primary stated goal of an ICS session. Yes, quantity goals change around, and different densities and kinds of detail are explored as an ICS member grows. But even members of old lodges refrain from judging what they hear in that 'good-or-bad way'. The "high bar" is a very complicated subject, involving a lot of seeming contradictions that are difficult to clarify in a couple short sentences (a book would be better). Basically, the "bar" evolves by itself. If you are involved in a lodge for a while, you will probably note an improvement in your work, and you will hear improvement all around you. It just happens. Nobody is expecting anything from you, and your work is not being rated in that normal sort of critical way. But every once in a while you write something, and you play it at the meeting, and you see people's jaws hit the floor. Who can blame you for trying to maximize that same effect in the future? As far as competitive behavior goes, this variety is very benevolent. In old lodges, this sort of spirit has been infecting people for years, and that's where the "bar" comes from. It's all very familial. It's not like a sporting event.

I'm just nattering over shades of meaning here.

My very favorite aspect of the article is the side-bar feature, which lists and explains a bunch of games, not just the 20-song game. The writer, Nate Seltenrich, was very thorough. Good job, Nate!

-Nicholas Dobson, ICS Supreme Tiger

This would be for those who read the Express article and wanted to go to the 8/8/8/ ICS concert at the Uptown, but read the blurb on the concert, and noticed that it said "20 dollar donation". Agh!

This was said wrongly!

The cover is a sliding scale donation. You can literally get in for FREE if you want. It is a *suggested* donation. But you can pay any amount you want, depending how interested you are in the cause of us filming ICS members in Europe at the end of August. And not going homeless in the process.

By the way, the concert is going to be an amazing event. There are bands that will form just for that night, and there will be music written only for that night - mixed in with other kinds of acts and material.

It will start at 9:30AM, promptly, for real.

Where - The Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland



Date - 8/8/8

~ L I N E U P ~

1. Val Esway:
Oakland's finest prairie murder-siren - a member of three different lodges over the years.

2. Ultralash:
The mighty Karry Walker! Her most recent release, "Foamy Lather", was composed almost entirely in the clandestine sessions of Origin Lodge.

3. Darling Freakhead (featuring Dominique Persi):
A set of Mick's ICS tunes will also feature Dominique Persi (Stolen Babies) on two songs that emerged from ICS collaborations between the two.

4 The Fuxedos:
Straight from their appearance on the Gong Show! In addition to their normal set, the Fuxedos are known to play ICS material by Steve Lew (Origin Lodge) from time to time...

5. miRthkon:
Local purveyors of metrically fractalized avant garde jazz metal. While not lacking in ICS-related persons (pssst! Nat and Wally) this will probably be a non-ICS set.

6. Goat Receiver:
This band will feature scrambled members from Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Faun Fables, and Idiot Flesh. Be sure to get to

Get to the show good and early. Every act is absolutely unmissable.

Ok.

- Nicholas Dobson, ICS Supreme Tiger

We now have a message board, so feel free to register there and share your songwriting stories and ask any questions you might have about the Society or songwriting in general. 

Immersion Composition Society Forum

See you on the forum!

-Bunny Knutson
Wig Lodge