So I'm really happy that I now realized I could blog wherever I am as long as I have my phone.  Suffice to say you will be receiving a lot more blogs from me in the future.

So as you know I recently got a factor demo grant.  This grant is taking a lot longer then I was hoping for but it is also almost done, pefectly in line with my exams, wonder bar. Now I have to get my completion info for factor the day of my last exams.  That's not stressful at all.  think I'm going to get an extension, another one if I can.

The zipper on my jacket is broken, but I keep forgetting that it is broken and I try to zip it anyway.  Then the zipper gets stuck and I look like a fool!  A fool I tell you!

Ahh, there are so many things that I need to do and no time anymore.  I need an intern.  Scratch that, I need 5 interns.  Scratch that, I need a team of interns with an intern ruler, but her power will be a sham as all the while I will be pulling the strings as the tyrant intern overlord! But what if the interns discover my dastardly plot and revolt against me?  That would be a disaster!  Maybe I should stick to just one intern.  Rafe

Ps. Does anyone want to be my intern?....

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You can check out my music if you want at http://www.myspace.com/trickofdisaster

Or you can buy my album at http://www.itunes.com/trickofdisaster

We like to start off all of our interviews with a roll call, so could you introduce yourselves and tell us what you do?

Hey, I am Rafe and I am really Trick of Disaster.  Sometimes other people come and go, but usually it is just me.

Your band is based out of ....Toronto...., what is the scene like where you are, and have you found it difficult to crack into?

Yep, it's super hard to get people out to shows, and to say that I have been successful in that area would be a lie.  I've found that I've been able to make a lot more fans through playing open mics then playing full out shows.  I've really mainly focused on my online fanbase, and have found a lot more success through that.

Tell us about how the band formed, what brought Trick of Disaster together?

Like I said before, I am really the only person.  Ya, I know it looks like there are three of us, that's because I have to update the pictures.  Those guys really just helped me with this reality show I was on that required a band.  I play with some other people now, but I'm primarily solo.  I think it has come from a love of writing song on my part and having those songs connect with people around the world.  That's what makes me happy :)

Where did the name for the band come from?

It is a lyric from the Neil Young song "Mr. Soul".  The line is "The clown on a frown who is sick does the Trick of Disaster".  Basically I went through every lyric I found and chose the one I liked most.  Since then it's come to mean a few things, a trick of disaster is like, when things seem to be going badly but you pull something out and it goes well.  That's a trick of Disaster.

What's been your best moment as a band so far?

A few I guess, making lots of fans, getting featured on a Toronto Station, being in a local newspaper, being on two different TV shows (one airing in the next few months) but really the best moment was when a kid told me that my music helps him with his personal problems.  Actually, that was good, but I really just said that cause it seems like a very artisty thing to say.  Touch one soul and all that.  But seriously, probably the radio show haha.

What can first-timers to a Trick of Disaster show expect to see live?

I really try to engage the audience as much as possible.  Try to get people to sing along which usually works.  I also am pretty good at improv-ing (is that how it's spelled?) anyway, I'm good at taking whatever comes up and go with it. 

What do you do to pump yourselves up for the show? Any pre or post show rituals?

Actually, I get super excited before any show, so it's more about making sure to chill out a little, if I have too much energy things could get a little out of control.  Just saying before the show "this is important, let's rock this".  And even if there is one person in the audience, I make sure to be super appreciative.  I hate when bands are lame about not bringing out a lot of people.  Why are you blaming the 10 people who actually came?  That's lame.  Post show I say "If anyone wants a hug I'll be over there".  Great move, stole it from Jenny Owen Youngs haha.

Do you have an ultimate goal for your music? Any things that you know you want to accomplish with it?

I suppose my ultimate goal would be if they made a stadium bigger than any stadium that they already have, like combine two stadiums together into one stadium, and fill it up...  I don't care about the money though, it could be a free show for all I care...  anyway, basically I want to get to the bridge of the song stop singing, and just listen to the crowd sing it back to me, and smile.  If at that point I got struck by lightning...  I think that would be a pretty good way to go.  Obviously international fame is a difficult accomplishment though, so I set lots of little goals that I accomplish all the time.  Every time someone comes up to me and says "that song is awesome, why is it not on the radio" I accomplished a goal. 

What should we expect to see in the future of Trick of Disaster?

Ahh, god only knows.  I'm recording an EP right now, with a pretty famous producer from ....Toronto.....  I want to get more into co-writing and maybe writing for others, cause that's really what it's about for me.  My Youtube channel where I put up my friends will probably eventually have 25 million hits haha (http://www.youtube.com/rafem), just cracked 7...  not exactly directly related to my music, but it’s fun to see others get success.  I’m going to start lots of side projects as well, see I write in lots of different styles and I used to group it all under Trick of Disaster, but see, people would come and say “I really like that song” that no one else likes, because it’s folk, so they leave.  So ya, splitting it up, you’ll see 4 or 5 Rafe projects in the next little while. 

The staff of The Sound Faction is comprised of six incredibly random girls whose primary goal is to just have fun.  We like to end our interviews with five totally random questions to end on a light note, do you think you can handle it?....

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I’m aroused…  I mean intrigued…  aroused, intrigued, can it be both?  Assuming you are over 18 that is.  Which some of you are, and some of you aren’t it looks like…  let’s stick with intrigued. 

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If you could be any Old School rock-god for a day, who would you be and how would you abuse the power?....

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This is going to sound lame but I would just be Neil Young and write a lot of good songs haha.  Laaame.

What is a fashion trend (male or female) that confuses you, and why?

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They all seem cool to me.  I’m a big believer in different strokes for different folks, people do what they do to be happy, and make themselves feel good, or feel accepted.  Whatever that is, who am I to judge. 

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What girly movie do you secretly love?....

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“She’s the Man” is actually amazing.  I love how I don’t have to worry, I know the guy and the girl will get together in the end haha.  Great movie. 

If you could be the Champion of Anything, what would it be and why?....

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I guess music…  that is what I like doing most.  I guess being Lebron James would be fun, or like, to stop a super terrorist attack and save a bunch of people, but ya, mainly music.

What is your favourite and least favourite dance craze?....

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My sister started a dance craze haha.  She was a counselor at a camp and she made a dance to “don’t feel like dancing”, and then they started doing it at all the bar mitzvah’s and no one knew why haha.  The soulja boy dance is pretty creative.  I would say “Macarena” as least favourite but that would be cliché…  so I am going to say no comment and dance how you wanna!

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Is there anything else you want to add?....

Ya, add me on myspace, send me a message and I promise I will message you back!  http://www.myspace.com/trickofdisaster

Hey guys, here is a new song I'm working on...  I'm not quite sure what to call it yet..  I'm thinking what about us but it's a bit cheesy.

This is a song, about a girl, who doesn’t know....

That I, have written a song about her....

So hypothetically, this could be, about anyone in this room,....

If you’re a girl, and in this room.....

She turned to me, an said, will you write a song about me....

So here’s your stupid song, but you’ll never know, like I never knew....

The way I felt, about your feelings..

..Chorus....

So what about you what about me what about us....

What about this what about that what about trust....

What about love what about life....

What about man what about wife....

What about truth, what about strife, ....

What about lust....

What about us....

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This is a song, about a girl....

Who isn’t perfect, who isn’t beautiful....

Who I don’t love....

And she campaigns for weird political parties....

And I think that’s really cute....

Which might make me a sexist....

But I don’t care....

Because I like her, just the way she is.....

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Chorus....

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Bridge....

So what about you what about me what about us....

What about a family tree....

Of your dad and your mom and my dad and my mom....

And your little sister who looks just like you....

And my little brother who looks like me too....

And your older brother who don’t like me much....

But I think that’s cause I saw me touching you so softly....

On that summer day....

But what’s a summer day....

Without softly touching your soft skin....

Anyway....

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Outro....

This is a song, about a girl....

And I think I’m going to tell her.....

You’re not the best looking....

You’re not the best dressed....

And your bank, is notoriously empty....

But it seems that my heart....

Doesn’t know common sense....

But I think that it knows when I’m happy....

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Chorus....

And I know....

Something’s changing....

But change, is nothing we should hide....

And they say....

Love’s a journey, and I’d, love to be your guide....

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You’re not the best singer, but I’ve heard much worse....

Harmonize just as well as you’re able....

There’s been others since, but I was there first....

On the top of your old kitchen table....

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Chorus....

Hey guys!

How is everyone doing?

Well I hope everyone is well!  I apologize again for taking so long to write another email!  

Ok, to give everyone a little heads up on what I’ve been up to, I have a show coming up today (Sept 29,sorry for the late notice) at 9:20 at the Bread and Circus in Kensington across from the Supermarket.  I also have a show a week Wednesday, Oct 7 at the Supermarket also in Kensington at  10:00.  I hope to see all of you there!

What else have I been up to?

Well, for one I am super great at finding free pizza at school!  At first I didn’t want to join a lot of clubs, but now I found out that almost all the clubs give away free Pizza!  So I really like getting involved in free pizza, and I am great at finding it when it exists!

So basically, there was this event for the students above me, and I was standing there, and all of a sudden, free pizza!  I wasn’t even going to the event, but I stood in line, grabbed a slice, but then oh no!  There wasn’t even close to enough free pizza for everyone.  I felt bad because I got a piece and almost nobody else did.  But then guess what, more pizza arrived!  ....

I counted the amount of people and the number of pizzas, and I figured, wow, easily enough pizza for everyone now to have a ton!  So I get back in line, grab another couple of pieces of pizza, and oh no!  It ran out again!  Everyone was sad and I felt like a jerk.

But then the Indiana Jones music started to play, and I put on my thinking cap and looked around.  Two stacks of empty boxes sat there.  I kicked one, empty!  I  kicked the other one…….  Full of pizza!  I lifted the box over my has to show the world the holy grail of Pizza I had discovered and everyone cheered!  Rafe Rafe Rafe Rafe!  It was the crowning moment of my week!  With all of the Hulabooloo, I accidentally called my friend’s girlfriend by the name of his ex girlfriend.  Three times!  I’m still living down that mistake.  But I did get free pizza!  And lot’s of it!

Rafe

1) I met with Moe Berg, the producer for my upcoming demo.  He just had a baby, not personally I mean, but his wife did.  You know what I mean!  Way to go Moe! 

2) I met with my friend Jason and we talked about good ways to promote my song writing career.

3) It was my dad’s birthday and we want for Dinner.  Happy Birthday Dad!

4) It was my brother’s birthday and we went for dinner.  Happy Birthday Brother

5) It was my friend Michael’s birthday and he had a big party at his house but didn’t invite me for dinner (Just kidding there was no dinner, just kidding I had dinner but not with Michael, just kidding I don’t eat dinner, just kidding I have lunch twice a day, once at night instead of dinner, just kidding, just kidding).  Happy Birthday Michael!  At Michael’s party I met a girl who went to Osgoode, the school I am going to, and she scared the bejeezus out of me! 

6) I was about to go talk to some girls in Star Bucks after building up my confidence for 12.7 minutes and they walked out the door.  Gaaaa!  Yes, I say ....Ga.

7) I went to see funny people with my friend Peter and Harry Potter with my Dad.  Harry Potter was pretty bad, and Funny People was pretty good, which is the exact opposite thing I was expecting, but it may be a reverse self fulfilling prophecy. 

8) I convinced some people I met on the street to join my mailing list, but when I emailed them, they did not email me back.  You guys know who you are!

9)      I decided that I get too distracted at home so from now on I will start using the internet only outside the house, which is why I am currently sitting in a Starbucks.  Oh ya, I also figured out how to upload other people’s videos onto youtube in a much easier way. 

10)  I discovered the secret to inter-dimensional travel.  I really did, and this is top secret information, but I know no one will believe me so I have no problem writing about this. I have discovered all dimensions are exactly the same, except that in some dimensions “McDonalds” is called “Mcdonald”, so instead of saying “Let’s go to McDonalds” they say “Let’s go to Mcdonald”.  It’s really weird.  Oh, and in one dimension the great Soviet Union actually lost the cold war and ....America.... is the super power of the world.  I realize that some of you are actually from that dimension, but I am too lazy to change this blog for every dimension.  Do you know how long that would take?  God, I need an intern.  Any takers?
Anyway, thank you for all the support!

Rafe