Hello, and welcome to that time of the year in which one can choose to feel jolly, pseudo-jolly, stressed, rushed, defeated, loved, lonely, lucky, unlucky or, like me, willingly, unnecessarily and perversely desolate.
It hit me while walking downtown Sunday afternoon. Every 15 steps a different street performer was playing a different holiday tune on a different instrument. "Silver Bells" on the ukulele, "The First Noel" on an out-of-tune trumpet, "Franklin's Tower" on a...anyway.... I know that every deep and dark December, my birthday and holidays notwithstanding, is not the time of year I feel most alive...by any means. So, I realized my most natural state during this time of year, is to drag my boots along the street, shoulders hunched and face tight like the ghost of xmas presents past. No sympathy please. It's how I like it. It's creative fodder. Embrace the darkness.
Must say, however, The First Noel is a pretty melody. Haunting. And hand bell groups? The sound of god, when played well.

So...
thank you to those who have bought Polite. To those who have ordered it, it's in the mail...really. There was a postal dispute that held things up: Large envelope or Small package? Aye...a debate for the ages. (audience groans).
So, let's see. News:

GIGS!!

December 6--
it's my Mmphht-ty Mphpth Birthday!!
And I'll be rocking out with my long lost brothers, The Figments (myspace.com/thefigments2) at the Sierrrra Grill (extra trill for extra fun. and free of charge). (http://myspace.com/sierragrillmusic)
If you know me, you most likely know The Figments, the quartet I've been in since 1996. You may also know that lately, our gigs have been few and far between, so come, do, if you can. It will be special, and with all the new songs, it will prove that we've been anything but dormant.
Plus, like I says, it's my birthday.
Also on that bill is the equally reclusive, equally awesome, Spanish For Hitchhiking (Dennis Crommett, Max Germer, Dave Hower, Brian Akey).


December 21: The Elevens, Northampton, MA (http://elevensmusic.com).
A Rub Wrongways Records Celebration of the Winter Solstice. The longest night of the year.
The Fawns, The Aloha Steamtrain, School for the Dead, Ari Vais, Bourgeois Heroes and Sitting Next to Brian. All Rub Wrongways artists, and a special compilation CD will be available (so they say) featuring all the bands.
Short sets, surprises, prizes and......darkness. Lots and lots of darkness. Embrace it. No one will see you.

then, it's a long break for Sitting Next To Brian, while I change the scenery/hide out from winter/plot the next chapter ....

Then we back!!
February 7 at the Sierra Grille, Northampton, MA
with The Campbell Apt (  http://www.myspace.com/thecampbellapartment)
There may be a new band, there will be new songs, and...I have no idea. It feels like a long time from now. The war will still be happening, I'll have a new drivers license photo and perhaps the Celtics will still be great.

New song posted on Myspace:
On my Myspace page is a song called "Now She Won't Come Near Me and It Really Isn't Too Surprising".
Lest anyone think it's a reflection of my current situation, go turn your conspiracy theories elsewhere. The hook and bridge have existed for years, and the burden of filling in all the verses was a task that I avoided successfully. Until one autumn afternoon when it all fell into place. The production is Garageband, though it could pass for 4-track. This is how I spurn technology. Like caviar on Wonderbread. It's just acoustic guitar, voice and manipulated rhythms, using several of the built in effects and no external mic.

In the meantime:
Polite is available as a CD in the following local shops: Turn It Up (Easthampton and Northampton, MA), Dynamite Records and Night Owl Records.
The album charted as the 4 and then the 1 best local seller in the Valley Advocate the past 2 weeks. That was nice.

Don't live here? Buy one at http://sittingnexttobrian.com
or http://cdbaby.com/cd/sittingnexttobrian2

Too digital to own a CD?
search iTunes for Sitting Next to Brian. Buy a song or four.
the aforementioned CD Baby also has songs for download.

I think that's all.

Here's wishing you a happy holiday and getting something resembling what you always wanted.

to receive email updates etc, just email me at brian@sittingnexttobrian.com and say "I'm your fan" or something of that nature.

Love, brian.

http://sittingnexttobrian.com
http://rubwrongways.com