Greetings from Earth, USA, Tennessee, Nashville, ect. ect. ect.

I thought it may be time for an update and I'm just in the mood to write. This past weekend was Next Big Nashville...which is a mini festival here in Music City that is made up of like 150 bands and 7 or 8 venues over a 4 day period. Jason Moon Wilkins and Ethan from Movement Nashville teamed up and did a great job with the whole shin-dig this year. Now that the party is over I'm left with alot of highlights and thoughts on the melting pot of people and tunes this city holds. here ya go...

1. my sweetheart the drunk

a.k.a Ricky Young and Slow Films. Our drummer Jonathan filled in on this set at Mercy Lounge and Ricky played a strat. And if you are musically close to me, then you know that I have been asking forever, Why isn't the stratocaster cool anymore? After Hindrix died and Clapton got lame....the trend faded I guess. Also, John Mayer doesn't help it's cred. But I do think Ricky is quickly becoming one of my fav artist in town. He seems to write from the heart and is wrecklessly musical. So check him out...or dont and be stuck up.

2. senior folk

a.k.a Landon Pigg played his set at the Cannery...which is a very ill concieved venue in my opinion. Mainly, the floor plan bothers me and you can only smoke in one half of the venue...which is better than no halves I guess. And when did Nashville become non smoking? We are in the South and noone cares about their health in the South. We ride bulls and camp at moldy lakes. Anyway, Mr Pigg's set caught me off guard, but I really dug it. In the words of Stan Lynch, "It was very boho." LP was the best pop record of this past year in my opinion, but he seemed to have intentionally deconstructed his tunes to make for a set of viby? earthy? adventurous? version of his work. And with an ol' doghouse thumpin behind him and bits of Spainish thrown around...I dont know. Seemed like he was having fun up there.

3. heart part

I have to talk about our set...because it was a personal highlight....because I played it. Right? We played 3rd and Lindsley about 11pm and the crowd was good. The night was primarily a country line up so I felt as though we stood out a good bit. But, even if there were some acts that were below par, I did feel good about being associated with a country dominated event. Hopfully...we can do more of that in the future. I think an act can be successful, no matter what kind of crowd they are playing to, if they stay true to what they do...and to do it well. Learn how to segway from song to song, plan your set out so it flows well, and dont get wasted 5 minutes before you go on. "Keep it pro." as John Davis would say. But a new tune "Can't Hide It" felt really good. And I didn't loose my voice which was a fear. so...good times.


4. post-party-party

And in light of the spirit of the weekend, I sucked it up and stayed out incredibly late dispite the responibilities of a work shedule during the day. Meaning, I had the chance to engage in many pos-midnight covos with some good folks. Manny, Eric Wilson, Jaren, Mr. Wilkins, blonde drink buyer from 3rd and Lynsley, Shelly and Steph, Ricky Ticky Tavy, Ethan the Red Headed Stranger, drunk chick from The Scene, Mr. Lister, group of lawyers in the parking lot, Mr. Marcus, Wess Floyd, guys from Love and Theft, Tyler James, Paul Mustache, homeless guy on broadway, random guy by the pool table, ect. ect. ect.

I guess I'm realizing that I'm not alone in my quest for creativity here. That there are good people in this town that are just as depressed and excited and confused and in love as I am. Cuz it is easy to see the dark corners of this city and its easy to try and make it something that it's not. NASHVILLE IS NOT THE NEW L.A. (Just have to say that) Nashville is Nashville. It is an amazingly unique city that you can't compare to any other. It's mixed with an old, incredible legacy of music...and a new, creative generation of writters and performers and musicians who are pushing the boundaries of music and art everyday they wake up. So.............be proud?? yes....be proud damn it. or move. Either way I see a constantly growing group of genuine people contributing to the future of this town. And I'm proud to be a part of it. So...good weekend. And....viva la nashville I suppose!

love,

Will