Our good friend Jay Walter Bennett left us this weekend.  As news hits the wires so instantaneously these days, we thought it was important to share some thoughts about our friend and brother before any rumors got out of hand.

First, let it be known that Jay was in a really good place these past few years.  He had returned to the area he loved -- the “Twin Cities,” Champaign-Urbana -- and resurrected his studio, Pieholden Suite Sound, with the assistance of many dear friends and allies.

Jay had been busy making music.  He recently had released an intimate record entitled "Whatever Happened I Apologize," and he was looking forward to wrapping up his new work, "Kicking at the Perfumed Air."  Proud of finishing a trilogy of records, including "Bigger Than Blue," "The Beloved Enemy," and "The Magnificent Defeat," Jay loved the balanced yet ironic album titles.  He was also looking forward to engineering and releasing Titanic Love Affair’s previously unreleased record, as well as starting work on "The Palace at 4 a.m. Part II," the follow-up to his post-Wilco debut with Edward Burch.  “Jay the Academic” had also reemerged, pursuing his umpteenth degree at the University of Illinois, and he was thrilled to be taking graduate classes again.

As many of you may be aware, Jay had finally found the courage to put his Wilco issues out into the public forum. After a long, four-year process (and therefore very much unrelated to his impending hip surgery), formal filings against Wilco were finally initiated. This task was very emotional for Jay. He was a “lover,” and this confrontation was not easy for him.  With the exception of his final period in Wilco, Jay looked back on his time in the band with great fondness and pride.  While he was dismayed that some people may have formed a narrow perception of him via the “documentary,” all who truly knew him understood that with most entertainment media, editing is usually constructed for dramatic effect and presents only a small part of a larger, more complex reality.

So, please spend some time this week engaging in Jay’s favorite passions: listen to a Nick Lowe album, watch some Mythbusters on Discovery, play Warren Zevon’s “Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner,” rent "Pay It Forward" (one of his favorite movies), write a song with the TV on and the sound off, and focus on how Jay always concluded his communications:

“Love, Jay.”

Howdy friends,

 

            I feel like I really need to check in and explain my long absence from myspace, and tell you all this little story with a sense of humor and an overall feeling of positive energy, gained from knowing that I am now moving in the right direction.  I’ve been close to bedridden since I last “saw” y’all. After burying my proverbial head in the proverbial sand since last summer, I finally decided it was time I “face the music,” and find out what was causing the severe pain and immobility in my right leg. I have had a torn A.C.L. in that knee for many years (caused by a “daring,” well, uh, really just ill-planned, and poorly executed, stage jump at Seventh Street Entry in Minneapolis, with Titanic Love Affair), and suspected that time had most likely further worn down, or even torn loose some more cartilage, most likely causing premature arthritis. So, after much prompting from friends and loved ones (“Jay that limp is NOT getting any better”), bright and early one Monday morning I decided to simply open up the Yellow Pages, and find the first Orthopedic Medicine Clinic with an immediate opening and find out what a large part of me did not want to find out. I braced myself for a diagnosis of additional minor knee surgery to remove some “floating” cartilage, and told myself that maybe all I needed was a cortisone shot or two, or something like that…but, something deep down inside was telling me this could well be something bigger and badder (or else why would I have “run” from it for so long). I DID NOT brace myself for THE diagnosis of the need for a complete hip replacement (ball and socket, if you will). I just about fainted when I saw the X-Rays of that hip….holy &%$#*, what a mess I had made. The doctor sized me up at 5’9” (well actually, now a bit shorter than that on one side) and concluded that most likely I was not a basketball player, yet recognized the damage as that typically caused by repetitive high impact sports activity. Well, I knew in a heartbeat that could mean only one thing…. and, yes, you guessed it---a decade plus of multiple nightly stage jumps and various other rock and roll theatrics had finally taken a toll that I could no longer merely “deal with,” or ignore, even if I were to change my evil ways (baby). As I dizzily drove home (a drive I can barely remember), I alternately rode waves of the power derived from finally having the knowledge I had both craved and avoided, and of the fear of an uncertain future.

            Well, it turns out that these types of injuries don’t really heal themselves, as I naively told myself might just magically happen, if I rested that leg, used a cane for a while, and lost a bit of weight. So, major surgery it was to be…the only glitch, I am among our nations under-insured (my previous injury to that leg was listed as a pre-existing condition, and any injury that could be linked to the same root cause, I was told would not be covered). Some time passed as I contemplated my next “move,”---how to come up with the money to pay for the surgery “out of pocket,” and as I brainstormed, my hip finally decided to lock up, and the pain got worse. So I began the arduous, or more accurately, extremely time consuming and endlessly frustrating, process of finding a surgeon and hospital that would perhaps “cut me a deal,” be willing to bargain/barter a bit, or at least allow me to make installment payments. As it turns out, this is possible, but also difficult to arrange, if you can not come up with a sizable down payment as a show good faith, etc. I have been saving as much money as possible ever since I made this new commitment to my health, my future, and my quality of life, and have sold off some vintage recording gear, whose monetary collectors value now far outweighs it’s functional value. As time has passed my mobility has continued to erode, to the extent that, for quite some time now, it has even been difficult to sit at the computer for more than just a few minutes---as I only own an ancient, yet reliable (don’t get mad at me baby), old Dell desk top PC, I can’t lie on the couch with a lap top and leisurely engage in the cyber world as I had so enjoyed since I made the commitment to enter the 21^st century (or at least the late 20^th) and interact with all of the wonderful people who have chosen to be my friends on myspace. And, even if I have said it enough already, I’ll just keep saying it over and over again; what an thoroughly enjoyable experience it has been, it’s like hanging out at a bar talking to folks with similar interests, swapping stories, answering questions, asking questions, getting to know people, reacquainting myself with old cronies, all without having to shout above the music (which I hate, unless of course it is of my choosing)…and I really have missed these interactions on so many levels. I know that I owe many of you mails (my trips to ye olde Dell are painful and now almost non-existent…this note was hand written and transcribed). I also owe some of you input on music that you have sent to me, for these transgressions, I apologize, but trust that you will understand.

            I have posted some of the music I have been able to work on during this time period. I have labeled some of the songs as “demos,” but you never know with me which ones might just morph into “real” CD versions. The new songs are definitely still “works in progress,” and, as always I value any and all input, as I have gained so much from the outside perspective you all have shared with me over the past year---so, don’t hold back now. I also put up some new photos, just for yuks…only one of me, though (seriously, who needs to see another picture of me?). Most of my “photos” are still my little online art galley of my paintings and drawings. Perhaps I could have an art opening at the hospital.

            I still don’t know exactly when my surgery will be, but I have learned a good deal about the procedure, and that has helped to make me MUCH less fearful. The double dose of anxiety caused by the pain, and the quite natural fear of the invasive surgery itself, really had me in its grip for a while, but now it only comes in waves. Once I am able to get a down payment of sorts together and actually have the surgery performed, I have been told that I then have only about six to eight weeks of physical therapy before I should be operating at approximately 80% capacity---these types of joint replacements have come light years in the past five years or so. The way I look at it, I’m functioning WAY below 80% right now, so what do I have to lose? Except a limp, some pain, some anxiety, and some weight. In many ways, I’m really looking forward to it, and wish I could go in tomorrow.

             I will keep you all posted as I learn more, as I’m really Jonesing to get this over with, AND to finish up “Kicking at the Perfumed Air” (the CD that just doesn’t seem to want to get finished). I will continue to stay as active as I possibly can, making music, and staying in touch with all of you (my friends), as the surgery approaches, and later, whilst I am recovering. With any luck, by mid-summer, I should be a new man (albeit bionic---“we can rebuild him”) This whole experience has really taught me to look both inward and outward for support, and I’ve learned things about myself that I thought I had completely figured out years ago. Family and friends have helped me to keep faith in a future that will actually be much more carefree than my constricted present state. I encourage you all to tell me stories of recovery, as they really do help…if you don’t mind. All in all, I’m “in a really good place” right now; I’m just waiting until I can make it all happen. Thanks so much to all of you for downloading “Whatever happened I Apologize,” I really hope that you enjoyed it. I greatly appreciated all of the feedback you all gave me---keep it coming on the new stuff, if you feel like it. Again, apologies for my absence, I honestly do care about staying true to my promise to maintain open and interactive relationships with all of you “out there,” wherever you may be.

 

Peace, Love, and Understanding

Jay Walter Bennett

4-24-2009

That's the big news; now here's the story:

As anyone keeping a watchful eye on me has noticed, October came and went without the release of "Kicking at the Perfumed Air." The reason for this: In the final stages of completing "Kicking at the Perfumed Air" at Pieholden Suite Sound (http://www.myspace.com/pieholdenstudios), I was simultaneously working on a very personal and concise 10-song album called "Whatever Happened I Apologize." After debating back and forth, I have decided to release "Apologize" first. I am somewhat at a loss for words as to explain why I arrived at this decision, save to say it's just one of those lonely and private choices one sometimes has to make—in other words, it just felt more like the right album for the time.

It is stark, stripped down, and acoustic based—more so than any other record I have made. I really wanted to capture the simpler and more emotional nature of the songwriting, and I knew that the only way I could do this was to put it together quickly, with no second-guessing, and no heavy deliberating about minor details. Consequently I would have to learn to embrace the resultant imperfections—and I have. All of the vocals are done live to my own acoustic guitar accompaniment, so it has some "warts," but, in my effort to not forsake integrity for technical perfection, the album ended up feeling more honest, immediate, naked, and cohesive to me. I am very proud of presenting myself without my typical voluminous bells and whistles. I am left wondering why I haven't done this more often in the past.

As I've really wanted to help out my studio partner, Matt DeWine, and his partner Casey Meehan, with their new "download record label," rockproper, that's just where you can find this new album: http://www.rockproper.com. Again, it's called "Whatever Happened I Apologize," and did I mention it's free? I hope you enjoy it. Please let me know what you think. I would also like to encourage you all to check out some of the other free downloads, by some of the great artists, available on the site.

Love,
Jay
http://www.myspace.com/jaybennett

Hey Folks -

Here's a nice interview with all-around good guy Brian Robbins that just came out recently online for Glide Magazine. Hope you enjoy it.

Love, Jay

http://www.glidemagazine.com/articles/53956/jay-bennett-doesnt-sit-stillfor-long.html

I have to say, somewhat to my surprise, I am REALLY enjoying becoming a more (inter) active and personal participant on myspace, and have truly tried to the best of my ability to answer all the questions, and respond to all the mails that I have been sent, over this past month. I genuinely appreciate all of the interest you have all shown in, and concern you have all shown for my music, my multiple projects, my studio, and just plain ole ME. And I love checking in every day (on most days, multiple times, for extended periods), and to my amazement, seeing that you are STILL listening to my streaming material, and I marvel each day at the prospect of getting the immediate satisfaction of knowing that people still like and support what I am trying accomplish with my music, or at least "just like the songs," in addition to receiving the much needed, valuable, and constructive input on my material. After overcoming my techno-phobia, to some extent at least, this has all actually become quite fun, albeit time consuming, to do, and is now a BIG part of my daily routine. Reconnecting with old friends and establishing dialogs with "new" friends has been quite engaging and enriching for me on MANY levels, not to mention I have now finally discovered a forum on which to display my paintings and other "art." This has all served to make me feel quite comfortable in a technological realm that I had previously avoided. I hope that I am "holding up my side of the bargain" in my promise to not disappear for two years only to resurface briefly to announce a new release, only to proceed to almost immediately "go back underground," as I am (hopefully WAS) prone to doing. Thank you all for the lively, interesting, and sometimes challenging conversation.

I have also been "riding" two other technology learning curves simultaneously. We have been in the process of integrating protools into our studio, as to be able to accommodate more "clients" (I really hate that word in this context). For some time now, folks have been looking to bring half finished projects, begun at home on their protools systems, to Pieholden Suite Sound, in an attempt to add a bit of "The Pieholden flavor" to them, before wrapping them up. " The Pieholden flavor" could loosely be defined as CREATIVELY employing our full array of vintage recording gear (now in better shape than ever), hence adding some good old fashion analog warmth to digital in origin projects, AND "playing one's way threw" an insane arsenal of vintage instruments, ranging from the expected to the rare, or probably most fascinatingly, to the ABSURD. In other words, having a chance to experiment with a wide range of shit most people don't have sitting around when doing their "bedroom" recordings. Previously, we were unable to accommodate such "clients"(again, I wish I had a better word), as we had no way to interface with material brought in digitally. I am quite pleased to announce that we can do so now, but the curve has been steep and bumpy.

I have also (don't ask why, please) been working on another Masters Degree from UIUC. This time I am enrolled in an online program. And man, if you think you have experienced academic bureaucracy frustration at the "real" university level, you can just about multiply that by a factor of ten at the "virtual" university level. Much of it is due to the program being brand new, and employing brand new technology that nobody, least of all I, understands completely. Once all of the glitches get worked out of the system, the actual academic work load will not be very heavy or time consuming AT ALL, rather it will be a nice contrast to all of the other stuff that I'm doing musically, and a good way to leave a good day's worth of musical accomplishments at the studio instead of bringing them home with me only to fret over endlessly, I as have a propensity to do.

This all leads me to my "announcement" that I think is extremely important to share with all y'all in the interest of politeness, thankfulness, and a general sense of wanting to "keep you all in the loop."

I may (I guess I should really just say "will") not be AS available on myspace as I have been since August 12th, as I need to find more time to finish up, first my new CD, and then other projects, and have been somewhat unable to find enough time recently to concurrently wrestle with technology, in any of the three ways described above, AND establish enough of the "groove" required to really finish things up with the enthusiasm and attention to detail with which they began.

This is not meant to be interpreted in any way as "please leave me alone," for I have come to enjoy so much the interaction. It is simply to say, it might take me a bit longer to get back to you than before, but I'm not permanently going away or anything like that.

Thank you all so much in so many ways.
Love, Jay W. Bennett

P.S. I WILL continue to "rotate in" new songs for streaming from my new CD ("Kicking at the Perfumed Air"), the "unreleased" Titanic Love Affair CD, and the "Bennett and Burch" project beginning today, so please "keep comin' back," and/or joining up. I welcome and look forward to any feedback you can give to me, as it has been so helpful thus far.

Hey Folks –

So after over a year of relocation from Chicago and lots of construction, the dust has finally settled... And it's landed in none other than the beautiful twin cities of Champaign/Urbana, IL, now the home of Pieholden Suite Sound (http://www.myspace.com/pieholdenstudios). I couldn't be more excited by how things have turned out, and I need to give special thanks for the huge efforts this past year of Matt DeWine, Studio Manager/Engineer, and company. Feel free to contact him at pieholdenstudios@gmail.com about the studio, its gear and equipment, and its availability.

And in honor of the new studio and finally having a place to get down to work, I'm celebrating by having a "Three for One" special. That's right, I'll be releasing three new records in the upcoming months - I've just finished writing and recording a new solo record, to be called "Kicking at the Perfumed Air." Also, during the move I came across some half-finished material by my previous band, Titanic Love Affair. Not only did this lead to reconnecting with "the original cast" of TLA, but these songs left us wondering why they never made it on earlier albums. We're going to change that, as we've now finished a whole album's worth of "new" TLA songs. And finally, I'll be reuniting on record with my longtime musical collaborator, Edward Burch, on a 6 song EP "Tribute to a Tribute" to Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds.

For a quick preview of songs from all these upcoming albums, please check out www.myspace.com/jaybennett. Hope you like them, and stay tuned for more release details. Also, feel free to come back often, as I will continue to make new material available for streaming.

Sorry to have been silent of late, but as you can see by the above, I've been just a bit busy! I hope you enjoy the results, and especially hope you all have a chance to check out Pieholden in the near future.

All The Best.

Love,
Jay

Hey Folks -

Thought you'd be interested in checking out the always top-notch web site, daytrotter.com, as they've been kind enough to feature Jay today. During his Fall Tour last year, we had the chance to stop into the Daytrotter Studios in aptly named Rock Island, IL, and not only record four songs with them, but also provide responses to one of the best interviews to be conducted in a long while.

Enjoy - and thanks for your support.
Jeff (Jay's manager)
--

Daytrotter Interview:
http://www.daytrotter.com/article/642/jay-bennett-for-your-consideration-another-poet-through-the-smoke-and-hardness

Daytrotter Live Songs (downloadable):
http://www.daytrotter.com/article/640/free-songs-jay-bennett

Hey Folks -

Wanted to let everyone know that I'll be playing in sub-zero Chicago this Saturday night at Double Door with good friends Death Ships, and helping Backyard Tire Fire celebrate their record release. Hope you can join the party!

Details:

Double Door
1572 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-489-3160
http://www.doubledoor.com/shows.php

Doors are at 8pm, and I should go on around 10pm.
Hope you all can make it!

Love,
Jay

Hey Folks -

Jeff Macklin here, Jay's manager. Jay just sent out a reminder about his upcoming tour (hope you all can come out!), but I also wanted to pass along a quick request for "your vote!"

If you're enjoying "The Magnificent Defeat," feel free to share that enjoyment at the following places:

WXPN's Top 50 CD's of 2006
http://www.xponentialmusic.org/top50_2006/

Respond to the email you may have received from Paste Magazine about voting for the Top 10 CD's of 2006.

As always, thanks for your support, and hope to see you all out there!
All the best,
Jeff

Hey There -

Just a "gentle" reminder that I kick off five West Coast shows tomorrow night at The Tractor Tavern in Seattle. This will be followed by Roturre in Portland, Old Ironsides in Sacramento, Rickshaw Stop in SF, and, finally, The Silverlake Lounge in LA. Details on MySpace, as well as www.jay-bennett.com.

I'm extremely fortunate to have good friends, Death Ships, from Iowa City, IA not only opening, but also playing with me during my set. Please check them out on iTunes or www.myspace.com/deathships - they're amazing! We'll be joined by Jon Rauhouse from Neko Case's band in both Seattle and Portland, and by Weed Patch in SF and LA.

Hope you all can make it!
Jay