Lacrymosa // Music Video // Teaser 2 from AMBIENTAL PICTURES on Vimeo.

Apparently a new study has shown that I’m what a lot of people in the business call a “music snob,” which translates into, “I hate everything.”  Everything but The Beatles that is…and whoops, last I checked, they’re the greatest band of all time, so the point is, I know how to pick a winner….and trust me folks, “Love Is Here To Stay” is a winner.  So take it from me…no….BUY IT FROM ME…it’s only $4.99! Or at least steal it from one of your friends who has already supported the cause.  Or hell, send me an email, and odds are, I’ll send it to you for free.

……..

In Other Really Good Deal News: This Thursday, July 29th (tomorrow) we’re running a great special on tickets for our big Highline Ballroom show on August 19th with the lovely Ms. Paula Valstein and Mr. Jonah Smith.

Tickets in advance are $10, but for one day only, we’re running a “We REALLY Love The Fans” special, where if you buy one ticket, you get another one free! If you wait till the day of the show, they’re gonna be $15, so if you have any desire to see this night of music, I suggest getting your tickets definitely in advance, but more specifically on the 29th of July.

CLICK HERE to purchase 2 tickets for the price of 1 on THURSDAY, JULY 29th!

2 For 1 Instructions: Enter the code “LOVE” where it says “Access Code (Optional)” and
then hit the button APPLY ACCESS CODE.  This code is valid for 24
hours starting at 12AM on July 29th.

……

Highline Ballroom (431 W 16th Street – map)
Thursday, August 19th – 8PM
Paula Valstein, Jonah Smith, and Me
$10 in advance, $15 day of show

09.03 – Orlando, FL @ The Social – Orlando, FL
09.04 – Savannah, GA @ Livewire Music Hall
09.05 – Gainesville, FL @ Common Grounds
09.06 – Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits
09.07 – Decatur, GA @ Eddie’s Attic
09.09 – Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall
09.10 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
09.11 – Charlotte, NC @ Tremont Music Hall
09.13 – Vienna, VA @ Jammin’ Java
09.14 – Baltimore, MD @ 8 x 10

You can see a few more here!

We would’ve let you guys know about this in advance, if they had told US in advance, but alas! Thank goodness for Hulu. Watch the episode below, and if you’re not into werewolves and such, just skip right ahead to minute 34 to hear Casey’s song.

Pearl and the Beards is coming your way in July! After a great show at Mercury Lounge and Cleveland they are now en route to Athens, OH. The photo above is from a great review of the Mercury Lounge show by our friends at The Wild Honeypie.

Pearl And The Beard Tour Dates
7.13 Jackie O’s w/ Holy Ghost Tent Revival (Athens, OH )
7.15 Dark Room (Chicago, IL)
7.16 The Project Lodge w/ Anna Vogelzang (Madison, WI)
7.17 Kitty Cat Klub (Minneapolis, MN)
7.18 Club Garibaldi’s (Milwaukee, WI)
7.19 Natasha’s (Lexington, KY)
7.20 Lemon Grove Cafe ( Youngstown, OH)
7.21 Northside Tavern (Cincinnati, OH)
7.22 The Treehouse (Columbus, OH)
7.23 The Muse Coffee Shop (Lynchburg, VA)
7.24 The Velvet Lounge (Washington, DC)

Tom Hayes
Dave Beck
Emily Mure
Aunt Martha
Heidi Sidelinker
Casey Shea
Matt Singer
Lucius
Lowry
Great Elk
Steve Waitt
Matt Basile
Danny Lanzetta & the Liars Club
FK

I copied and pasted this list of names, and I’m now noticing Matt Basile’s name is there…I’m pretty sure he’s not gonna be there, and not just because his apartment exploded yesterday at 5am.  Luckily for him (not so luckily for us) he was staying the night with the Sheas.  That’s right Basile, I SAVED YOUR LIFE….you owe me BIG TIME!!  And yes, I’m serious, his apartment really did explode.  Don’t believe me?  Here’s a picture of what once was his bedroom.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

If Matt’s exploding apartment proves one thing, it’s that if you’re not using a Mac, you’re fooling yourself.  Yes…Mr. Steve Jobs makes a fine product….a quality product….a durable product.  That’s a Apple ad I’d like to see.  “The iBook – so bad ass, it survives home explosions.”

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Yes, it really survived…not only the explosion, but the firemen hosing down the place.  Well done Jobs, Well done.

In more Matt Basile Related news, after I’m finished watching all my friends a play a few tunes at Bar4, I’m gonna head to none other than Rockwood Music Hall to put on a show of epic proportions.  It’s been a while since we’ve had a 1am showing, but we’ve never played a late one at the infamous Stage 2, so if you’re looking for a party tonight, you know where to find us!  Oh, and buy Matt a drink…he needs it.

Casey Shea
July 9th – 9-ish PM
Bar4
FREE

Casey Shea
July 9th – 1:15AM
Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 2)
FREE

While these awards currently still increase awareness and provide a serious sales boost, like the past and current versions of the Billboard charts they will lose relevance as our industry becomes more and more customer-driven and artist-empowered. Artists and executives tend to have big egos, and big egos need stroking. Award shows are there to stroke, but in the end what really matters? Who cares about the tiny subset of people that votes for a Grammy, when you have millions of kids voting for your band with their Facebook Like buttons and their purchasing behavior?

Seth wrote a great post about sales charts, from Billboard to New York Times Best Sellers, and how they are easily manipulated to achieve a high ranking, and I have previously posted on the need for new metrics in our industry in “The Post-Soundscan Era: Metrics That Matter”. Much in “show business” is still all about “show”, and not so much about “business”. I find it very satisfying to watch that change, and to do my part in helping us move away from these old ways and towards a more transparent, smart and customer/artist friendly business.

Richard Feynman on receiving honors:

“I don’t like honors. I’m appreciated for the work that I did. [...] I don’t need anything else. I don’t think there is any sense to anything else. I don’t see that it makes any point that someone in the Swedish Academy decides that this work is noble enough to receive a prize. I’ve already got the prize. The prize is the pleasure of finding out the thing. The kick and the discovery, the observation of other people using it. Those are the real things. The honors are unreal to me. I don’t believe in honors.”

Related Reading:

• Spencer Fry wrote a great post on staying Under The Radar.
• Little Brother’s Phonte wrote one of the best verses ever, tackling the topic of why he does what he does (hint: it’s not for the props). Listen to “Can’t Win For Losing” here.