Target Practice

We took a break from recording to help control the local Pabst beer can population.

Bob and Patty

I know summer's almost over, but I came across this photo in the libarary the other day and wanted to post it. I miss having a fire escape. I used to have a really good one, too. Excellent view and extra scary.

On The Spot

Spotify seems like it's going to be pretty cool when it finally becomes available in the US. Apparently you don't really have to wait, though.

In a few years (months?) I guess filling multiple hard drives with downloaded MP3s will be the equivalent of carrying a Discman (and spare batteries, natch) with you everywhere you went. I am still really glad I did both of those things, though.

-Ryan

Blessed, Blessed, Ludwig Van

Photo by 2create

I got my first synthesizer! We borrowed a Microkorg to use on The Oak and the Acorn, but we only really cracked the surface.

It's cool to be able to edit sound with such detail, but with ultimate power comes the ultimate responsibility: to not be cheesy.

I'm psyched to see where this goes. Any tips?

-Ryan

Ears To The Western Soil

photo by Nicolas Genin

So, I know I'm repeating what 50 million record-buyers worldwide have alreday said, but I still gotta say: OMG, Ennio Morricone.

-Ryan

Communipaw And A Cat Called Cricket

Communipaw

A Cat Called Cricket

I was pretty excited to learn our New Brunswick buds, Communipaw, will be playing with our Baltimore buds, A Cat Called Cricket, at A Cat Called Cricket's record release party at Charm City Art Space in October.

It's going to be a great night, and I would probably not know any of the people involved if it wasn't for touring and playing shows. So, three cheers for touring and playing shows!

The Beechfields, the collective that is putting out the Cat Called Cricket record, is an amazing Baltimore-based community of musicians.

If you're interested in going to the show, drop me a line.

Cheers,
Ryan

You and Your 424, Thank You!

I'd like to thank all the people I know personally who have recorded their own music and made it available to me. When it's still dark in the morning and I leave the house to drive to another ten hour stretch at work, nothing keeps me hopeful like music made by somebody I know in real life.

It's an important reminder to me that the really important part of life, the part beyond just going to work and consuming, is really possible and accessible. Thanks.

xoxo,
Ryan

Examined Life

We watched this after recording one night; it was really good. Cornel West's segment was the most fun, but all of the segements were interesting. It's always exciting for me to see philosophical questions overlaid on everyday life, and the movie did a good job of that.

I wish there'd been a segment of someone talking about whether a person has a duty to cultivate his or her natural talents, and how far it's right to take that pursuit.

It was inspiring to watch, though, and for me a good reminder of the fundamental reasons I'm in a band in the first place.

-Ryan

Neutral Milk Hotel

photo by Will Westbrook

I just finished rereading the 33 and 1/3 on In the Aeroplane Over the Sea for the third time. An amazing story of an amazing record.

I drove to Alaska and back, once, and during all night drives, when everyone else in the van was asleep, I'd just listen to Aeroplane over and over. If I have anything that could be called a religion, it is music, and records like this are part of the reason why.

-Ryan