Here is the end result:

I write this for inspiration and a little ego repair. Today I got my first real comment on this blog thing and it wasn’t very nice. The person was short and clear that she thought the performance I posted on YouTube simply sucked. At first it was eyebrow lowering but then I was reminded that it really isn’t about the artist. It’s about the person who is taking it in. I guess I’m looking at it as if I was a cook and a listener is a diner. If they are putting something in their mouth and they don’t like it they have all right in the world to tell the cook that it sucks.

Putting yourself out there doesn’t mean you have to take everything that’s out there to heart. Some people are just trying to be sandpaper-ish. Another thing is I try not to take things that seriously when it comes to criticism. You know it’s the opinions and asshole joke, we all got one. And while I’m on the cliche-hell track; it can get hot in the kitchen of public performing.

I try to use criticism’s energy to grow.

The two top print calendar listings I’ve had a lot of luck with are in The Source Weekly, a local alternative weekly, and Go Magazine, a weekly insert in the Bend Bulletin. The Source has a system to get your info in the calendar and Go Magazine simply requires filling out the contact  form (I think?) to Ben Salmon, music writer, his email is bsalmon@bendbulletin dot com. To get your show in The Source you’ll need to get your info to the calendar editor. To do that you’ll need to sign up for an account at The Source’s website and then submit your calendar by clicking on the scroll-down navigation link named “Submit your Event” under the “Calendar” link.

Mike Bookey, The Source Weekly

Not that much is needed to get your show listed but a little work  is needed for a little brighter spotlight on your show. The Art/Music Editor at The Source, Mike Bookey, will select your show as a “Pick,” if your are really lucky he will select your show as a “Top Pick.” If you are extreemly lucky he’ll write something about your music project. Ben Salmon does a great job writing artist feature stories. Your odds a little more love from Mike or Ben improve giving them a call or stopping their work  to say hi. If anything you’ll get to meet/talk with a couple of real cool dudes.

A lot of the radio DJ’s and television reporters read the music calendars from The Source and Bulletin in their programming, but it’s always a good idea to submit the same info to the radio station that best suits your music genre.

Aside a few minor bumps here and there we all were very happy with the show. The energy really took off during our rendition of The Beatles’ “I’m the Walrus.”

The presentations were great. I had a chance to sit down and watch a majority of them. My top favs were “Farming for Eggs,” “100 shows in a year,” “Vacationing Nebraskan Style,” and “My Life as a Musical.”

You’ll need: Fresh Ginger root, fresh mint, 1/2 fresh lemon and honey.

Cut a quarter of the ginger root off and chop it up

boil up 32 ounces of water and add all the ingredients (Squeeze the lemon)

Let is steep for 15-minutes

Strain and enjoy 

First, the event, Ignite Bend, is one of the coolest around. 10 people are selected to give powerpoint presentations after they submit their topic for an online voting round. (A lot of numbers here so hang with me) Each of the selected presenters are limited to 20 slides that automaticaly advance after 15 seconds. There is a 15 second slide that separates each presentation. So what the audience ends up  with is a very entertaining and random show of presentations that are flavored with any emotion you can think. Most of the presentors are locals and all of the subjects are pretty interesting.

My first experience with Ignite Bend was with its first one held at the Poet House at downtown Bend. I submitted a presentation called, “Dirty Wicked Town” and decided to perform a song while the slides rotated. I hand-drew each of the slides and timed out the song so it was exactly 5-minutes long. The second Ignite Bend I got a call asking if I could write a song that explains what Ignite Bend is. I invited my band mates in Kousefly to back me up while I performed a song called “Countdown to Ignite.” The third time Kousefly was invited to perform during the seating and break of Ignite Bend. That really worked out great. We helped energize the audience before each round of presentations. And now we are on our forth, where we will be doing the same thing but with a little more time on stage with a half-an-hour closing set. The band is excited to play and grateful the event has kept us in mind as we have grown with it. I’m excited to hear that they are opening the event to other performers after this one, so musicians be on the look out for a call for music for Ignite Bend 5.

EVENT INFO

We strongly recommend that you have a ticket (either printed or displayed on your mobile device) to enter the event. If you are a speaker, committee member, volunteer, supporter, or sponsor – check your email. Your ticket will be delivered to you electronically and you do NOT have to reserve a ticket through the reservation system.http://www.ignitebend.com) if you wish to use a credit card.

A suggested donation of $3 per person is requested, but not required, for admission. Donations help Ignite Bend offset expenses including venue rental. You can donate cash at the door or visit the Ignite Bend website (

Doors open at 6:30 PM. Presentations start at 7 PM. Get there early! Seating is general admission… and there will be announcements and networking opportunities ahead of time that you won’t want to miss!

Here is a free MP3 (don’t know for how long)

Buy the latest album! The Mountain

I’m finding that the same thing is happening to my tempo during my songwriting process. I’m noticing that repertoire I’m currently composing hovers around 130-138 BPMs. Now that’s a little annoying…

I ended up at the studio today to hash out a couple new tunes and the drummer I work with, Meesh, was there designing his drums. He brought up a good point that I should always practice with a metronome. With that in mind I’ve determined that even though there are no lyrics yet, nor a clear idea where to put the bridge and lead section, it’s a good idea to begin with a tempo that fits with the tune you are writing. That way you are not locked into the tire groove thing.

Holding an entire show on your own is quite a feat and over the years Jeff Tweedy has really started to master that craft.  His solo show is very entertaining. He has a line of acoustic guitars that are positioned behind him as he plays. His guitar tech comes on stage after he finishes a song and grabs the guitar for re-tuning as he selects another, making a smooth transition between songs. He plays the same songs (for the most part) that he does in Wilco, adjusting the delivery to more of a fireside performance than a rock show. What really makes the show for me is his witty banter he has with the random audience shout-outs. 

At Portland Jeff Tweedy started the Wilco show with “Sunken Treasure” as he did in his solo show. What made me appreciate the song even more than I already did was how the band gently worked its way into the song, accenting the long-sung note that characterizes the song and other hooky parts of the song. I think now that I’ve been following Wilco for the past few years I’ve discovered that I’m appreciating the individual musicians that make the band. In my opinion all of the artists are masters of their own craft and that’s what makes their show so spectacular.