Songs for the Time Being

I've been on the road since March 29th. I'm touring around with a band called Gliss. I'll be with them until May 4th when I take a couple of days off to rest in New York before heading back home.

I was suddenly inspired the other day while sitting in the back of the van to make a new mix. I don't normally make these as, well, I always feel like every one I know has already heard all the songs I'd be putting on them anyhow. For someone who works in music, I tend to find new music a little later than everyone else.

Anyhow, I gave it a shot here. If you check out the link below you'll get a zip file that has the entire mix on it. It's mostly filled with a bunch of songs that remind me of home. It's also got some fun stuff on there too. I actually tried to make it flow well, so I hope you like it! Anyhow. Enjoy! Or don't, whatevs, yo.

Songs for the Time Being.

A Simple Exercise in Understanding Futility

Here's a good one. Put on your best pair of running shoes and call up a friend, tell him that you want to go running together. Make sure that you choose someone who is either as fast or slightly faster than you, or at least one who has more endurance than you do. This is really important. Now, while your friend is on his way over to your house, get on our computer and print out the word "PROBLEMS" on one of those iron-on t-shirt sheets. Think of your least favorite color and apply the "PROBLEMS" to a t-shirt of that color. I'm color blind so I'm not actually sure what color I'd pick. Oh yeah, make sure you find out your friend's shirt size first, almost forgot about that part. Anyhow, when he gets there you should decide on a path, hand him the shirt you've just made and ask him politely to change into it, and explain that while running you are constantly going to be running away from him. Your goal is to actually run so far away that you can't find each other. Here's what's gong to happen; As hard as you try to get away, he's either going to be right next to you or right behind you. You'll be out of breath while you're buddy on the other hand will probably have a smile on his face and talk about the "great cardio" you're getting. It'll be easier for him to keep up with you than you think. In the off chance that you actually are able to outrun him though, which you shouldn't because of the superior physical abilities of your running partner, don't be too proud of yourself. I'm quite sure that once you return home your "PROBLEMS" will be waiting on your doorstep, slightly annoyed but still looking to grab a beer.

A Simple Exercise to Achieve Clarity

So, before I start with this post I wanted to explain a little about what I'm doing here. I've decided to start posting some of my short writings on here from time to time. Things that aren't necessarily about anything in particular. Sometimes it'll be fiction, sometimes it'll just be an idea. Anyhow, here we go with the first one.

A Simple Exercise to Achieve Clarity

Do you ever take your glasses off and just stare out the window? You should try it sometime. It's a bit of a challenge because you have to try and figure out what it is you're actually looking at using nothing but your eyes to bring everything into focus. I mean, well, that's why you have glasses. So that you don't actually have to use your eyes to focus, the glasses do that for you. They simply set up a way for you to focus on things without actually using your eyes. Squinting helps, but you stil don't really get the whole picture. You have to start thinking abut what you're looking at instead of simply looking at it, know what I mean? You have to put what you think you're looking at into context. You have to figure out if what you think you're looking at actually makes sense to be where it is. After you've thought about it for a while you should find yourself actually knowing what it is. You should know exactly what you're looking at. Now, whatever you do, don't put your glasses back on to make sure you really are looking at what you should already know you're looking at. That's not what this exercise is about. Whatever it really is doesn't matter. It doesn't matter because this exercise is designed for you to see what you will see, not so that you will see what is actually there. Does that make sense? This exercise is about achieving clarity on your own, without any assistance.

Video Genius: Eric Wareheim

I'd like to do a full post on this guy because he really deserves it, but alas, I'm currently on the road and only able to post what I can when I do actually find a Wi-Fi spot (not sure if this should count as a "Video Genius" post since I'm not really get too into detail...). This post was actually supposed to be up about a week and half ago, when the first video you're about to see actually debuted. Anyhow, so I hope you can make do with little I write about Eric Wareheim.

All you really need to know about Eric is that he's the "Eric" from Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Which is one of the funniest shows on televisions. Anyone who has seen this show knows that it's wacky, it's pretty out there and is constantly pushing the boundaries of what could actually be considered comedy. There's a lot of really tense, awkward moments usually filmed with a Public Access TV aesthetic. "She's Got Me Dancing" by Tommy Sparks looks like it's actually got quite a higher budget than some of Wareheim's other videos. I'm not actually a fan of this song, it's alright, but it sounds like a carbon copy of Franz Ferdinand. I just think this video is hilarious, and completely befitting of Wareheim's style:



Tommy Sparks "She's Got Me Dancing" from Eric Wareheim on Vimeo.
Tommy Sparks - "She's Got Me Dancing"

This video by The Bird and the Bee came out last year and features the same dancer as in the previous video. I saw this on Subterranean and almost pooped a little in my pants when I saw Eric Wareheim as the director... I had never seen any of his music videos before and, well... I fell in love.


The Bird and the Bee - Polite Dance Song from Eric Wareheim on Vimeo.

The Bird and the Bee - "Polite Dance Song"

Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed them!