In my former life, I was criticized for being open... for being honest. Can you imagine that? In a world devoid of truth... of anything reminiscent of face value... that one could actually, willfully, knowingly disregard someone for being honest? I think it would be the other way around... that I would've been loved and respected for being truthful. It makes me think that sometimes... simply... other people just don't appreciate who you are and what you do. Would you agree?
Ah... So... I've been working all day in my "new" life. One that feels at times lifeless... like the town I grew up in. But it breeds a hunger and an opportunity to once again drive myself to someone I've never been, or something I've never done before. Anyway, it was time to take a break tonight. I took my buddy for a walk (Chico) and ended up at a party down the street. Free alcohol is a good thing. Well, as long as one can handle it. I suppose it's a bit of a medicine for me lately. Numbs the pain as they say. And it brings out the laughter that hides away during the waking hours. At least for me anyway.
So I'll try not to go off on a tangent on this paragraph. Been working... layout, graphic design stuff. Still trying to find my stride in it. There's a lot to know and there's a lot of beautiful work out there. Which is why I bring it up at all... Because visual art, like music, is vast and objective. It takes it's own twists and turns in the brightest of sunny days to the darkest and loneliest of nights. Visual art helps to tell the story... helps to sell the product... helps to bring the message across. It's a new ocean for me to swim in. Unlike music, which I feel confident I've found my proverbial "stride" in, but always want to push beyond my personal boundaries. Yes... I'm lucky enough to find two modes of expression. Anyone should be so lucky with just one. I guess I won the lotto.
I've been missing music lately. I've been missing my band too. Last week I got to pacify myself and my desire to perform. Another successful show at New Haven's own flagship for musical creativity... Cafe Nine... left me blissful and hopeful. It was kinda like sex without the guilt and without any risk of pregnancies. That was quite a stretch for an analogy, eh? So we really hit our stride as a four-piece last week. It was inspirational for me. Makes me want to play even more. Fred and I, and Gerry and Anthony for that matter, were all in agreement that we were firing on all cylinders (that's an old automotive expression, in case you didn't get it). What's more? It was honest. Yes, as I was discussing in the first paragraph, it all comes back to honesty. Got to share the bill with a truly wonderful band, Pete and J. They're from Brooklyn and I am certainly looking forward to sharing another bill with them. It was a truly great pairing. Thanks to all that came out!
By now I'm wondering if you're wondering why I titled this here blog "The tribulations of anything unseen." Well, honestly, I don't know it sounded good. Doesn't it sound like a bestselling book or something? No? Seriously, it's about not knowing what someone else is going through. You may think you know, but you'll never really know. You know? Which brings me to my next point... relating to the whole honesty theme kicking around these words tonight. No one is that completely honest. I'm not. I sure do open up a lot and tell a lot of stories about my life (see Where You Come From - available now at iTunes), but there's quite a bit that I will never reveal. Some of it is to save face, some to protect the innocent. But I digress because once again, I'm going off on a tangent... "The tribulations of anything unseen." You'll never completely know what someone else is going through. So you know what? Just have a heart. Just lend an ear and hear what the other person has to say and project no expectations on what you want to hear. There are things unseen that remain that way for a reason. It's that simple.
Heading to the studio the first week of December. I hope to have the free acoustic EP out for Christmas. Here are some song titles for you to formulate ideas about:
I Can't Wait To Let You Down
The Last One
Vermont
70 Letters
Not Sad To See You Leave
Is Seth heartbroken again? Possibly. Is he pissed off? Definitely. Is he happy that Obama won the presidency? Abso-fucking-lutely!
Thank you for listening. Thank you for spreading the word. Please continue to do so. It's greatly appreciated.
Oh... before you go... short story. I used to submit songs to this website called TAXI. Basically, they steal your money and dangle a hope of shopping your song for licensing to TV shows and movies. Basically, the whole thing is a scam... kinda like Sonicbids, but that's another story. A few times through TAXI, the so-called "experts" had the opinion that I needed to be more resolute in my storytelling... that they couldn't understand what I was singing about...that I needed to be more direct. Well, I just got this email from Derek Sivers and it had this great quote from Keith Richards:
“Lyrics are best when they're mysterious - like listening in to someone else's phone conversation when the telephone wires have crossed. You don't know the history or context. You don't understand the references. So it draws you in even deeper, trying to understand.
If you're too obvious and explain everything in your lyrics, you don't get that mystery. So what I do is this:
Write out everything I'm thinking, everything I want to say, but then cross out every other line, and write the song using only what's left, even though it doesn't make total sense.”
Keith Richards. The Rolling Stones... bitches. Suck it TAXI.
Peace, love, rock & roll...
-Seth
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Well now... it’s been a while hasn’t it...
I know I've been somewhat political as of late. It's because my future and the future of the country I love is important to me. But I promise, I'll leave politics out of this one.
Ever feel like you're watching life go by? Like you're standing on the edge of the platform, waiting for the subway line to stop, and it either stops right in front of you and you don't get on, or it just flies by whipping your hair, making a lot of noise that you try your best to ignore. As of late it feels like the latter for me.
To be more succinct, I think a more accurate description of life these days would be that of treading water. Yes. That's a far more realistic description. It's good because I'm not sinking, but not so good because I'm not exactly going anywhere. But it does mean I'm working, keeping myself afloat... not sinking. But it does leave me tired.
I guess I draw that conclusion because I've been juggling a lot lately... a new home environment... a busy graphic design business... school... writing songs... playing shows... Some people call me crazy. And there's probably some truth to that. I don't know anyone that would take on so much and not have it any other way. But I've come to a conclusion... it helps me stay skinny. Ha! Yes... 4 hours of sleep a night and 3-4 cups of coffee per day keeps the body in shape. Don't worry... I eat well. Tofu, salad, mild amounts of fish & chicken, lots of other fruits and veggies... There you go. See? I take care of myself. No need to worry.
Okay... enough rambling. Here's what's happening...
Don't know if I made it abundantly clear on earlier posts, but I will now. FRED is officially the new bass player. No, not playing a guitar style bass, but a Fender Piano Bass. It's given a unique voicing to the bass section of the band. We're still working on the arrangements, as well as getting used to the indigenous frequency of the instrument. But it's all cool. It's like The Doors... except Gerry's a better guitar player. Oh... sorry Doors fans... Ah... a little humor... Back to Fred... The kid works hard and I am SO proud and flattered that he is part of this project, putting in the effort that he does. Thank you Fred.
On the recording front... Yes... yes... yes... I've been saying it forever now. Well, not forever but for a few months... There will be an ACOUSTIC EP released before the end of 2008. It is going to be exclusively distributed (available for download) through ReverbNation.com. If you'd like to get a head start on it, just click on that link and sign up as a fan. You'll be privy to the soon-to-be exclusive download. We're just finishing a couple of fine tweaks on pre-production before we go for the proverbial "gusto." Think of it as an early Holiday present.
And now I will humbly ask for your help... It's really simple. Tell a friend. Send an email to a friend or two with a link to the website, MySpace page, Facebook page, ReverbNation page... etc. Contrary to what may be perceived as the laid back, you-must-get-a-ton-of-chicks, "American Idol" lifestyle, we actually work for what we do, and it's only possible with YOUR help. That's right. YOU are a huge part of this. So help out... On the website, you can download & print out fliers for upcoming shows. You can copy & past web-fliers to your MySpace page. And again, send a link to any of the many web presences to a friend or two. If you need help, just drop ME (Seth) a line. No robots... no interns... I do it myself. So, I need your help! Also, on this here MySpace page and on the official website, there's a list of radio stations. Call 'em up. Request something off of Where You Come From. Just spread the word!
I've had 3 Dogfish Head I.P.A.'s, at this point, so I hope that this is all coherent rambling, versus incoherent rambling. (play that laugh track!) Seriously, this beer is good. No really... seriously... I know I'm making sense. I'm not THAT silly... yet...
This week... I'll be with my good, good friends Gerry & Brian for an acoustic show at The Acoustic Cafe (Bridgeport CT) tomorrow night (Thursday 11.13.08). It's an early, 8pm show. Actually, I can't wait. I love this place and I'm on the bill with some very, very cool folks... Sean Ryan, Lisa Heile & Gerald Goode, and The Mercury Seed. And then on Saturday, I'll be back with the whole band (Anthony, Fred, Gerry) at Cafe Nine (New Haven) - 11.15.08 - 9:00pm. We'll be opening for Pete and J. - Umm... that's MySpace.com/peteandj. Got it? Good. You rule!
Okay... sandwich time. I love late night sandwiches. Yummy!
Did I really just say "yummy?"
So, drop me a line. Tell me how you're doing.
Oh... some video coming soon too! Stay tuned...
Peace, love, rock & rolll...
-Seth Adam
p.s. Remind me to tell you the Montclair NJ, Counting Crows concert story next time.
Ever feel like you're watching life go by? Like you're standing on the edge of the platform, waiting for the subway line to stop, and it either stops right in front of you and you don't get on, or it just flies by whipping your hair, making a lot of noise that you try your best to ignore. As of late it feels like the latter for me.
To be more succinct, I think a more accurate description of life these days would be that of treading water. Yes. That's a far more realistic description. It's good because I'm not sinking, but not so good because I'm not exactly going anywhere. But it does mean I'm working, keeping myself afloat... not sinking. But it does leave me tired.
I guess I draw that conclusion because I've been juggling a lot lately... a new home environment... a busy graphic design business... school... writing songs... playing shows... Some people call me crazy. And there's probably some truth to that. I don't know anyone that would take on so much and not have it any other way. But I've come to a conclusion... it helps me stay skinny. Ha! Yes... 4 hours of sleep a night and 3-4 cups of coffee per day keeps the body in shape. Don't worry... I eat well. Tofu, salad, mild amounts of fish & chicken, lots of other fruits and veggies... There you go. See? I take care of myself. No need to worry.
Okay... enough rambling. Here's what's happening...
Don't know if I made it abundantly clear on earlier posts, but I will now. FRED is officially the new bass player. No, not playing a guitar style bass, but a Fender Piano Bass. It's given a unique voicing to the bass section of the band. We're still working on the arrangements, as well as getting used to the indigenous frequency of the instrument. But it's all cool. It's like The Doors... except Gerry's a better guitar player. Oh... sorry Doors fans... Ah... a little humor... Back to Fred... The kid works hard and I am SO proud and flattered that he is part of this project, putting in the effort that he does. Thank you Fred.
On the recording front... Yes... yes... yes... I've been saying it forever now. Well, not forever but for a few months... There will be an ACOUSTIC EP released before the end of 2008. It is going to be exclusively distributed (available for download) through ReverbNation.com. If you'd like to get a head start on it, just click on that link and sign up as a fan. You'll be privy to the soon-to-be exclusive download. We're just finishing a couple of fine tweaks on pre-production before we go for the proverbial "gusto." Think of it as an early Holiday present.
And now I will humbly ask for your help... It's really simple. Tell a friend. Send an email to a friend or two with a link to the website, MySpace page, Facebook page, ReverbNation page... etc. Contrary to what may be perceived as the laid back, you-must-get-a-ton-of-chicks, "American Idol" lifestyle, we actually work for what we do, and it's only possible with YOUR help. That's right. YOU are a huge part of this. So help out... On the website, you can download & print out fliers for upcoming shows. You can copy & past web-fliers to your MySpace page. And again, send a link to any of the many web presences to a friend or two. If you need help, just drop ME (Seth) a line. No robots... no interns... I do it myself. So, I need your help! Also, on this here MySpace page and on the official website, there's a list of radio stations. Call 'em up. Request something off of Where You Come From. Just spread the word!
I've had 3 Dogfish Head I.P.A.'s, at this point, so I hope that this is all coherent rambling, versus incoherent rambling. (play that laugh track!) Seriously, this beer is good. No really... seriously... I know I'm making sense. I'm not THAT silly... yet...
This week... I'll be with my good, good friends Gerry & Brian for an acoustic show at The Acoustic Cafe (Bridgeport CT) tomorrow night (Thursday 11.13.08). It's an early, 8pm show. Actually, I can't wait. I love this place and I'm on the bill with some very, very cool folks... Sean Ryan, Lisa Heile & Gerald Goode, and The Mercury Seed. And then on Saturday, I'll be back with the whole band (Anthony, Fred, Gerry) at Cafe Nine (New Haven) - 11.15.08 - 9:00pm. We'll be opening for Pete and J. - Umm... that's MySpace.com/peteandj. Got it? Good. You rule!
Okay... sandwich time. I love late night sandwiches. Yummy!
Did I really just say "yummy?"
So, drop me a line. Tell me how you're doing.
Oh... some video coming soon too! Stay tuned...
Peace, love, rock & rolll...
-Seth Adam
p.s. Remind me to tell you the Montclair NJ, Counting Crows concert story next time.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The $300.00 cheeseburger...
ORIGNIALLY POSTED OCTOBER 12TH
Hello all! Hope you're doing fine, surviving the weather of the financial markets, loving the ones you love, and eating lots of fruits and vegetables.
Ah... Sunday morning in the fall. It's absolutely gorgeous outside, and I think I'm going to go get some of it. I could use it.
So I'm playing many more acoustic shows with my friend Brian (hand drums, vocals). Gerry has been off on a performance excursion with Marykate O'Neil the past few weeks, and Brian has stepped in. I'd say more than stepping in and more like we're reconnecting, as the last times we played together were some 15 odd years ago. But now I can say the last time we played together was last night, and it's been a real pleasure playing music with him again. We've got some stuff in the works for the coming weeks... months... And when Gerry comes back from the MK tour, we'll have even more fun creating.
My apologies for the first-time-ever "No, you're not playing tonight" in Boston last week. Yup. Fred, Gerry, Brian and myself trekked up to Boston only to find out that we weren't on the bill (insert an Austin Powers line, "Swear to God baby! That never happens!") Well, the important thing is that we got to see, and hang out with Kelly, Anne & crew... And that was worth the two hour drive. Hope to be back up & playing in Boston soon.
This past Wednesday was New York City. I've a sincere affinity for the town, now more than ever. Fun show... first time acoustic combination with Fred, Brian and myself. We'll be doing more of these in the future, possibly as a "power trio," i.e., "plugged in." Met some good folks from the M.E.A.N.Y. Fest and had ourselves a good time. Fred really wanted a cheeseburger after the show (actually we were all hungry), so we headed up to our pal Maureen's neighborhood. Jen, Maureen, Fred, Brian and I had ourselves a nice midnight snack, including gravy fries, gravy pickles, and gravy cole slaw. Paid the bill and came back out to find my car gone. After nearly soiling myself because of the amount of gear in the car, I found out it was towed. A little better than theft, but nonetheless still a bummer. After a 10 block walk, a $185.00 release fee, and a "salt-in-the-wound" parking ticket for $95.00, and the generous charity of my friends for helping me pay for it, we were on our way. It wouldn't have hurt so much except that my car was actually broken into three weeks ago, causing $700.00 worth of damage. But that's another story. The bottom line is that I've got great friends and we had really expensive cheeseburgers.
Had a great show last night at Club Helsinki in Great Barrington MA. It was truly redeeming, considering the $300.00 cheeseburger story. It's a really great listening room. The folks in the audience were an absolute pleasure to perform in front of. A heartfelt thanks goes out to the fellas in TOTEMIC for having us there with them. Just listened back to the board mix CD from last night, and I'm once again happy that Brian and I are playing together again. It's going to be a great season this fall. Hope to make it back up to Helsinki soon... I highly recommend it.
One last story... Found a review online yesterday from a show in Boston this past February. I'll just say the reviewer wasn't too kind. Now, I don't like to harp on reviewers saying bad things about me, as I know I'm a target for it. It's just part of the gig. And I certainly can't make a public rebuttal of every negative thing written about me. But I will say this: Ed... When you're referring to "pealing" apples, it's spelled "peeling." "Pealing" refers to bells and chimes... but I bet you knew that 'cause you're so smart.
Dick.
Thanks folks. Sorry you had to see that.
Today marks 100 days left in the White House for Monkey Nuts and his team of clowns. I'm not a religious man, but thank God.
Yes, you and I are paying taxes to save the collective pathetic asses on Wall Street. Where was the government when the homeowner needed a bailout?
John... John... John... "That one?" What is wrong with you?
Go see "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist." Fun, cute movie.
Peace, love, rock & roll...
-SA
Hello all! Hope you're doing fine, surviving the weather of the financial markets, loving the ones you love, and eating lots of fruits and vegetables.
Ah... Sunday morning in the fall. It's absolutely gorgeous outside, and I think I'm going to go get some of it. I could use it.
So I'm playing many more acoustic shows with my friend Brian (hand drums, vocals). Gerry has been off on a performance excursion with Marykate O'Neil the past few weeks, and Brian has stepped in. I'd say more than stepping in and more like we're reconnecting, as the last times we played together were some 15 odd years ago. But now I can say the last time we played together was last night, and it's been a real pleasure playing music with him again. We've got some stuff in the works for the coming weeks... months... And when Gerry comes back from the MK tour, we'll have even more fun creating.
My apologies for the first-time-ever "No, you're not playing tonight" in Boston last week. Yup. Fred, Gerry, Brian and myself trekked up to Boston only to find out that we weren't on the bill (insert an Austin Powers line, "Swear to God baby! That never happens!") Well, the important thing is that we got to see, and hang out with Kelly, Anne & crew... And that was worth the two hour drive. Hope to be back up & playing in Boston soon.
This past Wednesday was New York City. I've a sincere affinity for the town, now more than ever. Fun show... first time acoustic combination with Fred, Brian and myself. We'll be doing more of these in the future, possibly as a "power trio," i.e., "plugged in." Met some good folks from the M.E.A.N.Y. Fest and had ourselves a good time. Fred really wanted a cheeseburger after the show (actually we were all hungry), so we headed up to our pal Maureen's neighborhood. Jen, Maureen, Fred, Brian and I had ourselves a nice midnight snack, including gravy fries, gravy pickles, and gravy cole slaw. Paid the bill and came back out to find my car gone. After nearly soiling myself because of the amount of gear in the car, I found out it was towed. A little better than theft, but nonetheless still a bummer. After a 10 block walk, a $185.00 release fee, and a "salt-in-the-wound" parking ticket for $95.00, and the generous charity of my friends for helping me pay for it, we were on our way. It wouldn't have hurt so much except that my car was actually broken into three weeks ago, causing $700.00 worth of damage. But that's another story. The bottom line is that I've got great friends and we had really expensive cheeseburgers.
Had a great show last night at Club Helsinki in Great Barrington MA. It was truly redeeming, considering the $300.00 cheeseburger story. It's a really great listening room. The folks in the audience were an absolute pleasure to perform in front of. A heartfelt thanks goes out to the fellas in TOTEMIC for having us there with them. Just listened back to the board mix CD from last night, and I'm once again happy that Brian and I are playing together again. It's going to be a great season this fall. Hope to make it back up to Helsinki soon... I highly recommend it.
One last story... Found a review online yesterday from a show in Boston this past February. I'll just say the reviewer wasn't too kind. Now, I don't like to harp on reviewers saying bad things about me, as I know I'm a target for it. It's just part of the gig. And I certainly can't make a public rebuttal of every negative thing written about me. But I will say this: Ed... When you're referring to "pealing" apples, it's spelled "peeling." "Pealing" refers to bells and chimes... but I bet you knew that 'cause you're so smart.
Dick.
Thanks folks. Sorry you had to see that.
Today marks 100 days left in the White House for Monkey Nuts and his team of clowns. I'm not a religious man, but thank God.
Yes, you and I are paying taxes to save the collective pathetic asses on Wall Street. Where was the government when the homeowner needed a bailout?
John... John... John... "That one?" What is wrong with you?
Go see "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist." Fun, cute movie.
Peace, love, rock & roll...
-SA
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