Did an equipment check last night, and realized my travel guitar fits into my acoustic-electric case! I picked up this guitar on our honeymoon, and intended to pass it off to another traveller, but that traveller never materialized. SO, now I put stickers on it to show where it has been!
This should be a revolution in my travels, as since the beast has been smuggled in a soft sided case through a variety of flight attendant moods. Now it can travel in relative comfort (or at least safely wedged between the massive chunks of luggage) being checked in!
On the way to Bodrum, I could have busted the thing out and nobody would have batted an eyelash, as I flew with it "stowed" between my legs as a benchwarmer in a hockey game. Flying to Charlotte, friendly flight attendants stowed it in the first class closet. En route to Boston, they made me stow it overhead in the crammed solid bin, which made me very nervous. This cheaply constructed balsa wood guitar can be dented by a fingernail! I was dreading the results so much that I swore on the way home, I would stow it beneath my seat at all costs, hiding it from view with a combination of sweatshirt and standard issue flight blanket. The only hazard then was the curious feet behind me.
It's a small price to pay for something to put stickers on. My brother has started sliding me space station patches, so perhaps the case will become a canvas all unto itself!
If anyone has any suggestions for unique San Francisco stickers, this will be the guitars' second trip there and I've yet to find one! You'd be surprised how the bumper sticker industry has been overrun by those faux-European vehicle nationality designators! It's become the new Calvin Peeing On Something sticker...
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Many, Many Thanks
Thank you so much for coming out to DC Arts Center on Saturday and making our benefit show such a success! The event ended up selling out (both tickets and beer!) and we raised over $1,700 for the Sunbeam Foundation, their biggest fundraiser of the year!
It was an unforgettable night of generosity, and we thank you from the depths of our collective hearts for helping til it hurts.
If you missed it, you missed Jim playing drums one handed while Matt's amp shorted out, and Matt doing his best Robert Pollard-as-lounge-singer impersonation. Many thanks to Terrence from Anchorage and Chris from The Forest for helping furnish an amp for our last two songs and/or playing along.
Look out Charlotte and San Francisco (and maybe Denver!). Matt Cummins of My Friend Autumn is coming your way, presented as an electro-acoustic duo. Get caught up in the fury of the small rock n roll as Matt is joined by Patrick Horn Sunday, August 17th at Snug Harbor in Charlotte, and Saturday, August 23rd at Thee Parkside in San Francisco. We will breathe in deep in Charlotte, and exhale sweet, kudzu humidity upon the Bay Area a week later.
We've also gotten some attention from Charlotte radio!
Please email divakar@1065.com and ask him to play My Friend Autumn on his show!
It was an unforgettable night of generosity, and we thank you from the depths of our collective hearts for helping til it hurts.
If you missed it, you missed Jim playing drums one handed while Matt's amp shorted out, and Matt doing his best Robert Pollard-as-lounge-singer impersonation. Many thanks to Terrence from Anchorage and Chris from The Forest for helping furnish an amp for our last two songs and/or playing along.
Look out Charlotte and San Francisco (and maybe Denver!). Matt Cummins of My Friend Autumn is coming your way, presented as an electro-acoustic duo. Get caught up in the fury of the small rock n roll as Matt is joined by Patrick Horn Sunday, August 17th at Snug Harbor in Charlotte, and Saturday, August 23rd at Thee Parkside in San Francisco. We will breathe in deep in Charlotte, and exhale sweet, kudzu humidity upon the Bay Area a week later.
We've also gotten some attention from Charlotte radio!
Please email divakar@1065.com and ask him to play My Friend Autumn on his show!
Friday, August 01, 2008
Benefit Show Coming Up!
Greetings,
The Sunbeam Foundation benefit show is almost upon us! Anchorage and the City Veins are joining us to create an unforgettable night of music for a good cause. There will also be an auction and libations. Come on out and join us!
7:30pm Saturday, August 9th
DC Arts Center
2438 18th St. NW
Washington, DC
$20 donation
The Sunbeam Foundation benefit show is almost upon us! Anchorage and the City Veins are joining us to create an unforgettable night of music for a good cause. There will also be an auction and libations. Come on out and join us!
7:30pm Saturday, August 9th
DC Arts Center
2438 18th St. NW
Washington, DC
$20 donation
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
MFA on the Radio!
Dear Loyal Compatriots!
We've been added to 91.7 WKDU in Philadelphia, PA!
Please call (215) 895-5917 or IM "requestwkdu" to request "Everyone Knows Which Side I'm On" by My Friend Autumn!
We've been added to 89.3 WUMDin North Dartmouth, MA!
Please call (508) 999-8150 and request "One In The Same" by My Friend Autumn!
(you can actually request any song off the album you like, we just have some intel on which songs have already been given some love!)
In other, less campaigny news, I was thinly slicing garlic last night in creating a plum soy reduction thingy with arugala, and man, do my hands have the "power" this morning. You know what I am talking about! Anne did note how much flavor the sauce held, but if she could only be here to experience the tactile repeats. Man, I can't stop smelling my fingers now...
We've been added to 91.7 WKDU in Philadelphia, PA!
Please call (215) 895-5917 or IM "requestwkdu" to request "Everyone Knows Which Side I'm On" by My Friend Autumn!
We've been added to 89.3 WUMDin North Dartmouth, MA!
Please call (508) 999-8150 and request "One In The Same" by My Friend Autumn!
(you can actually request any song off the album you like, we just have some intel on which songs have already been given some love!)
In other, less campaigny news, I was thinly slicing garlic last night in creating a plum soy reduction thingy with arugala, and man, do my hands have the "power" this morning. You know what I am talking about! Anne did note how much flavor the sauce held, but if she could only be here to experience the tactile repeats. Man, I can't stop smelling my fingers now...
Friday, July 11, 2008
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Details Emerge
We're a little behind the ball, but when are we ever in front of it! Seriously, MFA is somewhat like Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark. We just grabbed that shiny false idol, and now we are running out of a cave just about to be justly poison darted by natives.
All of the sudden August 9th is about a month away, woah!
Never fear, we have a line up for our benefit show! The indefatigable Anchorage, The City Veins, The Forest and MFA are confirmed so far, and we are hoping to add one or two more bands/artists. Calls have been made, emails sent, we'll see what emerges. DC Arts Center is very intimate, so be on the lookout for both intimate acoustic performances as well as full out rock. I cannot tell you how excited I am for each artist to be so giving of their time and energy. We hope to put together an atmosphere that is both inspiring and enjoyable for both performers and participants.
More as it emerges, but this is what we have so far!
pax,
mc
All of the sudden August 9th is about a month away, woah!
Never fear, we have a line up for our benefit show! The indefatigable Anchorage, The City Veins, The Forest and MFA are confirmed so far, and we are hoping to add one or two more bands/artists. Calls have been made, emails sent, we'll see what emerges. DC Arts Center is very intimate, so be on the lookout for both intimate acoustic performances as well as full out rock. I cannot tell you how excited I am for each artist to be so giving of their time and energy. We hope to put together an atmosphere that is both inspiring and enjoyable for both performers and participants.
More as it emerges, but this is what we have so far!
pax,
mc
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Love Is A Sentimental Heart
We dropped in on my brother-in-law's family last night and everyone seemed to be holding up. Yes, there was food. Yes, there were tissues. Yes, there were kids running in and out, blissfully unaware of all that was happening around them. My youngest nephew kept on talking about building a human ladder to heaven, while the older one talked about how "Mimi, Pop Pop, and your Dad are going to have a party in heaven and get kicked out"
I've retreated today inside Smashing Pumpkins' 1996 Aeroplane Flies High singles box set. I've made good on my long promise to myself to digitize it, which I need to make sure I still listen to it in physical form, digitally it's just too convenient! I'm cataloging recording and production techniques as I begin to plan our new recordings. New songs = new chances to approach the same equation with a whole new kind of math. Plotting recording set ups is a good distraction while preparing to concentrate on the OTHER reason everyone gets together. There is such a taboo around talking about death, but how much closer to life can you get than either weddings or funerals?
Driving around yesterday, looking at the sleepy, placid white on grey on blue Pennsylvanian clouds that dotted the sky, I thought of Bob, having spent his entire life in the area; and how the sky looks the same whether or not he is here. Oddly comforting, I wondered how it looked to him the last time he laid eyes on it, and said a little prayer to myself that somehow he could see it through my eyes, or that of his family or grandchildren. There is a photo of him with his youngest granddaughter (my neice) that captures the contrast of young and old, but between you can see this air of humility that hopefully someday Elizabeth can connect to. This was your grandfather. He was fiery, but he was loving and would spare no energy to let you know how excited he was to be holding you, and wanting to get a picture with you.
I'll post the obit link when I can find it.
I've retreated today inside Smashing Pumpkins' 1996 Aeroplane Flies High singles box set. I've made good on my long promise to myself to digitize it, which I need to make sure I still listen to it in physical form, digitally it's just too convenient! I'm cataloging recording and production techniques as I begin to plan our new recordings. New songs = new chances to approach the same equation with a whole new kind of math. Plotting recording set ups is a good distraction while preparing to concentrate on the OTHER reason everyone gets together. There is such a taboo around talking about death, but how much closer to life can you get than either weddings or funerals?
Driving around yesterday, looking at the sleepy, placid white on grey on blue Pennsylvanian clouds that dotted the sky, I thought of Bob, having spent his entire life in the area; and how the sky looks the same whether or not he is here. Oddly comforting, I wondered how it looked to him the last time he laid eyes on it, and said a little prayer to myself that somehow he could see it through my eyes, or that of his family or grandchildren. There is a photo of him with his youngest granddaughter (my neice) that captures the contrast of young and old, but between you can see this air of humility that hopefully someday Elizabeth can connect to. This was your grandfather. He was fiery, but he was loving and would spare no energy to let you know how excited he was to be holding you, and wanting to get a picture with you.
I'll post the obit link when I can find it.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Someone Great
I am sure you have heard the song "Someone Great" by LCD Soundsystem. It's pretty ambiguous in subject matter: it could be about a broken relationship as much as it could be about death of a loved one. While it's probably about the former, I have chosen to hear it as the latter.
For these reasons, I could barely listen to it when my dad died. Or my mother-in-law died. Now, my brother-in-law's dad, Bob Strunk, Sr. has passed. I am left without comfort, without reason. People get sick, I understand. I've got this LCD Soundsystem song I can listen to finally, but still translate it as the passing of someone great. But for the love, could people stop dying? Just for one year. I know what you are thinking, that people die every day and not everyone has the justice of having lived a full life, but this is my third year of marriage, and the third loved one who has passed since taking my vows. Where is the solace in that?
Bob was full of enthusiasm for life and people and stories. He didn't know a stranger and would tell it like it is. Or told it like it was (Forget grammar now.) I've got so much to say but so few words to say it in.
people People PEOPLE! Go call your parents and tell them you love them! It doesn't matter who you regard as your parents, biological, foster, other; tell them you love them.
For these reasons, I could barely listen to it when my dad died. Or my mother-in-law died. Now, my brother-in-law's dad, Bob Strunk, Sr. has passed. I am left without comfort, without reason. People get sick, I understand. I've got this LCD Soundsystem song I can listen to finally, but still translate it as the passing of someone great. But for the love, could people stop dying? Just for one year. I know what you are thinking, that people die every day and not everyone has the justice of having lived a full life, but this is my third year of marriage, and the third loved one who has passed since taking my vows. Where is the solace in that?
Bob was full of enthusiasm for life and people and stories. He didn't know a stranger and would tell it like it is. Or told it like it was (Forget grammar now.) I've got so much to say but so few words to say it in.
people People PEOPLE! Go call your parents and tell them you love them! It doesn't matter who you regard as your parents, biological, foster, other; tell them you love them.
Monday, June 23, 2008
"Scratch any cynic and you'll find a disappointed idealist"
Thanks to all for supporting us this past weekend on our threefer! Starting off Thursday at L'Etage, picking up a surprise show Friday in Phoenixville, and rounding it all out in Chris' back yard with big ole barbecue with friends and family. Expect an assembly of visual oddities to surface on our website very shortly. There was everything from a post-grad dance party invasion to drunken men channeling Bono while vocalizing to our songs to cornhole in the backyard (wow, that sounds bad. Cornhole is bean bag toss to everyone else but eastern Pennsylvanians and New Jerseyans.)
But again, with the good news comes the bad. George Carlin has died. Being in a band while faced with adversity, second only to "What Would Andy Kaufman Do?" is "What Would George Carlin Do?" in axioms to help young artists fight a world of BS with more BS.
I wonder if they'll play "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television" in a glitzy, star-studded tribute during primetime now. If so, my how times have changed!
be well,
mcmfa
ps- we're going to incubate for a little now and tighten up some new songs for you, as well as attempt to record some of the new ones (on demand!!)
But again, with the good news comes the bad. George Carlin has died. Being in a band while faced with adversity, second only to "What Would Andy Kaufman Do?" is "What Would George Carlin Do?" in axioms to help young artists fight a world of BS with more BS.
I wonder if they'll play "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television" in a glitzy, star-studded tribute during primetime now. If so, my how times have changed!
be well,
mcmfa
ps- we're going to incubate for a little now and tighten up some new songs for you, as well as attempt to record some of the new ones (on demand!!)
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The Clash- London Calling
Would you believe when I first heard London Calling I didn't like it? It was sprawling mix of music very unfamiliar to my circa-1994 grunge-tinted ears. It's amazing how with a little bit of digging, you realize that current music isn't as current as you think. This album was my first course in the drift of ideas from one generation to the next, and how there is nothing completely "new," just a series of information being transmitted and decoded by a different, sometimes younger set of musicians. This has been my best defense against writers block: not worrying about wearing your influences on your sleeves. (aka, Guns of Brixton basically being a template for the Beastie Boys)
There is something incredibly liberating about this ideal! Think about the mass of information out there waiting to be reinterpreted! Of course, you can be TOO derivative, but part and parcel, you are giving a melody, a chord, an idea (whatever!) renewed life. What a better way to pay tribute, especially in this world of information overload. It makes complete sense, just as much as buying albums to support musicians who make music you love to enable them to keep making music.
The record store I picked it up in doesn't exist anymore (Cornelius, NC). I had returned Sleeps With Angels by Neil Young having decided that was not the best "so you want to listen to Neil Young" album, and decided The Clash were my next conquest. It took me years to finally penetrate it's veneer and now I listen to it nearly once every 4 months or so. At the time I had no idea that Sandinista! even existed...
There is something incredibly liberating about this ideal! Think about the mass of information out there waiting to be reinterpreted! Of course, you can be TOO derivative, but part and parcel, you are giving a melody, a chord, an idea (whatever!) renewed life. What a better way to pay tribute, especially in this world of information overload. It makes complete sense, just as much as buying albums to support musicians who make music you love to enable them to keep making music.
The record store I picked it up in doesn't exist anymore (Cornelius, NC). I had returned Sleeps With Angels by Neil Young having decided that was not the best "so you want to listen to Neil Young" album, and decided The Clash were my next conquest. It took me years to finally penetrate it's veneer and now I listen to it nearly once every 4 months or so. At the time I had no idea that Sandinista! even existed...
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
These United States (not the band)
While MFA is not an overtly political band, but Barack Obama has just clinched the Democratic nomination and it is a watershed in the history of our nation. OUT OF MANY, ONE! The irony of a candidate being the beneficiary of his opponents' campaign finance reform work is not lost on us! Some of us were Clinton supporters, others Obama supporters, some part-time McCain advocates, alongside one "hey, I would be happy with both," either way our country is poised to move forward in one grueling stroke of electoral history. Hopefully they can all get a little sleep now, and rest up for the presidential campaign!
No matter what you stand for or who you stand with, make sure you vote in November!
ps- I've got some killer footage of These United States playing TT The Bears in Cambridge, MA that I will upload once I get it OK's by the band. Check 'em out!
No matter what you stand for or who you stand with, make sure you vote in November!
ps- I've got some killer footage of These United States playing TT The Bears in Cambridge, MA that I will upload once I get it OK's by the band. Check 'em out!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Time Machine
I have this big problem of trying to cram too much in, and plan out my life to be busy, busy, busy. At the end of six week cycles, I get all worked up and Anne looks at me and asks "why are we fighting?" and then inevitably the next day or so I will realize that I have not been at home in 6 weekends. Weeks don't count, as there is work to be done and that takes a different kind of travel. Where does the time go? Shows, birthdays, seeing loved ones, boats, cars... etc etc etc. Next thing you know all you want is a good, strong cup of coffee to let go cold as you sort out your memories over an acoustic guitar at 8am on a Saturday.
The good news is this weekend I won't have to call my mom to talk, but will be in her presence as we celebrate her birthday. I feel bad that yesterday in a flustered fit I confided in her how little time we had had at home, and I think it made her feel like I didn't want to see her. NOPE! I cannot wait. There is no cup of coffee like a cup of coffee in her kitchen!!
I've got a great birthday gift for her, made from my recent trip to Boston (where I met up with my childhood best friend Paul Hanna, whom I hadn't seen in 12 years, then witnessed a Jon Lester NO HITTER with from right field SRO tickets! There was something pretty special about being back in Fenway Park, like going home, that and we jumped into conversation without missing a beat. No matter where you are, your past isn't far behind. Make something of it, and don't hide!)
I wish I had a time machine, not to go back in time (anymore), but to make more hours in a day- to slow down the time we already have. I need some time to contemplate this wonderful things happening around me to help me be more grateful!
ps- we're working on a western swing of dates coming up in August! These will not be full-band, but special acoustic shows with Terrence Henry of Anchorage and Patrick Horn of His Own Damn Self.
The good news is this weekend I won't have to call my mom to talk, but will be in her presence as we celebrate her birthday. I feel bad that yesterday in a flustered fit I confided in her how little time we had had at home, and I think it made her feel like I didn't want to see her. NOPE! I cannot wait. There is no cup of coffee like a cup of coffee in her kitchen!!
I've got a great birthday gift for her, made from my recent trip to Boston (where I met up with my childhood best friend Paul Hanna, whom I hadn't seen in 12 years, then witnessed a Jon Lester NO HITTER with from right field SRO tickets! There was something pretty special about being back in Fenway Park, like going home, that and we jumped into conversation without missing a beat. No matter where you are, your past isn't far behind. Make something of it, and don't hide!)
I wish I had a time machine, not to go back in time (anymore), but to make more hours in a day- to slow down the time we already have. I need some time to contemplate this wonderful things happening around me to help me be more grateful!
ps- we're working on a western swing of dates coming up in August! These will not be full-band, but special acoustic shows with Terrence Henry of Anchorage and Patrick Horn of His Own Damn Self.
Friday, May 23, 2008
There Will Be Synths
Happy Memorial Day everyone!
We've been busy working on our summer plans, and want to give a HUGE shout out to our friend Brice Woodall. Brice is an old friend from DC who now lives in Chicago, and is on tour with his band. Not only does his new album sound stellar, he added us to a bill with his band here in Philly! Mark your calendars for Thursday, June 17th: the mighty Brice Woodall and the Positrons w/ My Friend Autumn at L'ETAGE (6th and Bainbridge) Philadelphia.
Be warned: there will be synths!
(that will be the name of my movie, starring Daniel Day Lewis as an evil Rick Wakeman: There Will Be Synths "I drink your voltage!!!")
Anybody have white-soled shoes (size 12.5) I can borrow? Hows about some sunblock?
be good, get into some trouble!
-mcmfa
We've been busy working on our summer plans, and want to give a HUGE shout out to our friend Brice Woodall. Brice is an old friend from DC who now lives in Chicago, and is on tour with his band. Not only does his new album sound stellar, he added us to a bill with his band here in Philly! Mark your calendars for Thursday, June 17th: the mighty Brice Woodall and the Positrons w/ My Friend Autumn at L'ETAGE (6th and Bainbridge) Philadelphia.
Be warned: there will be synths!
(that will be the name of my movie, starring Daniel Day Lewis as an evil Rick Wakeman: There Will Be Synths "I drink your voltage!!!")
Anybody have white-soled shoes (size 12.5) I can borrow? Hows about some sunblock?
be good, get into some trouble!
-mcmfa
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
What The World Needs Now...
It's kind of hard to celebrate a CD release when thousands upon thousands of people have been dying in Asia. First the cyclone in Burma, now the earthquake in China. Some people might try to convince you that this is mother nature correcting herself and taking lives with her, do not succumb to this dehumanization. This is the same attitude that leads toward nihilists crashing planes into buildings and people blowing themselves up to zero gain. Please try to help, even if it's just contemplating these people's pain and suffering!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We would like to thank everyone who came out in support of our shows this weekend. There was an outpouring of love, and we hope that we returned that to you tenfold in our evening of merriment. Especially in the face of torrential rain, we hope you stayed dry and didn't miss getting stuck in the mud out at Radiohead! Sorry we couldn't hang out for longer after our set, we had 3 hours of eye-strain to endure to get ourselves in bed for work Monday morning. And now it's already Tuesday! How'd they do that!
Bear with us while we revamp the website too. Our priority was to get the album released for you fine people, now the website for the lurkers. You know who you are!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We would like to thank everyone who came out in support of our shows this weekend. There was an outpouring of love, and we hope that we returned that to you tenfold in our evening of merriment. Especially in the face of torrential rain, we hope you stayed dry and didn't miss getting stuck in the mud out at Radiohead! Sorry we couldn't hang out for longer after our set, we had 3 hours of eye-strain to endure to get ourselves in bed for work Monday morning. And now it's already Tuesday! How'd they do that!
Bear with us while we revamp the website too. Our priority was to get the album released for you fine people, now the website for the lurkers. You know who you are!
Thursday, May 08, 2008
The Adventures of Pete and Pete
Just popped in my copy of "Music from the Adventures of Pete and Pete" by Polaris (nee Miracle Legion) and I am transported back to the summer of 1995. I am on my way to the Charlotte airport to pick my parents up after their trip to Germany to see my sister, who is not yet married, but is living as an au pair in the Fatherland to learn the language (and to be near her now husband.)
I've popped in the Cassingle that I got from mailing in box tops from Frosted Flakes or something, and am blasting the excellent "Hey Sandy" while speeding to make it on time. It's summer in Charlotte, and the windows are up up up and the A/C is on on on.
There was nothing strange about getting a tape of three songs from a supposed kids' show. Nothing! The show was like being on drugs and I could watch it with my girlfriends' little sister without batting a lash (of course, not being ON drugs).
I am 95% sure this is still in print, and would recommend it to anyone who likes jangley pop or old R.E.M. Check out the Mezzotint label, run by Mark Mulcahy himself (I think).
I've popped in the Cassingle that I got from mailing in box tops from Frosted Flakes or something, and am blasting the excellent "Hey Sandy" while speeding to make it on time. It's summer in Charlotte, and the windows are up up up and the A/C is on on on.
There was nothing strange about getting a tape of three songs from a supposed kids' show. Nothing! The show was like being on drugs and I could watch it with my girlfriends' little sister without batting a lash (of course, not being ON drugs).
I am 95% sure this is still in print, and would recommend it to anyone who likes jangley pop or old R.E.M. Check out the Mezzotint label, run by Mark Mulcahy himself (I think).
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Flashy Flash Flash
check out this animation that now adorns our myspace page. we should change it around and call our weekend of shows our "flash intro release party!"
The CDs are shipping in today, I will believe when I see it. Part of me thinks that somehow I will wake up and it will be 5/21/04 and it will be the day after our first recording session. If by some reason tomorrow I am 4 years younger, please bear with me!
The CDs are shipping in today, I will believe when I see it. Part of me thinks that somehow I will wake up and it will be 5/21/04 and it will be the day after our first recording session. If by some reason tomorrow I am 4 years younger, please bear with me!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Vacationland
We headed to Cape May this weekend for a band weekend of music, music, skee ball, and basketball. And more basketball. At 50 cents a play, we racked up far more tickets at basketball than skeeball, and we could go head-to-head. Besides, Matt's 300+ point skeeball game was maligned when the machine read "CAL". WTF? Gimme my tickets!
To recap: Mighty Chris Kudela of the St. John's Red Storm (nee Men) held out a formidable 68 point showing, and the four of us played that machine so much it ran out of tickets twice!! Jon Heller of the Temple Owls proved to Kentucky Wildcat Matt Cummins that the left hoop was in fact counting the baskets correctly, but then was subject to 10 3 pointers in a row in Matt's only 60+ point game. It was never clear if Jim Greif was a Pitt Panther or a George Mason Fightin' Fairfaxian Bricklayer, so we'll just call him Switzerland, and yeah, the Swiss like to block shots. WTF? Gimme a quarter!
In culinary news: Matt wasn't hip to Jon's burger concoction, but missed the instruction to leave the burger on the bleeding side of medium rare. Mr. Grillmaster also vetoed grilling the chicken burgers, as Jim would surely not like them flavored with the charcoal they were slowly dripping down into. Jim did pick up some pretty killer veggie chips that made a snack trinity with garden salsa sunchips and bold party chex mix. And make that not one, not Two, but THREE bags of microwave popcorn. And boat races, c'mon Chris, will spades EVER win? WTF?
The neighbors were great about our noise, one admonished his guests for potentially staying inside on such a beautiful day, and the other couldn't hear our acoustic stylee. Turns out our sound isn't much louder than a weed whacker or other such lawnscaping tools. Had we only known this at the Essjay, we would have mowed the lawn more regularly AND had Dano do it while we were practicing in the basement! ps- Mattresses on the windows help, just make sure you don't kill your drummer with them.
We have new songs to perform! We have shows coming up! We have shows in the works! The weather is getting super-nice (hella-nice for all you reading from California)! Look for photos on the website soon!
pax,
mcmfaxoxoxox
To recap: Mighty Chris Kudela of the St. John's Red Storm (nee Men) held out a formidable 68 point showing, and the four of us played that machine so much it ran out of tickets twice!! Jon Heller of the Temple Owls proved to Kentucky Wildcat Matt Cummins that the left hoop was in fact counting the baskets correctly, but then was subject to 10 3 pointers in a row in Matt's only 60+ point game. It was never clear if Jim Greif was a Pitt Panther or a George Mason Fightin' Fairfaxian Bricklayer, so we'll just call him Switzerland, and yeah, the Swiss like to block shots. WTF? Gimme a quarter!
In culinary news: Matt wasn't hip to Jon's burger concoction, but missed the instruction to leave the burger on the bleeding side of medium rare. Mr. Grillmaster also vetoed grilling the chicken burgers, as Jim would surely not like them flavored with the charcoal they were slowly dripping down into. Jim did pick up some pretty killer veggie chips that made a snack trinity with garden salsa sunchips and bold party chex mix. And make that not one, not Two, but THREE bags of microwave popcorn. And boat races, c'mon Chris, will spades EVER win? WTF?
The neighbors were great about our noise, one admonished his guests for potentially staying inside on such a beautiful day, and the other couldn't hear our acoustic stylee. Turns out our sound isn't much louder than a weed whacker or other such lawnscaping tools. Had we only known this at the Essjay, we would have mowed the lawn more regularly AND had Dano do it while we were practicing in the basement! ps- Mattresses on the windows help, just make sure you don't kill your drummer with them.
We have new songs to perform! We have shows coming up! We have shows in the works! The weather is getting super-nice (hella-nice for all you reading from California)! Look for photos on the website soon!
pax,
mcmfaxoxoxox
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Mark Your Calendars!
For Immediate Release:
My Friend Autumn's long promised debut full-length, "Summer Music For Winter People" will be released on Tuesday, May 6th, 2008!
Recording sessions began in earnest in 2004 when the band had just 2 members. Delayed by milestones- graduation, marriage and death- the record is ultimately about navigating life and the hope that who you once were is constantly being revised for the better. With our best line-up to date, MFA is poised to take over your mind: one song at a time. Four years in the making, open your mind and let us inside!
xoxoxo,
mcmfa
My Friend Autumn's long promised debut full-length, "Summer Music For Winter People" will be released on Tuesday, May 6th, 2008!
Recording sessions began in earnest in 2004 when the band had just 2 members. Delayed by milestones- graduation, marriage and death- the record is ultimately about navigating life and the hope that who you once were is constantly being revised for the better. With our best line-up to date, MFA is poised to take over your mind: one song at a time. Four years in the making, open your mind and let us inside!
xoxoxo,
mcmfa
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Yesterday
I've been following the hype surrounding REM's new record, Accelerate, with a somewhat keen eye. I'm not one of those people who scold "new" REM, and canonize "old" REM. While their pre-"quitting touring" output is seminal and is a must listen, I do not discriminate against anything after. Actually, I consider "Up" to be a classic. How many bands do you hear being influenced by those who have influenced them? Bands don't stick around that long. Imagine Pavement reuniting and playing "Stockton Kwassa Kwassa" and taking back the cheekiness Vampire Weekend seems to have lifted from the "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain" promo materials. (Of course, REM was also borrowed mixer Nigel Godrich, Radioheads' producer, which could explain a lot!)
The next album, "Reveal," was entertaining, and showed hints of the band looking backwards into their own catalog for inspiration. But by the time "Around The Sun" landed, I couldn't take it. The songs plodded, while the production seemed grafted from a David Gray album. It was obviously dialed in. REM is a corporation (any band lasting over 25 years is as hard to disband as Bear Stearns) and I was suspicious that this lugubrious album was it!
BUT WAIT, there's more. REM's not dead.
"Supernatural Superserious" sounds like dinosaurs awakening. Moreover, REM is deeply entrenched in Warner Brothers. There won't be many albums released this year that get this much of a push, a practice that evokes a sort of nostalgia post-modern consumerism. Regardless of what other people think, I like the sound of this song. It's reminiscent of "New Adventures in Hi Fi," coincidentally (?) my favorite REM album (!)
ps- I could really go for a Pavement reunion, though would prefer them to leave all vampires out of it.
The next album, "Reveal," was entertaining, and showed hints of the band looking backwards into their own catalog for inspiration. But by the time "Around The Sun" landed, I couldn't take it. The songs plodded, while the production seemed grafted from a David Gray album. It was obviously dialed in. REM is a corporation (any band lasting over 25 years is as hard to disband as Bear Stearns) and I was suspicious that this lugubrious album was it!
BUT WAIT, there's more. REM's not dead.
"Supernatural Superserious" sounds like dinosaurs awakening. Moreover, REM is deeply entrenched in Warner Brothers. There won't be many albums released this year that get this much of a push, a practice that evokes a sort of nostalgia post-modern consumerism. Regardless of what other people think, I like the sound of this song. It's reminiscent of "New Adventures in Hi Fi," coincidentally (?) my favorite REM album (!)
ps- I could really go for a Pavement reunion, though would prefer them to leave all vampires out of it.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Black Postcards
Not sure if this is a good thing. I get obsessed with bands every so often. About 10 years ago I was introduced to Luna, and had to buy all of their albums. Yes, even their "we're signed to a major label but have no hope" phase record "Pup Tent." C'mon, it was designed by Frank Olinsky, that's pretty cool.
So here I am, post-Luna, reading Dean Wareham's memoir "Black Postcards." The jury is still out on this one, as it is far less entertaining than David Lee Roth's memoir, Crazy From The Heat, which is one of my favorite reads of all time (ADD Theatre!) I am not sure if it is a good thing to read the extension of the already detached personality of Luna's albums. It jumps in with a contentious quote from his former bandmate: that's like going on a date with a girl who starts off conversation talking about her ex-boyfriend's gripes with her.
Leave the baggage!
So here I am, post-Luna, reading Dean Wareham's memoir "Black Postcards." The jury is still out on this one, as it is far less entertaining than David Lee Roth's memoir, Crazy From The Heat, which is one of my favorite reads of all time (ADD Theatre!) I am not sure if it is a good thing to read the extension of the already detached personality of Luna's albums. It jumps in with a contentious quote from his former bandmate: that's like going on a date with a girl who starts off conversation talking about her ex-boyfriend's gripes with her.
Leave the baggage!
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