At this moment...
02.27.05:
Song: It's A Wonerful Life - Sparklehorse
02.26.05
Odd. In a dream last night I was incapable of running forward. This has happened before, but last night it was more pronounced. I can run backwards without a problem. Obviously this means I'm afraid of the future, but still...
Song: Blue Moon - Rivulets (Incredibly lo-fi and tender cover version of the Big Star classic.)
02.22.05:
"Are you mad Frink?! Put down that science pole."
02.21.05
So long Dr. Thompson.
02.20.05:
Woke early to attempt a nine mile run. However, at around mile four and a half I decided I wasn't in the mood to slip and fall on the ice that was accumulating on the ground. I experienced every form of percipitation, rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow. No hail, but the sleet was obnoxious. I did accomplish five miles, so maybe I'll try and do nine tomorrow.
Listening to: Berlinette - Ellen Allien
02.19.05:
Seven days into the recording and all the guitars are almost complete. Jason wrapped up guitars on Thursday, and Mikey has two acoustic parts left to record on Monday. Everything sounds fantastic.
Pics from day 7:
Watch a clip of Mikey recording the intro to The Good Can't Escape.
02.15.05:
Today I will:
1. Run
2. Eat Pineapple
Pretty extesive list.
Last night I tracked my bass parts for three songs. It's always weird playing the parts outside the context of the music. Actually, if there were no guitars, drums, or vocals my bass parts would sound utterly ridiculous. Jason even referred to one part as sounding very Billy Squire, but somehow it works when all the instruments are there.
I'm always amazed at recording technology. Garret is doing an amazing job engineering this whole thing, and I don't think we could have picked a better person for the task. Outside of having the needed recording/engineering skills, he has a fantastic ear, and he's a great person (and he has lots of fun tour stories). So thanks to Garret.
Listening to: Cassidy - Bows
02.13.05:
From yesterday's recording session, which included tracking drums for four songs and laying down scratch guitars, bass, and vocals:
Mikey and Jason relaxing between Shins covers. Watch a brief clip.
Listening to: I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One - Yo La Tengo
2.12.05:
Saturday morning. I woke early, too early for a Saturday. Did some yoga and went for a five mile run. Not a solid run at all. I'm attributing my lackluster performance to my diet of late, which consists primarily of a bagel and yogurt for dinner. Maybe I need to take in more carbs as my mileage is beginning a steady increase.
02.11.05:
Tomorrow Zerostars is back in the studio. Our friend Garret, who drums in Kill Hannah, will be recording and engineering the whole process at his home studio. Last time we were in a studio we totally blew it, as in where we recorded, who recorded us, the songs we recorded, and who was handling the vocals for us. This time things will be different. There will be no pressure to wrap things up in a certain amount of hours due to budget constraints. I'm excited.
Listening to: Oh God, Where Are You Now? - Sufjan Stevens (Such a gorgeous song.)
02.08.05:
Yesterday I found myself pricing a flight to Cork, Ireland. Roundtrip was less than $400, but I've decided that I really need to visit Ireland in the summer, not the winter.
02.07.05:
Wish I had some Bill Evans to listen to.
02.06.05:
Listening to: Songs of Love Live - Mark Eitzel
02.05.05:
Saturday morning, almost Saturday afternoon. Drinking coffee and listening to Ed Harcourt. Excellent album! Woke early for a seven mile run. It's warm outside, too warm for this time of the year, especially when I overdress thinking it's cooler than it actually is. Still, a good run, but slightly icy. I almost went down a number of times, but once I realized it was slippery in certain areas I slowed down. I wish people would shovel their sidewalks.
It's a Hitchcock weekend. Last night I watched North By Northwest. Quite good, if not genius. Too bad nobody is making movies like that these days. Tonight it's Rear Window. I'm loving Netflix, and until they screw up I'll sing their praise.
02.04.05:
My faith in the human race is waning. As I was washing my car windows while filling the gas tank some jackass flicked a cigarette out of his truck window as he was pumping gas into his oversized gas guzzling truck. The cigarette hit my coat. A) I thought gas was highly flammable. B) Why flick the cigarette in the direction of a person? C) Sorry, but anybody who smokes is a fucking inconsiderate fool. I'm sick of cigarette smoke. I find it obnoxious and rude. Nothing good has ever come from smoking. It doesn't cure cancer, or stop AIDS, or bring world peace, so why smoke.
02.03.05:
Driving to work this morning I listened to the first half of the Bloc Party's debut album Silent Alarm. By the time the sixth track This Modern Love ended I was in tears. At the time I was pulling into the work parking lot, so I had to stay in my car for a few minutes and listen to the song again to see if it still had the same impact. And it did. Gorgeous, majestic, fantastic, and utterly brilliant.
02.02.05:
Christmas in February. Through this thing called the internet I was able to download the following albums way before their initial release, and all gratis:
Lost & Safe - The Books
Colin Meloy Sings Morrissey - Colin Meloy
Dignity And Shame - Crooked Fingers
S/T (Disc 1) - LCD Soundsystem (Disc 2, which I wasn't able to grab, is supposed to be the real stuff...)
Woman King EP - Iron & Wine
Silent Alarm - Bloc Party
As well as a few random tracks by Slowdive and Brit girl pop sensations Girls Aloud.
The Crooked Fingers is excellent, especially the gorgeous duets with Lara Meyerratken. More on the other albums as I devour them.
The LCD System album is tops! The cowbell in the second track is the best sounding cowbell ever. I can wait to blast this album as I drive down the road.
02.01.05:
I've always thought February was a strangely named month, but I'm not sure why.
Listening to: Strangers - Ed Harcourt (His third, and best album. I listened to this while I was out running.)
Song: Call To Love - Crooked Fingers (First great single in 2005)