Blondie and The Viking

Grrr

2008-09-29T11:16:00.000-05:00

Forcing myself to make phone calls with the promise of reward: spending time on a new blog post. Coming soon??

What Do Politics and Lawn Care Have in Common? By Jill Martin (My Momma)

2008-09-15T10:21:00.006-05:00

What a strange comparison! How can politics have any to do with lawn care? Have you ever spent hours upon hours working in your yard, and you are so pleased with the outcome, that you stand back and admire your workmanship… until you see that one thing that stands out like a sore thumb! Across the yard, a branch or twig dared to fall on your beautifully manicured lawn, so now your yard looks horrible! You won’t be able to be totally satisfied with your completed yard-work, until you go all the way over there and pick up that one branch. Or, if it’s not a branch or a twig, there’s that one, single blade that decided to be a rebel and elude that mower, no matter how many times you ran over it with the mower!

You’ve been so careful and deliberate to get that yard picture-perfect, and it has taken you so much time and tedious care to achieve that goal… if it weren’t for that one single, rebellious blade or daredevil twig!!

What’s the first thing that anyone will notice when they look across your beautifully manicured yard? Will they notice how you have trimmed the sidewalk and driveway so perfectly that there isn’t one blade that dares to poke it’s little head across that cement line? Will they notice that there is no longer any yellowing in the grass, due to fungus or disease, because you have spent all kinds of money or whatever is out there to get rid of it? Will they notice how you so carefully weed-eated every tree trunk and nook and cranny? Will they notice that you were very careful so as not to leave any tire ruts across that vast grass expanse? Will they notice that that bald spot, due to fungus and disease, is now growing back over? NO! They will notice that one single twig that has dared to fall!!

Now, let’s look at your next door neighbor. Obviously, they are not as meticulous, and careful as you. They let their grass grow knee deep; they don’t pick up the sticks that have fallen; there are children’s toys are strewn everywhere - at all times; the weeds are growing in the flower beds, so high that you can barely see the flowers, or whatever is “deemed” as such; the grass is wilting and turning brown from lack of watering; there are mole tunnels and gofer hills everywhere; the tree that has fallen three months ago is still laying there, with grass growing even taller amongst its branches! I could go on, but I think you can get a visual on this yard, as we all have witnessed such a “yard”.

So, you ask yourself that question; where do you begin to “fix” that yard? Do you start with the fallen tree? The grass growing up to your knees, or the half-grown shoots that are all over sidewalk, driveway and road? Or the toys scattered all over the place? What about the flowerbeds? Where do you start? Can you even conceive of nit-picking those areas that have been overlooked or “rebelled”? The whole, entire yard needs help!

Compare that with your yard. You have spent hours upon hours in your yard, and what is it that someone will point out and question you or ridicule you? It is that ONE twig or blade of grass daring to stand so boldly in that perfectly manicured, and sculptured, green lawn!

THAT, is how lawns compare to politics! Your yard – Republicans (McCain/Palin). Neighbor’s yard – Democrats (Obama/Biden). Republicans have just those few “twigs” to clean up. Democrats – Where do you begin???

Beautiful Things

2008-08-20T11:03:00.002-05:00

It's pictures like these that make me want to be a photographer:

Jessica Claire (www.jessicaclaire.net) is the photographer. I don't stalk many websites, but hers...definitely.

Haha, just noticed that the main color theme in all of those pictures is green. Weird.

Part of Growing

2008-08-15T09:16:00.005-05:00

"Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb and purge my heart by the Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of thy son, Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of thy son, Jesus Christ."
-George Washington

It's amazing how the perspective of a blog post changes when it's started out with acknowledgment of the faithfulness of God. I started typing this earlier and it was whiny and annoying and sounded just like everything else I've ever written. When I realized that, it hit me that if something I'm writing sounds just like everything else I've written, there's something wrong. Old adamic nature's creeping back into places I've grown in: I'm getting lazy.

I was in the car with my Grandaddy one Sunday, and I was asking him about his week and how things were going. He expressed concern to me that things weren't busy enough. He wasn't able to actively work on different real estate (not only is he my Church's pastor, but he's a full-time real estate agent) deals and keep his mind working. Granted, he saw God's grace in the situation and was able to change the spare time into much needed study time for a sermon; but the reason for his saying these things were not to complain; but that it seriously concerned him to not be busy, all day, six days a week.

Well...my first reaction was surprise...and then I thought about it. For me, I'm ready for the week to be over by Wednesday so I can sleep (granted I never get to bed when I should), and come Friday I definitely don't feel like working. And even Saturday, a day that's supposedly a work-day is wasted doing a whole lot of nothing (okay not really, but you get my point).
So the more I thought about it, the more it convicted me how lazy I really am. Physically and mentally. Once you stop working or actively thinking, you get bored. Once you get bored, you start thinking about how bored you are. And from there it's downhill because you just can't quit thinking about yourself because you have nothing else to do.

So not only does it make you unhappy, you suffer in every other way as well; your mind isn't on doing things well to the glory of the Father (chief end of man...it's kinda important ;-) ). How can people grow under those circumstances, for that is the basis in which we can (by grace) grow?
I think that's why Grandaddy was fearful of not being busy; idle hands, idle mind, idle heart.

Exodus 20:8

8 “ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

Proverbs 10:1-4

1 The proverbs of Solomon:

A wise son makes a glad father,
But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing,
But righteousness delivers from death.
3 The LORD will not allow the righteous soul to famish,
But He casts away the desire of the wicked.
4 He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Proverbs 19:15
11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger,
And his glory is to overlook a transgression.
12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
But his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 A foolish son is the ruin of his father,
And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.
14 Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers,
But a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 Laziness casts one into a deep sleep,
And an idle person will suffer hunger.
16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
But he who is careless^[a] of his ways will die.

Anyway, I could say more on this, but, I'm going to leave it at that. Comments or thoughts would be cool. :)

Straight and to the point: forgive my lack of tact!

2008-07-29T14:56:00.001-05:00

For all of you who haven’t had a chance to listen to the show over the past few days, we have news. The Viking and I, along with our sponsor/employer, TogiNet Radio, have all mutually agreed that the wisest course of action to take regarding the Blondie and Viking Show is to reduce it to a once-a-week, two-hour show, as opposed to a five-day-a-week, one-hour show. Why you ask? We are tired of talking. Okay, not really. We just feel at this point it’d be better to cut the show back to a manageable, easier-to-chew time table.

No, this isn’t the end of B&V! Are you kidding? We just need to re-group and re-charge. We’ve shared so much of our lives with you over the past year; we feel that if we left, someone would commit suicide!

Anyway, so I hope you’re all able to listen to us every Friday morning from 10am to 12pm (CST). Except for this Friday because I’m going to be in South Louisiana for my good friend’s wedding. We’ll be bigger, we’ll be better; we’ll have way more to talk about because we wouldn’t have wasted our topics on the four days prior to it. It will be off the hook.

Supreme Court Strikes Down D.C. Gun Law

2008-07-01T15:37:00.003-05:00

Information supplied by Wikipedia, and sent to me by my friend Bethany. ;-)

On June 26, 2008, by a 5 to 4 decision, the Supreme Court upheld the federal appeals court ruling, striking down the D.C. gun law. Justice Antonin Scalia, writing for the majority, stated, "In sum, we hold that the District's ban on handgun possession in the home violates the Second Amendment, as does its prohibition against rendering any lawful firearm in the home operable for the purpose of immediate self-defense ... We affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeals."^[30] This ruling upholds the first federal appeals court ruling ever to void a law on Second Amendment grounds.^[31]

The Court based its reasoning on the grounds:

that the operative clause of the Second Amendment—"the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed"—is controlling and refers to a pre-existing right of individuals to possess and carry personal weapons for self-defense and intrinsically for defense against tyranny, based on the bare meaning of the words, the usage of "the people" elsewhere in the Constitution, and historical materials on the clause's original public meaning;
that the prefatory clause, which announces a purpose of a "well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State", comports with the meaning of the operative clause and refers to a well-trained citizen militia, which "comprised all males physically capable of acting in concert for the common defense", as being necessary to the security of a free polity;
that historical materials support this interpretation, including "analogous arms-bearing rights in state constitutions" at the time, the drafting history of the Second Amendment, and interpretation of the Second Amendment "by scholars, courts, and legislators" through the late nineteenth century; and
that none of the Supreme Court's precedents forecloses the Court's interpretation, specifically United States v. Cruikshank (1875), Presser v. Illinois (1886), nor United States v. Miller (1939).

However, "[l]ike most rights, the Second Amendment is not unlimited. It is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose." The Court's opinion "should not be taken to cast doubt on longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill, or laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings, or laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms."

Therefore, the District of Columbia's handgun ban, which "amounts to a prohibition on an entire class of 'arms' that Americans overwhelmingly choose for the lawful purpose of self-defense," and the requirement that any firearm in the home be disassembled or bound by a trigger lock, which "makes it impossible for citizens to use arms for the core lawful purpose of self-defense," is ruled unconstitutional.

The opinion of the court, delivered by Justice Scalia, was joined by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. and by Justices Anthony M. Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr.

At last, my love has come along, My lonely days are over, And life is like a song.

2008-06-26T13:07:00.007-05:00

Wikipedia:
Etta James (born Jamesetta Hawkins on January 25, 1938) is an American blues, soul, R&B, rock & roll and jazz singer and songwriter. James is the winner of four Grammys, seventeen Blues Music Awards, and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Grammy Hall of Fame both in 1999 and 2008. In the 1950s and 60s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer. She is best known for her 1961 ballad "At Last", which has been classified as a "timeless classic"^{[citation needed]} and has been featured in many movies and television commercials since its release.

"At Last" is a 1941 song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren and first performed by Glenn Miller. Although the song was a major hit for Miller, it was largely forgotten until it was covered by blues singer Etta James. James was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, for her rendition of "At Last".^[1]

The song became James' signature song and was the third in a string of successful songs from her Chess Records debut album At Last!. Upon the song's release in April 1961, it became her second number-two R&B hit and crossed over to pop radio, reaching number forty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite its rather low pop chart standing, the song is well-known and is still played regularly on oldies radio stations.

That Wikipedia. Fountain of knowledge. I was watching the Wall-E trailer in anticipation of the movie coming out TOMORROW (*fist pump*), and that song was in it. It made me go "Oohh, I want it."

So, guys. What's going on? (I expect you to comment and let me know!) It's been a while since I've given you a show update. For those of you who haven't been able to listen in, we've now taken the show down to a mere ONE HOUR. Crazy, right? Well, we have been talking about doing so for a while with our boss. Not that we don't like talking for two hours, but we've come to the conclusion that two hours is a huge chunk out of your day to ask you to set aside for us. So, in gratitude of your listener/readership, this is our gift, to you. To be able to listen guilt-free because you're only wasting, or may I say...enriching your life, one hour a day.

We keep adding little inconspicuous...additions..(redundancy...-5 points) to the site! We have new friends down there in the "Our Friends" box. Rockwells Coffee Brewery, Andrew Givler (The Givlerator), Merelight Photography Studio, and Abi Vrazo (owner of Merelight).

Oh, new favorite thing. Other then Wikipedia. VITAMIN WATER.

VitaminWater consists of vapor distilled, deionized, and/or reverse osmosis water; crystalline fructose (derived from corn syrup) as a sweetener; citric acid; electrolytes; natural flavors; and vitamins, including Vitamin C, B3, B5, B6, B12, and E. Other ingredients are added according to the flavor and intended purpose of the drink.

The only down side...50 calories per serving, and there's 2.5 servings in a bottle. But totally worth it.

Praise Him all creatures here below.

2008-06-23T15:21:00.006-05:00

As I write this, I’m fighting back tears that have been threatening to spill for a few days. Growing pains hurt, and when you’re faced with having to swallow your pride constantly, obey authority, and listen to wise instruction, your heart groans for relief from sinful depravity and the natural want to rebel.

1 Peter 2:21-25

21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,^[f] leaving us^[g] an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 “ Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;^[h]

23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls

Having gained access to the Holy Place through the Lamb slain, to be greeted by the Body and Blood of Christ, Holy Spirit connecting us to Christ the Word, and the Holy incense of the Universal Church’s prayers being offered up into the presence of the King, with much fear and trepidation we repent and die to sin daily so that we may live unto righteousness.

Blessings are abundant; comfort and relief abound in the arms of the Savior.

Confessions Part 3

2008-06-18T08:37:00.002-05:00

I have a confession.

Independent artists, as a whole, bug me.

Wild, right? Apart from a few artists I've interviewed that I've really liked and wished I could do more to help them with their careers, the majority of unsigned artists out there are lazy drama queens. And that applies to both men and women.

So this is a call to arms, ladies and gentlemen. IF you want to be taken seriously, I strongly advise that you take yourself seriously first. First impressions matter. Working hard matters. If you don't have the drive to put yourself out there, no matter what avenue it is, save someone's time and find a new calling. Dreams are great, but if you don't have the passion and want to truly succeed, give up. We won't call you a quitter if you're doing the general public a favor.
If you do have the drive, make yourself stand out in the ever-flowing river of hopeless, one-sided musical endeavors; for the sake of credibility, step outside of the Fall-Out-Boy persona of side-swiped bangs, white belts and insanely stylish Vans; yes it's stylish, but no, it's not original. Remember, there is room outside of the box. Lots of room.

Okay, rant over. :-) Y'all have a fabulous day.

Chocolate

2008-06-03T16:10:00.004-05:00

is wonderful.

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008
Jake Smith (podcast up soon)

"So I figure I can try to give you a little bit about me and the people I associate myself with without paying someone to do it for me. Please keep in mind that I am no more a "bio" writer than I am a piano player. (I play guitar...kind of!) I have seen and been through a lot in recent years, some of which I am almost tired of talking about, and others which I will leave to mystery. I have had my hopes up and seen great promise as well as felt the bottom and actually thought about going back to school. (yes this was a really low time) I have been flattered by kind words some of which I believe to be true. I have played sold out shows in front of a lot of awesome people and have played shows in front of screaming sound men...excuse me audio technicians. I have had my CD in stores, as well as on Ebay for 3 dollars. (which is actually more flattering than you would think) I have been signed to a label and have departed a label all in a years time. And to think, this is only year one. The point of all of that is to say this, WE are just getting started. If you like what you hear then be excited about the future and if for some reason you didn't like it, be excited about the future. I say WE, meaning me and the guys who play with me. We enjoy doing what we do and are blessed and honored to have others enjoy in it with us. I have learned a few things in this first chapter of my career. I can't do it alone. I need anyone and everyone who enjoys the music to support us in any way possible. I can't play without listeners, I can't know joy if I've never known sadness, and I can't know success without remembering just how bad it felt to fail. (over and over again)..." Read More...

Okay, so, I gave the corny analogy about his music yesterday in my blog post, so I won't do any crazy descriptions, but listening to Viking and Jake talk back and forth and hearing his story and what he's all about was (lookout for this descriptive adjective) humbling. He's a down-to-earth, normal guy from New Orleans who puts his pants on one leg at a time, has amazing music (and has only been playing within the last 2-3 years), he's already been in and out of a record label/manger/booking agent, and is able to grasp how one should conduct himself within the music industry. That's it. No bells and whistles. Flat out what it is, and how it should be.
I really respect his attitude about life and his career, in that even though this is his music and career, it's not all about him. He's out there using his gifts to help others and to spread the Word.

I'm not going to go any further because all of his music is pretty self-explanatory. So go listen. :)

Oh, and before I forget, his booking "Man Out Front" manager, JD, was a huge help getting all of this together. Thanks buddy.

www.jakesmithmusic.com

Monday morning!

2008-06-02T10:23:00.005-05:00

And not a bad one! Imagine that! *smile*

It started off a bit slow. Don't you love it when you've just put nice, cool, clean sheets on your bed right before you turn in? For some reason I sleep 100% better when I do. Might be because by the time it's time for new sheets, half of my covers have fallen to the floor and the top sheet's all tangled up and a rogue sock is hiding in the foot of the bed.
Anyway, it started off slow because I did not want to get up. But that's okay. I did. So we're good.

Tomorrow on the show, Mr. Jake Smith will be joining us. Viking already called him my new boyfriend because I keep talking about how excited I am about interviewing him. Geez, this feels like a diary entry. "Dear Diary, tomorrow I get to interview Jake Smith..."

Jake's music is a beautiful fusion of rock, soul, and pop, perfectly seasoned with Tony Chachere's creole seasoning (I actually spelled "Chachere's" right...go figure). It's been a while since I've really been excited about someone's music, so give me a break with the funky analogies!

Tune in tomorrow...well...you know the time. Have a great Monday. :-)

We came. We saw. We survived Martin Family Reunion 08'.

2008-05-27T13:34:00.003-05:00

Destin, Florida. I will live there one day.

For those of you who know me, you'll know that I hate the beach (granted that I have visited Southern California and loved their beaches). Okay, hate is a strong word: dislike would be a better one. We're in Texas, right? Our beach is considered to be either South Padre Island (which I've never been to) or Galveston Island, where the beach is covered in sea weed and is surrounded by a massive sea wall to keep those pesky hurricanes out, and the water looks like lake water (And about as flat too. When you think of a beach, you want to envision massive waves!! Common!!).

But now! We've hit the Gulf-Coast mother load! Emerald waters! White beaches! Excellent shopping centers! Panera Bread magnificence! Wonderful places to run! Fishing!! (yes, I even bated my own hook)!
And by we, I mean my entire family. Which is strange, because it's been literally years since we've all been together in one place. My grandparents wanted to get all of their kids and grandkids (and now great-grandkids!!) together before we all started getting married and moving off to various locations, making it harder to all be together. So after not having seen everyone in years, serious partying occurred.
Just to give you an idea of how much fun/beautiful it was, by the time the week ended, it was unanimous (18 people voting a unanimous vote is pretty impressive!) that we would all try to make the Destin party happen annually (and help Nana and Grandaddy with the cost...they forked out a crap load for all of us to stay in a huge house and go out to eat a couple times).

But, even though vacations are great, it is really good to be back home and to be getting back to work. All play and no work, no bueno. I'd still would have liked to have spent an extra week exploring all the different nooks and crannies, looking for fun Mom-And-Pop coffee shops and whatnot. We did all of the cool tourist attractions (Parasailing, GoKarting, Deep Sea Fishing, Pier Fishing...etc), but those are only cool for so long. After doing those you want to find out where the locals love to eat and hang out and all that great stuff. Next time...neeeext time!

Okay, so, I normally don't do the whole picture thing...but...I'm sure you get tired of me talking *smile*, so here you go.

Three TogiNet Employees (who happen to be siblings if you can't tell by resemblance)! Johnny (IT Director and general "Guru of Awesome"), Me in the middle, and Keri (Producer and research coordinator for the American Top 40 Countdown, and office culinary mastermind).

And then there's little bro, Sammy. Not a TogiNet employee yet, but once he's 18, he'll man the company salesman post. Seriously, he could sell ice to an Eskimo.

And then we have the 'rents! Mom...and Dad. Dad of course is the CEO of The Owners Group, Inc, which owns TogiEntertainment, which is the hub for TogiNet Radio. In other words, he writes our checks. Mom does a lot for the company as well; recently she's been addressing all the of the book boxes for the "The Naked Truth" pre-orders that will be shipped out on the 30th of May.

The house we stayed in!

Aaand there's the whole gang. I won't introduce everyone because that would take forever.

A bunch of us at the Gulf Coast Gulfarium...

A crazy kayaking expedition...

Some Go-Karting (isn't my cousin cute? No you can't date her)

But my grandparents are way cuter. And such a great example for all of their kids and grandkids and great grandkids of what a solid, Christian marriage should be like.

Some fishing!

Some crazy wicked parasailing! (notice the looks of terror) (The parasailing company's name was "Just Chute Me". I got a kick out of it.)

Late night walks on the beach...

Favorite second cousins in the world. :)

And of course, good times with really old friends.

Thank you Nana and Grandaddy for everything. :)

Oh, and here's Viking. He chilled at the office and took care of...well...everything while we we gone. Now he's showing his butt about it.

;-)

Sometimes all I need is the air that I breathe and to love you.

2008-05-15T15:24:00.003-05:00

Am I the only girl on earth that gets uncomfortable with going into Victoria’s Secret? I think it must be a phobia of half-dressed manikins. In and of themselves, manikins are creepy (with or without limbs); but creepy AND mostly naked? That’s worse. Even when I pass the store in the mall, I find myself subconsciously averting my eyes from the windows. Weird.

After watching Fracture with Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling, I’ve come to get a big kick out of the word, “allegedly”.

al·leged
adj. Represented as existing or as being as described but not so proved; supposed.

We were reading the news this morning on the show, and there was an article that claimed an Illinois (or some other random state) teenager “allegedly” assaulted a police officer with M&M’s. Of course the funniest part is that the officer was assaulted with M&M’s, which you know…isn’t good, but using the word “allegedly” just makes it all important sounding. “California Disney theme-park visitor allegedly crapped his pants on new Space Mountain Rollercoaster. Disney, Inc refused to comment on the matter. Disney (Walt) Co, (Ticker Symbol: DIS) down thirty-eight points in the Nasdaq.”

I’m so sorry for not posting in a while! Things have been a bit slow for the show, but I’m confident that they’re going to be picking up very soon. This’ll be my last post until Monday the 26^th (Memorial Day…yes, I will be working!), at which point I’ll update you on the status of my Florida baked sun-tan and super calf-muscles from family sand volleyball tournaments. Y’all have a great week and relaxing Memorial Day Weekend…Holiday…thing. :)

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008
April Cover (listen to Podcast)

From the South's Magic City comes April Cover, a Birmingham-based four-piece whose melodic pop/rock songs echo a message of love and hopefulness through trials and brokenness. In their 3 years, April Cover has toured across the Southeast, the UK and shared the stage with acts such as AUGUSTANA, NEEDTOBREATHE, SARA BAREILLES, HAWK NELSON, BRETT DENNEN, SEABIRD, BY THE TREE, DISCIPLE and THE WORKING TITLE. With an ambition to make meaningful, powerful rock music and a love for playing live April Cover is MAGIC CITY ROCK.

Well, we talked to Vance Fite (Lead vocals and guitar) on the show yesterday, and from what he tells us, April Cover seem to have a pretty cool thing going! Their style of music isn't exactly my favorite, but, I heard Johnny (who's impossible to please at times) hollar from his office, "These guys aren't half bad!" And The Viking was of the same opinion! Boo on me *grin*. Hey, they toured in the US and Europe, and are planning on going back to Europe soon; they obviously have got something! :-)

"Everyone wants to "make it". Whatever "making it" means."

2008-05-06T15:20:00.003-05:00

Monday, May 5th, 2008
Slingshot57 (Listen to Podcast)

There were two things I did not realize about Slingshot57.

1. They’re no longer together as a band.
(Okay, I knew that, but it had slipped my memory so I was caught off guard)
2. They’re Christians.

We were twenty minutes into the interview when Viking asked front man, Ben Woods, what the band’s plans were for the summer. We had been having some phone connection issues, so I wasn’t able to tell if Ben was surprised by the question. But even if he was he covered it well! He went on to talk about the different projects and activities his former band-mates were involved, and I suddenly remembered an e-mail I’d received from him telling me that they had broken up. Woops. Viking was sitting there staring at me as if to say, “WOMAN, what’d you forget this time?”

But since we’d been able to get the scoop on the band before I realized this, I was really struck with a bit of disappointment that they weren’t together anymore. Ben spoke with a lot of conviction, humility and passion for what Slingshot57 was all about. He mentioned that in our culture today, everyone and their dog listens to music. It’s something you really can’t get away from no matter who you are. But the one common thing a lot of rock bands out there have is that air of “we’re just a little bit cooler than you” to them; not saying they don’t love what they’re doing, but, it was stressed that Slingshot57 isn’t about cookie-cutting their image to fit in with the mainstream status quo. They’re about using their talents and gifts they’ve been blessed with to the best of their ability: to make good music with good lyrics that show true vulnerability, and to really make an effort to reach out to people, as opposed to telling ambiguous stories about random heartbreaks and endeavors to vindicate themselves.

“We set out with a desire to do something that matters.”

That hunger and desire to put excellent material out in the music world made me wonder if they were Christians. So I picked up the EP they sent us and read the lyrics to all of the songs. Sure ‘nuff, they were!

Over the eight years the guys were together, they released four albums (including their two newest EP’s, “Slingshot57” and “The Evidence”), selling 17,000 copies (of the four combined), and played over seven-hundred shows. In October of 07’, they made the hard, but mutual decision to part ways and pursue different projects. It wasn’t a decision that was made out of anger or one that spurred as a result of issues or problems within the band. But it was one that was made after seeking guidance and counsel, and much prayer.

So who knows? They don’t have that baggage or ill-will towards each other that a lot of broken up bands have. They might one day establish “Slingshot57: Reincarnate”. :-)

Here's a link to a project one of their band members is involved in:

Dramatic Habits

More to come!

And I get to kiss you, baby, just because I can.

2008-05-02T15:08:00.008-05:00

Today has been absolutely insane. I could tell it was going to be a weird one when I was walking to the truck to go to work this morning. Okay, not really, but I'd like to say that now that I think back to when I was walking because it was really cloudy and muggy and gross outside and I didn't like it.

Well, the reason for the insanity is that a few tornadoes rolled through the East-Texas area this morning. Damaging pretty much nothing (that I know of) and scaring us all to death. One of the tornadoes (or the threat/funnel cloud/updraft of one) came through Tyler and apparently swooshed over the roof of our office while the sirens were going off and everyone in the office was running around trying to catch a glimpse of it. You'd think that being the brilliant people that we are; we'd take cover in our basement that has the convenient access point of running-down-the-steps-outside-to-the-parking-lot-and-unlocking-the-door-with-a-key-that-no one-seems-to-ever-have.

And then the other tornado came through the City of Lindale (where I live), again, damaging nothing, but put my mother in a frenzy and my little brother in tears, bless his heart!

But see...the insanity doesn't end there. After everything that happened with the weather, the boss-man came running up the stairs and tells me to "look under all the chairs and tables in the building!"
Apparently someone in the city leaked a threat that a bomb had been placed under a table or chair in a building somewhere in downtown Tyler. But come to find out, that bit of information wasn’t exactly accurate.
The real threat was that a cylinder bomb-like package had been left on a bench on the Downtown Square. You know, which is close to the original threat, but not as scary as the potential of it being in our office.

So after the city shut the square down, and barricaded the roads leading to it; they called in the bomb-squad and the threat ended up being some idiot that had just left a cylinder package in the square that was filled with crystal balls of some sort. Which is a bit scary in and of itself, but it’s no bomb.

I know I’m coming across flippant. These are really scary situations. But it’s late enough in the day that I can look back and laugh at how much I was freaking out. Thank the Lord that we were all kept safe.

Thursday, May 1st, 2008
Leaving Sangster (Listen to Podcast)

"I'm Leaving Sangster, higher than the plane that takes me home..."

"Leaving Sangster broke onto the Ontario Music scene in early 2005 and have quickly become a household name in the Hamilton/Burlington area. The line-up is built on the friendship and music of Andrew Barbisan (Guitar), Josh Harris (Drums), and Justin Sawicki (Vocals/Guitar). Playing up to four nights a week, the band and their fans eagerly await the release of a self-titled E.P recorded in Hamilton's legendary Grant Avenue Studio. The newly recorded songs bring to the helm a fusion of jazz rock and pop that are more infectiuous then a common cold. What's best is that they have no intention ..ping. The band also plans a full length L.P release sometime in the very near future, as well as a tour, and everything that comes along with getting their music to as many ears as possible. Leaving Sangster cites their influences as The Tragically Hip, Rheostatics, Wilco, Radiohead, Foo Fighters and Tool. The ones who listen closely can hear traces of these giants... and sometimes all in the same song. With an energetic live show, and an ever growing repertoire of catchy original music... Leaving Sangster should not be missed. Do yourself a favour and catch them while you can.

For a band that’s only been together for two and a half years, I’m impressed how Leaving Sangster has created such a professional image for themselves on the internet. It’s usually the bigger bands that stress a professional internet presence, but the guys have really got a cool thing going on their myspace (www.myspace.com/leavingsangster) and their band website (www.leavingsangster.com)!

They’re from Hamilton, Ontario, a city that’s quickly growing in size to become a suburb of Toronto, where the music scene is very competitive. The more popular genre being played in bars and clubs tends to lean more towards the heavy grunge side, which makes things even more competitive, but since Leaving Sangster has more of a softer pop/acoustic sound, they’re a shoe-in for popularity when the local scene starts to wake up to better sounding music. ;-) (not a big fan of heavy grunge)

They have a new bass player (JP Shalala) (I don’t know how to spell his last name, but, that’s how it sounds!), and they released their self-titled EP, recorded at the renown Grand Avenue Studios, in the middle of March 08’.

“Well. For songwriting, usually someone will come in with an idea or a hook or anything at first. And it’s basically like Jenga. You kind of start putting blocks up one at a time and hopefully it doesn’t crumble. And you end up with a song that has some worth, aaand…that’s basically it!”

That was the first Jenga analogy I’ve ever heard, so I thought it was worth mentioning. *smile*

I'm gonna hate you when you go.

2008-04-30T17:22:00.005-05:00

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008
Slow Runner (Listen to Podcast)

"step 1 - start with information about your early years that nobody really cares about but that you have to put in there because otherwise the bio is thin and it's completely obvious how unsuccessful you really are.
ex. slow runner started in 2003 when singer/songwriter michael flynn and multi-instrumentalist josh kaler began musically fornicating together after college.

step 2 - create a mythos around how your 'sound' was formed.
ex. one night while walking through the woods michael and josh pulled a sword from a stone and the curtains of heaven opened up and they simultaneously realized their musical destiny involved casio, loud drums, and short pop songs about girls.

step 3 - puff your chest out and list accomplishments no matter how insignificant they might be.
ex. michael flynn almost won the john lennon songwriting scholarship in 2001. then he did win the flat rock music festival songwriting contest, then he and kaler made 'no disassemble', formed a full band, and signed a deal with j records in 2005. " Read more...

Well, after talking to Michael today on the show, I have to wonder how on earth this mellow music comes from such a hyper fella! Even though he’s been expelled from school a time or two and isn’t allowed into the state of Georgia where he’s a convicted sex offender (not really), he’s developed an exuberant vocabulary (not to say sex offenders don’t have exuberant vocabularies) that he uses to attractively and hilarious portray himself and his bandmates, and also has the attitude of an artist that genuinely wants to hear the truth about what people think of his stuff.

This is the first time we’ve ever interviewed anyone that have been involved with a good-sized label, that aren’t any longer, and that don’t have any plans to be involved with one again. Michael said in the interview that Slow Runner used to be signed with J Records, and he said, “There’s been a giant paradigm shift in how the music business works. I don’t see any point in being on a major label at this point.” It was really interesting to hear that, because as you all know, we talk to people from both sides of the fence on this subject. Sometimes someone will say what Michael said, that it’s just not necessary to be signed to a label with the outlets that are available to get your music out there; and then other times we’ll hear from bands that they would really like to be signed with a label as long as it’s “the right deal” so as that they can get the financial and promotional support they need, and still be able to retain their creative freedoms.
Personally, I can see pro’s and con’s to both sides, but I think that with either side you’re faced with the same thing you’re faced with in any aspect of life. You’re going to have to work your proverbial rear-end off to get anywhere.

Which brings me to another point of our conversation; one thing that Michael mentioned that one thing he personally really disliked about being involved with J Records, was that everyone talked as if Slow Runner was the best thing since sliced bread.
“I just cannot stand how record label people talk. That whole fast talking, everyone’s positive, “everything’s happening, man!”. Anytime I’m around anybody even in another business that talks like that…I immediately have to leave the room because it’s so fake.”
You know that fluff that people throw out there to make you feel good about yourself when all they’re after is an opportunity to make money? That stuff. Michael admittedly stated though that if you’re an artist that has struggled, that “It’s impossible to not be charmed by all of that stuff. You cannot resist it!”
So like I said, you’re going to run into that crap in any aspect of life where you’re working to get somewhere. Someone’s going to come along with these symptoms of Fluffery, but you need to work hard to attain either A: a good record deal that’s going to be honest and give you constructive criticism and help you help yourself, or B: Go it alone and search for avenues to promote yourself and take advantage of them.

But anyway, Michael’s a guy with his head screwed on straight, and I’m sure the rest of his band mates have that same mindset, so we give them props for that, and for the sound of their music. It’s very mellow, kinda chill music which some of you chillers may enjoy!

I'm out of the closet.

2008-04-29T14:00:00.007-05:00

As you can tell, a lot of what I write tends to have a lot of descriptive adjectives and gooberish words. A lot of that tends to be a good sign that I don’t know what I’m talking about a lot of the time. But hey, it’s interesting to read and make fun of, eh? ;-)

But all of that aside, I truly do want to put good content into what I write, and I for some really odd reason I like to put a bunch of pressure on myself to take into account all the different views and opinions, and I end up writing like a chicken with its head cut off. And through all of that, I start forgetting one very important thing.

If you’ve listened to the show, then you’ll know that the Viking and I are professing Christians. We believe, ‘God is; and He is Who He says He is. The Scripture is His special Revelation to the world. It is, from Genesis to Revelation, a thoroughly Christian document. It reveals God's intent to cleanse the world of sin, and to free His chosen people of their depravity through faith in the atonement of Christ Jesus, the eternally begotten Son. Through faith in Jesus, God the Spirit preserves His people forever. In response to His gracious provision, His people are to live lives of holiness and obedience to every word that has proceeded from the mouth of God.

Okay I suck at putting things eloquently, so I copy and pasted that from our church website. *grin*
But you’re not going to read all of that unless you’re intently interested in knowing what we believe. In a short, simple version, we believe in the God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We believe in the infallibility of Scripture under the presupposition that God is who He says He is, and everything that falls under that.

Anyway, back to what I was saying. I forget to write blog posts to the best of my ability in the way a Christian should. To the glory of God. So as a result, they end up full of holes and kind of irritating to read because they all tend to read the same.

And by this point, I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m writing all of this and why I can’t just know this in my head without verbalizing it and forming my blog posts to revolve around those thoughts. But I am just like my mother (HI MOM!) and I have to have something down on paper and filed away so I can rest easy knowing that it’s there for me to look back on if I need it! But also I’d like to have it here to keep what I write in check.

Okay, cool, so, all of that’s settled. All of this time I’ve felt like I’ve been dishonest because I haven’t come right out and been completely forthcoming.

So NOW! What is this blog now that I’m just saying what I think? Well it is what it’s always been. Now with just a little bit more straight-to-the-pointed-ness. There are times when the Viking and I seriously don’t like some of the music we play. THERE! I said it! I won’t go out and pinpoint exactly which ones because that wouldn't exactly be very nice. But from here on out, if you send us your music, expect to be liked, or just flat out disliked. But we’ll be nice about it, don’t worry.
(Yeah, I say that now, but once I come across someone I don’t like I’ll chicken out and be all nice and fluffy…HEY maybe I’ll get a Fluff Rating thing going on for you to vote on: “Is this fluff or is she being sincere?”)

Speaking of ratings; I’d really like to get you guys involved with us! Please tell us what you think! We like lively discussion. Up till now you haven’t had a lot to comment on, but I’ll be doing my best to make things better from that perspective.

Anyway, before I continue on this rant, I better take care of getting show interview slots filled for next week. Thank you so much for reading and for your continued support!

OH, and also, don't forget. TogiNet's new show, "Beauty Salon Confessions" starts THIS Thursday, May 1st at 1:00PM EST.

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
Vertigo (podcast up soon)

"Vertigo is an original alternative/rock band with a definite twist. Known for their ability to put on a great show, Vertigo is always able to connect with a crowd, and bring that crowd to its feet. Passionate, energetic, and eminently likeable, frontwoman Lindsey Stamey is an absolutely awe-inspiring vocalist and entertainer.
From hard-driving rock beats to a more ethereal and melodic vibe, Vertigo’s sound is somewhere between Flyeaf and Radiohead.
After having shared the stage with acts such as Flyleaf, The Gin Blossoms, 10 Years, and Shiny Toy Guns, Vertigo has the experience and ability to deliver performances that never fail to please.
Vertigo is a rare blend of musicianship at its finest, and entertainment at its most compelling."

Joel got stuck with the interview. It sounded like he'd just crawled out of bed, but apparently he was on break at work where he makes Spare Dentist Hands. (They're very high on demand these days) But nonetheless! He gave us the general run-down of the band and the ins-and outs of what's going on. Their stuff is actually really hardcore awesome. I love the sound of their vocalists' (Lindsey) voice! It's very Amy Lee/Fly Leaf sounding like their bio depicts.
And we can't forget Nathan and Justin! Hopefully if we're able to have them back, we can talk to them too.

They're going on an east-coast tour starting May 9th to June 14th, and their schedule is PACKED. Head out there and give 'em the support they need!

Swallowed in the sea...

2008-04-25T15:06:00.003-05:00

Friday, April 25th, 2008
Arsel Arcaya (Listen to Podcast)

Okay! They do not have a bio! You know what happens when somebody doesn't have a bio.

Once upon a time, on a dank, dark night in the middle of the Nicaraguan jungle, a baby was born. His name...was Vic. Vic liked many things growing up. He once fashioned a drum kit out of nothing but bamboo, and from then on out became the king of all sweet-sounding jungle things. If you listen to him talk, you hear a distinctive Chicago accent, but his family and friends don't quite understand why he has it.

And then his life took a turn to one place, and the path of his life ran into those of his current band members (Tommy, Keaton, Jimmy and Nick), and BOOM, Arsel Arcaya.

But anyway! Back to the real stuff. The guys are heading off on a tour starting May 2nd, and lasting until July 12th, so they have their hands full. If you check out their myspace and look at the number of times their song, "Apollo the Ferret" has been played, your mind will be blown! It'll be interesting to see if all of their music gets the same reaction!

Their 5 song EP will be released over the course of the next couple weeks as they put one song a week up on their myspace. So don't miss out on the excitement.

I'll take care of you, oh.

2008-04-23T16:08:00.007-05:00

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008
Jake Germany (Listen to Podcast)

Jake Germany is from a tiny town in Texas. Just recently he made the move to Oklahoma, all the while pursuing his music more than ever. After playing and singing for Tyler, Texas band, theRESERVES, he started his own project to write about more than the fog of adolesent lust, but of a love that is dwindling in the heart of this world. A love that is real.

Jake Germany was one of the first independent artists on our station! He's a native Tylerite and is well known and loved from here, all the way up through Shawnee, OK, AND BEYOND. He's released his second album titled "Hold Your Peace", and it is available on his myspace: www.myspace.com/jakegermany

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008
Jeremy (podcast up soon)

Jeremy is Martin Frericks, Sascha Görgens and Christof Cwienczek. The three musicians enjoyed making music together from the first minute and founded a band in Aachen, Germany. The name Jeremy was chosen to be a tribute to the songs and works of Pearl Jam, which have always been a great influence to the bands songwriting. Other very strong influences are Tool, Audioslave, Muse, Radiohead and Selig.

Oh goodness. This interview was THE COOLEST. Apparently I just have a thing for people from other countries, because I giggled throughout the entire thing. Martin and Sascha called into the show from Aachen, Germany (it was about 6PM their time) over skype, and we had a chat for about 30 minutes discussing their music, how they got started, and where they want to be in 5 years (obviously signed to a label in good ol' Texas).
My ignorance showed forth once again when I said, "So...whenever you guys speak in German...do y'all sound angry?" Which is a misconception spewing from a stilted view of Germanese music: Rammstein.

Anyway! It's a funny interview, we had a lot of fun with them, and we want you to listen to the podcast and lend them your support!

If you so happen to speak German, you can visit their website here: http://www.jeremy-online.de/
But if you don't, you can still visit and look at the pictures. That's what I'm doing. :-D

So, one day...

2008-04-21T15:21:00.002-05:00

Viking and I will own a coffee shop. And when we do, this fine piece of sign-age will hang over the door way.

That's right. "Ye Olde Squatting Hound". You'll come to the opening, right?
(Yeah okay, I was just really bored one day and needed to practice some photoshop skillz...)

Friday, April 18th, 2008
Varnadore (listen to podcast)

Varnadore is Josh Varnadore and David Cook. We're about loving people and writing songs about the love we've been given. We pray that these songs fill you with hope and inspire you to truly live. Thanks for stopping by. Be true. -Varnadore PS: we love surprises. David enjoys Arizona green tea, sour punch straws, and a jimmy johns vito sub. Josh enjoys claritin, vitamin water, and a jimmy johns turkey tom sub.

For a band that's only been together for 8-9 months, Varnadore has more going for them then a lot of bands that we know that have been together for years. Being fellow believers in Christ, they acknowledge Who it was who gave them all of that talent, and they strive to do their best and work their hardest with what they've been given.

And they write songs in bathrooms. Common. That's cool.

Monday, April 22nd, 2008
Otto Vector (Listen to Podcast)

Video games, cartoons & pop music of the 1980's inspire the highly-animated musical stylings of OttO Vector. With a focus on heavy beats & catchy melodies, OttO Vector represents a uniquely balanced musical synthesis of organic & electronic, modern technology, rock & funky retro-pop.

"Its funky, unique and refreshing to hear. Totally original sound- No really, Im not kidding- totally original!" -Kelly Brown, 89x Radio

"Otto Vector clawed their way out of Detroit's barracks of aural analogousness by creating synth-pop that lies somewhere between The Fixx, The Pretenders, and a Nintendo game. With their heavy beats, power driven guitars, berserkish synth and slinky vocals, the group creates a blend of rock, funk, dance, and electro thats half 1984, half 2004." -Ray Wagel, Ann Arbor Paper

"If Gwen Stefani and the chick from Garbage had a kid and that kid was a local band, that band would be Otto Vector. Synthy but alt-rocky, this oddly named group sounds like theyre radio ready." -Real Detroit Weekly

"The SEXIEST band in Detroit!" -Cal Cagno, 89x Radio

Five bits to a byte, or three bits short of a byte? We'll let you decide! We talked to Mike and Renee this morning for a good 25 minutes, and it was a pleasant chat indeed! Check 'em out, for reals!

Sheer Luck ;-)

2008-04-17T16:09:00.004-05:00

Thursday, April 17th, 2008
Brandon Sheer (podcast up soon)

"Down Looks Up ", the debut record by 19 year-old NYC-based singer songwriter Brandon Sheer is a melodic, heartfelt collection of pop songs that truly capture teenage angst in all its emotional glory. Trained at New York's famed Professional Children's School and mentored by voice coach Don Lawrence (Bono, Bon Jovi, Christina Aguilera) and Gordon Grody (Alicia Keys, David Bowie), this freshman at the Berklee School of Music is looking to make a name for himself in an already crowded field while simultaneously expanding his education. Undaunted, Brandon realizes the challenges on the road ahead. "To me there just seems to be a void out there right now--a total lack of straightforward, well written, melodic pop rock songs," says the 19-year old dynamo. "I'm not claiming to reinvent the wheel here, nor do I feel that I have to. I just want to write the type of songs that people sing in the shower." Working with Xandy Barry and Wally Gagel, the production team behind recent hits by Jessica Simpson and Backstreet Boys, as well as writing with Aaron Kamin of the 90's rock band The Calling, Brandon seems to be well on his way. "The response so far on iTunes and Myspace has been amazing," says Brandon. "Well beyond what I expected," he adds. Brandon's songs combine noticeable elements of his favorite 90's alternative acts as well as classic pop artists. His sound evoke easy comparison to many of his influences including Pete Yorn, Lifehouse and Our Lady Peace. The lead single, "When You're Here" is a straightforward pop-rock love song with an undeniably catchy chorus, while "Change" is a driving rock song about moving on. Other highlights on “Down Looks Up” include “Stare At The Sun” and “When You Fall”. Brandon will continue writing and playing shows and hopes to have a full-length album out by the springtime. Keep an eye out for Brandon Sheer. The "Down Looks Up" EP is available on iTunes now!

Mr. Brandon Sheer. Quite a young fella. Like me, but I'm not a fella.
It was really interesting talking to someone that young with so much drive to get his music out there. But he's taking a bit of a different approach to doing so! Instead of taking his music on the road for mass touring, he'll be looking to selling his music to TV and Movie licensing deals. My first reaction was, "Whaaat?", but then as I thought about it, whenever I go to a movie or watch my favorite TV shows, I always end up thinking "Hmm...can't wait for the soundtrack to come out/can't wait to get to my computer so I can find out what song this is." So why not do it that way? Check out his stuff at: www.myspace.com/brandonsheer

Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through, And you know that's what our love can do.

2008-04-16T13:11:00.007-05:00

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
Michael Buble (fictional podcast available in Blondie's head)

Here's a transcript piece from the podcast:

Michael: Ashley, darling, how are you?
Blondie: "Hi..hi hi...HIII hellloo...HI!"

*sigh* Okay, maybe not. Michael Buble Radio has been playing on Pandora (can we say obsessed?) for the past couple of hours. Viking's going to have to take over the blog-posting if I keep this up!

Tuesday, April 15th, 2008
Hot Vegas (listen to podcast)

The word migration is defined as an unwillingness to permanently settle in one location. After releasing their EP, This One’s For Desire, in early 2005, Andrew X (vocals/guitar), Alex Stewart (guitar), Daniel Henderson (bass) and Jared Bruce (drums) embarked on a musical expedition with no specific destination in mind. “The music we make is just what comes out,” says Andrew. “We just play what we feel.” The result is an emotionally charged and commercially appealing sound that many have referred to as “a breath of fresh air.”
The songs on Migration not only possess genuine sincerity, but also a refreshing originality that dares to challenge an industry in which cookie cutter is the norm. “Most of the songs on Migration are about our own personal experiences,” concedes Andrew. “I think it would be very unfair to pick just one song off the record that defines us because they all define us. We created all of them.”

Hot Vegas has been likened to some of the most innovative bands of all time. Recently referred to as “what Coldplay could sound like with balls” by Emotional Punk Magazine, their soaring melodies and inspired vocals are most comparable to the iconic sound and feel of U2.
Although some elements of their musical influences can be heard in their songs, hot vegas effortlessly manages to create a signature style that is representative of who they are and what they stand for as a band. ...Read More

Vocalist and guitarist Andrew X (I like the "X"), whom I'd been chatting back and forth with over e-mail to discuss interviews and whatnot, called and chatted with us for a good bit! The band (BTW, they've shared the stage with bands such as Sherwood, Relient K, Cartel and several others) is fixing to be in the throes of Album Birth; they're heading into the studio to record with James Paul Wisner (who's worked with Dashboard Confessional, New Found Glory, Under Oath...etc) their sophomore full-length album. You can get their first full-length album, "Migration" on their myspace: www.myspace.com/hotvegas

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
Sugar Glyder (podcast up soon)

Melodically aggressive, and intimately honest, Sugar Glyder exists to consistently interject their own personal concoction of innovative sound into the starving veins of the art form known as music. Forming in late 2002, near the small town of Waxhaw, original collaborators Chris and Daniel starting playing music together. Once the addition of Cory and Emily came to pass in late 2003, belonging and purpose slowly pushed them into writing their own music. These components, eventually re materializing into full length songs, became the binding contract between these four individuals. They are not only song writers, they are listeners. Nearly four years later, this unit is working to fight for all that is wholesome and self-sacrificing in the realm of the music industry.

Sugar Glyder. A name that means nothing, but yet is powerful enough to be a state of being.
Daniel Howie (he's the one that looks like one of the vampires on the old "Lost Boys" movie) and Chris Rigo (he looks like Serius Black) graced us with their presence for a whoppin' 30 minutes! We kept them a long time on there laughing and cutting up. You would've thought by our moods that it was Friday or something! LISTEN TO THE PODCAST...when it's up tomorrow!
They're releasing a full-length album in TWO DAYS, so check out the hype on their myspace: www.myspace.com/sugarglyder. Also, they're heading on a huge east-coast tour kicking off on May 9th, see their schedule to see if they're coming to a venue near you!

Texas: You'd think it would always be hot around here.

2008-04-14T15:39:00.003-05:00

Guess again. It's been in the upper 80's of late, but last night it dropped down into the 30's. Now I know I'll be changing my tune in a month or two...but I just want summer to finally GET HERE.

Monday, April 14th, 2008
Jereme Stewart (podcast up soon)

Jereme Stewart was born and raised in Houston, Texas. As a child, Jereme was always musically inclined. He quickly learned how to play the violin, and for four years played in the orchestra. While attending Shippensburg University, Jereme helped form the acoustic duo Jereme & Ethan. A few months after Jereme & Ethan formed, they recorded a short demo album featuring 5 original tracks.
After playing many shows together featuring their own music as well as covers, they decided to become a full band. It was then that they brought in drums and bass to form the band ~Fighting for Sara~. Fighting for Sara began playing at various events and parties around the Philadelphia area. Before they knew it, Fighting for Sara had formed a following of fans. FFS then recorded their first album "Say Anything".
Jereme Stewart moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where he continued to play live shows, write, and record music. Jereme has appeared on numerous online radio stations and college radio stations around the country. In the spring of 2006 Jereme completed his full band solo EP entitled "The Real EP", featuring some of the Harrisburg areas most talented musicians.

Well, Mr. Jereme Stewart is our first ever Singer/Songwriter/Model. The guy's talented! His music has a very prominent Dave Matthews Band feel to it - very laid-back and relaxed. Check out his tunes at: www.myspace.com/jeremestewart

You and I collide.

2008-04-11T16:38:00.006-05:00

Pandora's been hookin' me up with a lot of Howie Day for some reason. I have one of his albums, but I've never really bothered to listen to any of it except for "Collide". Maybe I'll change my tune...

Pun intended.

Thursday, April 10th, 2008
Lynus (listen to Podcast)

Okay, normally, I would post a bio here about the band we interviewed, BUT unfortunately they do not have one available. SO I'll have to put some work into this.

Blake was born in a cheese factory north of Philadelphia. He met Joe, Minh and Tim while delivering cheese to local grocers on the west side, and immediately hit it off with them. Eventually, after growing up and creating a gigantic cheese empire, he got tired of the high-rolling life, and turned to his second passion. Music. Coincidentally, Joe, Minh and Tim all shared the same passion (not exactly sure about their specific life journeys), so they did what any aspiring musicians would do. Form a band.

I encourage you all to question everything I say.

No, but seriously. The four guys met in seventh grade and have been making music since then. They've got a rockin', "real" indie rock sound, as well as sweet 60's style album art that doesn't necessarily portray the style of music they play. (all of that was covered in the interview).

Joe's a vegan. He won't eat cows.

SO check them out! They've got great senses of humor (a huge plus coming from us) and really, they have great quality stuff that I think y'all will enjoy.

Have a fabulous weekend!!!

I am humbled.

2008-04-09T16:23:00.001-05:00

I expect you all to react to change like a bunch of Baptists!

2008-04-07T16:09:00.012-05:00

NEW STUFF!

Okay, I went nuts with Amazon Widgets. I don't know why, but the word "widgets" makes me smile.

Up above *points* you will see a scrolling widget displaying album art! In it you'll find music from a some of the artists that we've had on our show! So, if you're an artist, and would like to be/have been on our show, let us know if you have either an album or music downloads available on Amazon, and we'll stick you up there!

Aaand to your right (scroll down a bit), you'll find mine and Viking's Fav Crap. We just tossed a few things in there for fun because we thought it looked cool.

The end.

So, I thought I'd give you all a brief tour of our workplace.

Here, we have my microphone and the mixer board.

Aaand here is the place where The Viking rests his posterior region.

Oh look! Here's his posterior region!

And here is my computer working hard on the site! Neat, huh?

Monday, April 7th, 2008
Farewell Down (podcast up soon)

The story, not better off forgotten, is the tale told of Farewell Down.

This story begins with two lads whose blistered souls meet on the eve of a cold night. With fiddles in hand and a hop in their step, they would face each other for the first time.

Joe, a corky boy, didn't really feel the need to express his feelings through words. Instead he expressed it in song, always carrying a tune wherever he went. Some enjoyed it, while others hid in the shadows when he would walk by. With pen in hand and a notebook hanging out of his sown, but remarkably worn pocket, he would write whatever was on his mind and sing to whomever would listen (even if it was not the most delightful tune). Little did he know there was someone who could make his words feel the way he had always wanted them to.

Rudy, a funny fellow, whose hair made even the most beautiful men jealous, viewed life in a different fashion. Instead of walking, he danced to his destinations, sometimes in the process adding a whole group to his rhythmic ways. As strange as it seems, he only danced to the music that he played on his fiddle, strumming his tune on the cold wound strings. Living for late, he desired to add words to this tune, a melodious harmony with meaning and substance.

One fateful day Joe was singing while Rudy was in the distance dancing and playing his fiddle. All of the sudden, as they drew near to each other, Joe’s tune began to change to the notes and music that were being played by Rudy. As they passed by each other they stopped as if they could not move further until they figured this mystery out. Soon they faced the same direction and began walking together, but there was something missing. Despite all the harmonious notes and tasty licks their timing was completely off. As they continued traveling through the town, in the mist of all the noise they heard rhythm. As they drew closer they realized what they had been missing. "My name is Paul," he said as he kept the beat going with his hands. Joe and Rudy nodded in approval as Paul joined there side as they traveled down the road not knowing who they would run into or what towns they would find along the way. All they knew is that there was meaning in this thing they called music and they wanted all who would listen to hear. As their shadows faded in the distance all you could hear was their music. The music of Farewell Down.

"Finding out, all you’ve planned for me and write it off as pure insanity. Here to show the world what we’re living for, so take it all and use it for you Lord."

Poor Joe has been a victim of my blonde-ness. We had scheduled an interview for last Friday, but again, I forgot a vital detail and didn't send him, or ask for contact information. Smart, huh? But we got it worked out and had him back on his day off! Today!
He called in all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (okay, he'd just woken up) and gave as a very good rundown of what the band is all about.
For those of you who weren't able to catch the show, they're going to be signing with an indie label very soon, and will hopefully be releasing a full-length album in a very short 5-6 months! Keep up with them on their website, www.myspace.com/farewelldown.

Pandora...

2008-04-04T13:36:00.008-05:00

...is amazing.

I'd completely forgotten that I made an account with them a few years ago. I keep hearing how great it is from friends, family...random people on the street, etc.

"When was the last time you fell in love with a new artist or song?

At Pandora, we have a single mission: To play music you'll love - and nothing else.

To understand just how we do this, and why we think we do it really, really well, you need to know about the Music Genome Project.

Since we started back in 2000, we have been hard at work on the Music Genome Project. It's the most comprehensive analysis of music ever undertaken. Together our team of fifty musician-analysts has been listening to music, one song at a time, studying and collecting literally hundreds of musical details on every song. It takes 20-30 minutes per song to capture all of the little details that give each recording its magical sound - melody, harmony, instrumentation, rhythm, vocals, lyrics ... and more - close to 400 attributes! We continue this work every day to keep up with the incredible flow of great new music coming from studios, stadiums and garages around the country." Read More

I accessed my old account, and boy do personal music tastes change. I can chalk a lot of that up to Viking; he's forced me to listen to late 70's/early and late 80's/90's music. On one station, I mixed the sounds of Melee with those of The Goo Goo Dolls, and they compiled the data from both bands, and are now playing "Run" by Collective Soul. How freaking cool is that?

But anyway! If you have a boring desk job and are looking to expand your music library, Pandora is the way to do it!

If you listened to the show today, you might've heard me talking to Viking about some dude proposing to a chick on the set of Scrubs. Well, here it is. It made me get all teary-eyed.
NOTE: Mr. Braff uses a not-so-very-nice word so...be forewarned.

See more funny videos at CollegeHumor

I mean....how sweet is that?!

Oh, here's some cute Muppet Bloopers...

See more funny videos at CollegeHumor

YOU'VE BEEN RICK ROLL'D

I'm really bad at making titles!

2008-04-03T13:21:00.002-05:00

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008
Triangle Shirt Factory (listen to Podcast)

Triangle Shirt Factory is the folk, rock, reggae music of Trevor Leonard. The twenty-five year old singer/songwriter was born and nurtured in Bucks County Pennsylvania, a fading farmland suburb of Philadelphia. Leonard draws inspiration from his hometown and writes about preserving nature, discovering hope, creating community and opening up to new ways of thinking about progress.

Triangle Shirt Factory’s first full length effort, Widening, self-released on October 23, 2007, demonstrates mature songwriting with melodies comparable to Jimmy Eat World, the passionate groove of Sublime, and intellectual lyrics similar to the poetry of Simon and Garfunkel.

The concept of the record is to be open – open to change, beauty and signals that would otherwise be overlooked; to question progress on personal, political, and global levels; to develop a community of passionate thinkers. In the last year, Triangle Shirt Factory has toured the Northeast and Midwest several times and has opened for artists ranging from Roger Waters to Valencia.

Leonard celebrates nature and family, offers hope to desperate characters, and cultivates memories, questioning and the mind in an accessible narrative style. In addition to playing an array of instruments on Widening, Leonard produced the songs on the album and developed arrangements for family members and friends to add instrumentation.

The moniker Triangle Shirt Factory alludes to the historical Triangle Shirtwaist Company in New York City that burned in 1911 and changed labor rights forever. Claiming the lives of more than one-hundred women, children and men laborers due to unsafe conditions, the tragedy was a catalyst which halted unfair treatments of workers and women. The music of Triangle Shirt Factory carries with it a call to action and Leonard’s message is clear: positive change is possible; we must act to prevent tragedy, not wait until it is too late.

Widening encourages listeners to open their minds to history and possibilities. Triangle Shirt Factory has been on the road non-stop, delivering energetic and thought-provoking performances with no signs of relenting. “I love to tour and share stories about my life with people at shows,” Leonard remarks, “and I love hearing their stories as well. Our stories are significant and inspiring. I live to be inspired and inspire others and that is why I play music.”

The Viking and I think that Trevor gave the best answers we've ever heard to our questions. Usually we ask the general "What are you doing right now...", "where's your band name come from?", "what is your creative process?", type questions; we've never gotten a bad answer, but the way that Trevor answered them really spoke a lot about his passion for music and for his career. He's an extremely intelligent, well-read and fascinating college graduate, with an ear for acoustic melodies and smart lyrics.

Thursday, April 3rd, 2008
Rob Grad (podcast up soon)

"After being a member of 2 successful bands, this Venice California based singer- songwriter has finally decided to step out on his own. He is one of those rare, instantly recognizable artists who uses his unique style, sound and voice to create his own brand of rock.

A fan at a recent show referred to the sound as "...if Lucinda Williams and Peter Gabriel sat in with U2". Rob Grad was the bass player and a main songwriter in early 90’s RCA act Kik Tracee– a time he remembers fondly. “We got signed right out of high school without a demo because of our live show. Everyone has a first band. Ours just got further than some. I hadn’t even heard a Sonic Youth song yet.”
The first time he did hear a Sonic Youth song, however, it changed his life. “I remember sitting there thinking, ‘I didn’t know you could do this.’” Later, Lucinda Williams and Jeff Buckley provided similar revelations in his musical development. Soon after that first “Sonic Youth” moment, it became obvious to Rob that he could no longer continue on the same artistic path, so he picked up the guitar, started singing, and left Kik Tracee to start in a new direction.

In 1998 he formed a studio project called Superfine. Superfine recorded 2 cds, a 7” vinyl single, and appeared on the 1999 soundtrack to the television show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” which has sold over 200,000 copies to date. As he continued writing what he originally thought was going to be more Superfine material, Rob again found himself moving in a new direction. “The songs have always led the way for me, and I needed to come out from behind the wall of sound to do them justice.”
He is currently working on his first solo cd, and performing regionally on the west coast. These live solo performances have quickly been earning him a reputation as a “must see” artist. Recent Los Angeles venues include The Hotel Cafe and Genghis Cohen. Hisset lists tend to blend his original material with drastically reworked covers of an eclectic mix of songs that can include anything from Nirvana to Billie Holliday. Guest performers on the album include Martin Tillman (cellist, Elton John) and John Leftwich (bassist, Lyle Lovett, the Eels). Rough mixes of some of the songs have already placed on NBC, CBS, HBO and the WB.
The cd is tentatively titled "No Apologies" and will drop early 2008."

After having done this show for about 6-7 months, we've run in to a lot of bands that have showed a lot of promise, but lacked the time (years might be a better word) and experience to really know how to key-in on their strengths, strengthen their weaknesses, and completely understand what they're doing and where they want to go.

Rob Grad brought in a huge breath of fresh air in regards to all of those things and caught Viking and I by surprise! A very pleasant surprise! He's had that life experience that so many haven't had yet, and is able to play/record excellent quality music; as well as present himself in a way that very well depicts his passion for his music. All I have to say is...we want him back on the show AQAP (as quick as possible). He hopes to have his new album, "No Apologies" out in May, which includes a DVD and a new music video!

Postal Workers gone postal.

2008-04-02T15:09:00.005-05:00

I'm awful at coming up with things to write about. I love to write, but seriously, I sit here and think "Oh! That's a good topic! Wait...no...hm...I'll have to actually work hard at writing it...maybe not such a good idea". I do it for hours. It's a vicious cycle.

But I found a topic finally. I'll call it;

"I Got A Package"

As you probably know, Viking and I aren't merely morning radio talk-show hosts. Our days are filled up with different projects ranging from graphics design (my stuff), to writing contracts and general management for our parent company (Viking's stuff), The Owners Group, Inc.
Even though TogiEntertainment's main office is out of Oklahoma City, the radio station and a good bit of business activity is run out of this office (Tyler, TX), including the book publishing part.
One of my jobs is being in charge of packaging and shipping all of the books that we sell (Whatever Happened to Peggy Sue by Peggy Sue Gerron, What Gives by Chelsea Marie, and The Naked Truth by Mark Faulk). Recently I sent out a shipment of promotional books to reviewers and radio stations across the country; not all of the address are up-to-date, and so it's to be expected that maybe one book out of fifty is returned to us. No big deal, right?

Well today, I got this book back in the mail.

Yes. Let me give you a closer look.

Dead.

What kind of sick mail man writes "DEAD!" on the front of a package being returned to sender!? Deceased...fine. But DEAD?
( I don't know if I'm supposed to leave addresses un-blurred on this thing...but since they're DEAD...I guess it doesn't matter)

Whaaatever.

Tuesday, April 1st, 2008
Polymer (listen to podcast)

"After a recent rock show at a venue in a Philadelphia suburb, a seventeen year old music fan witnessed one of the best performances of his life. The show took place in a youth center that was bursting at the seams with several hundred teenagers that had just experienced a set they would never forget. Afterwards, as the lights came back on and the energy in the sweaty room subsided, he approached the five band members with a well-worn copy of their EP, a marker, and these words: “Thank you for bringing rock music back to Philadelphia.”

The band, Polymer, formed in 2003 with the intention of doing just that. Their music has been given many different titles by critics since their inception, from “shiny alterna-pop” to “completely unique and captivating,” however, “Positive Rock” has been the name that seems to best define the band and their attitude towards music. Armed with their dedication to telling a story through strong songwriting and their passion for energy-infused rock, the band has amassed a fan base whose loyalty and dedication to promoting Polymer”s music has been so integral to their continued success.

With the release of their late 2004 EP These Mediums, Polymer broke out in the Philly music scene as one of the brightest up and coming bands...." Read More

I want to see them play live so badly.

Cat and Mandice dropped in over the phone lines (Matt and Candice - I got dyslexic and confused/mixed them up). With everything they told us, I think they've made me a fan for life. I love their energy, I love how put-together they are, organized, fun, talented...etc etc. They've been taking a break from playing live to tighten up their live performance; so if you happen to be in an area that they'll be playing in in the future, do not hesitate to haul out there and prepare to be amazed!

Click Here For Awesome

"In your arms I am safe now..."

2008-03-31T14:55:00.003-05:00

Monday, March 31st, 2008
The Lasting (podcast up soon)

"Throughout music history, between genres, and even the hybrids of genres there’s one class in particular that has a special place in everyone as well as standing the test of time: Rock and Roll. The Lasting wants to continue in that legacy. In a volatile music industry, with music being led by niche groups, the 4 guys in this band are filling a need in music by bringing back an era of deeply textured guitars, even deeper lyrics as well as soaring guitar solos and melodies that come from a level of musicianship that is rarely found in young bands today. The Lasting has not only tapped into creative and timeless music, but they have also received the full attention of Nashville. In 2006, the band was promptly signed to an Artist Development Deal with EMI CMG. They have truly hit the ground running since February of 2007, having already played 70+ shows across the eastern US. Currently, the band is plotting global domination."

Three unemployed dudes and a Starbucks barista make up what is, "The Lasting". ;-) Just kidding. I'm sure they're not unemployed...
Okay, I'm not that mean. Really.
The four-piece from Nashville, TN have a great rock/pop sound that targets a younger demographic; but yet they're still able to hook listeners from outside of that younger scene!

And they're sending me autographed underwear. Score.

Check out their website (www.myspace.com/thelastingrocks) and also listen to the podcast of the interview you might've missed. ;-) Link will be at the top of the post tomorrow!

There's more to life...

2008-03-28T16:48:00.005-05:00

Than being really, really ridiculously good looking.

I watched SOME of Zoolander a couple weeks ago. My brain cells? Yeah, they're gone.

Friday, March 28th, 2008
McClain (Listen to Podcast)

"We met in Los Angeles. We moved to New York. We moved to Nashville. We got married. We wrote some songs. We recorded an album. That should catch you up.

"McClain’s sweet harmonies, earnest songwriting and warm, full sound invokes memories of artists like Ryan Adams and Eastmountainsouth." -Arjan Writes (www.arjanwrites.com)

"It’s brilliant...Listen to “Central Park” - it’s the song that would have kept me from abandoning song-writing, had I written it." -Addison Road (www.addisonrd.com) "

Viking and I told Travis and Lindsay that we think they're both ridiculously good looking. Seriously, look how cute they are!

I'm not really one to be able to determine what is considered to be "good" Americana type music; a lot of what I've heard before had tended to be on the corny side and just turned me off altogether. But McClain might have changed my mind about the genre. Go decide for yourselves what you think; I think they're pretty neat!

Fallen Late

2008-03-26T13:56:00.003-05:00

Wednesday, March 26th, 2008
Latefallen (podcast up soon)

WHO'S LATEFALLEN?

Latefallen is a rising band based out of the competitive Toronto scene. (The Kings Of A&R newsletter used the words “Edgy, yet addictive, melodic-driven hard rock/alternative” to describe their powerful sound). The sound is a combination of heavy-influenced guitars, youthful energy and unrelenting melody, with a focus on actual songwriting that is rare in today’s music scene. Their music is a seamless merging of powerful melodies with a hardcore background. Stephan LaCasse’s vocals are drenched with emotion and melody. The attack of Vanya's thrashing yet elegant guitar-playing along with the rhythm section of Gregg Wolfe on bass and Bob Onyskiw on drums deliver the punch of Latefallen’s full sound.

“This music is intensely personal to us. We’ve invested a lot of energy and emotion into our songs. When we share these songs, we’re purging the energy and emotion that we’ve invested,” explains vocalist Stephan LaCasse. “It’s like showing ourselves from the inside-out, like a twisted kind of exhibitionism.”

“Our music is heavy, high-energy and melodic. That’s what we offer the music scene. No bullsht, no indy-cred posturing and no excuses,” says vocalist Stephan LaCasse. “We have a tight, professional, high-energy show and we have achieved our own sound within a crowded genre.”

Latefallen is putting the finishing touches on their debut full-length album, entitled "Bloody Kiss" which was mixed by Michael Barbiero (G'NR, Metallica, Maroon5, Evans Blue).

Their bio says it all! They're top-o-the-line, the creme of the crop; they are in fact the sharpest tool in the shed, the brightest crayons in the box; the lights are on upstairs and they're really home!
Vanya and Gregg called into the show in all of their hardcore fury and gave us the rundown of the band! Listen to the podcast, you know...the one that you probably missed if you didn't catch the interview. ;-)

ur doin it rong

2008-03-25T15:08:00.002-05:00

Monday, March 24th, 2008
Victory Lane (listen to podcast)

"THE VICTORY LANE STORY

Pittsburgh, PA powerpop rock quartet VICTORY LANE has one goal in mind; writing and performing songs at an extremely passionate level.

VICTORY LANE's story begins when Jason Romanus (guitar/vocals) and Jimi Romanus (bass) were joined by long time friends Pat Dee (drums) and Josh Morton (guitar/vocals) in the Fall of 2004.

VICTORY LANE spent the latter half of 2005 and first few months in 2006 writing close to 30 new songs. In March, the band headed 15 hours westward to Eudora, Kansas to record its latest effort at the infamous Black Lodge Studios (Motion City Soundtrack, The Get Up Kids, Houston Calls). The outcome is a five song EP full of hook driven choruses, well-developed emotional lyrics, and songs fit for radio airplay. The newest batch of songs shows how far the band has grown in the past year since the release of its April 2005 full-length album, LISTEN AND BELIEVE.

Drive Thru Records President Richard Reines on Victory Lane, "They are prolific songwriters and are constantly improving their craft. They are really good guys, and I hope they get the break they deserve. I will always help them out whenever I can."

VICTORY LANE has toured both the east coast and the midwest multiple times. The band has shared the stage with the likes of national acts Head Automatica, Gym Class Heroes, Halifax, The Violent Femmes, Spitalfield, HomeGrown, My American Heart, Mest, Punchline, Bayside, Socratic, Allister, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, and David Melillo to name some, as well as a spot on the 2005 and 2006 Vans Warped Tour."

They're from Pittsburgh, and one of their albums is called "The Kansas Sessions"...maybe they didn't quite ace geography is school? ;-)

Just kidding, guys. Jason Romanus called into the show on Monday morning and gave us the 411 on Victory Lane. Really funny interview, so go listen to it! The link's up there *points to northern region of page*. There are exciting things happening with this band, so listen to their stuff and give 'em support!

Wear tights. They don't bunch like panty hose, apparently.

2008-03-18T14:27:00.003-05:00

Tuesday, March 18th, 2008
Thick As Thieves (podcast up soon)

Thick As Thieves was formed in the summer of 2004 by guitarist Aaron Benson and drummer Mike Cotter. The two first met on an eastbound train from Chicago to Boston. During the course of the resulting conversation they realized that they shared many musical interests. Aaron was in the process of completing his MP&E major at a local music college but having just purchased a guitar, he was interested in getting involved in the process of songwriting. Mike had been playing drums from a young age but was forced to abandon the instrument to help his family recover from the locust plagues and drought that had devastated their farm in northern Illinois.

The Midwestern pair began composing lengthy guitar/drum arrangements that defied conventional timing and song structures. The songs generally originated in a brief guitar riff or a snippet of a beat before developing into full-blown tunes. Their work culminated in an experimental album called "Telemakos Airlines" and accompanying light show ofthe same name. While it was an artistic success, it lacked the immediacy and energy of a full band. After a lengthy discussion an effort was made to bring new players into the fold. Bassist Kellen Kleinfelter had been working on his own material while playing in a variety of local bands. He crossed paths with Aaron while the two were waiting in line at a vegan diner in Allston and found an immediate connection. At the same time in late August, Mike met an up and coming writer named Tyler Blake. He was persuaded to set aside the novel he had been working on and return to his first love: music.

After a string of noisy but fruitless rehearsals, the quartet began to come together. Despite getting banned from the first venue (thanks, Madison!) they played at, the band spent two years touring and writing songs. Inspired by a childhood spent next to the ocean, Tyler had written a 235 line poem called "Overshore & Undersky." This text became the framework for the band's first album, "We Planted Driftwood And Nothing Changed" which was released in May of 2006. A sophomore album entitled "True Believers In The Long Walk Home" will be released 5/2/08.

"On the bands debut, Thick as Thieves write songs that, for all their appealing hooks and smooth vocals, are filled with doubt and ambivalence. The band often plays with a tense, suspenseful softness, seemingly holding back while containing its sound within a limited frame...when Thick as Thieves is on, the sound is arresting"
Northeast Performer

"Although an average track length under four minutes isn’t usually the mark of what would be described as epic, these compositions are certainly worthy of the label. The group seamlessly transitions between numerous musical themes creating dynamic soundscapes and an engrossing musical experience sure to make listeners thankful that the quartet chose to form Thick as Thieves"
The Philler

The reviews go on and on and Thick As Thieves certainly deserve each and every one of them.
The Viking said to Tyler Littwin in the interview this morning, "Tyler, I think you guys have it."
I completely agree and can't think of any better words to describe them, so YEAH, listen to their music and give 'em all the support you can! They're releasing their new album on May 2nd! If you're out that way, be sure to drop by their CD release party!

Embrace the poop...don't ask.

2008-03-17T15:18:00.006-05:00

Friday, March 14th, 2008
Love You Long Time (listen to podcast)

"Love You Long Time has tapped into the youthful buoyancy and optimism that motivated synth-pop/dance-punk electronica in the past, something like being second cousins to the bands of the 80s." THE NEXT TO INHERIT THE THRONE OF SYNTH-POP." -Absolutepunk.net

Love You Long Tizzle are party rockers. Their live show is nutso to the max. Freestyle raps, breakdancing, keytars, lots of neon green stuff. Oz plays the microphone, Liam plays drums, Sal and Shane are married and Sally and Oz are brother and sister. Liam comes along for family dinners and visits to grandparents. The band just finnished its second 5 week western U.S. tour, is going back out on tour in December and is not stopping. PARTY TILL YOU'RE POOPED was released in April and has blogs buzzing already. When you see the band play give them an arm pump like Arsenio Hall. Party on. They've recently shared the stage with The Format, Dashboard Confessional, The Aquabats, MC Lars, Meg & Dia, Family Force Five and The Higher.

Love You Long Time has a special place in the portion of my brain that I store bits of pieces of awesome. I mean...just look at their pants.
Oz called into the show and put up with me and Codename (the Viking was out doing...lame stuff) and all of the questions that we had; be sure to listen to the podcast!
Listen to their stuff HERE and pick up their album while you're at it!

Monday, March 17th, 2008
Manna and Quail (podcast available soon)

Manna and Quail
By Jeff Milo
Jul 3, 2007, 12:23

With The Warmth of the Day:
Manna and Quail

Manna and Quail conjure grand, sweeping dream-pop narratives, forming surreal landscapes onto themselves ... a world in which one can easily get lost. M&Q is the vision of singer/pianist/guitarist Steve Saputo who, up until ‘05 had spent time honing his writing skills in another band that wasn’t getting off the ground. Towards its demise, Steve met drummer Adam Davis and after the friendship blossomed, Adam said he’d be happy to start a new band with Steve, on the condition that Steve branch off and start singing (as he’d been singing only back up in those days). With Steve singing, Adam invited his old friend Gjon Gegaj, intense performer and intrepid traveler of genres (from speed metal to Motown) to bring the bass groove while Steve’s friend from a previous band, Matt Walsh, brought his guitar.

With the stately pop-allure of the British invasion, the soft timbre of chamber pop and the swooning theatrics of progressive folk, Steve’s tunes are perfectly complemented by the incredible rhythm of Gjon and Adam and the dreamy-effects laden guitar of Matt. The songs are cathartic, dark and mystic, but always with an overture of hope.

“I don’t try,” said Steve, “in my personal life, to avoid emotional situations, I enjoy them, good or bad. Well, obviously I don’t enjoy the bad ones, but I just don’t avoid them and I think that comes out in the music.”

Amidst The Viking's fury unleashed when Barrack Obama, Oprah and Jeremiah A. Wright were spoken of, Steve, vocalist and pianist for Manna and Quail, called in to give us the heads up on what they're all about. Listen to the podcast for extra info and shoot...just go listen to their music!

Update!

2008-03-13T14:27:00.005-05:00

Wednesday, March 12th, 2008
A Dead Giveaway (listen to podcast)

For five and a half years now A Dead Giveaway has stood firm in the ever changing world of Kansas City local music. Remaining unaffected through pop-punk movements and metal chaos, these five young musicians have already weathered their fair share of fights, disappointments and insults.
Heaven, Hell, Earth and the Moon is a concept that A Dead Giveaway hopes to bring to life this coming summer with the release of their third studio album. A definite coming of age album for the band, Heaven, Hell, Earth and the Moon also hides a story that symbolizes the struggle we all face in our search for self worth.

They're a hard rock band in Independence, MO. They've been together for 5-6 years. They are...

A Dead Giveaway

They released their first album "In Loving Memory" in 05'. The album is dedicated to their good friend, Chris Gammin who had passed away the year before. The lyrics in the songs still bring out a lot of emotions from their fans, a lot of whom knew and were close to Chris. A second album is now in the works with plans for release this summer!

Be sure to listen to "In Loving Memory" on their myspace, and hey, while you're there, buy the album!

Thursday, March 13th, 2008
Gone By Daylight (Listen to Podcast)

In 1997 two friends recognized a dream and passion for rock & roll. Eric Paquette picked up a guitar in the 5th grade and joined his good friend Shaanan King who already had been playing the drums. By the next school year they were playing the town fireworks and sharing girlfriends. This would lay down the framework for a life long friendship and partnership as band mates. By the 7th grade Shaanan's older brother Jordan King joined the duo to round out the sound and make the trio mobile. The band that evolved to become Gone By Daylight, came to light when bass player Dan Rivera joined in the summer of 2005.

The band first decided to tour in early 2006. By March they self-booked a tour down the east coast to Florida and back. Using their first album Love Grooves to support themselves they stopped in every mall/public space selling the album to anyone who would listen. These initial introductions helped them establish relationships with people on the road. In the summer of 2006 Gone By Daylight hit the road for three weeks going again down to Florida and this time as far as Texas. Furthering the tactics they used on the first tour they sold over 500 copies of their disk during the three weeks they were out. It was during this time Gone By Daylight realized the road is where they need to be.

In 2007 Gone By Daylight worked hard to write and save enough money to record their next record. By April the band went into Big Blue Meanie Studios in Jersey City to record an album that captured the spirit of the band. This latest effort "Sold My Soul" was released in October of 2007 to a sold-out crowd of 600 plus people in the ballroom of the Pearl Street Night Club in Northampton, MA. They've gained support from numerous online and printed publications as well as radio stations. The momentum at home has further fueled the band to spread their music and message to the rest of the United States.

During the last two years of being a solid band they have gained a new sense of drive and direction beyond what kept them together since childhood. There dedication and passion to their dream and way of life has been evident in there unending self promotion at home and on the road. They introduce a modern and lively rock sound capturing music that will push forward without forgetting what has been laid out for them by rock n roll in the past. Gone by Daylight intends to tour nationally and spend every possible day on the road, sharing their energetic stage presence, catchy grooves and love for good times with everyone they meet.

Influenced by the classics, Gone By Daylight cranks out your basic rock-n-roll music that's a breath of fresh air in the independent realm. Unlike a lot of artists today, they're not worrying about obsessing over inner angst or other chronic emotional issues; they're there to have fun, and their lyrics are simply written to either tell you how it is, or to get you up and out of your seat.

You can buy their album "Sold My Soul" HERE!

Oh, hai!

2008-03-11T13:26:00.007-05:00

I've come to a conclusion that I never imagined I'd come to.

Sugar is bad for you.

Shocking, I know. But...so are artificial sweeteners. What's a girl to do?

Now before I get into this, don't believe that I'm jumping on the "Go Green!" band wagon. I know it's all the rage right now, but that's only because people have what my brother likes to call the "sheep mentality". If enough people jumped off a cliff and got Al Gore to support them, it'd be all the rage too.

I was visiting a good friend of mine in Monroe, Louisiana a couple weekends ago, and she'd just been visiting with her next door neighbor who knows pretty much everything there is to know about organic...everything. She'd found out that fresh-squeezed lemon or grapefruit mixed with water and a sweetener(optional) makes for a means of "cleansing your liver" (no, it's not painful, Viking). Now, this sweetener isn't SweetandLow or Equal (as I said before...those are bad for you because they actually make you retain fat as opposed to burning it (thanks Mom for the info!). It's an "herbal dietary supplement" made from the leafs of a plant called Stevia rebaudiana.

(THIS IS NOT POT, VIKING!)

Technically, it's original purpose was to be sold as a natural sweetener, but the FDA ruled it an "unsafe food additive" (BS!), so it now may only be legally sold in the States as a "herbal dietary supplement".

It's an all natural, zero-calorie sweetener that's literally 300 times more sweet than sugar. Can you really go wrong? (just don't put a cup of it in your batch of cookies)

No way on earth am I giving up sugar, but, this is a good alternative when you feel like making yourself feel better by eating green leafy crap. :-)

But this really doesn't have anything to do with bands. Here are our guests from the past two days!

Monday, March 11th, 2008
The Walks (listen to podcast)

Stop by their site and listen to there music HERE!

Tuesday, March 11th, 2008
Slow Motion Crash (listen to podcast)

"Formed in 2004, by Brian Fisher (vocals, guitar) and Ryan Holmes (guitar, vocals) longtime musical partners/friends decided to leave the bustling St. Louis music scene and relocate to Atlanta to peruse a new musical direction. After recruiting several Atlanta area musicians, the band formally known as Creve Coeur debuted “Vast and Danger" and caught a regional buzz.

2006 yielded many changes to the band in the form of a new band name that everyone could spell and remember, a more crafted refined band sound, and a new bassist, New Orleans native Melissa Giorgio to the fold.

In 2007, the band released their self-titled album to positive reviews and toured relentlessly in support opening for notable bands; The Start, Snowden, Forward Russia, and The Birthday Massacre. The material on the new album explores a wide-range of sounds and genre shifting. They infuse precise layering of melodic and discordant guitar riffs, big bottom bass ends, unobtrusive semi-electronic landscapes, and dance-laden drums.

With the latest band member additions of Atlanta natives Joshua Broughton (keys, vocals) and Jason Curtis (drums) firmly in place, the band will continue to craft material that fuses their love of post punk, shoegazer, and electronic music to foster their own unique distinct voice and create an environment where any music fan can harmoniously coexist."

Read their full band bio HERE!

For all of you in the Atlanta area, they're going to be playing at these locations on these dates:

Mar 22 2008

9:00P

THE DEPOT -w/ Tx/Rx + The Swear

Covington, Georgia

May 16 2008

9:00P

SOHO -w/ The Winter Sounds

Columbus, Georgia

(Sweet...myspace copies and pastes that format)

Their album is available HERE! Be sure to check it out; their sound incorporates a conglomeration of warm tones and sounds from so many different genres. It's very intriguing!

-Blondie

Did you know...

2008-03-06T13:21:00.004-06:00

...that St. Patrick wasn't Irish?

Nor was he canonized by a Pope?

can·on·ize [kan-uh-nahyz] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –verb (used with object), -ized, -iz·ing.

1.	Ecclesiastical. to place in the canon of saints.

2.	to glorify.

3.	to make canonical; place or include within a canon, esp. of scriptural works: They canonized the Song of Solomon after much controversy.

4.	to consider or treat as sacrosanct or holy: They canonized his many verbal foibles and made them gospel.

5.	to sanction or approve authoritatively, esp. ecclesiastically.

6.	Archaic. to deify.

Kinda makes you wonder why on earth half the world paints their faces green and chugs bottles of Guiness 'till they hurl!

But then again...who really needs a reason? *grin*
*Disclaimer - I don't drink Guinness 'till I hurl.*

Wednesday, March 5th, 2008
Rantings of Eva (listen to podcast)

"With a buttery smooth, vocally-centered sound, Rantings of Eva rapidly made a name for themselves on the local music circuit in Atlanta, and has kept their reputation pristine for the past six years by delivering performances of the highest caliber every single time they hit a stage. With an emphasis on dramatic and sumptuous music, Rantings of Eva delivers the type of sound you won’t find from any other band available to you today, unsigned or not. They practice the elusive technique of variety in their music, making each song quite different from the rest, a feat not easily or readily accomplished by the majority of mediocre bands in the pool today, and that’s what sets Rantings of Eva apart from everyone else you’ve heard.

Rantings of Eva has added appeal, as they cater to the taste of music fans across genres from alternative to pop to those who love a more obscure “indie” feel – it matters not who is listening, only that they’re responding in a positive way, and for very good reason.

Rantings of Eva’s latest recording was done with Jason Elgin of Synchromesh Studios (Wayne, Haste, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster). Lowering the Curtain on Memphis boasts a collection of tunes that are tried and true. A testament to this is the fact that the track “Infrared” has been on the top of Garage Band’s Alternative Rock Chart for a number of weeks and remains there still. They’re also the only band to have not one, but two tracks (“Still Holding On”) currently listed in the top 20. The newest single, “Bright Side,” has received accolades from bloggers and Internet streamed radio, such as Break Thru Radio and Cable & Tweed.

Southeast print publications are buzzing about Rantings, as well. Their live performances were featured in the October 2006 and January 2007 issues of Southeast Performer."

In my mind, Rantings of Eva has accomplished something many bands today struggle with. Having the ability to produce songs that each have a very unique air about them. From hearing their tracks, it's evident that listeners will be able to sit through their new record (soon to be released) without sensing any redundancy of any kind.

Check out their myspace HERE and keep an eye out for the release date of their record!

What's kickin'?

2008-03-03T14:20:00.002-06:00

Monday, March 3rd, 2008
The Four Kicks (podcast up soon)

"This Nashville based band is bringing music back to the melodic roots pioneered by The Beatles, The Eagles, Rod Stewart, and Van Morrison. They are currently playing shows around the country, rapidly increasing their fan base with every chosen venue. The Four Kicks is comprised of members Jordan Phillips, Adam Stark, Gabe Anderson, and Lucas Cummins.

In 2004, Jordan brought his vision for a rock band from Atlanta to Nashville. For the first two years, Jordan honed in on his songwriting talents and began preparing songs that would be released on the debut EP “Jordan Phillips and The Four Kicks”. As fate would have it, Jordan was randomly selected to room with current band member Adam Stark. Adam, a Nashville native, came to college with a very similar vision of his own: to be a soul-filled singer/songwriter with mild rock undertones. Having an eclectic musical palette and a very strong background in rock music, Adam was open to the idea of being in a band with Jordan. They began writing together and immediately found a connection. With the help of bass player and long time friend Gabe Anderson (Staples, Minnesota) and drummer Lucas Cummins (Atlanta, Georgia), the group released their 2007 EP, which was recorded with producer/engineer Mike Odmark (Tyler James, Emily Clark, Jars of Clay).

The Four Kicks’ guitar-driven rock features honest and unpretentious lyrics that portray a key value of the band. That value is musical integrity. “We’re not like other rock bands, we don’t try to be something we’re not…we sing honest music that resonates in all of us…our goal isn’t to portray the rock n roll lifestyle it is to make genuinely relevant music”. The Four Kicks offer well-crafted songwriting along with hooky harmonies from singers Jordan, Adam, and Gabe. All tied into one energetic rock show that is guaranteed to keep you on your feet. One show is all it will take to become a fan."

"Kid Tested, Mother Approved!" The Four Kicks are a driven and down-to-earth band based in Nashville, TN, with a sound that leaves nothing to be desired. And on top of that, they love cowbell.

Listen to them HERE, buy their album HERE, and of course, don't forget to listen to the podcast from the show (which will be up tomorrow morning)!

Lineup For Next Week!

2008-02-29T14:21:00.002-06:00

Our scheduled guests for next week:

Monday:

The Four Kicks

Wednesday:
Rantings of Eva

Thursday: Tentative Guest

Friday:
Impulsive Decision

Stay tuned! :-)

-Blondie

I'm not the milk and cheerios in your spoon.

2008-02-29T13:49:00.005-06:00

Friday, February 29th, 2008
First Ave (listen to the podcast)

Two college students, an ESPN Employee, and...someone else with a full-time-job (thanks Paul for not telling us what he does!), make up the almost entirely left-handed, four-piece band, "First Ave".

Having released their album "The Big Time", the low-key band mates are doing their best to get their music out to the general Connecticut area by taking it easy and generating a huge home fan-base!

Paul Chasse called into the show and we really got a great chance to be able to get to know him, and they sound like they have a really great thing going (not to mention the fact that they sound amazing)! Paul and Joe (drummer) have known each other since highschool, and since being at college they've befriended and met the other two of their band mates; John (bass) and Tim (guitar and vocals). Listen to the podcast to get the scoop on that and their crazy left-handed guitar stories.

Listen to these fine fellas HERE and buy their album while you're at it!

From the land of much beer taxation...

2008-02-28T17:14:00.007-06:00

...comes forth Slowking!

Thursday, February 28th
SlowKing (listen to the podcast, man)

They sound like "the low moan of a barking sea horse during rush hour traffic"

Guitar teacher, guitarist and vocalist, Luke Michielsen called in for the second time on the show! Last time he called in, we goofed and forgot to give him the local number. Since he's in Canada, toll-free numbers don't work too well for him.

Slowking has been together for two years, and have been playing shows for a year and a half.
Luke and drummer, Matthew Comper came up with the idea of the band "from doing the university, party, thing", and upon hearing the cover bands that played at them, they thought,"Common, we can write better songs than Kiss and Neal Diamond!"
A few childhood/university friends later, SlowKing was formed and they released their first album, "Rival Cities" in October of 2007.

You can see their beautiful faces HERE, and you can order their album HERE, and see the remote city that they live in HERE (listen to the podcast and you'll see why we must educate everyone where Guelph is)

Much lurv,
-Blondie

Lolcat Approves

2008-02-27T18:21:00.003-06:00

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008
The Wading Girl (podcast up soon)

"Hi, we're The Wading Girl, and we're an American band based in the Roanoke Valley in Southwestern Virginia. We play rock n' roll music that finds it's influence in many places, from punk to Americana, and we try to use these things that we love to make our own sound. We sing about our friends, our families, religion, politics, whiskey, books, traveling, geography, and love (both lost and found). Sometimes we sing about all of the above at the same time. We ride around in our bright red van and play shows. We've undergone a lot of changes in our three years of existence; we've played in a lot of different places, met a lot of people and made a lot of friends (and maybe some enemies?). We've self-released two full length albums. We're currently working on another one. We try our damnedest to be honest and real in what we do. We don't like writing bios. Chances are we'll be on tour soon. Maybe we'll see you. "These kids can give you loud, rockin' guitars with great hooks or they can dial it back a notch and give you soft melodies and heartfelt lyrics." – My Old Kentucky Blog "The genius of the Wading Girl is that the band makes it look so easy, as if writing sparkling, perfect pop was as pedestrian as purchasing stamps." – The Roanoke Times "

Fixing to head off on a tour down the east coast and back, the trio (plus friends who fill in for certain instrument parts) Sarah, Billy and Josh make up the Raonoke, VA based band, The Wading Girl. Sarah and Billy called into the show this morning and gave us some details about the band ranging from how they met, down to the custom album art they created for their CD's.

Listen to the podcast come tomorrow morning! The link will be posted!

Catching up! I promise!

2008-02-27T16:46:00.002-06:00

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008
GreyTide (listen to podcast)

"GREY TIDE HAS A SOUND THAT IS UNLIKE MOST BANDS OUT THERE TODAY. IT'S CLEAN, MATURE, AND ORIGINAL. THE SINGER IS A FUTURE STAR THAT KNOCKS YOU ON YOUR *REAR (edited for content) WHEN YOU SEE HIM AT THEIR LIVE SHOW. YOU CAN'T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF HIM. THESE GUYS ARE GOING PLACES." -Josh Grabelle, President, Trustkill Records

"Melding the sounds of the post hardcore underground, Euro-pop and the
genre once known as art rock, Grey Tide forges upon a musical wilderness
where many have been afraid to tread. Hailing from the upstate region of
Central New York, Grey Tide has a powerful and hypnotic rhythm section
(Daniel Bebber, Bass and Steve Lowe, Drums) sculpted together with a dual
guitar attack (Devin Chavis and Brandon Smith), brought full circle by a
unique and stylized vocalist (Dj Hopkins). Grey Tide paints a musical
landscape with both broad strokes and fine detail. They are more than a
band. They are artists."

DJ (AKA: The Singer Vocalist Dude) and Devin (AKA: The Laughing Guy) joined me and The Viking (The Tamborine Cowbell Playing Dude) yesterday on the show. Listen to the podcast and get the history of why they call themselves GreyTide, how they came to be a group, and how they think the independent music world is changing the way everyone looks at music.

Blam!

2008-02-22T13:20:00.006-06:00

Friday, February 22nd, 2008
Easton Legacy (listen to the podcast...seriously)

Brian, Charles, Jesse, Joe, and Ryan all called the show in their fury of awesomeness. Anyone that can make The Viking and I laugh for an entire interview is "A-Okay" in our book. I could say a lot about these guys, but the podcast actually says it all a lot better than I could! So listen to it, and be sure to check out their website, and order their album that they made by shutting themselves up in their studio with no contact with the outside world. That's dedication, folks.

Code Black Video

Get this video and more at MySpace.com

-Blondie

She’s the kind of girl that smiles when you wake up, She really loves the beach and she’s pretty without makeup.

2008-02-21T16:09:00.003-06:00

She listens to Johnny Cash and Dylan too,
I’m glad I found you, I’m so glad I found you.

- The Bumper Sticker Song by Last November

Speaking of which...

Thursday, February 21st, 2008
Last November (listen to podcast)

Luke Pilgrim - Guitar & Vocals
Tyler Ayers - Bass
Chris Jones - Guitar, Keys & Vocals
Taylor Woodruff - Drums & Vocals

"An honest feel pours out every time Last November takes stage. Their fans are absolutely amazing, and their word of mouth has pushed the band to true heights. Playing small towns, college and major metro venue shows. Last November has taken all the beauties and beast the road can offer. Their intention of spreading their sound by just continuing in their efforts is truly paying off.

Last November is a band that quickly exceeds expectations. Their debut release, entitled all the gory details is a compilation of honest, thought-provoking lyrics that echo passionately through the voice of lead singer Luke Pilgrim. The album featured on "The Real World" and other MTV shows, is undeniably artistic, filled with indie rock-influenced tunes that will leave you wondering where this band has been hiding." Read More...

We've had two firsts on Blondie and The Viking in the past couple of days! Yesterday we interviewed our first contemporary Christian band (Fairgreen), and today we interviewed our first band that is signed to a label! Funky, huh? (yes we have permission to play their stuff; don't worry)

But anyway! As I'm sure you've guessed, Last November is the band that is signed to a label (Southern Track Records)! Luke Pilgrim, guitarist, vocalist, graphics artist and music mastermind, called into the show and even through his head cold, managed to answer every question I had (which was a lot...it's cool having a completely different aspect to look at seeing that they're on the other side of the "signed" spectrum).

Their sophomore album, "Over The Top, Or Under The Weather" is scheduled to be released in stores March 13th for $12.99, but if you hurry and order their Pre-Order Package, you can get a signed copy of the album, a bumper sticker, and two band merch buttons for $7.99 (sign me up!).

Last November "The Bumper Sticker Song"

Are you as fair as the green grass grows?

2008-02-20T16:12:00.002-06:00

Fairgreen is! And they're right nice too!

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008
Fairgreen (podcast up soon)

They're fair. They're green. They have rockin' t-shirts and album art (OKAY SORRY, I know I comment on art a lot, but hey...it's a compliment!), AND they sound awesome to boot.

"Every band now days claims to be that new revolutionary sound, with total originality. But what ever happened to just making good music with a good message, and letting the listener decide just how revolutionary you sound. Its not always all about the fastest guitar solo, or the quickest bassline, but more about how much that song moves the listener. Fairgreen is a christian band, who writes christian songs intended to uplift anyone out there who may feel like its time to give up."

Kenny and John called in to give us the scoop on the band and as I listened to them, I really liked how chill they were about what they do. It's simple: work hard and do what you're called to do to the best of your ability, and boom - life is good.

SO, order their EP HERE! And check out their merch while you're at it. Also, they have a tour coming up and YOU need to look at their tour-dates to see if they're coming to a city near you.

Here's their video for their song: "Don't Look Back".

Fairgreen "Don't Look Back"

Add to My Profile | More Videos

The day after tomorrow is the third day of the rest of your life.

2008-02-18T13:39:00.004-06:00

Time gets away from you. It's like butter. Butter slopped in grease. Buttery, grease footprints on a slick, icy sidewalk.

CATCHING UP FROM THE WEEKEND:

Friday, February 15th, 2008
SlowKing (listen to podcast)

Poor lead vocalist and guitarist, Luke Michielsen. Bless his heart, I didn't give him the local number to call into the show with (he's in Canada), so twenty minutes of his interview time went up in smoke due to my negligence. But don't worry! We're in 2nd interview scheduling negotiations! He'll be back!

"SlowKing is about playing good music and having fun doing it."
Being together for two-years and only having played live shows for one year, Slowking has released their debut album "Rival Cities" with ten complete songs on it. (Order Album Here)

"I guess you'd say that it's the lyricism of that music that's always appealed to me," Michielsen says. "For some reason I've always felt that it's given me more of a sense of empowerment. I get that feeling from bands like Depeche Mode, Blur, and Radiohead too. I suppose I'm partial to most bands that come from Britain." - The Guelph Mercury Read More...

Friday, February 15th, 2008
Stairwell Collapse (listen to podcast)

Originally an acoustic side project, Stairwell Collapse has evolved into a full-fledged rock/pop/indie band with a mighty internet presence. Vocalist Mike Buchanan, guitarist Rick Craft, and drummer Billy Toti called into the show with exuberance, looking for more cowbell.

The Virginia Beach, VA band have been fighting a battle against the "severe uprising of screamo bands" in their area. "We're trying to do something different."
Having yet to debut an album or EP, their song "The Empathy Of" on their myspace has an incredible play-count of over 58K, showing the power of internet and "word of mouth" publicity.

I got a cute message from one of their fans this morning via myspace:

"Hey guys... just heard your interview with Stairwell Collapse (and yes, it's StairWELL, not StairWAY Viking... grrrr) and wanted to say thanks for having them on :) They are really amazing guys and I know they're going to be huuuuge soon. I've supported them since the beginning and I'm not going anywhere :D Annnnnnd on that note, I'd love it if you could also put the link to their merch store on your page :)

It's and the new shirt looks like this

Come on! Order a t-shirt (or FIVE!) :D They'll love you for it and so will I (awwwwwwwwwwwww) "

You heard the woman! Go listen to their music and order their t-shirt! Or five!
(Oh, and major props to their myspace page art and album art)

Monday, February 18th, 2008
The Everyday Visuals (podcast up soon)

The Everyday Visuals is a group of five young gentlemen playing rock music with independent spirit. The current line up was formed in the spring of 2006:

Christopher Pappas (Vocals, guitar, keyboards) has an irrational fear of being a passenger in a fast moving car and cries every time he hears the Durfle Requiem.

Eli Scheer (Guitar, vocals, keyboards) has a family member in every U.S. time zone and likes to meet people with a good story to tell.

Joseph Seiders (Drums, vocals, keyboards) should eat more vegetables and panics when he feels his heart beating.

Chris Zembower (Bass, vocals) would rather read a textbook than a fiction novel and doesn't run when he gets caught in the rain.

Kyle Fredrickson (Guitar, keyboards) is frequently late and at age 16 hid the first electric guitar he bought from his mother for three months.

"The Everyday Visuals have the makings of serious rock gods among mere rock men...The band just clicks and you can’t help but want to join them, dance upon (read: worship) the very ground before them." - WERS (88.9 FM)

These guys are practically TogiNet Alumni! They've been our friends since last September - October, and did an interview with us at around the same time we first came in contact with them. They'd just signed with booking agency "Concerted Efforts" and were pretty dang stoked about it. They said that signing with a great booking agency was more important to them than finding a record label.
Since then, they've been playing shows and doing a bit of winter hibernation to create a new album, tentatively to be released in the fall of 08'. (woot!)
ALSO, some big news for them - they produced a music video to their song "Dance and Holler", directed by their friend Sam Molleur. Check it out.

OH and before I forget (I had published this post and then remembered what I FORGOT!)

Our guest lineup this week:

Wednesday: Fairgreen
Thursday: Last November
Friday: Easton Legacy

Cup o' Java?

2008-02-12T12:13:00.000-06:00

That's my motto!

Monday, February 11th, 2008 (listen to PodCast)
The Mocha Band

Adam, Lantz, Parker, Jacob and Zach are the members that make up the warm, flavorful tones of Oklahoma City's, "The Mocha Band".
Being able to take advantage of Oklahoma's prestigious indie music scene, it won't be long before their fan base begins to take off as they play at venues such as the Bricktown Ballroom, and The Opolis.
Check out their tunes HERE!

Tuesday, February 12th, 2008
Phar Fletcher (podcast up soon)

"Phar Fletcher is a group of musicians, students of the craft of making and playing music. Categorically speaking, modern rock/alternative would nail it down, but would grossly underestimate the number and variety of influences drawn from to create the sound that defines Phar Fletcher. Growing from influences of power from the likes of Weezer, the Black Crowes, Seattle grunge, and Michael Jackson Maturing from influences of lyrical relevancy and realism from artists such as Charlie Daniels, Kurt Cobain, Brandon Boyd, Ronnie Van Zant, and Eminem Humbled by influences of taste and dynamics from such artists as Sade, The Police, and Vertical Horizon, Phar Fletcher has harvested an anti-generic sound that is easily recognized and related to. In its four years in existence, Phar Fletcher has garnished awards, won battles of bands, opened for some of the hottest national acts, and had songs riding the airwaves." Read More...

Every time I look at that picture, I think, "Because they're hardcore like that."

Phar Fletcher has worked hard over the past four years to establish themselves and a fan base in the deep southern states by playing in clubs and venues reaching all the way to Baton Rouge, LA. Nocturnal lead vocalist, Les Hall, says that they're all able to support themselves with the band and live comfortably, but it's been a hard road having to implement and develop a cover-band aspect to their name to book as many gigs as they have. "People want to hear a song they know". Apart from the fans of their original music, they find that once they have fans that've only heard their cover-songs, it's easy to get their EP's and the news about their up and coming full-length album into their hands.

Check out their music HERE!

Oh, and also! Tune in tomorrow morning to listen for our guests from Lansdowne!

-Blondie

Hang in there, buddy.

2008-02-08T14:54:00.000-06:00

Valentines Day (Singles Awareness Day) is around the corner. Starting Monday, you'll either be giddy with Valentines anticipation, or softly nestling into a week-long bout of misery.

EITHER WAY! Hang in there! *huge thumbs up* ;-)

Friday, February 8th, 2008
Band Marino (podcast up soon)

" Hello fine feathered friends, We at Band Marino are pleased that you could join us for jolly exchanges and improvisational dance moves. Our first full length release "The Sea & The Beast" is available on iTunes, our website, and come March 4, 2008 it will be available in just about any indie record shop! In addition, we did the soundtrack/score to a feature film, "The Last Romantic", which made it's debut at SXSW Film 2006 and is currently playing at both U.S. & international film festivals. The cast includes James Urbaniak (American Splendor, Henry Fool, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind), and Shalom Harlow (Vanilla Sky, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days). We will be touring throughout most of 2008, so keep on checking back to see if we'll be in your area! If you would like to know more, we suggest you head on over to www.bandmarino.net for a good ole time!"

He ages like fine wine. He can be likened unto George Clooney, but without the surgeries to stay lookin' good. His name is Bond. Nathan Bond. (no...really)
He was chosen among the band members to come as a representative for all that is Band Marino, and came prepared for anything we threw at him. Including sheep.

No but seriously. They're an extremely well put together band, with kick-rear album art, dedication, motivation, and a sound that is influenced by all kinds of different artists ranging from The Pixies, to Johnny Cash. They're heading out on a nation-wide tour later this month, including South By South West and some stuff with PureVolume.

Now, this is a really cool part. They've been able to get their album into indie stores across the nation. So click on this banner and type in your city to find a store NEAR YOU that carries it!

Check back on Monday morning, and listen to the show to enjoy the musings of "The Mocha Band".

Have a safe weekend,
-Blondie

You fill up my senses like the mountains in springtime, like a walk in the rain, like a storm in the desert, like a sleepy blue ocean...

2008-02-07T15:16:00.000-06:00

...Come let me love you, let me give my life to you,
let me drown in your laughter, let me die in your arms,
let me lay down beside you, let me always be with you.
Come let me love you, come love me again.

- Annie's Song by John Denver

"Denver "wrote this song in about ten-and-a-half minutes one day on a ski lift" to the top of Bell Mountain in Aspen, Colorado as the physical exhilaration of having "just skied down a very difficult run" and the feeling of total immersion in the beauty of the colors and sounds that filled all senses inspired him to think about his wife." (Compliments of Wikipedia: AKA - Fountain of Knowledge)

This song is my new obsession. I'm a sucker for lyrics followed up by a story like that. Even though he eventually divorced her, and his second wife...and then died.

Thursday, February 7th, 2008
The Coming Weak (listen to podcast)

The Coming Weak officially formed in December of 2006 in a small apartment above a garage in northern Rhode Island. We are just four guys who eat, sleep, breathe and live music. We have been playing all our lives, this is the end result.

"...this is the end result"...Well, The Viking and I think it's a very good end result. We were genuinely delighted talking to lead vocalist Tim White, and drummer John Berard for a good forty-five minutes this morning.
I think for me, they represent what independent artistry is about: Working your proverbial tail off until you get where you want to be.
The members of The Coming Weak have built their band up from ground zero; handling both sides of having/being in a band: the creativity side, in writing and playing all of their own music, and the business side, in booking their own shows, tours, studio time, and all of which that entails (it's a lot!). And on top of that, they sound absolutely amazing.

Check them out HERE, and order their EP titled "Consider This".

Also! Be sure to listen to the show tomorrow to check out our guests, "Ban d Marino"

In other news! The Viking just ordered this on a t-shirt.

He's achieved new levels of "awesome" upon purchase..ment.

Until tomorrow,
-Blondie

(Instrumental)

2008-02-06T15:13:00.000-06:00

Contrary to popular belief, when you are singing Karaoke, you're not supposed to say/sing everything the screen puts up in front of you. IE: (Instrumental)

Ron Burgandy can attest to that.

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
The Letters (Listen to the PodCast)

"Current members include Jeramy Krone, Layne Mcnish, Rachel Rome and Kirk Melton.
In a Hot Topic in 2006 Rachel and Jeramy meet. They performed for about 6 months under the band name "The Euphemism." Playing song to include, Missing, Hopeful/Desperate, Cycles, and Winter. With one demo thus far, "Winter EP." The current live lineup is Jeramy Krone-Rhythm guitar-Lead Vocalists, Rachel Rome- Lead Vocals and Guitar,Layne Mcnish on Cello and Keyboard, and Kirk Melton-Bass. *All Music written by Jeramy Krone and Rachel Rome*"

While The Viking was out sick (he contracted malaria from the swamps of Nicaragua), DJ Johnny Hotcakes was kind enough to fill in for him! We had The Letter's Jeramy Krone and Rachel Rome as guests on the show! The witty pair dazzled us with their humor and intellect (they're talented, too), and we were indeed amused. So check out the podcast!

Wednesday, February 6th, 2008
RedFlecks (listen to the podcast)

"I looked them up on Myspace and after validating that I wouldn’t be making an embarrassment of myself, I dragged my ‘sound engineer/hip-hop producing/musical snob’ housemates out to support. We didn’t really expect what we saw and heard that night. We were in awe of everything about this Nashville-based band, but mostly by how much they convinced us. They stood on stage and believed that what they were giving us was worthy. The conversations came to a complete halt and it was like that for the rest of the assembled crowd as well - people were actually paying attention to this band…” Live gig review @ The Annex, NYC by freelance writer, Tamsyn ten Krooden"

The Viking and I had the privilege of interviewing these lovely, lovely people from Nashville, TN. Absolutely brimming with talent and ambition, releasing a second EP titled, "The Shiny Part" on the 18th, and even going on a South African tour next month! Check out their music; you won't be disappointed.

Tune in tomorrow morning to catch The Coming Weak!

Until next time (one day when I'm not distracted - Johnny's waving his armpits at me),
-Blondie

RedFlecks! Tomorrow morning!

2008-02-05T11:10:00.000-06:00

New Guest Graphic: Applying to all guests...NOW

2008-02-05T08:18:00.001-06:00

Do you eat all of your vegetables?

2008-01-31T08:26:00.001-06:00

Half Past Noon has NEW STUFF!

Go check it out.

(click on bright orange banner *motions towards top of page*)

She said "I think I'll go to Boston, I think I'll start a new life..."

2008-01-29T16:15:00.000-06:00

Lyrics in title compliments of Augustana.

SPEAKING OF LYRICS, I got my sheet music in the mail for Journey's "Open Arms". Try and pry me away from my 1980 Yamaha Piece-o-Crap Keyboard tonight.

But anyway! Back to this! Hey guys. :-) It's been a while since our last update! In the past month we've interviewed:

Sugar Lime Blue (listen to the podcast)
(These guys have rocked our show since pretty much the beginning! Special props to them!)

"Sugar Lime Blue is capturing listeners with its grooving style of blues infused rock. Drawing from an ever expanding list of original material and far reaching covers, SLB will keep listeners on their toes waiting to hear what is next and how it is going to be played. Pulling from staple R&B artist like Otis Redding, Al Green and Bill Withers, classic jam style bands like Little Feat and the Grateful Dead, and current day rockers like Sheryl Crow, and the Black Crowes, Sugar Lime Blue pulls off a retro type of vibe with a sound that you probably won't be able to compare immediately to any one artist." - Sugar Lime Blue

Mike Ringle r (podcast up soon)

Order his CD HERE!
"The World Inside My Mind"
****4 Stars: "Fantastic vision and talent. Putting a forward vision on an established form is what this music is all about; an invigorating yet comfortable place in our lives.This music keeps us grounded, yet moves us forward. Do not hesitate to explore the places that Mike takes us to. Highly Recommended."
Record World - August 2007"

The Age of Rockets (listen to the podcast)

"We are The Age of Rockets. We live in New York City. We make music together because we love each other and have fun making it. We are a small baby unsigned band but hope to one day grow big and strong. Our music is made mostly on laptops and keyboards. We are currently expanding to include a giant orchestra! I know we have a few friends on this myspace thing but we like to talk so don't hesitate to send messages. I think we can all agree talking is fun." -The Age of Rockets

Leaving London (listen to the podcast)
(THEY MADE A FREAKING AWESOME PROMO FOR US! :-) Thanks guys!)

"We went to college.We Lived in the same dorm. We jammed. We drank. Sean and Marty had songs. Mikey and Mike had skills. We formed." - Leaving London

Goodnight LA (listen to the podcast)

"GOODNIGHT LA's soulful but upbeat, piano-driven pop rock is as catchy and bouncy as it is emotional and heartfelt. GOODNIGHT LA is preparing to release their new highly anticipated EP. Produced by George Balogi (The Hush Sound), at Chicago's Gravity Studios, the EP, titled "You Know Me," has stirred up a lot of buzz even before its official release. Using the power of the Internet to add legions of new fans to their already impressive fan base, GOODNIGHT LA heads out on the road for a winter/spring tour later this year. Make sure to catch them on tour so you can tell your friends you were the first to know them!" - Goodnight LA

J.T. Hubbell (listen to the podcast)

"J.T. recorded his album, One of a Dyin' Breed, in Nashville, TN with some of the top musicians in country music. Mark Burchfield, Chris Leuzsinger, Gary Smith, Brian Fullen, Tommy White, and Wanda Vick played on the CD. Russell Terrell and Jenifer Thompson sang the background vocals." - J.T. Hubbell

The Hatch (listen to the podcast)

"Formed in St. Louis, now Brooklyn based pop/rock group, The Hatch, channels Michael Jackson, Elton John, The Band, The White Stripes and Jon Brion into a sound on their debut LP, FIT TO BURST. The band employs an indie-rock business model to drive forward its radio-ready rock songs dressed in RnB style. We do this ourselves... our own apartment, our own equipment, our own drive... A finalist on FOX's The Next Great American Band, with just about 20,000 friends on MySpace, and the experience of opening for national acts such as Phantom Planet, Plain White T's, Live, and Robert Randolph, The Hatch is poised to catch today's desensitized pop fan off guard." - The Hatch

The Viking and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these bands and listening to their music. Be sure to check out their tunes on their websites, or you could EVEN catch their stuff on Blondie and The Viking. You know when and where. :-)

SOON TO COME! Another post with more commentary on our aforementioned and upcoming band interview-ees, as well as some mirth and/or sarcasm (which no blog should be without).

You stay classy San Diego,
-Blondie

Mristmas Cherry

2007-12-26T11:43:00.000-06:00

Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveler, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home! ~Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836

Hello everyone!

I hope you all had a very merry Christmas, and that you're anticipating the New Year with hopes, plans, dreams, goals and expectations; and all of this in thankfulness and acknowledgment of our heavenly Father's sovereignty and grace.

*The Viking and I got you all presents (yes, all of you), but I regret to inform you that the truck carrying all of said gifts from the thrift store, tragically blew up, plunged into the ocean, and died.
Nevertheless! We have one thing to offer you, and that is US, talking to YOU, on TogiNet Radio, four times a WEEK! No, you may not have the gift receipt.

Last week, we had the priviledge of featuring and talking to four different bands/artists! Those of which include, Lansdowne, The Mint, Shapiro, and Emily Jane.

From Lansdowne, we talked with drummer, Glenn Mungo. Such a nice guy! He was very excited and eager to talk about the band, as well as promote their tour in the Middle East that's going on into the first week of the new year (we love people who like to talk)! These guys really have it together, and their music shows it.

From The Mint, we got to talk to the ever lovable, dry, witty sarcasm that encompasses lead vocalist, Jon. Apparently even his unborne child has seen Airplane when I have not. Great guy, great sounding band, definitely check their music out!

On Wednesday, we talked to John Granofsky from Shapiro! They are a band hailing from Harrisonburg, VA, consisting of two brothers, their cousin, and a mutual friend of the three. The talented foursome named their band "Shapiro" after the aforementioned mutual friend, "Carl Shapiro", because "Granofsky" just isn't a name that people will remember.

Emily Jane from here in Tyler, TX came on the show on Thursday. Her style of music is unlike anything we've had the privilege of playing on TogiNet; truly unique in the genuine purity of her voice, and the upbeat tempos and lyrics that accompany it! I understand that her website is currently undergoing a makeover (www.emilyjanemusic.com), but keep an ear out for her music on Blondie and The Viking while that's going on!

Last, but definitely not least! This morning (Wednesday the 26th), we had an hour-long chat with two of the four fellas from the Moscow, ID based blog, "Half Past Noon".
Chris Aberle and Austin Storm, former students of New Saint Andrews College, striving to give glory to God in everything that they write, battle the every-day monotony and whining of blogging with their well researched insight into modern-day (and not so modern-day) issues ranging anywhere from pop-culture, to politics and theological misconceptions of the masses.
"We want you to laugh because the Lord came once, conquered death, crushed our enemies under his heel, and purchased the world for us. We want you to be dancing when he comes again." Read More...

Anyway! That about wraps up my update for the week! I'll be back after New Years with some more news and things to make you go "Hmmm"!

Stay safe, don't drink and drive, and please...please don't blow anything up.

-Blondie
*Gift bearing truck and witty wordage, compliments of The Foreigner, Eh?

Coming up!

2007-12-12T16:22:00.000-06:00

Here are a couple things coming up next week!

Blondie and The Viking
Monday, December 17th. 11AM-1PM EST

With guests: LANSDOWNE
From: Boston, MA

"Leaving Boston is a fantastic radio-ready rock EP that sounds ready to trigger a huge creative leap in the near future....Continued perseverance and creative advancement will put Lansdowne on the map in a big way...Boston has no lack of great bands, but very few leave the lasting impression of Lansdowne." - Tony Pascarella, Album Reviewer for AbsolutePunk.net, 1/30/07

Blondie and The Viking
Tuesday, December 18th. 10AM-12PM EST

With guests: THE MINT
From: Lancaster, PA

"What does The Mint mean?
The name is derived from the ancient latin word, the mintus, which means coal digging monkeys.

What inspires you guys?
Wikepedia.

Does "Love is Vapor" stand for anything?
It stands for freedom and the constant pursuit for clean natural gas."
Read More

Blondie and The Viking
Thursday, December 20th. 10AM-12PM EST

With Guest: EMILY JANE
From: Tyler, TX

"Absolutely Amazing.....Voice.....Looks.....and Songs.
From Stirring ballads to edgy mainstream Pop & Rock,
Emily sings her songs with energy and emotion."

Diet Dr. Pepper is NOT the devil.

2007-12-12T16:12:00.000-06:00

Good afternoon, everyone!

As you can see, we've temporarily relocated to BlogSpot until we can get our website's feet cemented into the ground.

That little Joomla template booger was too confusing for me; I need professional help. ...No, I'm not checking in.

Now I know you're asking, "why BlogSpot? Why not just code your own website RIGHT NOW and be done with it?"

Perfectly reasonable questions! Why BlogSpot? Well, because it's easy to use. Blondie isn't called Blondie for nothing, you know.
Why not code our own website? Time. We have none.

Time = Money.

Time + More Time = More Money.

We need to be operational RIGHT NOW.

So here we are! Stay tuned! Who knows what going to pop up?

www.TOGINET.com

-Blondie

Post-Thanksgiving Hunger Pains

2007-12-12T14:20:00.000-06:00

Good morning, world!

Well, it's back to the ol' grind! I don't know about The Viking, but I'm excited to be back after spending a weekend eating myself to death! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and we appreciate you hangin' in there while we chilled for a while.

I know your stomachs have to be incredibly stretched, and you're doing your best to get back into your normal eating routine, but, have a look at this Tater-y Goodness .

I know, right? Hott. Zzzzzt.

I know most of you don't know my style of cooking, but...let's just say, I have a lot to learn (most of it involves microwaves , and Ramen Noodle Soup ). I did however, succeed in making some pretty kick-butt mashed potatoes (FROM SCRATCH AND NOT OUT OF THE BOX *ahem* VIKING!) and twice baked potatoes for Thanksgiving this year!

Stay tuned! There is a Blondie and The Viking VS Wild in your near future.

Blondie out.

After Blondie and The Viking, came sliced bread. We're still much cooler.

2007-12-12T14:16:00.000-06:00

Good morning, beautiful world.

The temperature is dropping, the leaves are changing colors, my roots are showing, and...my word, Thanksgiving is two weeks away!

I hope you all have your turkey's ready to be stuffed and sewn.

As this is Blondie and The Viking's first ever official blog, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank YOU, the viewer, for visiting our web page and for listening to the show! It means the world to us; thank you for your continued support.

We're still a relatively new concept, so hang tight as we're developing the site and show! Isn't it funny how much easier it is to paint an image in your head about someone else's ideas, but yet it's about as difficult as helping a cow give birth to come up with something iconic to represent your ideas?

We are filling the schedule up with interviews for the month of November, so keep checking back to see who's coming up!

On Monday morning, we will have these fly fellas on the show with us:

They are "Between The Two", and they hail from Northeast, Pennsylvania.

Check them out at: http://www.myspace.com/betweenthetwo

"In a year’s time, Between the Two has catapulted from local anonymity to national spotlight. In 2007, they performed over 180 dates from coast to coast and shared the stage with acts such as Relient K, Anberlin, Red, Haste the Day, and Showbread. The band also released an independent EP, “The Depths of You”, a roller coaster ride of electronic pop rock pleasure.

The band begins work on a full length album in January 2008 with producer Dan Strain of Noisy Neighbor Studios, Nashville TN. The project, currently untitled, is set for release in the fall of 2008. The band’s first single “Deeper Still” is slated for national radio release in the spring, with a full touring schedule beginning on the west coast in February."

Listen in, people! You don't want to miss it.

Sincerely,

Blondie (and The Viking too, I guess)