Working Title

Category: The graze

“The graze” was the name of my solo music/recording project until I renamed it “Sun Tunnels.”

  • The Latest

    Things have been very busy lately. First, I guess I’m in the Rodeo now. Last week I bought the uniform and played my first show with them, on acoustic rhythm guitar. Traditionally, each member of the Rodeo has to have at least one show where they’re too plowed to play correctly, and I got that out of the way right off the bat. Despite my messing up a lot, the band and the audience seemed to have a good time. I’m very excited to play with this band. I’ve been a fan of Brent’s songwriting for years, I love the Rodeo concept, and they’re also a great bunch of fellas to spend time with. I forsee having a blast and a half.

    In other project news, last weekend I had Open Choir Fire in my studio to record a couple of songs, and that went extremely well. They’re a very tight band, and I think we worked pretty well together. The two songs are among their best I think, and have been stuck in my head all week.

    Regarding the graze, I have until the end of the month to not only record a song (“Price”), but make a video for it as well, for Ball of Wax 7 (the DVD edition). I think I’ve almost got the drums done. It’s hard but I’m trying not to schedule any other projects, except for Seth Howard, who’s in the same boat and whom I’m helping record a song. Wish us luck.

  • Rosyvelt & things

    Hi, long time no post. Here’s the news: the long-awaited Rosyvelt album is all mixed and mastered, and we’re finishing up the artwork for a November 7 release date, and a November 3 CD release party. I know you’re not supposed to set these dates until you have the finished product in your hand, but what are you gonna do. This album will be on J-Shirt, numbered JS02, which is pretty cool. I like it. I think the album turned out well.

    Speaking of music, today I listened to all the mp3s I could find on Matt Sheehy’s website, and I’m liking them a lot. A lot. I think his new songs are as good if not better than his old ones, and his old ones are very good. I can’t wait to hear the LP when it’s finished.

    Oh yeah, there’s more. I’ve heard the Rodeo record we recorded in July and it’s even better than expected. It’s very short, only 24 minutes, but they’re a very entertaining 24 minutes. I can’t get enough of it. And finally, I submitted a demo of a newish song of mine called “Sheep” for Ball of Wax 6, so that should be appearing in a couple of months.

  • Rodeo and HOB

    I have a couple of things to mention that are new. First off, two weekends ago Brent Amaker and the Rodeo holed themselves up in a studio south of Seattle and recorded a bunch of songs, and I was invited to be the acoustic guitarist. From what I am told the results are really good, so a full-length Rodeo record is on the way and this is exciting because they are awesome. I hope it ends up on vinyl.

    Secondly the graze is being featured on the House of Blues’ “Ones to Watch” website. At some point I was interviewed for a podcast which is supposed to appear on that site. If I recall I spent most of the interview trying not to say “uh” and “well,” so the result might sound, uh, well, dull.

  • Crocodile

    It’s been a long time but we’re having a full-band graze gig next week, on Tuesday, at the Crocodile Cafe. Tuesday is also the 4th of July, which means we’ll be competing against BBQs and fireworks and car alarms and drunks going “whooooo!!!!! U-S-A!!!!!” but just so you know, there will be time for those things and more before and after the show. Except the fireworks.. I’m pretty sure you’ll miss those. To make it worth your while, we should be debuting two songs to the band lineup. In other almost unrelated news, the debut Rosyvelt album is starting to see light at the end of a nearly two-year tunnel of basement recording time, which means that a. there will be a Rosyvelt CD to buy and love soon, and b. I’ll have more time to mic el grazo. So there you have it. News. See you next week!

    the graze @ the crocodile, Seattle WA

  • Demo release!

    Two things: the tour went well, and was a lot of fun. Many thanks to everyone who booked me, played with me, and/or came to the shows. I hope to visit again soon.

    Second, since I still have a few copies of the May 2006 demo left, I decided to make my show tomorrow into a demo release party of sorts. What with everyone who wrote to reserve a copy, and the folks who say they’re going to the show tomorrow, I think I’ll be sold out pretty quickly. So that’s good, it’s time to plan a real release.

    Ok, that’s all. PS: The show tomorrow is at Cafe Venus, 609 Eastlake E. in Seattle, and it starts at 9. Brent Amaker and the Rodeo and Wil-Ru are playing as well, which I’m really excited about. See you there.