Plans...

so the band met up today for our first recording day with our engineer. but, there was a change of plans.

First of all Taylor (teh piano player) got a flat tire after meeting up with our engineer in new bedford, and Davis (bass guy) also had the same problem elsewhere. So the day wasn't starting off well nevermind all the ice and snow. So after changing the tire with the help of taylor's dad, we were off.

We arrived at Dylan's abode eventually, discovering Davis would not be able to make it. And also the fact that we're an incredibly unorganized band. So, a talk was had and here now are the plans for Something About Horses:

Instead of recording an album right now, in about 2-3 weeks we're going to track a 3 song-ep that will be given away for free if you so want one. We're gonna give this out everywhere, and give it to radio places, etc.

Around Spring Break in March we will be recording our debut album. It will be epic. Expect a Mid-spring to Early Summer release, and extensive area touring in the summer. We're designing a really epic show right now, so you gotta check it out. The album release will also be accompanied by extensive multimedia, band interaction, etc. And of course, an album party.

This EP is really gonna help us play some shows in the near future, so expect Something About Horses shows soon. They will still be epic, but the Summer is going to be crazy.

We have a lot of ideas bouncing around for our live show, so it's going to really be something special. I always wanted to be part of an epic live show, and I know now that I'll probably never be supremo rock star, so why not just act like one? Expect cool displays, theatrical displays, crazy costumes, audience participation, and much much more.

It's taking awhile but I'm really happy with the band. We're beginning to find our sound together and fully understand the meaning of the songs. I love these guys, and I really really think this band is going to do a lot of positive things and be (relatively) huge. I'm very excited.

I know some people, and myself included, want us to release the cd and do everything right away, but we feel that it's better to take our time with this. Really, just wait till the summer. You won't even know what to expect. We're putting all our energy into bringing everything we love about huge epiclive shows to the small venues in whatever way we can, and while fulfilling oujr love of performing, definately interested in entertaining the crowd.

I also feel like not enough bands interact with the people. In so many cultures music is a community thing, and I think it should be with us. Also, people like to get to know the entertainers, and at least feel friendly with them. I know I do. So we're gonna try to reach out and interact with the crowd, and post video blogs, and all the extras that will make people enjoy the show that much more.

So the EP will be out probably by the end of February. We will be playing shows soon, and they will rock. But just expect the really epicness in Mid-Spring to Early Summer. The album and the full force of our show will be out there and it will be love, entertainment, and just fucking beauty for all to experience. I really do believe in the power of music.

In other news, I've been writing a fan letter to Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls because, well, I just felt like I had to for some reason. Here's a rough draft:

"Dear Ms. Palmer,

This is a strange thing for me to do, but for some reason I have this ominous feeling I HAVE to write a letter to you. I’ve never written a fan letter totally, and what I’ve written to musicians I look up to I often find makes me look like a fan boy and I just feel embarrassed. So I won’t spend the majority of this letter telling you how great you are. Believe me, I think you are SPECTACULAR, but you must receive thousands of letters telling you that. This is something I have to do. Even if you don’t read this.

Amanda, you have saved my goddamn life musically. To be honest, you and a few other artists, but some of them aren’t exactly reachable and I have already told one how great he is. But I would want to write to you even if you were super duper famous (I promise).

I have been going through one of the biggest fucking composing slumps in my life. I have thought way too much about music in just the most unproductive way, and been getting frustrated at my own creative abilities, wanting to smash my guitar more than play it (not in the awesome way either). It’s really awful. Writing and playing are my meditation, and my life. I found myself at times to not be able to enjoy the music I normally love. Writing was a drudgery.

Music is such an incredible thing. If I were to believe in some “higher power,” personally, I would believe in music. I could not live a life not doing something in music. Writing is just so meditative, and I don’t know. Once I chose to do music, I never doubted my decision. This is me, and I believe music can save the damn world, I really do.

And what’s interesting about your music is, I only started listening to your fabulous “Who Killed Amanda Palmer,” album very recently (along with the Dresden Dolls). My girlfriend has been listening to that and the Dresden Dolls for as long as we have been dating and to be honest, I didn’t hate your stuff, but I didn’t like it. But for some reason (like most good music) suddenly, I absolutely love it. And it just strikes me as odd. I’m usually into all this weird, progressive, avant-garde shit, but your stuff is just as good to me. It doesn’t matter how complicated it is of course, it’s how you fucking say it. There’s a difference between how commercial shit plays an A major chord and how you and the rest of the world of amazing music does it. (As Bill Hicks says “Play from your fucking heart!!”)

Not just the music too, YOU fucking rock my goddamn world. Your attitude, and just how you approach things just rocks. Even just reading your blog is inspiring. it’s such a relief to see an artist not bowing down to the industry and following the current trend. Your ability to just be honest, is really what has saved me, and reminded me of why I pursue music.

To me that’s really what good music is; honest music. No matter if it’s the most whacked out avant-garde noise piece, or a guy with a guitar and 3 chords, if you say what you mean musically, you have succeeded. So Ms. Palmer, in my eyes, even if you were broke out on the street, if you were still making music the way you are, I’d still think you have succeeded.

So while this is part fan-mail, it’s also a thank you note. Thank you Amanda, for being honest, and by chance I found your music and it really helped me out.

Oh and I hoped you liked some of the food I made for you at the Boston show. My girlfriend Liz brought you this vegan stew I made, along with some potato soup, and my friend Maggie made you potato pancakes. They both said you were very grateful, and I hope you liked the food. I thought it’d be of help to you. I regret not being able to make the show.

Oh and by the way, I really don’t know if this would be possible for you, but I may be putting a sort of music festival together for charity in the area of Somerset, MA for a charity in the future (summertime-ish), and I’d love you to play if it’s at all possible (I know how financial situations are and it might not work.) This is in the baby stages of planning so if it really happens and you can do something like that I can contact your booking people.

Well, that’s about it. Take care on the road, and hopefully I’ll catch you at one of your shows. If you ever need a guitar player for a show, I’m totally willing haha. And Thank you so much if you’ve read this far. I really appreciate it.

Ps: YOU ROCK.

-Jay Kohler"

that's all for now. see you soon.

peazz.