Hey, folks!
In addition to my last journal posting, I thought it best to share my latest blog posting via The Local Tourist. Only one thing that I ask (please...)
Please visit
www.thelocaltourist.com and check out all of the cool things that it has to offer. If you live in Chicago, MANY cool events posted and many cool things to check out. If you don't live in the area and/or are considering to visit, this is a GREAT starting point and place to reference (but, don't take My word for it.) ;)
Peace, love, music, laughter, life and charity,
D Kav
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"I Wanna Get a Job in a Rock 'n Roll Band"
by David Kav
(originally posted August 16, 2010)
I swear to the Universe Almighty - I had the song “One Eyed One Horned Flying Purple People Eaters” going through my head upon waking up this morning. Honestly, it’s been years since I’ve listened to this song in its entirety. Not to mention that the version that was in my head was, most likely, a remake of the original recording.
The first time that I heard the infectious tune was during the end credits of an underground terror film “(fill in title here.)” This was a twisted movie where the boy thought that his parents were cannibals. It was never proven that they were and it wasn’t the finest piece of cinema that I have ever seen. However, it had an ethereal, psychedelic feel a la “Cape Fear”/Martin Scorsese to it (which is the first thing that interestingly came to mind considering that the film I’m describing came out before CF. Regardless, it’s neither here nor there.)
I remember that, upon hearing the song “One Eyed One Horned Flying Purple People Eaters,” my brother, my sister and me laughed hysterically. The high-pitched voice during parts of the song was so funny to us. We were seriously cracking up when the high voice chimed in with:
“I wouldn't eat you 'cause you're so tough!”
I’m like, “what the Heck is THIS?!?” We looked at our mother like, “is this for real?” She laughed with us (probably at our reaction to said song.) Good times from mediocre movie had. Then, from out of nowhere (to me,) came the line:
“I wanna get a job in a rock ‘n roll band!”
“Ok,” I’m thinking. “Now this song makes Absolutely NO SENSE!” Or doesn’t it?
Bono was answering a question while the entire band, U2, was being interviewed on “Late Night with David Letterman.” (For those who remember, this was back in late 2008 or 2009 where the band was on the show for an entire week to plug their latest release, “No Line On The Horizon.”) I had forgotten what the question was in particular. No matter. It was what was said from the once-proclaimed Stunning Macphisto:
“Whether or not we want to admit it, everyone wants to be a member of The Beatles.”
Not entirely sure if that is true (meaning no disrespect to either band since I am a huge fan of both groups.) What I can agree with (at least for me,) is that I’ve always wanted a Real Rock Band! Truth be told, ladies and gentlemen, I still do...very badly!
As this year has been rolling along, I am finding more and more on Twitter, FB, and/or..umm, Everywhere on the Internet and/or “through the grapevine” that almost ALL of my singer/songwriter friends are joining bands, forming bands or (more so - this option) already in bands that are gaining some notoriety - whether it be from a slow trickle or at break-neck speed: The latter band to have the most success would be I Fight Dragons: The ‘80s, Nintendo-sounding, power-pop dynamo of a group! The last I talked to Brian Mazzarferri was during a panel for the Chicago Musician’s Forum last year. At that point, I Fight Dragons were gaining some serious leverage in Denver through mainstream radio and were signed to Atlantic Records just a couple of weeks prior to that very meeting! This is a big deal coming from another indie singer/songwriter of one to an amazing force of IFD in an almost overnight fashion. They have been on a couple of national tours with some gaining success since then.
Another couple of groups to gain ground (and for whom I have tremendous respect,) are Cobalt & The Hired Guns and Goodbyehome. Both of these groups were started from singer/songwriters at one point. And, even though both groups have gone through (and, in some cases, are still going through) member change-ups, they have still remained together to solidify their foundations as groups. Goodbyehome just released a full-length album earlier this year (and it sounds incredible) where as Cobalt & The Hired Guns released an EP a couple of years back. The latter band has had the song “Of Summer” played on WXRT via Richard Milne’s “Local Anesthetic.”
I actually was talking about this with another singer/songwriter upon forming a group like those described above. At one point, I believe it was in reference to a question like, “why the band all of a sudden?”
“Well,” he said, “I’ve always wanted a band. It’s different than my solo stuff. Not to mention that when booking gigs or talking about breaking into the mainstream, no one takes you as seriously being a singer/songwriter. You have more notoriety if you’re in a band.”
I have to admit that, upon hearing this, a part of me had to agree with him. However, I was on the verge of releasing my latest album, “Better You Here Than Alone.” I was practicing and getting ready for my CD Release show at Goose Island at the time. Being a singer/songwriter without a band and having invested a lot of time and money (i.e. debt) for my upcoming release, I didn’t want to believe this. In short, I was in denial...for a long time.
I want to be Very Clear upon proceeding with this entry: I have been extremely happy and grateful with the modest success of my career to date. For starters, I’ve not had a “real day job” since 2005 when I decided to ditch my office job and to pursue playing for Potbelly Sandwich Works store as my main gig during lunchtime (and with some dinner gigs thrown in as well.) Since then, there have been peaks, mild valleys, peaks again and some drudgery in financial and creative mediums (i.e. Life.) Not to be overshadowed with the fact that I have released two major albums on my own with no help from major backers (save a couple of good and dear friends of mine) nor from any record label or “investor.” Nobody’s say, nobody pulling my strings behind my releases. They were the way I wanted them to be released. In short, both records are truly mine (save the cover of “The Letter” by The Box Tops - written by Wayne Carson Thompson.)
With all of this being said, I am truly happy when I get out of my own way. However, in hearing about, playing with, listening to and talking about my friends’ bands, I’m wondering if I’ve hit my glass ceiling in the creative and career sense. Some argue that I haven’t - that it’s ok to have Just a duo via KAVUS or to play with random artists here and there as long as the dynamics are there and if you “can pull it off.” (I know that the act Does work when I’ve played with Nik Wielgus of KAVUS, Kat Fitzgerald of Left Turn At Alburquerque, Rev. Billy Simmons on guitar, etc.)
On the other hand, I heard from another artist that I have hit my glass ceiling. I was talking with her last weekend during a show put on by Chicago Acoustic Underground at the Viaduct Theatre which included the Great acts of The Root Cause, The Jeff Brown Trio and Clifton Roy & Folkstringer. We were listening to JBT at the time of the conversation. I pointed to Jeff and said,
“Wow! That guy can rock! I mean, I always Knew that he could. However, ... not like this! I had no idea!”
“Yeah, they’re great!”
“I want this!” I whine. “I wanna rock band behind me when I grow up. I need a band!”
“Yeah,” she answers back, “you need a band.”
“Really?” I wasn’t expecting that answer. “You don’t think... you think it’s necessary?”
“Don’t get me wrong,” she states. “You’re extremely talented, you have a great voice, you write beautiful songs and beautiful lyrics. But...yeah...you need a band.”
I was a bit hurt with this statement. I was thinking, “I thought I was fine as a hyperactive, power-ish folk rock perfomer. Mmmm....” However, once again, I found myself to the conversation about notoriety and the power of the rock band. So, instead of taking it personally, I have found myself mulling it over this past weekend. And, I have made a decision.
I consider 2010 to be the year of “re-grouping.” At first, I was “down in the mouth” for not playing many gigs (which I took as a suggestion in order to thwart the common problem of oversaturation...which I still find is a huge problem which, funny to mention, happens a Lot more for singer/songwriters than it does for bands in general.) When I stop whining, I find that, in doing the math and working out the averages, that the “less gig” factor has worked. If you read my last blog, you read that I brought in roughly 20 some people at the Let Them Eat Chocolate gig on a late Sunday Afternoon...during Lollapalooza. I highly assure you: This would NOT have been the case had I been playing the same volume of shows that I did in the past to include...
2009: The year of many Huge changes and success! This year included the start of my philanthropic kick to raise money for charities to include JDRF, The American Cancer Society, PAWS Chicago, The Overnight, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. 2009 is also the year that I started to get physically active by way of running. I ran my first 1/2 AND Full marathons last year. It would also be during 2009 that I would go on my first tour ever via my Amtrak tour movement/series Writing The Rails. Needless to say, busy year, 2009 was.
Why rehash all of this news (especially if you have read it in past postings?) Well, I rehash it just in case you didn’t (can’t be Too cocky. ;) Also, the key element here is that I made my, first-ever, New Year’s Resolution list back in December 2008/January 2009. I swear: This was my list:
Quit smoking (save a couple of Small relapses,) I have been regularly smoke-free since January 31, 2009
Run a marathon (swear to God! Don’t know why. Was always something to say that I’ve done. It became a reality on October 11, 2009.)
Go on tour
What’s the problem this year, then, David? Hmm....
I had no list this year. I knew that the list worked. I was hard-pressed when 2009 ended to make a new list of things to try. I was told, “why not do the same things again?” Didn’t feel right. So, hence, the need for re-grouping this year.
Folks, I want a rock band. I have friends who write Private blogs about goals they want to accomplish in 30 days. I see no need to keep things private (unless it affects people around me that can be hurt and/or they request that I keep matters private. In that regard, ok.) I’ve learned that, in order for the Universe to provide, you must “put it out there.” You must ask. So, here it is. I’m putting it out there. In other words, I’m starting my list for 2011 now.
Start a steady rock band
TBA
TBA
But, why wait until next year? Why so long? Oh yeah - that’s right. I also did hear from another singer/songwriter with a successful band: Todd Kessler. He said,
“It’s good to want a band that badly. But, you can’t force it, either.”
I used this statement/truth as a crutch for way too long. Is it a crutch? I don’t know. Does it Really matter?!? I don’t know. What I do know is this:
This band Will form and it will be recording as of 2011. Big words: Yes, they are. But, ya gotta dream big, right? Hell, my whole life has been formed around big dreams (besides, I think Theresa Carter would SO dig it if the band that I mentioned and formed in blog postings through her website was successful and found its conception as a result, in part, from these blog posts, eh?) Here’s hoping...
Let’s go!