every boy blog

Halloween!!!

3 down, one 2 go

We're done w vocals on 1st three tunes...one to go. Yee haw!

Headed up to continue recording new tunes

I'm really psyched to head up to Art Farm to record vocals for several reasons, not the least of which is the chance to eat more of the awesome Mexican food from a tiny little shack that knows how to do it right, called Mexicali Blues in New Paltz. They have this wasabi hot sauce that could be the best hot sauce I've ever eaten. They also had unbelievable fish tacos. We're sort of planning the whole thing around that yumminess, which at first glance may seem really weird (it sure did to me), but upon further reflection what better way to assure being in a good place for the tough job of laying down the best vocals you have in you than to feed your belly with food that also sates the soul. Makes perfect sense in a weird way now, at least to me.

So far, we've laid down 2 new original tracks and 2 covers, one a Ron Sexsmith song called, "First Chance I Get", and the other an old Spirit tune called, "Nature's Way". I really love doing covers and will probably do an un-funkified Prince tune as the next one. I think all 4 tunes sound great already and are gonna sound incredible once John Holbrook has performed his mixing magic. I'm hoping all will see the growth of the eb sound and still like it. I know I do and I am proud of how far we've all come in so short a time frame. 

We played a good show for CMJ on Saturday at Fat Baby. There were issues with the vocal levels--what else is new in NYC clubs--but I didn't really fight it. I just sang as well as I could and didn't really over push to compensate for the low volume. I mean I could tell my voice wasn't necessarily cutting thru the mix, but I just kind of relaxed and took care of what I needed to do. It was a terrible rainy night and many of those who came drove or took the train for two hours or more to get there. So, besides not being able to hear my vocals very well, several of them only caught a few minutes of our show, since the sound guy cut us at about 30 minutes because he was late and didn't wanna get behind schedule. Don't know exactly how that's our problem, but it seems to be the way things go in the NYC club scene. My parents were 2 of those who made the trek in the rain, their first time attending an EB show. It was great to have them there and it means the world to me they are trying to understand what this business the fates have thrown me into is all about. They had a good time and wanna come back again. Hard to beat that! Thanks to all who made such effort to come out and see us.

Will try to include u all in what goes down in the studio as close to real time as possible, but the cell service is abominable up there so I may not be able to do so. My offer of exclusive, unreleased tracks is still on the table for those of you who become members of my blog here. 

Gotta run. More soon.

Be well all,

eb

Gig Report: Bitter End 10/14

So we sounded "pretty good" last night I'd say. Definitely another successful gig. Tons of people there. All were happy.

Some were really into it like our new friend Kenji who nabbed a limited edition first-print "let it go" tshirt cos he was just loving it.

To the couple dancing to "Thank You Pachelbel", well done! That ain't nuthin if not inspiring. To the sweet mother and daughter from South America to stage left, thank you for the energy. I could feel you.

The din at the bar ebbed and flowed though never ceased (and never ceases at The Bitter End) but there were more people listening intently than there were people ignoring us. Many new names on the mailing list. We made money off the door.

Hard to argue with any of that.

Now for the hard part...

I was not there enough. Not even close for my satisfaction. Even with the sweat dripping off me and the grooves pounding away and the crowd swaying, I was in and out of the present moment. I know it happens to everyone and I know it gets better with experience. I don't think anyone in the audience even consciously noticed if they noticed at all--I get it. But still I wanna get better. For no other reason than it is my greatest desire to get better. Better songs. Better performance. There are no shortcuts. Only with continued exposure to live audiences will I ever continue to calm myself down enough while I'm on stage to be completely present in the moment. It's the greatest joy, one of the main reasons good musicians on stage seem to be ecstatic (they often are). There is a slowing down of time and an opening up of space within the measures of the song that is hard to describe but unforgettably joyful to experience. It's truly like Neo in The Matrix. I have been to that space many times (and was there most of the time last night as all in the band pointed out to me). I've been there much more frequently in rehearsal though even there I am sometimes unable to remain unswervingly in the zone even there. So there is much work to be done. I will continue to faithfully execute the responsibilities of my office. I will work with an open heart and sharp mind to continue to find a way to become one with the music I make. I will continue to ask for help when needed. I make this promise to you. We will all get there. We're going there together. I cannot begin to express how much you all mean to me for supporting me on this journey and how much your support means to our chances of reaching the summit together. I will gratefully plant a prayer flag on all our behalves when we get there, for the sake of all. I'm planting them all along the way too since there is no reason to be so selfish, self-centered, & arrogant as to think the foothills & the winding trails of this mountain are any less worthy of reverence than the summit.

I am trying, and I will continue to try, to be present for each an every moment on this incredible adventure that is every boy. I feel blessed to have the opportunity. I feel grateful for the support from so many. As I wrote in the song "Reset":

Possibly

Lost at sea

But my ship is strong and sailing for the future

Different analogy, same message.

I eagerly await recording new material with the extremely talented cats in the band. Tomorrow we'll set up for tracking at Art Farm. Anyone who signs up for the mailing list will have access to exclusive material from these sessions on the top of the mountain. I hope to be able to find time to update you all along the way.

More soon.

Be well,

eb

Thoughts for a gig day

Hey all,

Sorry I haven't updated this in a few days. Just been crunched with things like writing a bio for the PR campaign that is just starting and rehearsals, both on my own and with the band. We sounded fab at rehearsal today for tonight's show and are really excited to break out the new Ron Sexsmith cover we plan to record this weekend up at Art Farm art farm along with 2 or 3 new original tunes. All those who sign up for the mailing list at official every boy website will get exclusive access to the process before anyone else: that mean's photos, rough mixes, and video of eb @ art farm. If that ain't something for nothing I don't know what is. ;)

Anyhow, I've been meaning to find the time to post this passage I found in a book by Philip Berg for days and have only now blocked out the space to just get it done. I think it's extremely wise and cool, not to mention a helpful reminder to those of us in the arts who sometimes lose our way or feel disheartened by the long road. Here goes,

"Thus we find that the "realists," those who value logic, reason, and common sense above all other human traits and attributes, the "drivers," and the hard-nosed pragmatists, the leaders ,and the takers of initiative who mistakenly believe that they are in control of their destinies, are all living in and perpetuating an illusion--while the dreamers, the meditators, the poets, those who spurn the illusion that poses as reality, become, when seen in this new light, the true realists, for they are the ones who are connected to the Infinite Reality of the Or En Sof [Eternal Light of the Universe]."

Heavy...check.

Deep...check.

True...wait for it...that's right, check!

Hope to see ya all down the road a ways.

Be well,

eb

Thoughts from Trent Reznor

Good to hear NIN is going the same way as we are. There is a revolution in the music industry & eb's on the front line of it. We're blessed to have the connection we have with the few people who already care about what eb does. I want all to feel a part of what we're doing. I don't wanna ask you all to help spread the word of eb; I want you all to wanna do that bc you wanna share with friends, bring them in so they're part of the eb community. We'll keep putting out righteous songs with the highest quality musicianship & lyrics & will continue to reward you who are already here with the most exclusive material and access to our process. All we ask in return is for you to sign up on everyboy.net. That'll make this community your community too. We'll climb this path together and amaze ourselves with the power of the internet to bring together like-minded souls. Step by step. One foot in front of the other. We'll climb this mountain and say what we have to say all the while. This is a community of warriors...warriors of the Light. eb is one of them. If you are too, or wanna strive to become one, join us on this visionquest. You will never regret it. This is a holy train bound for Glory. We're here to generate Light with each other & to spread that across the universe for the sake of all existence. Please join us today.

official every boy website

"Managers / booking agents / small labels
Any or all of these may be good for you - or not. Here's a truth: nobody knows what to do right now, me included. The music business model is broken right now. That means every single job position in the music industry has to re-educate itself and learn / discover / adapt a new way. Change can be painful and hard and scary. If any of these entities we're discussing are interested in you, ask them about their strategies IN DETAIL. None of them know for sure what to do. Some of them have an idea of how to negotiate these waters. Most of them don't. If you are young and use the internet, you know more about your audience than they do - for sure. This is a revolution and you can be a part of it. The old guard is dying, if you have good ideas - try them.
Bottom line - before getting involved with anyone else, ask yourself what it is they can clearly bring to your table and is it worth their cut. Do they know what they're talking about, and does their strategies match yours?

I have not gotten into the basics which I believe are self-evident: believe in what you do, do the best work you can, work hard, practice, practice more, find your voice, hone in on it, take chances, play live (if applicable), practice more, keep believing in yourself and prepare for the long haul."

source: http://forum.nin.com/bb/read.php?30,767183

Exclusive tracks from Art Farm

Hey all,

Just wanted to extend this limited time offer. We're headed into the studio next weekend to put down some new material & maybe even a cover or two. Eb's got the boogie woogie in him, it's gotta come out. We're meant to share this stuff.

If you sign up for the eb mailing list with a legit email address, we'll give you exclusive access to a link to the brand new tracks.  

Don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to have access to early versions of eb's studio recording. 1st ones to feature Billy Masters, Dan Weiss, Rich Mercurio, and Lee Nadel.

Hop on board, join us, & enjoy the ride.

More soon.

Peace all,

eb

official every boy website 

Art Farm

Last nite

This Jeremy Blake is amazing. Too sad we lost him so early.