A valid idea...

I'm seriously considering making "The economy sucks, LET'S TOUR!" my mantra in 2010. Thinking about it, well over 50% of my income goes to paying my rent and utilities each month. If I were on tour that wouldn't be an issue, I could reach as many bands as possible and just couch surf around the country. I guess I could get used to editing on my laptop, put my stuff in storage come March, and just skedaddle. Warped Tour is looking like a realistic probability this year, and I'm already planning on SxSW taking up a chunk of my life in March. In the fall there's a chance I'll be heading out with another tour to work on a book... sooo I guess the question is, why should I pay rent on somewhere I won't be?
Stay tuned crime fighters. I'll keep you posted. I'm currently hanging out in the resort location of the Salt Lake City airport because my flight home was canceled. It's not looking good for flying standby, so here's hoping some seats open up on Emily's flight to Helena.

Last Minute iTunes gift suggestions

So it's Christmas on Friday and you forgot to get that special someone something special. Oh and they live across the country. Oh and you only have about $10 to spend. Crap. What do you do? Well here are my top eight iTunes giftable album suggestions. Why only eight? Because I have to pack for my trip home to Montana... chah. This is also mildly biased towards bands I may have worked with... yeah.

8. Goodnight Sunrise- "Stop, Drop, and Roll"
This EP makes me smile. Perfect for anyone you know who loves a good pop song with a little heart. It's also less than five bucks so you can't go wrong!

7. The Jakes- "Shake my Hand"
Simply put this EP is completely infectious. Seven perfect little songs for your loved one's digital stocking. $6.93 is all this album costs and I recommend it to anyone who loves a good indie rock pop song as much as I do.

6. This Providence- "Who are you Now?"
Who doesn't like dreamy tracks sung with an Aussie lilt? Buy this for your ex girlfriend that dumped you. Maybe she'll get the message.

5. Astronautalis- "Pomegranate"
For the dignified indie rapper in all of us. I got this album when it came out and it still hasn't left heavy rotation in my iTunes player. Andy has a way with words and rhythm that I've never been able to put my finger on. Trust me, even if you don't think you like hip hop, you will LOVE this.

4.We the Kings- "Smile Kid"
If you're bundling a couple albums together you might as well pick up "Smile Kid" for the Goodnight Sunrise fan on your list. This album's catchy and intricate, and if you buy the special edition on iTunes you get a free music video!

3. The Used- "Artwork"
Crunchy, dirty, growling, mean... what else would you expect?

2.fun.- "Aim and Ignite"
The only band on this list I haven't photographed, but not for lack of trying. This album is perfect. Their live show is perfect. It's all just perfect! "Aim and Ignite" gives me faith in music being good again. More bands need to do this right here.

1. Saint Motel- "For Play"
It shouldn't surprise you that Saint Motel came in at #1 in this list... even though it wasn't really in any particular order until this point. This EP wins because it gives you THE MOST bang for your buck of any EP in iTunes history. How you ask? It's the first album ever to feature a music video for each song on the EP. So not only do you get six fantastic sexy songs to dance to, you get six visual treats to feast your eyes on. If you get one EP on this list get this one. Do it.

Watch this.

This is ridiculous!

Blake & Sierra

I took some photos of Sierra and Blake from Versa Emerge while they were out here in LA writing for their new record. They are such amazing kids! I love hanging out with them, and can't wait to hear their new songs.

Oh Byron...

Going through old batches of photos making space on my hard drive and I stumbled upon this photo I shot of Byron. I made him stand in for the models during the Hide&Seek Clothing shoot in October. It makes me smile. One day I'm going to make prints out of all of these random photos of my friends, and cover my wall. Might go on my to do list while I'm home in Montana for two weeks avoiding snow and driving.

Stefan Toler

Stefan Toler
I met Stephan almost exactly a year ago in Palmdale California while he was playing a show with his old band Lower Definition. We'd been talking about doing promos for a while, so I drove out to see them play. He's since left Lower D to focus on school and moving in a different direction musically. He drove up from San Diego last week to hang out and take some photos. At the end of this shoot I made him sprint up our back alley like he was in the movie The Sandlot. The fact that he remembers that movie made me feel not quite as old.

Sleepy...

Today was a long day but a fun one. I photographed Call the Cops out of my house. I haven't done that for quite a while, but we made it work out really well. I'm excited to get started on editing them. After the shoot we went to one of my favorite Mexican places down the street and filled up on enchiladas and margaritas. I don't think I've laughed that hard at tour stories in a long time. Then we made it back to the house and ended the night with an acoustic singalong that we broadcast on my Stickam account. I forgot to take a screamer with the band so I'll have to make sure to do that at their show on Thursday when they play with Sugarcult at the House of Blues.
Tonight I'm taking it easy and catching up on some portraits I did of Stefan Toler last week and editing down the three hundred live photos I did of the Syncope Threshold last Tuesday.

Happy Birthday Andy...

Schemes...

Bleubird and I just finished up a very special video collaboration. I'll be releasing the magic on Sunday, so stay tuned to the blog, facebook, twitter, and other social networking for the debut.

A song for Thursday...

I feel like I should write something substantial... but I'm feeling more unmotivated. I rescheduled this whole week and it ended up all being rescheduled just enough to make me completely broke for Christmas. So I'm in a bummer mood listening to Astronautalis' album The Mighty Ocean & Nine Dark Theaters like it's my job. So here you go, I'm going to let Andy write this blog entry.

I'm pretty sure a lot of these lyrics are wrong, but it was the closest I could find on the interwebs.

Skeleton (Everyone's Favorite) by Astronautalis

You’re very beautiful he whispered at the girl on the beach
It’s amazing how the days will slip away from you and unfurl in a week.
She didn’t speak or even smile in reply
Repeated it again but the words just swallowed all the words alive
Sand pipers chasing the torn paper edges of the waves
Another just of wind that paints her hair across her puzzled face
One of these days he’s gonna escape and change the world
Come back to his hometown with a trophy and a girl
A girl like this with soft hands and a wise kiss
She’ll teach him how to dance and dance her fingertips across her lips
But this, this is just another awkward pause, a pretty pair of eyes
Uncomfortable in front of all his flaws.
He feels himself going bald in little bits and patches
He used to spell out “love” in them but now the letters come out all backwards.
His pants never fit him right anymore, forgotten how to cook,
He used to take the room and run but now he’s happy with the second look

Pardon me miss, could you blow me a kiss?
Last night a couple lovers tossed each other off that bridge.
I think I better just call it all quits,
I used to run this town but it just ain’t the same place that it ever was.

He cut his finger just yesterday (tracing slitter on a red?)
and watched it drain into the sink the only thing that’s left
a fingertip dripped down and drew another half a pint into a perfect portrait
of himself. Subtle beauty and still life.
Everyone asked him, “Oh, what happened to your hand?”
“It’s just another accident cutting vegetables, I guess.”
Everything’s a trap these days; we’re all working to defend
No one ever thinks of a story just take the hit and bang out the dents?
You don’t know why he’s standing here or how he got this far running up the beach
And out of reach, a running rusted car.
The waves are louder than a train, crashing down upon his chest
He can’t be dragged down like the rest and wait patient just for his death.
Taking off his hat he steps and brushes her hair away
Kisses her cheek gently and asks her for her name.
She bows her head and smiles at feet and takes his shaky hand
He has no idea just what she said over the waves crashing in his head.

Pardon me miss, could you blow me a kiss?
Last night a couple lovers tossed each other off that bridge.
I think I better just call it all quits,
I used to run this town but it just ain’t the same place that it ever was.

Pardon me miss, could you blow me a kiss?
Last night a couple lovers tossed each other off that bridge.
I think I better just call it all quits,
I used to run this town but it just ain’t the same place that it ever was.

Greg and AJ... times three

Happy Holidays from Saint Motel

There's a reason these guys are my favorites.

Saint Motel for the Holidays

This was a fun night...