Another week, another song.  I felt it was time for another instrumental, and while I thought I would write a kind of free form country blues, I wound up with something that is based on the diminished scale.  I think it sounds kind of Egyptian or maybe Spanish.  In any case, it's very different from what I set out to do, but that can be good.  The song is called Running; enjoy.

On a personal note, rae & I adopted two more dogs from the local humane society.  They are hound mixes, which is to say that they're mutts.  We've named them Sawyer & Dobro, and I'll see about posting pics right around the time I put up pictures of my new guitar. 

Y'all take care.

Greetings.  Still no pictures of the new guitar, I know.  I slack.  This is one of the reasons I took on Twenty Aught Eight.

So, the song this week is called Find Peace.  The main guitar riff and song structure are both blues based, though I don't think the lyrics are standard for that genre.  There's mention of being chased by the devil and the use of the term John Law, so there are certainly elements that come from a blues tradition, but on the whole, it feels more like a folk rock thing to me.  See what you think.

Y'all be good. 

Hey all.  It's late, I'm tired and hungry.  But, the new song is up.  It's called Painful Resolve and can be heard here:

http://toddlorenz.com/music/2008v3/Painful_Resolve.m3u

The title does not actually appear within the lyrics, but to me, it's a more accurate reflection of the song's meaning than what may be the obvious title.  In any case, enjoy.

New song is up, folks...and I'm officially past the halfway mark.  

I've made it my habit to play each song on my home sound system before I post it, and this generally includes my wife hearing the song fully produced for the first time.  Most times, I've lost anything resembling impartiality long before getting to this stage, so it's nice to get feedback from a fresh pair of ears.  I've gone back and remixed songs a number of times based on her suggestions, and I believe the tunes are better for it.

She likes this song a lot and insisted that I don't change a thing.  I give you Bring Me Relief.

I set out specifically to do something with vocal harmonies and wound up with a number that sounds very old timey to me.  Last week, someone said that Soothe My Soul could have been on the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack; I think this falls even deeper into that genre.

Enjoy!

Wow.  Talk about getting in under the wire.  This is the closest I've come to missing my deadline, but I made it.  The track is called Soothe My Soul and is up now.  Enjoy.

I still haven't put up pics of the new guitar...sorry about that.  I will do my best to get that done this week.  Off to bed for me...y'all be good.  

Hey all...this week's song is called 6 Feet of Trouble.  Lyrically, it's about a woman who gets by on looks and a predatory nature.  Musically, I think it sounds like a marriage between folk and southern rock.  Enjoy!

http://toddlorenz.com/music/2008v2/6_Feet_of_Trouble.m3u

The new guitar is the rhythm track; the lead is my Silvertone hollowbody.  I also put down a very simple bass track with my Yamaha fretless to fill out the bottom end a bit.  No pics of the new guitar yet; I hope to get that done this week.  Y'all be good. 

Todd

The new guitar is here and is featured on this week's song, Two Step.  It only seemed right to make the first song written with this beautiful, incredibly responsive instrument an instrumental.  I expect I'll be posting pics of it before next week, but I'm not sure when I'll have time.  

If you'd like to see who built it, have a look at Paul Woolson's web site.  

As for me...I'm pretty much going to bed now.  Talk to you soon.

Todd 

Hello, folks.  This week's song is called Life Is Good.  It seems to me that I spend a lot of time bitching or working out my own problems with my material...but hey, that's one of the purposes served by art.  I wound up doing something more positive with this song, and I started with the phrase "Life is good when.." and went from there.  Some pretty good stuff, I think.  Enjoy.

New guitar is almost here... 

Greetings all.  This week's song is called Leave a Light On, and were I a piano player, I could totally hear the Fats Domino type rhythm behind this.  I wasn't necessarily shooting for that vibe, but that's what came out.  The vocals are kind of laid back as well...I tried belting them out for a take or two and it just didn't feel right.  Go where the song takes you, I suppose.  Enjoy the tune.

New guitar is coming...

Hello all.  Towards the end of last week, I made the decision to blow off Snocap and just post the songs on my own site for free.  I considered leaving myspace out as well, but the tunes will continue to appear there.  So, for now, all material from the project I'm calling Twenty Aught Eight will be posted for your listening pleasure.  Donations via PayPal are happily accepted; there is a button on my music page.

This week's song is called Talkin' bout It.  Last week I wanted to push my vocals; this week I just wanted to play some guitar.  To me, the resulting instrumental sounds like a couple of guitarists sat down to play a bit and wound up having a conversation.  They're talking about stuff, having a good time, enjoying themselves.  Here's a link, which is also on my music page:

Week 21 06/02/08 - Talkin' bout It

Til next time... 

Ok, long day.  I started something resembling an exercise routine, so I'm pretty wiped out.  This week's song is called Come Back Home and is available now on myspace:

http://myspace.com/toddlorenz

I was in the mood for a new blues tune and this is what came out.  Last week's song, Change, is also there now.  Enjoy. 

Todd 

Hello there.  As I type this, myspace.com is having problems.  I'm unable to upload my new song or change my profile info.  So, I went ahead and posted this week's song on my on site.  The tune is called Change and can be heard here:

(song removed) 

I'll wind up taking it down when I can put it up on myspace sometime tomorrow...or, perhaps not.  Truthfully, I find their site to be somewhat annoying.  I may find another solution, along with a different way to sell the songs because snocap is still not working for me.  

In any case, enjoy the song.  Y'all be good.

The song inspired by my notes entry below (dated 5/8/08) is now available for listening on myspace:

http://myspace.com/toddlorenz

Be warned that a profane word is used once.  That's it for now...I'm pretty much headed for bed.  Y'all be good. 

The following rant should not be read by anyone whom I have offended on any level at any time during the course of this life or any other.  Those lacking a sense of humor and/or the ability to recognize someone's right to say whatever is desired within a personal forum are encouraged to skip this particular entry, and perhaps every other one as well.  Those offended by profanity should DEFINITELY find something else to do on the web besides read the next few paragraphs.  

In other words, if there is even the slightest chance of being offended on any level by words of any kind, please don't read any further. 

Start rant.

I'm tired of being politically correct and apologizing for being who I am.  I'm tired of those who would prefer an end around to a simple direct request.  I'm tired of hypocrisy in others - and myself, though I'm of the opinion that the latter happens far more infrequently.  

I'm tired of being considered offensive because I speak my mind and because my quips and observances happen to be lined with bits of truth and insight.  I'm also tired of sometimes falling for my own line of bullshit.  I'm tired of those who smile and laugh at a joke when it's made and then later on decide that it was inappropriate, and don't have the courage, decency and common fucking sense to let me know, thereby preventing any future occurrences of similar jokes and/or comments.  I'm tired of those who go out their way to be physically appealing to the opposite sex and find it offensive when others happen to appreciate it.   I'm also tired of my own lack of self control.  

I'm tired of living and working in a world where very few have the courage to be themselves and where most seem to be intimidated by those who do.  I'm tired of lies.  I'm tired of those who put on a shiny, happy face in order to hide whatever the fuck it is that causes them to put up a front.  I'm also tired of my own need to test people's boundaries in order to decide whether or not they are worth the effort necessary for a decent relationship.  

I'm tired of not being able to make a living with what truly drives me, though I seem to learning more about patience as I grow older.  However, I am tired of waiting.  Fuck off, Irony.  Feel free to get off on the next stop.

I'm tired of the fact that the world really seems to be a mess, yet the masses really don't seem to know what to do about it.  I'm tired of trying to sort out fact from fiction in waters purposefully muddied by those with impure motivations.  I'm tired of trying to figure out what truth really is, and I'm *absolutely* tired of its changing nature, my changing perceptions, or both.

I'm tired of gaining a certain level of comfort with people, letting my guard down a bit, and then finding a way to piss them off.  I'm tired of feeling like it's my goddamned fault.  Y'all should lighten the fuck up.  

And again, I'm tired of falling for my own line of bullshit, and my exquisitely beautiful ability to justify my own inappropriate behavior.  I should just grow the fuck up.

I'm tired of feeling like I don't fit in much of anywhere, yet having no desire to effect real change.  I have been striving to be more appropriate in lots of ways, yet I refuse to give up what I feel is my own true essence.  I'm unique.  I'm intelligent.  I'm funny.  I'm brash.  I'm rude.  I'm abrasive.  I'm sensitive.  I'm a rush of fucking contradictions.

Yet, under certain circumstances, I have no problems fitting in.   Put a guitar in my hands, and I can be pretty happy.  Put me in the presence of someone whom I admire and respect, and I seem to be able to go damn near forever without being offensive.  Why would that be?

I'm tired of stumbling across insights when all I really set out to do was bitch & moan.  Hey, it's my web space.  I'm also tired of my own defensive mechanisms and compensating for my own insecurities by leaving my fucking mouth in overdrive while my brain is still idling in neutral.

Hey!  What did I just say about insights?  

Hmm...there may be a song in here somewhere.  

End rant.

Y'all be good.   

I missed my entry last week...what can I say?  This song a week thing keeps me really busy.  However, I did post a song last week and published another just a bit ago.

Week 16 04/27/08 - Walk On By
Week 17 05/05/08 - Sinful Pleasures

They are both available at http://myspace.com/toddlorenz.  I'd like to say that they are available for sale through Snocap, but I seem to be having problems there, and I no longer receiving a response to my emails.  So, I may wind up having to put the material elsewhere.  For now, please continue to listen on myspace and I'll let you know when the songs are again available for purchase.

Talk to you later...

Todd 

So, I spent Tues - Fri of last week in the Quad Cities area of Iowa/Illinois.  Why?  Guy Davis was doing an Artist Residency with the Mississippi Valley Blues Society.  This means that he was performing concerts for the general public and private presentations for others, mostly schools.  I was lucky enough to be his guest, and my employer was kind enough to allow me to use vacation days on short notice. I was able to hang out with and learn from one of favorite artists for four days.  

Pretty cool.

It was interesting watching him change his presentations based on his audience, and perhaps more so to see what stayed the same.  He was always entertaining and available to his audience, which is more than can be said for some artists.   He also listened to some of my newest songs and again offered valuable feedback on what he did and didn't like, and did so in a manner that was always honest and helpful.  

It was a great week.  Thanks Guy.  

Ok, I know I said that I'd talk about my trip to Iowa in this entry, but I really need to get to bed.  So, I will update this page tomorrow with that story.  However, I do need to say that the song for week #14 is called Never Got Along and is available now:

http://myspace.com/toddlorenz

Enjoy, and be good.

Hello all.  This week, I felt like it was time for a slow, mournful blues and Lost in Pain is what came out.  It should be available on myspace...now!

http://myspace.com/toddlorenz

That's it for now.  Next time, I'll talk about a trip to Iowa.  Y'all take care.

Todd

Just a quick hit for now, folks.  This week's song is called Evolution of the Soul and is available now.  

Enjoy!

http://myspace.com/toddlorenz

Todd

Ok, so as it turns out, I probably had/have bronchitis.  My wife went to the doctor and was diagnosed with it.  I was sick for a week before she showed any symptoms, so I think it's likely that I had it first.  I now don't feel so bad about canceling a gig. 

 I'm still coughing just a bit, and my voice isn't quite back to normal...overall I think I'm up to about 90%. Back on Sunday when I recorded vocals, I was probably somewhere between 80% and 85%.  But, I found that in order to get any kind of decent tone, I really had to relax, so I'd call it important experience.   

There is a new version of Ain't No Greater Sorrow available for listening, and I like this one enough to put it up for sale, if you're interested.  It's over on myspace.com/toddlorenz.  

As of now, the song for Week #11 is one of my all time favorites.  I usually wind up listening to my own material on a semi regular basis if I like it and I've listened to Beauty of our Lives quite a bit over the last couple of days.  I love every component of the song...rhythm guitars, vocals, melody, the resonator parts...I really feel that it's a good representation of who and where I am right now.  It's also available over on myspace.

Oh, and for the record, I've had enough snow for the winter, thanks.

Just a quick note for now...this week's song is called Beauty of our Lives and I think it's really good.  Have a listen and see if you agree; I always welcome honest feeback.

http://myspace.com/toddlorenz

Y'all be good.

Hello folks.  This week's song is called Ain't No Greater Sorrow and has some story behind it.

If you'd prefer to simply listen, here's the link:

http://myspace.com/toddlorenz

I've been sick for about 9 days now, and I lost my voice for a good part of that time.  Today was the first time I've been able to sing at all in over a week so I wasn't really able to rehearse until today, and as you'll be able to hear, my voice isn't what is should be.  Yet, it some way, I think it works because of the lyrics and the subject matter.  Judge for yourself, if you're inclined to listen.  

However, while I am posting this for listening on myspace, I'm not yet making it available for sale.  I may redo the song this week or over the weekend, or I may just leave it the way it is.  I'll make that decision later, in part because I may have lost some perspective on it while working today, and I'm just tired.  I'm not quite myself yet and the recording process can be quite taxing, though I am getting better at it.

So, why post the file if it's not necessarily the final product?  Simple.  I have given myself a deadline, and barring something that's perhaps calamitous in nature, I intend to live up to it.  I could have recorded another instrumental, but I really want to avoid doing that over consecutive weeks if at all possible.  Of course, if my voice hadn't come back, that's exactly what I would have done.  

Now then, just because I've posted the song doesn't mean it isn't subject to revision.  I just won't make it available for sale until I'm really comfortable with it, and even then, it's always possible that I may redo it further down the road.  Hell, My Blues is made up entirely of songs I re-recorded because I felt the need to give them a better representation.  Why wouldn't I do the same with a single song? 

Til next time...

This week's tune is an instrumental called The Meandering Hound.  I'll probably post more about it tomorrow; right now I'm pretty damn sick and I'm going back to my couch.  Maybe to bed.

http://myspace.com/toddlorenz

Enjoy.

Back on 2/22/08, my wife and I went to see Todd Snider perform at Shank Hall in Milwaukee.  There was an opening act, but quite honestly, I don't remember his name.  He was entertaining at times, but I'm afraid I can't say much more than that. 

Todd is one of my favorite artists (alongside Guy Davis & Chris Smither) and has been since around 1999.  I've seen him twice before and enjoyed both performances.  I enjoyed this one as well, but I do have one major complaint.  He only played 75 minutes.  That's less than an hour and a half for a ticket with a face value of $20 in a venue that is essentially a bar.  Sure, the opening act played close to an hour, but I wasn't there to see him.  Frankly, I would have preferred to see Todd play two sets of between 45 and 60 minutes each with a 15 - 30 minute break in between.  That's usually what Guy and Chris do, and it's far more satisfying.  They actually wind up selling CDs between sets and after the show, and that's to their advantage.  To date, Todd hasn't really bothered with that.  I don't think he cares much about CD sales; he plays his songs, interacts with his audience a bit from the stage, and then bails out.  

I should point out that I drove 2 hours each way to see him, so I'm sure that's affecting my point of view.  As much as I enjoy the man's songs and watching him play, I won't be going out of my way like that to see him again anytime soon.  It's really not worth it.  4 hours of driving for 75 minutes?  Thanks, but no thanks.   Again, I really loved watching him.  But it wasn't enough.  I didn't walk out feeling like he had really committed and given his all to the performance and I just wasn't satisfied.

The other thing I wanted to discuss was the passing of Jeff Healey.  He died on 3/2/08, finally succumbing to what was largely a lifelong battle with cancer.  I've been a fan of his and counted him as one of my favorite people since sometime in the early 90s.  I have all of his albums (save for perhaps a best of or two) including his last three jazz CDs.  Even though I'm not really a fan of that genre, I do enjoy hearing Jeff do just about anything.  I think there is something each of us finds appealing about the energy put out by certain people; perhaps that's why there are those that transcend styles or trends with an audience...obviously some have a wider appeal than others.

I'm not going to go on about his career; that information is readily available elsewhere.  I just want to say that I will miss him.  I was lucky enough to see him perform 5 times, and while he did seem to start one show just a bit off, all of them were really great.  I won't pretend to know what happens to people and their souls, essences, or whatever when they die.  I can say it hurts to know that I'll never see him again during this life, and that I never got the chance to interact with him, or have a simple conversation.  I would have liked that.  However, I do believe that the universe tends to provide us with what we need, though we often don't understand it.  Jeff lived his life until his time was up.  We never know when our time will come to move on to whatever is next, if anything.  It's important to try and remember that when our lives are going really well or very poorly; it only takes a moment for things to change, or end. 

This is where people tend to say to live each moment as if it were your last, but honestly, I can't quite buy into that.  If I really believed this moment was my last, I wouldn't be sitting here typing, or worry about money, or my mortgage, or my car, or anything else...I'd be off finding whatever pleasure suits me.  So, I guess the trick, as usual, is being able to find balance in all things, difficult as that may be or as we tend to make it. 

Bah.  I've blathered on enough.  I'll miss you, Jeff.  I hope to see you again in whatever follows death.

From Jeff's web siite:  Jeff's family would greatly appreciate a donation in his memory to Daisy's Eye Cancer Research Fund (to support their efforts to discover a cure).  Donations may be made through the organization's website: www.daisyseyecancerfund.ca.

Hm...it seems I missed an entry here last week.  The song was up on time and it's called Trouble No More.  It's actually one of my favorites. 

This week's tune is called Moonbeams and it's an instrumental of which my wife is particularly fond.  I was practicing one night, and she actually called me from bed (our bedroom is above my office/music room) and asked that I "play that song that sounds like moonbeams."  

Pretty cool title, and I think it does sound like that.  Enjoy!

 http://myspace.com/toddlorenz

I record Share of the Blame on Sat; good thing, too.  Sunday I started to feel pretty bad, and today I'm in fairly horrible shape.  I spent most of the day asleep.  In any case, I posted the new tune on Sunday.  Enjoy.

http://myspace.com/toddlorenz

I'm really hungry & tired, so this will be brief.  The song for this week is called Balance of Life and is available...now!  Enjoy.

http://myspace.com/toddlorenz

Hello there.  The song for Week #3 is called Rock Me and is now available.

http://myspace.com/toddlorenz 

This was actually a lot of fun to do, and I think it comes through in the tracks.  I honestly grinned like a kid while I was working on this, especially during the last guitar solo. 

Sometimes I forget how much fun this can be. I often find recording music to be grueling, but rewarding in the end.  This was just a good time for nearly the whole process.  And, there is more going on than just vocals and one guitar.  Three different guitars were used, though the song is not at all complicated. 

Anyway, the lyrics are also posted, and yes, they're supposed to make you smile.  

 Enjoy!

Hello all.  The song for this week is called Keep My Faith.  Make what you will of the title; part of the beauty of art is that it's open to interpretation.  I know what I was thinking when I wrote it; that doesn't mean it will have the same meaning to you.  The lyrics are available over at myspace, where it can be heard for free, and downloaded for $.99 via my Snowcap store:

http://myspace.com/toddlorenz

My plan for getting a song posted once a week is to work on three songs.  This means writing, arranging, and recording each tune.  The one that was my favorite just didn't sound as good as I hoped when I listened back to it; I'll have to work on the arrangement.  The other option will be available in a few weeks.  I'm happy with the song, but I screwed up the lyrics performing what turned out to be the best take, that one whoopsie aside.  Of course, it was the last couple of lines in the song.

So, Keep My Faith it is.  It's the best presentation I have this week. Enjoy.

Ok, so the first new song of what will be a new tune every Monday for a year is up for listening and purchase on my myspace page:

 http://myspace.com/toddlorenz

It's called Three Chords and the Truth and it has a fairly simple story behind it.  It's been said that a good country song is...can you guess?...three chords and the truth.  I don't know who first uttered those words, but the first time I heard them was during a Chris Smither concert; something about his producer telling him his songs had too many chords.  It's also the name of a song and album by Sara Evans, though I had never heard of her or it until after I wrote my own tune and thought it might be a good idea to do a search and make sure I wasn't subconsciously stealing from anyone.  I've listened to her song; mine has nothing in common with it other than the title.  

In any case, I've carried the phrase around in my head for a while, and the words came quickly when I put pen to paper.  I played it at gig last Friday and it received a good response.  I think the lyrics can be discerned fairly easily, but if you'd prefer to read them, there's a pop up link on the myspace player. 

The download price is $.99 - 99 cents, from the snocap store on the same page. 

Enjoy! 

So, Happy Holidays to those of you who read this page and aren't on my email list. While I haven't updated this blog for awhile, I do send emails out periodically to let folks know what I'm doing. If you'd like to be included, et me know: todd (at) toddlorenz.com.

So, I've decided to try something rather ambitious. Starting Monday, 1/14/08, I will post a new song every week for a full year. They will be available for listening and purchase on my myspace page (http://myspace.com/toddlorenz). The goals here are for me to grow as a songwriter and to try and further my career.

Songs will be original compositions that have not been previously available in any form. No cover tunes, and no reworking material. Postings will continue until 1/12/09. Exceptions may be made in the event of serious illness and/or hospitalization to me or my wife, death in my family or close circle of friends, or if I have the opportunity to tour.

That's it for now. Be good.

Ok, I realize it’s been over three months since my last update here.  As with most things, there are a number of factors involved…my laziness and a lack of much to say are both at the top of the list.  Anyway…

Back on 8/18 I performed at a benefit in Rockford for the Blues in the Schools program.  It was a pretty good time and I performed fairly well.  I sold a few CDs and donated the proceeds to the cause, which I felt was only appropriate.  I also made a few connections that may prove to be valuable, including one with the gentleman who orders CDs for the Borders in that town.  I also perform there on a regular basis.  In any case, he emailed me and said that he had a spot open at one of the listening stations and wanted to stock some of my CDs, specifically My Blues. 

Now that’s pretty damn cool.  For those of you who may not be familiar with what a listening station is, essentially, people who are browsing music at this Borders store will be able to put on a pair of headphones and check out my CD.  Of course, I’m hoping this leads to a few sales, but honestly, I think it’s great that he thinks enough of my work to put me in this spot.  As Cartman might say…”Sweeeeet.”

I went to see Rush in Milwaukee on 9/6/07.  They played well, but overall, the sound wasn’t great.  I don’t know how much of it had to do with the amphitheater versus the band’s sound system.  The drums sounded great, keyboards & vocals were good, Geddy’s bass was ok, but anytime he played with the band, Alex’s guitars sounded really muddy and just didn’t cut through the mix at all.  In defense of the arena, my seat was next to someone who had seen them in St. Louis, and he said the same problem was evident there as well.  But, not having attended, I can’t say that building didn’t factor into it. 

To be honest, I think it was the guitars Alex was using.  He used Gibsons for every song for the first time that I can remember (I’ve seen every show since the Power Windows tour back in 1986/87), and I think that that sound isn’t conducive to what he plays live.  Single coil pickups cut through more, in part because they don’t have as full a sound.  But, when your guitar is getting buried by bass & drums, there’s a problem. 

Listen to the acoustic player offer his opinion on why a major league rock band had problems with their mix…nice. 

At times, the guitar sound was so bad that if I hadn’t been familiar with the guitar parts, I wouldn’t have had any idea what he was doing. 

On the plus side, Neil had a lot of new stuff in his drum solo, which is always a treat to watch and hear.  They also had three different video screens that sometimes showed different shots of the band, sometimes the same, and of course, sometimes had videos to enhance the show.  They had video intros from Bob & Doug McKenzie for The Larger Bowl) and the kids from South Park for Tom Sawyer.  I love Bob & Doug, but I don’t think I’ve heard anything funnier than Eric Cartman pretending he’s Geddy Lee and screwing up the words to Tom Sawyer by mixing them up with the plot line from Huckleberry Finn.  Bloody brilliant. 

So, all in all, I had a good time and I’m glad I went.  But, it also reaffirmed the position I’ve taken in avoiding music shows set in larger venues, particularly rock shows.  There was NO sense of intimacy, and I wasn’t all that far from the stage.  I’m fairly certain that Rush is the only band I’ll go see in this setting. 

By contrast, I then went to Yellow Springs, OH the next day to spend the weekend at a Blues Festival that included performances by Guy Davis and the Nerak Roth Patterson Band.  Well, it was more than that.  I went to spend time with those two artists, who performed both together and separately.  I was welcomed into Roth’s house, and the highlight of the trip for me was the jam session in his basement the first night I was there that included myself, Guy, Roth, and a number of people I had not met before. 

Consider that for a moment.  Guy Davis has been one of my favorite artists for almost a decade, and I was able to play with him.  Not only that, but I think it’s fair to say that he now considers me a friend. 

Sometimes, life can be pretty good. 

Roth is one of the few guitarists that can solo for as long as he wants without losing my interest.  Generally speaking, one of the reasons I prefer acoustic blues to electric is that I don’t really care to hear anyone solo for more than a couple of rotations, if that long.  I’ve been listening to music for most of my life, and a smokin’ guitar solo generally doesn’t get to me like a good song does.  Roth can.  So, it was great to go back and forth with him a bit. 

I was also involved in a workshop Guy led the next day, which he actually turned over to me for a couple of songs.  That was pretty cool as well.  That evening, I had the chance to see Roth perform with his band for the first time, and WOW.  He has some really great players backing him up, including his son.  Great show. 

I guess that’s it for now.  I’ll try to update this on a more regular basis. 

Be good. 

So, my gig last Friday in Rockford went pretty well.  I played better, particularly during the 2^nd set.  In fact, it might be safe to say that I didn’t really get it going until then.  I wasn’t bad during the first set, but for whatever reason, I didn’t really “feel it” until about a third of the way through the 2^nd hour, though I wasn’t really aware of that until I got there. 

So, I guess I am, or was, a bit rusty when in comes to live performance.  It makes sense.  Prior to the current bookings, I hadn’t really played live for around two years.  It seems I forgot how different playing live with a PA system is from being alone in my home.  I’m not talking about the audience or the corresponding pressure, though both are factors.  I mean the technical aspects of being able to hear yourself, trying to find the right mix and balance of sound, and lots of other little details.  It can actually be quite a pain, until the right combination is found and a comfort level is reached. 

It’s not like I just gave up music or gigs; I simply made the decision to focus on recording new songs.  Then, I realized I didn’t have anywhere I could record unless I decided to pay for a studio and that just wasn’t an option.  So, I waited til after the move, finished the songs, decided that they all had to be redone, re-embraced the idea of revisiting some older material, and finally released the CDs. 

Of course, they’re not on my site yet. 

They will be available online via CDBaby.com and I’m selling them at gigs.  I may also wind up selling mp3 files on my site if I can find what I think is a fair deal with a reasonable amount of work involved.  

Oddly enough, work seems to have started on the next batch of songs, at least in terms of lyrics that seem to have sprung from nowhere.  Maybe I’ll be able to actually record and release another batch by this time next year.

I’m going to get somewhat political for a moment.  First, let’s just acknowledge that the oil companies are just vigorously screwing us as hard and as deep as possible.  This is evidenced by record prices at the pumps and record profits:

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=1029991

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8646744/

Feel free to find your own articles if those aren’t sufficient. 

I don’t care what spin they put on it.  In my opinion, they’re reaping the benefits from years of greasing our political and economic systems.   They’re doing it because they can.  That’s kind of the nature of capitalism, isn’t it?  Get as much as you can as quickly as possible.  But, moving on for now…

So, when gas costs near or over $3.50 a gallon and the daily commute to and from work totals 100 miles, what does one do to try and conserve gas & cash? 

Simple.  Slow down.

At least, that’s my solution.  I typically get between 30 and 33 miles per gallon when I drive between 60 and 65 miles per hour.  Last week, I made the decision to drive no faster than 50 mph and kept to it about 95% of the time.  I did creep up to 55 mph a few times, but not for more than a few seconds.  For that tank of gas, I got just over 39 mpg.  So, assuming that I put 9 gallons of gas in when I fill up, I get an extra 54 miles per tank.  That’s half of one commute.  In terms of cash, it breaks down like this.  I have to drive roughly 500 miles every week to get to and from my day job.  If I’m getting 33 mpg, that breaks down to 15.15 gallons of gas.  If I’m getting 39 mpg, that breaks down to 12.82 gallons of gas.  If gas costs $3.50 per gallon, that’s a difference of $8.16 per week, or $424.24 per year.  I won’t add it what it costs to get me to and from gigs and/or the surrounding towns. 

Is it worth it? 

I’m not sure, honestly, but it comes down to time and the irritation of other drivers.  The speed limit on the roads I use is 55 mph when I’m not going through a town.  Of course, very few respect that, so If I slow down to 50 mph it really annoys a lot of people.  Frankly, I don’t really care, though I clearly remember what it’s like to be on the other side of that equation.  Sometimes one has to save money wherever possible and in all honesty, there is something almost liberating about driving a bit slower.  I feel a bit more relaxed, regardless of the nasty stares I get from some of those that pass me.  55 is the speed limit, not the minimum. 

On to something political, yet humorous.  I’m a huge Todd Snider fan and I stumbled across this the other day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si0WTCMrksw

It’s a video for Conservative Christian, Right Wing Republican, Straight White American Males.  I plan on working that song into my repertoire, because I think it’s important to give some form of tribute to artists that inspire me and it’s just a cool tune.

Enjoy!

 Previous entries dating back to 1999 are available at http://toddlorenz.com/archives1.txt .  I would suggest downloading the file and using some kind of word processor to open it.