[rocksmyfaceoff.net]

So, one of the things we believe in here at ao.net is concert recordings. We think you know that from following us in the past.

We asked Andy if he would submit to an official taping policy, and he has agreed to the following:

1. You’re allowed to tape Andrew Osenga’s concerts.
2. If the venue will allow it, Andy is okay with you getting a board feed.
3. Andy is also cool with videos of concerts.

We’ll add the following caveats that are standard to the taping community:

• Share and share alike. Don’t sell.
• Trade in lossless formats [FLAC, SHN, etc.], and keep lossy formats [AAC, MP3] for your own personal use only.
• Be respectful of the artist and the venue as you tape.

We encourage you to print this out for proof in case you get asked. Of course, if you’re at a show and wanting to tape, you can just go up to Andy before the show and get him to okay it with the venue if he doesn’t know about it beforehand. The only times I’ve ever had to ask the venue is for a board feed, and most places are definitely okay with it. Just bring the equipment and cabling you’ll need to hook up to the board.

If you have questions about recording, we can address that in a separate post.

Over at his blog Andy just rolled out his plans for four weekends of house shows in March and April. He’s proposed some dates and locations, so if you were thinking about hosting him, head on over to his blog for the details and shoot him an email.

His rates and terms are fully disclosed and very, very reasonable… so this is your chance to get Andy in your town, maybe even in your home, for a performance you won’t soon forget.

I’m kinda behind in letting you all know about this deal, but Geof Morris (ever-helpful host of AO.net and a bazillion other music sites) is incorporating geoF:stop media and is making a couple of his fantastic photos available for purchase if you’re so inclined. (He lays out on his blog, with admirable transparency, how the profits will be shared between him and Andy.) I’ve got one of these standouts, and can attest to the fact that they look FANTASTIC.

So, if you want the chance to get a fantastic piece of art for your wall, use one of the forms below to make your purchase.

8″x12″ print:

Signed or Unsigned?

Unsigned $30.00 Signed $45.00

11″x14″ standout:

Signed or Unsigned?

Unsigned $100.00 Signed $150.00

Eric is coming to the Midwest!

• Thu 14 Jan in Alsip, IL
• Fri 15 Jan in Orland Park, IL
• Sat 16 Jan in Elmhurst, IL
• Sun 17 Jan in Naperville, IL
• Tue 19 Jan in Lansing, IL
• Thu 21 Jan in Frankfort, IL
• Sat 23 Jan in Lockport, IL
• Sun 24 Jan in Hudsonville, MI
• Mon 25 Jan in Grand Rapids, MI

Get out and support EP if you live in the area; if, like me, you don’t, ping your friends who do!

Saving the Setlist has a four-part interview with Andrew, and the fourth bit covers the songwriting process:

These days I find I write best when I have something in mind, some sort of project. Where the song is going to be heard helps me know what I’m trying to write. Is it a song for me? I’ve got four records I’d love to make soon, which one is it for? Does it belong in a story arc, is there some scene this needs to fit? Stuff like that. Once I know what I’m writing I can sit down at 9 am, answer my email, make my phone calls, turn off my phone and write til lunch. Also, deadlines don’t hurt!

I wish my process was more romantic, sexier, but it’s really just working. I find I’m rarely inspired when I’m watching TV, but daily inspired when I sit down and just start writing.

It sounds to me like Andy has hit the groove that Elliott Smith had—constantly writing, constantly recording, constantly improving; I remember reading the 33 1/3 series on Elliott’s XO and coming across so many people talking about how he just worked and worked at his craft. To quote Alexander Pope:

True ease in writing comes from art, not chance,
As those move easiest who have learn’d to dance.
‘Tis not enough no harshness gives offense;
The sound must seem an echo to the sense.

– An Essay on Criticism, II, l. 162

We’ve seen this in multiple versions of the same song, how songs have had verses change over time.

[Parts 1, 2, and 3 of this interview set are on StSL as well. And yes, I did pull out my copy of Bartlett's Familiar Quotations while writing this post.]

I started this blog about 4 years ago to support Don and his writing. I wanted it to be a place for his fans to connect and get info from him, and it was for a while.

Truth is, this site doesn’t need to exist anymore.

If you’re a fan of Don’s you can read his blog, follow him on Twitter, or join a facebook group.

I’ll continue to support Don’s writing and his causes over at my blog, and you can continue to do the same in your own way.

Thanks for reading, see you around.

Bryan

We announced it here two days ago, and today, with stunning speed, it becomes a reality: Choosing Sides is available for purchase in the Rabbit Room store.

You can choose the CD for $12, or MP3 downloads for $9.

Choosing Sides contains nine tracks, some of which will be familiar to those who have heard Andy play them in concerts over the past year:

1. I’m On Your Side
2. She Finds A Way
3. Swing Wide The Glimmering Gates
4. The Arms of Love
5. Waiting
6. Rest
7. Without You
8. I Thank God For You
9. What I Know Now

There’s also a rumor that Andy will have the discs along for sale on the BtLOG tour this month, so if you’re lucky enough to get to see him there, buy one! (Lincoln, NE tonight!)

Once I get my hands on a copy of the CD I’ll get the Song Vault updated with lyrics and supporting info.

Got any guesses as to what that might be?

We’ve posted previously about the band, but in case you’ve missed it elsewhere, here’s where all the shows will be:

• Thu Dec 03 in Elmhurst, IL
• Fri Dec 04 in Lincoln, NE
• Sat Dec 05 in Topeka, KS
• Wed Dec 09 in Louisville, KY
• Fri Dec 11 in Cleburne, TX
• Sat Dec 12 in Jackson, TN
• Sun Dec 13 in Huntsville, AL
• Mon Dec 14 in Birmingham, AL
• Wed Dec 16 in Charlotte, NC
• Thu Dec 17 in Nashville, TN
• Fri Dec 18 in Kokomo, IN
• Sat Dec 19 in Montague, MI
• Sun Dec 20 in Milford, OH

The Law of Gravity, Andy Gullahorn’s new album, is available for pre-order via Jill’s Web site, and you get an instant download when you order.

So go get it.

• AO (with a band, and Waterdeep, to boot) in Nashville on Sun 15 Nov 2009

So I was nerding out this weekend with metadata about Caedmon’s Call, specifically when Randy was in the band, and because helping Bryan run this place for a few years has gotten me contacts, I just said, “Forget it … I’ll just email Randy.” So I did. For the record, here’s what he wrote about being in the band:

Before the band, Cliff, Danielle and I played a church service together on Wednesday nights. Cliff and Danielle were in high school. Danielle was only 14 years old. We were playing together the night the US started bombing Iraq the first time – 1991. Shortly after, Cliff, Danielle and Carrie Harris, performed a song in church one Sunday morning. I went up to Cliff afterward and told him that I would love to play with them sometime. That was around 1992-93. I was around when the band did their for the first cassette release, but I only played a small Melodica part as a joke.

After Carrie left the group, they started recording My Calm//Your Storm. Cliff asked me to play Hammond on the title track and I ended up playing on a few other tracks. I started playing shows with them as a hired player. I was older, married and had a job so I was only able to travel on weekends. As the band became more popular, they were playing more frequent. I took time off of work to go to Atlanta to record Caedmon’s Call and in early 1997, I got fired from my job for missing too much work.

The band was about to start a tour and Cliff told me to join them. I was “official” at this point. I continued to play through the first half of the “40 Acres” tour and left around the end of May 1999. Hope that helps.

Anyway, that’s pretty rock and roll for a folk band. And anyway, knowing that there’s this mysterious new record coming out next year, I asked, “Are you playing on the next record?” His response:

Yes I am.

-Randy

Color me giddy.

Eric Peters:

• EP in Huntsville, AL on Sun 25 Oct 2009
• EP in Baton Rouge, LA on Fri 13 Nov 2009

Randall Goodgame:

• RG in Aurora, IL on Fri 6 Nov 2009
• RG in Elmhurst, IL on Sat 7 Nov 2009
• RG in Columbia, MO on Sat 14 Nov 2009

The folks here at derekwebb.net have partnered with Blood:Water Misssion to help in the fight against AIDS. The best part is… YOU CAN HELP! Not only can you help but you could get a cool piece of swag too!

Starting today we will begin a charity auction with the proceeds being donated to Blood:Water Mission. What are we auctioning off, you ask?

Well, If you’ve been to a stop on the Black Eye Tour (if you haven’t there is still a chance) you’ve probably noticed all the kick drums on stage. Chances are you’ve heard them too! We are getting the boys to sign a special kick drum head that will be given to to person with the highest bid at the end of the auction. We are also looking into some possible prizes for the first and second runner up. The auction will end the day after the final stop of the Black Eye Tour, November 2nd at 5:00 PM. (CST)

Email your HIGHEST bid to kickdrumvsaids@derekwebb.net. You may bid as many times as you wish with your highest bid being the one that will count. We will periodically update this post with the current highest bid.

Please seriously consider your bid before emailing it. We only want legitimate bids here as this is going to a very serious and worthy cause.

Let’s work together to love our neighbors as ourselves.

There are 2-3 holes left to fill in the schedule, so if you’re interested in bringing the AP Christmas tour to your town, now is the time to be doing it.

Here’s the band lineup for 2009:

• Andrew Peterson
• Ben Shive
• Jill Phillips
• Andrew Gullahorn
• Brandon Heath
• Matt Slocum
• Todd Bragg
• Cason Cooley
• Gabe Scott
• Andy Osenga