It’s only the end of January and already I feel much acquainted with 2008, year of the Rat. My sister’s a rat. Maybe it’s her year to shine. My girlfriend’s a pig. It’s funny how I’m allowed to say that, or am I? My brother’s a dragon. I used to covet his Dragon, but that was when I was younger. Now, I realize it doesn’t matter what Chinese animal sign you are. You still have the same problems. I think it is funny how proud dragons are to be dragons. “Oh, yeah! Well, I’m a dragon!” they say with great zeal and thunderous ownership, as though they might just start breathing fire. I’m a dog. Loyal. I suppose I’m loyal, but I don’t really see a lot of myself in Dogs. I’m much more stoic than dogs, although some dogs are quite stoic, but generally I find them a bit toady, always fawning over their owners who look just like them. I don’t really look like my parents. People think I look a lot like my dad, but it’s not quite true. It’s in the periphery that bares our resemblance; a way of holding ourselves; a shared mannerism and hue, rather than noses or mouths. I have my grandmother’s evil eyes, though. My dead grandmother’s evil eyes.
Anyhow, January is moving along at a good clip, churning out the moments, turning in the days, and reminding me that it doesn’t take long before the fresh scent of a new beginning starts to smell a little musky. The goal posts move inward, and our steadfast resolutions fall to the wayside, albeit, one of mine was to blog more, so here I am, true to my word. Even though the past is just a thing of the past and there’s no better place to be than here right now, I’ve managed to spend sometime reflecting on last years toils and triumphs, particularly those belonging to Mother Mother, and well, it was a good year, as far as good years go.
In February we released Touch Up on Last Gang Records, and toured our pants off in North America until December. We played all sorts of shows in all sorts of places with all sorts of bands, sold some records, not 50,000, but not 500 either, and managed not to get chewed up and spit out by the big bad music industry. We made a music video and learned less about mermaids and more about what not to do next time. Perez Hilton wrote a nice blog about us, and “Love and Truth” appeared on NBC’s “Men in Trees”. We mutually and amicably broke up with our drummer, Kenton Loewen and replaced him with our new drummer, Ali Siadat, whose addition to Mother Mother is a big YES! and big BEATS! We finally got our own rehearsal space where we’re just finishing up pre production for our next album which we start recording on Sunday, February 3....and that's about it.
The last bit of news is most exciting. We’re going into Mushroom studios in Vancouver with our dear friend Mr. Howard Redekopp who’ll be mixing, engineering and co producing. We’re all giddy about this album; we think it’s going to be really good. The new songs are very special and show a new maturity and growth in the band’s sound.
TOUCH UP did pretty well for an album of its kind. Molly, Debra-Jean and I started this band three years ago as a weird little folk trio, met up with Howard and recorded a bunch of songs around a mic in our living room. We added drums and bass on a few tunes, took from a grab bag of unconventional instruments like plastic bugles, penny whistles, and blenders, decided on a three headed rooster as our logo, and independently released the Mother, self titled album to the world, but not really, more like Vancouver. We got a rhythm section, then got another one, played for Last Gang in Montreal, got signed, added drums and bass plus two new songs to the Mother, self titled album, re released it as TOUCH UP under a new band name, Mother Mother, added two more chicken heads, toured a bunch, lost half of our rhythm section, replenished it, toured some more, and now here we are, a unified band in the year of the Rat about to make one album in one time frame. This feels like a better way of doing things. I don’t regret this band having done the goat dance in order to get to a place of balance, trust and camaraderie, I’m just glad we’re here, and am so excited to bring these elements to a new album full of new songs.
I’m going to post regular blogs on how the album takes shape, among other things to do with Mother Mother. I really am. I will stop flossing my teeth and forget to drink 8 cups of water a day, and stop doing crunches, and stop reading non fiction, and stop doing the dishes before I stop blogging, so please check back in.
Take care,
Ryan
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
One resolution I've made upon setting off on yet another stab at the masses is to keep good logs of the rich times and experiences had when touring. These logs, recalling the places, people and things with misty nostalgia, will then be sent down the conveyer belt and shaped into blogs. Although not as romantic and nutty in flavor as its predecessor, the blog is far superior and I feel bad and lazy for not having used it before now.
It may be unfair to compare the log to the blog for there is a crucial difference: The log, we keep for ourselves, the blog, we give to others. It's like comparing a diary to an autobiography, very different. We lie less in the log as we'd only be lying to ourselves, but in the blog, bent truth and fabrication is the name of the game, and so it should be. We all know that life in real life is much more boring than life put through the processor of story telling. Our ability to take history, especially our own, and transform it into a cute snowy ball is one that I don't take for granted. It feels good at the end of a bad year to tell yourself or someone else that it was a pretty good year. Remembering only the good times and reclaiming the bad as not so bad is good for one's image and doesn't hurt the old self esteem either.
We're living in a time when it's hard to feel good about yourself, so you got to do what you can to turn that around, however dishonest or skewed the methods. That being said, I don't feel I have to exaggerate or fluff up my accounts of the Mother Mother going ons in order to make them seem better than they were. Things have been good, and I got a feeling the good times are gonna keep on rolling, but not without the help of you, to whom we are grateful. If you're reading this now it must mean you're at least interested in this band, or more than that, you like this band and that you want to take a deeper peek into its personality by looking beyond the immediacy of just music listening alone. To get involved is a beautiful thing, and I'm going to get involved right back, starting with some recap.
The Virgin Music Festival was fun. We were the official icebreakers of day two, a much dryer occasion than day one. Playing first on a big stage in a big stadium before a bunch of big bands seemed daunting, but with the help of those who made it out early to root us on, we had a great experience trumping the enormity with good wholesome fun. Not long after our performance we embarked on a purgatorial drive from Vancouver to Toronto, saving time by crossing through the United States where the highways were hard and sure fire. Getting to Toronto was like hot soup and bread after wandering lost in the dark, cold woods. The good vibes Torontonians have to offer is always appreciated, and was especially felt at The Drake Hotel where we shared the stage with dear friends 'Fighter/Lover'. Check them out: www.myspace.com/fightorlovewww.myspace.com/fightorlove
Followed was a run of Ontario and Quebec shows before heading back into the US to make our NYC debut. With two shows, one in Brooklyn at The Union Hall, and one in Manhattan at The Mercury Lounge, we managed to take a little bite out of the big apple with all of our fingers and toes intact. New Yorkers are a fine bunch with real verve that's mirrored in the city. Thanks to those who came out and danced and sang along, especially the girl from Virginia who took the 8-hour bus ride with a broken leg.
Our time in the US was short lived as we ventured back to Toronto for the good time that is NXNE. The festivities began with an early showcase at The Boat with Les Breast Feeder, Pride Tiger and Champion. Our 9pm set was very well attended, the venue full to capacity and a line up out the door. Again, thanks to the Toronto fans for such warm and kindred support. We played The Feldman's BBQ just in time to watch the sky open up and unleash torrential rain that came down with great vengeance. In hot pursuit of somewhere dry, we found Criminal Records, a delightful little record shop on Queen St. West where we played an in store concert to a lovely crowd that embodied youthful energy. It was nice to finally play an all ages setting. It is something we are going to do more of.
With the West Coast a topic again, we began making our way back home playing many great shows along the way. Waterloo. What a wonderful scene. Thanks to Bernard and the patrons of The Janebond Café for making our stay and experience grand. Edmonton was a treat as usual. Thanks to everyone who came out to the Velvet Underground and/or Sir Winston Churchill Sq. for the shows in the park. The Sled Island Festival in Calgary was a definite highlight. Opening for Spoon was a pleasure and an honor, but the number of Mother Mother fans that came out and showed support meant everything to us.
Finishing off in Kelowna, a personal band favorite, we drove the last drive home to play David Lam Park on Canada Day as part of the Vancouver Jazz Festival. It was the perfect way to return, not stuck with the immediate and looming feeling of 'what the fuck do I do with myself?' but a wonderful show to play in the place where you live to the people who you owe the most to. The love and support we receive from old and new fans in Vancouver is why we've gotten anywhere at all, and for that we're incredibly grateful.
Now, With the olive and orange trees strong in the periphery, the band marches on through Northern California, Santa Barbara bound, where we'll play the first of a series of US dates with Cary Brothers followed by some more Canadian dates. We had eight days off before this fresh five-week stint, so the idea of being thrown back into something right away is very real. With that said, I feel best when I'm busy, not bored, and spreading the word in un-chartered territory with friends and family is anything but boring. It's amazing.
With bells on,
Ryan.
It may be unfair to compare the log to the blog for there is a crucial difference: The log, we keep for ourselves, the blog, we give to others. It's like comparing a diary to an autobiography, very different. We lie less in the log as we'd only be lying to ourselves, but in the blog, bent truth and fabrication is the name of the game, and so it should be. We all know that life in real life is much more boring than life put through the processor of story telling. Our ability to take history, especially our own, and transform it into a cute snowy ball is one that I don't take for granted. It feels good at the end of a bad year to tell yourself or someone else that it was a pretty good year. Remembering only the good times and reclaiming the bad as not so bad is good for one's image and doesn't hurt the old self esteem either.
We're living in a time when it's hard to feel good about yourself, so you got to do what you can to turn that around, however dishonest or skewed the methods. That being said, I don't feel I have to exaggerate or fluff up my accounts of the Mother Mother going ons in order to make them seem better than they were. Things have been good, and I got a feeling the good times are gonna keep on rolling, but not without the help of you, to whom we are grateful. If you're reading this now it must mean you're at least interested in this band, or more than that, you like this band and that you want to take a deeper peek into its personality by looking beyond the immediacy of just music listening alone. To get involved is a beautiful thing, and I'm going to get involved right back, starting with some recap.
The Virgin Music Festival was fun. We were the official icebreakers of day two, a much dryer occasion than day one. Playing first on a big stage in a big stadium before a bunch of big bands seemed daunting, but with the help of those who made it out early to root us on, we had a great experience trumping the enormity with good wholesome fun. Not long after our performance we embarked on a purgatorial drive from Vancouver to Toronto, saving time by crossing through the United States where the highways were hard and sure fire. Getting to Toronto was like hot soup and bread after wandering lost in the dark, cold woods. The good vibes Torontonians have to offer is always appreciated, and was especially felt at The Drake Hotel where we shared the stage with dear friends 'Fighter/Lover'. Check them out: www.myspace.com/fightorlovewww.myspace.com/fightorlove
Followed was a run of Ontario and Quebec shows before heading back into the US to make our NYC debut. With two shows, one in Brooklyn at The Union Hall, and one in Manhattan at The Mercury Lounge, we managed to take a little bite out of the big apple with all of our fingers and toes intact. New Yorkers are a fine bunch with real verve that's mirrored in the city. Thanks to those who came out and danced and sang along, especially the girl from Virginia who took the 8-hour bus ride with a broken leg.
Our time in the US was short lived as we ventured back to Toronto for the good time that is NXNE. The festivities began with an early showcase at The Boat with Les Breast Feeder, Pride Tiger and Champion. Our 9pm set was very well attended, the venue full to capacity and a line up out the door. Again, thanks to the Toronto fans for such warm and kindred support. We played The Feldman's BBQ just in time to watch the sky open up and unleash torrential rain that came down with great vengeance. In hot pursuit of somewhere dry, we found Criminal Records, a delightful little record shop on Queen St. West where we played an in store concert to a lovely crowd that embodied youthful energy. It was nice to finally play an all ages setting. It is something we are going to do more of.
With the West Coast a topic again, we began making our way back home playing many great shows along the way. Waterloo. What a wonderful scene. Thanks to Bernard and the patrons of The Janebond Café for making our stay and experience grand. Edmonton was a treat as usual. Thanks to everyone who came out to the Velvet Underground and/or Sir Winston Churchill Sq. for the shows in the park. The Sled Island Festival in Calgary was a definite highlight. Opening for Spoon was a pleasure and an honor, but the number of Mother Mother fans that came out and showed support meant everything to us.
Finishing off in Kelowna, a personal band favorite, we drove the last drive home to play David Lam Park on Canada Day as part of the Vancouver Jazz Festival. It was the perfect way to return, not stuck with the immediate and looming feeling of 'what the fuck do I do with myself?' but a wonderful show to play in the place where you live to the people who you owe the most to. The love and support we receive from old and new fans in Vancouver is why we've gotten anywhere at all, and for that we're incredibly grateful.
Now, With the olive and orange trees strong in the periphery, the band marches on through Northern California, Santa Barbara bound, where we'll play the first of a series of US dates with Cary Brothers followed by some more Canadian dates. We had eight days off before this fresh five-week stint, so the idea of being thrown back into something right away is very real. With that said, I feel best when I'm busy, not bored, and spreading the word in un-chartered territory with friends and family is anything but boring. It's amazing.
With bells on,
Ryan.
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