Less Makeup, More Practice…

Lets just dive right in,
Have you ever heard of “Form Follows Function”?
According to Wikipedia:
“..a principle associated with modern architecture and industrial design in the 20th century. The principle is that the shape of a building or object should be primarily based upon its intended function or purpose.”
If you’ve ever been around me for any length of time, I’m pretty sure you’ve heard me use it.
Usually referencing music, artists, local yokels etc…
It’s getting frustrating guys, watching the local interwebs fill up with artists and/or bands who invest more time on their “Image” than they do making intelligent … coherent… music.
I’m not even going to go down the top 40 DJ path with this discussion, simply because (as I’ve always held true) the “art” in being a bar/party/club DJ is in how they work with people, specifically :

1. Drunks
2. Trust-fund music critics
3. impatient failed prom queens
4. Other DJ’s who think they can “school” you
5. Bar owners that would rather pay DJ’s via alcohol.

Anyways, I digress..
Bands & Artists, take the time and invest in YOURSELVES, if you don’t.. why should we (The consumers) invest in YOU? (i.e. buy your music)
If you are in the music business as a hobby, or your internal ego-driven record player is forever stuck in complain-drama-complain-i’m-better-than-all-you part of life’s soundtrack.. stop reading now.

You ask: “Investing? Now, just how should bands/artists do that?”
My Answer: “Time & Money”

Yes, thats right..

Take the Time to:
        ✓        Learn how to Practice
        ✓        Practice
        ✓        know what works and what doesn’t (gear/shows/merch/marketing/etc.)
        ✓        save money (ex: if buying a dime bag comes 1st before new strings- this is a hobby for you)
        ✓        Practice more
        ✓        learn from constructive criticism

Spend the Money on:
        ✓        good equipment (i didn’t say the best.. )
        ✓        Maintaining your gear (ask around, this isn’t too expensive if researched well)
        ✓        Recording your music.
        ✓        Merchandise worth buying (i see another band t-shirt (FOR $20) that is an iron-on, i will set it aflame)

Now, the above isn’t “the definitive list” of what only to do. I’m positive there are some I’m forgetting or overlooking.
There are some resources out there that you can use:

• Band Forums- Reddit etc..
• Facebook has a ton of Music Groups that have members who are very proactive.

• Good friend and Fellow Edison HS grad Dwight at Groove U can help you get things together.
• Take a look here: Hall of Douchebags – click on the photos for some ideas of what NOT to do once you start into the Image dept.
• I’ll say it again, ASK PEOPLE FOR ADVICE!

Again, if you spend more on makeup for a show, than you do for a working microphone- you shouldn’t have even gotten this far.

I’m game for any input from all of you out there, speak your mind… debate, be PROACTIVE!

However, one more thing-
Don’t air your band’s dirty laundry, or your own personal BS in public.
This is just another ego-driven cry for attention… even if you think you are being abused or the “victim” in the matter. Instead of the finger pointing and passive aggressive vague-book updates, take a hard look at why you are in that situation-
… and go practice.

Good night,
Rock on
S(p)TD

…may cause sleeplessness.

Hello!

Back from a crazy Tom Frietchen Band tour stop down near Cincinnati, Ohio, we kicked the tires on our live Ustream feed (soon to be called TFBtv) that was a blast to do, but extremely frustrating to implement. If you have ever tried to stream video whilst tethered to a cell-based hotspot, well.. you are at the mercy of those wacky cell towers, and the dead spots they create. We will be smoothing the bugs out on those issues…
Big Thanks to the TFB Street Team for making the trip and taking some great pics.. TFBtv will be live tomorrow (Monday 8pm) from The Mohawk Studio as we work on the new album!

TFB Shows Coming Up:

• May 17, 2013            Elyria Catholic Coliseum  Elyria, Ohio 8pm {Headlining}
• June 1, 2013             Pub 51 Toledo, Ohio 9pm
• June 8, 2013             Grayton Road Tavern Cleveland Ohio 9pm
• June 16, 2013           Clays Park Country Fest in Canal Fulton, Ohio 1:30-4:30pm
• July 5, 2013              John O’s at Clays Park in Canal Fulton, Ohio
• Aug 3, 2013              Summer Fest, Huron Boat Basin – Huron Ohio {Headlining}
• Aug 17, 2013             Fisher House Poker Run Benefit in Brunswick, Ohio 7-9pm

Monkey Love is hard at work getting a new show together for their 2013 Tour, which includes more Quaker, Steak, & Lube shows, Huron River Fest, Milan Melon Fest, Berlin Hts. Basket Fest and much more! We bid Mr. Jim Parker a fond farewell from ML as he heads for sunny Florida. We welcomed Mr. Alex Strick into the ML family, why stop there? We have added yet another Guitarist to ML’s lineup than will take us into 2013 with some serious energy.

• June 15, 2013 Quaker, Steak, & Lube Vermilion, OH 9pm
• July 13 2013 Huron River Fest Huron OH {Headlining}
• Aug 3 2013 Berlin Hts Basket Fest Berlin Heights OH 6:30pm

Two Words: Kelly Rose – She’s a kickass friend who has an awesome ear for music… I’m her co-host for the Firelands Local Music Spot (Every Friday @ 1pm on 95.3FM WLKR ) We are working on many ideas to help out Local Music – Shows, interviews, contests etc.. if you are in a band
(know someone who is?) or maybe going solo in music —-> contact us!

Kelly- krose@wlkrradio.com
Shawn- mohawk_studio@live.com
Soon we will debuting music from:

• Last Of The Wildmen
• The Sewing Circle
• Mr. Show
• Eastern Rift
• Lesson 22

Talk to ya later!

G’Night!
Shawn Patrick Thomas Daley

Beef Jerky

Beef Jerky + sunflower seeds + coffee + dill Pickle Chips

time to go live..

On the Road

Howdy y’all {i guess thats the preferred greeting of the country genre}
we are on our way to BAM Fest down by Cincinnati, been on the road for about an hour now-
We’ll be live on Ustream {http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-tom-frietchen-band} at 12pm (Noon)

at of 11:29am-

– Jonnie: “We should all get arrested as band.. that would be damn cool”

-Shawna: *dancing in her seat* “Bob, yo weave… bob yo weave…” {apparently she is listening to some music}

talk to ya in a bit

S{p}TD

Protools 11

Some of you may know that we have recently ventured into some new territory at The Mohawk Studio… Namely, we are now primarily a Mac-Based studio running ProTools 10.
I can tell you what, it’s pretty awesome when used properly…
{Still not throwing our tape machines away ;).
We just got this video forwarded to us..
Here’s what’s next for you ProTools fans out there
->> Watch a sneak peek about ProTools 11

Find your voice..

I was skimming through some South by Southwest Music Conference updates from friends and associates who were there and ran into this… Watch and enjoy one hell of a great guy.. Give the keynote speech of SXSW-

Click to watch Dave Grohl’s SXSW Keynote

Enjoy!
S(p)TP

Lets Face it..

Okay, one of our vows for this year is to be more proactive with bands & artists. One request I keep getting is along the lines of an “advise column” for those seeking live performance or studio help.
I’m a pretty straight shooter when it comes to those who ask for help… Often, those asking don’t like what they hear. I’ve spent many years in different Local Scenes.. Enough to have a fair say- So, I have a whole laundry list of pitfalls in the local scene.. Every week we’ll be looking at these.

One of the biggest problems in local music is that musicians/artist are surrounded by “yes men” that’s a term used to describe people who tell you everything is good.. That “you sound great” or “what a great idea..” Every time.. ALL the time. These are usually family or friends who don’t want to discourage you, and that’s dangerous for those who consider themselves professional. If you get offended by constructive criticism or think know you are above being critiqued for the sake of bettering yourselves and your craft… You should look at changing your hobby to underwater basket weaving or something. You are not a professional, you are a joke…. Literally
You are being picked apart (and probably being mocked) by your peers.. With every note- and you are completely blind to it.
Be serious about your craft.. But don’t take yourself so serious- your ego has you doing neither.
solution: find an honest 3rd party to work with you- (how?) ask around, usually a music community has a handful of veterans, who are honest and proactive- hopefully they will tell you what they really hear, and you will be honest with yourselves about it…
Take yourselves to an open mic night, away from your comfort zone..perform in front of those without a bias. If the feedback you receive isn’t too motivating, you have to dust yourself off and keep going!
Perhaps then you will realize the same 5 people telling you how awesome you are may have the best intentions, but the reality may be:
much more work is needed…
Here is a list (courtesy of AfterTheGig.com) of Jam/Open Mic Nights to help get feedback.
MARCH 2013
Monday
Hooley House Brooklyn Open Mic (Nick Zuber) 9:30
McCarthy’s Strongsville Jam (George Hartwig) 8:30-11:30
Moonlight Tavern Jam (Mojo Honey) 8-11
Phoenix Coventry Open Mic (Charlie Mosbrook) 8-10
Tuesday
Barking Spider Open Mic (1stGary Hall/4thWill Chesire) 8-12:30
Becky’s Bar & Grill Jam (Megan Constantine) 9-12
Blue Rock Cafe Acoustic Open Mic 6
Hooley House Mentor Open Mic (Nick Zuber) 9:30
Ludwig Hall Jam (LA Project) 9-1
Mars Bar Jam (Jack & Josh) 8
Sassy’s Jam (Butch Armstrong & The Groove Co.) 8-11
The Foundry Jam/Open Mic (Hot & Ready)
Winchester Acoustic Open Mic 9
Wednesday
Bar 107 Open Mic 8-12
Blue Rock Cafe Jam (Gary Hall) 4th Wed. 6-9
Brewsters Jam (Blues & Things) 8-11
Bunker Bar & Grill Jam 7
Euclid Tavern Open Mic 10
Handle Bar II Jam (Heston Biziak) 9-12
Larry’s Tavern Jam (Buddy’s Buddies) 8-11
Parkview Jam (Michael Bay & The Bad Boys of Blues) 10-2
Peppermill Jam (Butch Armstrong & Friends) 8:30-11:30
Phoenix Lee Rd. Open Mic (Charlie Mosbrook) 8-10
Sly Fox Jam (Cy Sulak, Eroc, Jon Darling & guest) 9-12:30
Smedley’s Acoustic Jam (Tony Shultz) 9-1
Vosh Jam (Cuda, Renko & Cuda) 7:30-11:30 starts 3/20
Thursday
Barking Bullfrog Open Mic (Adam Grindler & Kate) 8-12
BG’s Old World Tavern Jam (LA Project) 9-1
Blue Rock Cafe Electric Blues & Rock Jam 8-11:30
Brothers Lounge Jam (Michael Bay & Bad Boys of Blues) 9-1
Grillers Pub Jam (Armstrong, Tower City Blues) 8:30-11:30
House of Swing Open Jam (The Reid Project) 9:30
Johnny Malloy’s Avon Lake Jam (Ronnie Roadhouse) 8-11
Kenilworth II Jam (Family Tradition) 8
LaPorte Inn Jam (Cassy & The Cassettes) 9 (1st/3rd Thu.)
Main Street Saloon Akron Jam 8-12
Maple Grove Jam 9
Mutt & Jeff’s Jam (Scott Emerson) 9-1
Phoenix South Euclid Open Mic (Charlie Mosbrook) 7-9
Quaker Steak Lakewood Jam (Megan Constantine) 9-12
Smedley’s Jam (Freebyrds) 10-2
Stamper’s Musicians Showcase 8
Taverne of Richfield (David Nicholson) 1st Th 7:30-11
Visible Voice Open Mic 7-10 every other Th
Winchester Acoustic Open Mic 9
Sunday
Becky’s Bar & Grill Open Mic (Gary Hall/Meganne Stepka) 9-12
Cebars Euclid Blues Jam (Alan Greene Band) 9-1

Okay, that sounded really negative– got some sleep and did some updating.. but when you this is still valid: go read an hour’s worth of Twitter and Facebook statuses complaining about why nobody goes to shows or supports local music.. Having bands/artists that are worth seeing (or hearing) is a pretty big part of that equation- don’t ya think?
Let’s stop being bystanders and get involved.

Hope you had a great weekend..
Hung out in Norwalk at the Know Lyfe show Friday night with High Class Goats
Saturday was blast with Tom & Shawna from The Tom Frietchen Band doing some pre-production on their next album.
Some crazy updates with my book MOHAWK {by Paul Fuhr}
… Let’s just say, a very special musical endeavor will be had- which could include many of you who are reading this.
Stay tuned.

Cheers!
S(p)TD

Monkey Love @ Mylander Plaza 8.12.11

All Photos by Midwest Couture {Midwest Couture All Rights Reserved

{Retro}spective pt II

Getting caught up on all that life throws at you, you tend to forget how you got to where you are. A Recent interview I had this weekend for an article about the Studio made me recall some memories of my home in Milan, and my early attempts at capturing music. I was an awkward kid in High School, didn’t really date or hang out with the popular people. Thanks to my family and my friends, music was my thing… it was OUR thing.
My basement in Milan became a focal point for creativity (and the source of few tickets for violating the Village Noise ordinance). We realized that having a place to “record” and practice was only as good if we had something to perform, so… guitarist friend Steve & I flew to Florida for spring break our Junior year, did we hit the beach and Ft. Lauderdale party scene? Nope, we hung out poolside with his acoustic guitar writing songs while spring break was erupting all around us. We wrote something like a half dozen-or-so songs in between trips to a small restaurant to write lyrics.. Just before leaving Florida we stopped at a pawn shop, and found our early studio’s first mixing board. A late 1980’s 16 Channel Sound Craft that had a great hard case to carry it in. We bought it without even seeing it work (inherently dangerous notion, but we were young and risky musicians). Got this rickety board back to the basement in Milan and started to wire it all together. We built our own monitors, several speaker cabs… used a little CD/Tape player (boom box) to capture everything off the board.
Think this is nonsense? check out this Video: Before the Mohawk- Our studio in High School (I’m playing bass running the mixing board)

That was where we spent most of our time when we weren’t in school, it was DIY in the most sincere form. Not fancy.. prob very dangerous (did you know any electricians while in High School? neither did we)
actually down right dirty, damp, and cold- but, it was where I found myself making what would become an obsession.

Back to us being a band… well, we recorded a bunch of tracks, (none have survived the years to my knowledge) We rocked the High School Talent Show, leaving with 4th place- To this day we are good friends with fond memories of that basement. I’ve now a new appreciation for those days.. for they were the Spark, that got my fire going.

Carpe Noctem my friends,

Shawn

{retro}spective

Sitting here slightly wired, typing by the soft glow of the Ipad. I just read back through all my posts on here for the past 4yrs, I’m (surprise!) an inconsistent blogger. Yea, not very inspirational or motivating is it? Well, its motivating me to put fingers to wireless keyboard more often. The Mohawk Studio is hard at work on more projects than ever, we will post much more often… now back to Iron Chef America- can’t find the remote.. night!