Blog Posts

Viva La Vida (Or, Death And All His Friends)

I’m sitting next to Charlize Theron in the fifth row of The Gibson Amphitheater when the string section walks in. Coldplay, a little matchy-match in their quasi-revolutionary, epilette-laden outfits, tear into the hook: four synthy chords and a house-inspired beat. Behind them, naked, desaturated Romanesque soldiers storm an ancient gate. The stage, once cast is…
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Without Love It Ain’t Much

Ok, so here’s my super-glamorous life on location at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards, part two. It’s 10:27. R.E.M. — my favorite band of, like, all time — is performing exactly 2.4 miles away at The Hollywood Bowl. For a minute, I considered jogging over there (Driving in L.A.? Not so fun.). And then I…
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Goodnight, Hollywood Boulevard

Invariably, every time an event like the 2008 MTV Movie Awards pops up, I’m on the receiving end of all sorts of comments about how cool, glamourous or sexy my job is. So let me set the record straight. True, I woke to the sun rising over Mountain Wilson. And yes, the air smells like…
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It Never Rains In California (It Pours)

True, my life has unfolded differently than I might have planned (or dreamed). Tonight finds me at Universal Studios Hollywood (more Burbank than Hollywood, really), not on the road like my pals The Nadas or Raining Jane. Fortunately, though, I receive the occasional email from my rock ‘n roll pals. In fact, Raining Jane cellist,…
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Sing To Keep Your Demons At Bay

Good thing Jamie Leonhart told me she taught voice after I roped her into singing a few songs with me for “The Invention Of Everything Else” (due June 18th from Authentic Records!); had I known in advance, I might not have had the nerve to ask. I first came to know of Miss Leonhart as…
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Mixing “The Invention Of Everything Else”

Jon Locker, bless his heart, seems to be remaining calm. The Nadas’ bassist (and bonafide producer) is mixing my new record, “The Invention Of Everything Else” (due June 18th from Authentic Records!) at his Sonic Factory Studios in Des Moines. As you might guess, it’s a not an assignment to be taken lightly, as my…
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