May 25, 2013
May 24, 2013
YouTube Gems: Phillip Fox Band
From their fabulous 2012 EP, Motor City Blood, here's the Phillip Fox Band with the title track. Here's hoping they have a full album coming soon. RIYL: Two Cow Garage, Shooter Jennings, Lucero, Arliss Nancy, The Replacements.
John Rich's Songwriting Tips #66
When she's co-writing a song, Taylor Swift starts off the session with a little girl talk. You know, gossiping about shit, complaining about this week's famous boyfriend and stuff like that. Well, you can take that bit of trivia nobody really cares about and translate it to your co-writing. And yeah, co-writing, because if you're gonna be anybody in Nashville you can't do it sitting in your apartment with your wiener in one hand and a writing pad in the other.
When I meet up with my writing buddies, I break out the scotch, porno mags and cigars to break the ice. That way, they're all chilled out and won't get butthurt when I shoot down their stupid ideas. A little guy talk can start things off too. You know, sports, Kate Upton's boobs, sports, hamburgers, sports... Then maybe they'll start picking the guitar a little and singing a line that's been stuck in their head all day. I pour 'em a little more drinky-drink and change the subject for a minute. That's when I whip my thing out. ...My song I already wrote before they got there, what did you think I meant? I'll play 'em the song, which is generally about 40-year-olds doing 20-year-old activities or some kind of weepy song about Jesus saving a hooker or some shit. They like it and attempt to change a couple of lines. I take out my collection of authentic ninja stars and remark how accurate I am inside 15 feet. They decide the song is perfect as is. I let them change one word and then add their name to the song, because usually they have a better reputation around town or haven't burned the ever-lovin' shit out of a bridge I want the song to cross. There you have it. Paydirt mofos!
Looking back at this particular songwriting tip, I'm not sure how it applies to you, the wet-behind-the-ears Starbucks barista who can't write his or her way out of the paper sack your forty ounce supper came in, but I'm sure there's some bit of knowledge you can glean. Chin up bro!
*Not actually written by John Rich
May 23, 2013
Album Review: William Clark Green - Rose Queen
Rose Queen, Green's third album, proves the still young artist one to watch for the foreseeable future. Hitting the airwaves with equal parts radio-ready tunes and darker journeys (sometimes in the same song), it is a release that shows both arrival and massive upside.
The title track is a heartland rocker that explores the short-lived relationship between a regular Joe and a country club girl. It's drenched in fast-burning passion and the resignation that there was no chance in hell of it lasting. Mellencamp made millions doing this kind of song; Green should at least get a touring bus out of the deal.
"She Likes the Beatles" is the most commercial sounding tune in the bunch. She likes the Beatles, he likes the Stones, but they make it work somehow. It explores the contrasts that keep a good relationship strong, even if their respective sets of parents hate the other set's half of the couple. It's probably the song that could make the most impact nationally, but there's likely too much personality and realism in the song for Nashville to give it a second glance.
"Drowning" is the literal and emotional center of Rose Queen. Backed by stunning vocals from producer(!) Rachel Loy, it's a stark and beautiful stroll along the edges of a broken love affair.
My favorite track on the record is "Take Me Away." "If you take me away from here/I will make a promise I will never keep" sings Green in this raw, emotionally bare song that veers away from country into almost a mainstream rock sound. The dark, confessing tone of this song proves itself a theme by this point in the album, a surprising thread to tie together such a charming set of songs.
Rose Queen immediately proves William Clark Green ready for the spotlight. He's an artist worthy of running in the circles of the critically and popularly acclaimed Turnpike Troubadours and Departeds of the world. What's scary is that Green probably hasn't reached his creative peak yet. Rose Queen is both promise realized and the declaration of so much more to come.
Highly recommended to fans of: Turnpike Troubadours, Ryan Adams, John Fullbright, Chris Knight, Ryan Bingham and Randy Rogers Band.
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Rose Queen can be previewed/purchased at Amazon, Lone Star Music and the other usual outlets.
May 22, 2013
YouTube Junk: Jessta James
Yes, this guy is being promoted to country radio and by "country" websites.
Film Review: The Other Life (Shooter Jennings/Blake Judd)
To coincide with the release of The Other Life album, Shooter Jennings along with Blake Judd have made a short film/long music video by the same name. The film begins with The Other Life music video, which has already been released for online viewing and travels through several of the songs from the new album in a twisted tale of psychedelic proportions. While there are several reoccurring themes and characters throughout, this is not to be confused with the style of connected music videos released by Travis Tritt throughout the 1990's. Instead this is a fast paced trip down a dead-end road that leaves more questions than answers. It is everything yet nothing at the same time. Is this a bad thing? No, it's exactly what it needs to be: Something to make the viewer want more and to talk about what they've seen for quite some time. (Shooter also doesn't have an answer to sum it up)
One thing I was able to take away from watching the film was that this may be an actual look into Shooter's life itself. The struggles of not knowing who to trust and finding out you've trusted the wrong people too late. I may be way off on this, but it's just my take. I didn't ask any questions about any special meaning after my viewing mostly because of my interpretation and the fact that I didn't want this review to be influenced by any inside information I may have received. I believe if ten different people watched the film together, you would get at least six different takes on the overall meaning and direction of the film. One thing is for sure, I would not take anything that may make you hallucinate before watching The Other Life. You may see enough things based on the high production quality and trippy storyline.
While the film consist of very few words (less than ten) and only a few subtitles there are several moments that made me feel as if the story was actually being read aloud to me. No, I wasn't under the influence of anything (Does beer and bar food count?) and I'm definitely not the artsy type, but I could see this movie getting high marks at several film festivals. I was most impressed by Shooter's ability to lay still for long periods of time and to not freak out in a body bag. (Two things I couldn't do if my life depended on it) While the acting itself is of high quality, the overall star of the project is the way the film was edited and pulled together in itself. Blake Judd deserves a bigger opportunity based solely on this project. I'm not sure anyone else could offer up a thirty minute film that somehow brings to mind Quentin Tarantino, old black and white horror films and the Nicolas Cage movie Family Man. Yes I'm serious about my previous sentence (and still not on drugs).
Just in case this all doesn't sound weird enough for you.... The plan is to release The Other Life on purple VHS at first. (I guess they couldn't find a good Betamax supplier?) Only after all of the limited edition VHS copies have been sold will the project come to life on any other format, so I guess I'll take one. I haven't owned a machine capable of playing it in 5-6 years but just think how cool an autographed purple VHS would look in a display case. One good thing about this is the simple fact it will add a step or two to a pirated copy going viral. But don't worry, if you can't wait or if 1980's technology isn't your thing, the film will begin playing as soon as the doors open at all indoor Shooter Jennings' shows on the current tour and as part of special VIP packages that can be purchased at shooterjennings.com and also includes a special meet and greet, acoustic performance and other goodies. So grab some popcorn, hop in your DeLorean, lace up a pair of British Knights and tighten the drawstring on the best pair of Zubaz pants you own because it's movie time.
Lyrical Satirical: This Song is for Summer
This Song Is For Summer
©2013 FTM Satire
Aw hell yeah it's summer again
Time to drop a tailgate with your redneck friends
Text up some honeys in cut off jeans
Sugar shaker, donkadonk, know what I mean?
Crank some Lil Wayne in a country mood
Pass around some moonshine we bought at Whole Foods
Let's get rowdy like Hank would do
Hey, check out my new Duck Dynasty tattoo
Chorus
This song is for summer, y'all
Those three months after spring and just before fall
Have to spell it out cause my fans are dumber
Crank it on up in the summer summer summer
Yeehaw boys, yeah I got some swag
Got a Mud Life sticker and truck nutz that drag
Old farts hatin' cause I drop some rhymes
But that's how we do country in the summertime
Shotgun, old truck, some other cliche
Gather round the fire and I'll sing you some Kanye
Feet on the dash, let the night commence
Who cares if this tune doesn't make any sense?
This song is for summer, y'all
Those three months after spring and just before fall
Have to spell it out cause my fans are dumber
Crank it on up in the summer summer summer
Bridge (spoken)
And now a word from our sponsor:
It's hot out there while you're partying with your homeyz
Try something a little different!
Bud Light Lime.
It's Bud Light, with a twist!
Back to this song for summer, son
Put it out in March so it's a June number one
Have to spell it out cause my fans are dumber
Crank it on up in the summer summer summer
May 21, 2013
Help Oklahoma
Our hearts, minds and spirits go out to the people of Oklahoma today in the wake of yesterday's tragic tornadoes.
If you'd like to help the relief efforts, you can donate $10 to the Salvation Army by texting STORM to 80888. You can donate $10 to the Red Cross by texting REDCROSS to 90999. There are other ways to help, some documented here. Also, if you live in the area (or any area for that matter, but particularly in OK), it would be excellent if you went and donated some life-giving blood.
May 20, 2013
Yeah I Like The National
I know most of FTM's readers probably aren't big into indie rock (and neither am I), but I can't get enough of this band. The National is one of the few supposed "hipster" bands I love. Their music is morose but joyously so, if that makes any sense. The National is a hypnotic, anthemic soundtrack to despair. Their new album out tomorrow, Trouble Will Find Me, is easily one of my favorite albums of the year thus far. Here's the first video from the new album, "Sea of Love."
Fun With Google Autocomplete
These are actual results from Google Instant (the autocomplete feature on their searches).
 |
| Pants. I think the answer is pants. |
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| Come on, she's pregnant. And her name isn't Lady Antebellum. |
 |
| Hey, they said it ...not me. |
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| No, she's pretty much perfect except for that one night with Martina McBride at the Chippendales' show. |
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| I thought this was a joke until I saw that the CDB used to cover this in concert. I still think it's a joke... |
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| Probably not. |
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| Yes, Gary gave birth to Hunter himself. |
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| No comment. |
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| No, but her fans like poop in their ears. |
Monday Morning Memes: Blake Shelton, Shooter Jennings, etc.
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Thanks to Jeremy Harris for most of these... including that last one. Hoo boy.
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