Absinthe Junk

Studio Starts and Journal Updates

2010-04-09T00:27:00.000-07:00

Spring has started finally in Nashville. The pollen is everywhere. My happy little orange spacebug car is now a shade of vomit green and everyone has a mystery flu that can't be helped. And yet, this is the best time of the year for most folks. Peculiar. Our record made it to us in shiny CD form, looking super fly and we have yet to put all the preorders together because we made them extra special. So it's taking time but it is getting done, slowly but surely.

The band all spent Easter together over at Ben's where he made Italian gravy. We all ate ourselves into oblivion. Fabulousness! I don't think I've ever had a better Easter in my life. There's something about band brothers, the extended family of their wonderful significant others who become your sisters - they literally do become your family. It's something you really can't explain. Anyway, it was a wonderful time. Jeremy got to tell us all about the Godfather, which he loves, which we didn't finish because we're ADD. I don't think I had one drink the entire night. Don't ask me why...

We ran into the studio for a stint last week and I handed over my precious roughs of the new album, Death in the Afternoon to Patrick and waited for what I always expect to be the nod of shame. I always convolute the crap out of every demo I bring - it's my compulsion - where I put all the icky bits that run through my head on a given day. And having literally written six songs across multiple keys, scoring full strings to them, and completed most of the programming/synth textures there was a mass of things I couldn't remember exactly what I had done. Such is the start of every Absinthe Junk journey. 'What the fuck were you thinking?' More like, 'What were you on?' or 'What the hell was wrong?' These songs come from a twisted little place but I look forward to them like candy. I might be alone in that group though. Nah, probably not. :)

Spring comes and I can't sleep. I have stupid ridiculous nightmares about people I never see anymore whom I don't ever want to see again. I have vivid, lifelike conversations with my bandmates and my family that I then have to use discerning logic to figure out later that day if the conversation happened or if it was actually a dream. Annoying shit! So I need to drink more I've decided. And instead of sleep I sit up at night and compose more crazy songs, draw weird art and youtube videos of Shirley Manson because I love her to deathbits and she inspires me.

The label takes me to SXSW this past month and all they scream there is create a buzz! Create a buzz and you are saved! SXSW used to be the grooviest most indie music festival in the country. The air of pretentiousness was absurd. You couldn't walk on 6th Street without feeling naked, couldn't spread the gospel without feeling out of place. It was all wrong. The music industry is simply a different monster than it was even five years ago. So the top cats say create a buzz and you are saved. Isn't that the fucking problem? Make some noise and it's popular? I'm not down with it man - the act is tired! Real producers, real studios are going out of business while talentless shit pollutes and you're preaching at me about some fucking buzz? Revolution Now music industry.

So that's my angry paragraph. Going back on the road with the Pink Floyd kids to earn my keep next week. Good times. Hope the van doesn't blow up! It's only a matter of time on that there. Wish us luck. O_o

The Science of Fan Overlap

2010-02-27T14:31:00.000-08:00

We started streaming on Jango last week when our master came in and it has been probably the most awesome and fun experience in our album's life so far for me. Jango has a way of taking your individual song stats and showing how your new fans came to you and from which artists. This is something we've never been able to nail down as a band with a different sound - we've never been able to target our audience. Jango is now helping us with this and it's shown us some of the most interesting trends.

People who like Assassin typically love Tori Amos, Garbage, Evanescence and Rush.

People who like Dragonflies in Hurricanes typically like Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks, Tantric, Rush, Placebo, and Muse.

People who like Sweet Vaccine typically like Heart, The Pretenders, Guns N' Roses, Rush, U2, Fleetwood Mac, Metallica, Judas Priest, Queen and Van Halen.

This is my favorite- People who like RUST typically love Heart, Deep Purple, Queen, Van Halen, Faith No More, Guns N' Roses, Black Sabbath, Deftones, Led Zeppelin, and U2.

Super interesting to finally see into the brains of people listening to our noise. I can't wait to watch this as it develops over the next few weeks as more songs are added and more data is collected. :)

--Blair

Living Ghosts Diary #5

2010-02-21T14:05:00.000-08:00

--Feb 13--

Our last day of mixing and the day that we plan to bounce to tape started in full absinthe junk fashion. I arrived the studio late (which these days is typical even though I'm a person who's obsessed with punctuality) to find the studio door unlocked but no Patrick. I called, no answer. I texted. It was quiet and quite creepy in the tracking room alone. Finally I texted Anne to ask if she knew if he was actually here then tried his phone again. That time he answered, half awake. The funny part of this is after he got up came to tracking room and decided we needed to make a coffee room he looked at me and asked, "Did you talk to me just now?"

"Um.. yeah..."

"Through the wall?"

State of confusion but laughter, "Nooooo, I was in the tracking room. I was on the phone?"

If that's not an odd start enough we get back and start the coffee making process. Couple minutes later we come back to check on the coffee which we assume has brewed only to find Patrick hadn't ever put the coffee in. He decides defiantly, "Well, this water's already hot! Fuck it, we'll just pour it back in!" Literally a second with this thought and into the action of it and coffee has EXPLODED and an array of brown speckle all around the studio kitchen. It's one of those you'd probably have to be there but it was such a 'what the fuck?!' moment. And now we know and so do you - never pour hot water back into the coffee pot to brew.

A totally surreal day as we pulled up each one of the tracks and listened for the last time to see if there were any final changes that had to be made. The tape machine was prepped and the Living Ghosts album was printed one song at a time. The transition to analog was mind blowing for me. I've never had any of my music bounced to tape. I hear everyone talk about how digital is so harsh and lifeless and I'll agree having heard stuff not cut digitally that it is. But to hear your own stuff take even the smallest step toward analog with a bounce-down and the difference that's made by doing so - it's an absolutely dramatic difference. Now I can't listen to the digitals in comparisons - they're just nasty. Of everything I got to experience on this record this was definitely the most fulfilling.

So the album is off to mastering in Atlanta. Now starts the wait for that to be completed and then off to replication in Minnesota.

The end is on the way.
--Blair

Living Ghosts Diary #4

2010-02-12T20:39:00.000-08:00

Day 8 or 9, possibly day 10 of mixing the Living Ghosts record. Patrick and I have both lost count. A late start after quickly dropping a partially mastered Frankensteined sampler off to the presses to send to our publicist for our media blitz and it being our last day of true mixing it was kinda hard to get motivated. Rust was it - the last obstacle in the way. Huzzah for Rust! The satan song that tripped us up for weeks at a time during the spring and summer and fall of 2009 with its enigmatic soundscape and needs. Naturally, anything involving Rust terrifies me.

Lunch today was a quick mini ravioli thing from the gas station up the way. Ya know, the kids sized microwavable carton? We decided it being Friday since we should technically be on the road that we should eat road food and live vicariously. So Patrick had the spaghetti and meatballs and vitamin water, I had Reeses peanut butter cups. I've decided I have a sickness for these things. I can't stop! If Jeremy and Ben would have been there they would have gotten some sort of crazy chip thing. Matt always has the best snacks - they're always somewhat good for you in an awesome way. Like candied ginger - the throat elixir of god! Man, we need to get back on the road.

The mix of Rust flew by. Funny enough, Rust was already mixed by the label but the band agreed it sounded quite... well, it sounded neutered, let's be honest here. Now it sounds so balls to the walls. And the whole album does. It's honestly quite scary to think of what would have happened if it would have stayed out of our hands. Fiasco avoided, frustration certainly had but regardless, the bitch goes to tape tomorrow then to mastering and then to the replicator. I guess that means I have some badges to draw, some buttons to press... I guess that means I should probably get that CD party planned. Absinthe anyone?

Junk it up!
-Blair

Living Ghosts Diary #3

2010-02-01T23:32:00.000-08:00

I think it would be fair to say we assaulted Sweet Vaccine today. Since we originally sat down and put the tracks in and then started playing it out it's changed drastically so Patrick basically wiped the guitar slate clean with the exception of a few key parts and Jeremy's parts. It's really turned into an opus and a vastly complicated arrangement. I think I could honestly say it's my favorite song on the album though so to have it in Patrick's hands makes me feel so much better. He brought out Jeremy's acoustic part which I always thought really tied the room together, as it were. The B3 is still under everything creating a timewarp of rotational awesome. My DaveSmith Prophet work got brought higher into the mix and suddenly it all made sense - the glue settled everything. I still swear the strings aren't in tune even though I sat and tuned them myself... but I guess I should have just been in tune the first damn time. I need to be get better... too many strands in Duder's head. Patrick threw in some glorious (and maybe ridiculous but fuck it - it's awesome) guitarymphonies - I'm the worst person to have around in all this because I will not have restraint and will openly say 'That could use a third guitarmony. Yes, absolutely. Right on top. I don't care that we don't have three guitars. I'll play it with my FOOT."

Thus started the discussion of Absinthe Junk and tastefulness versus tasty. We have decided that tastefulness is what the music industry is now. Everything in its little box, within reason. We, on the other hand, are tasty. We will gladly throw in Iron Maiden harmonies that just rip the emotions straight from the gut of the song. Take no prisoners. The synth part is so orchestrated now I am convinced that the band is becoming one big brain. Patrick wrote a double part for him and Jeremy that I honestly could have seen me writing for two violins. Matt is getting to where he throws in these amazing climbs and harmonies on the bass that will just catch you in midphrase and almost take your breath away. In the meantime, Ben gets it. The guy just gets it and you hear that in every fill and every hit he makes. We all within the last few weeks have asked ourselves 'Is it just me or did this thing just grow a pair overnight?' Something clicked and it's been bliss ever since. Now if only we could get that singer chic on the keys and the violin to get with the program. She's so aloof! :P

We wrapped up the ending to Road to Damnation 1, got a huge leap on the now epic Sweet Vaccine. Left to do is Rust (Fuuuuuccckk), Road to Damnation 2, Precious Delirium and Swear to Me. The latter I'm not worried about. The first two? Wednesday is gonna be a long day. Bring it.

--Blair

Living Ghosts Diary #2

2010-01-29T11:06:00.000-08:00

Patrick put a mix on Assassin, Road to Damnation 1 and Dragonflies in the last three days. We've spent more time fixing screwed up tracks, janked vocal files and finding missing parts than we have mixing I think almost. I lost time somewhere in the r2d1 mix, falling asleep on the couch, waking up to Anne handing me food (she saves my life!) and then falling back onto the couch. Realized really how little food we all eat when we're in the studio - never really been conscious about it. Yesterday it was a slice of Japanese sweet potato cake I made a few nights before and a bean burrito. At least keeping the (stupid) industry standard image of rail thin won't be too hard at this rate.

Dragonflies sounds so amazing. Patrick laid down his harmonies that he's been singing live and I redid the harmonies I cut with the record label so they actually sound confident. Very very pleased with how it sounds. Didn't have to tune them - they sit so nice with a natural chorus effect. Constantly running stuff through the plate which makes it sound like it's in a cathedral of awesome.

Assassin's beginning has changed a lot - it's got a lot more ethereal sparkle which is so cool.

We go back in next week to finish. Then maybe my phone will stop blowing up.

-B

Jeremy's Newest Newsletter of News

2010-01-24T23:33:00.000-08:00

What is up Junkies?

We are just writing an update to keep you all in the loop on what’s been happening with Absinthe Junk. It is a real exciting time for us and we are psyched to share some info with you.

Recently, we went out on the road for a couple shows and it kicked some major ass! We started in Jefferson City, Missouri performing at Mike’s Corner Pocket. It was a great show. The other bands on the bill with us rocked and so did the crowd. From there we went on to The Elbo Room in Chicago, Ill. This place was bitching! We couldn’t have asked for a better response. Our set-list for these shows consisted of some new tunes including “Commercialized Waste”, “Assassin (Someday)”, and “Rust,” and some older tunes you are all familiar with like “Dragonflies in Hurricanes"; as well as our a tribute to Pink Floyd, which was a block including the classics “Mother”, “Astronomy Domine”, and “Welcome to the Machine”, putting our own Junked up spin on them. Video from these shows will be available on our YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/absinthejunk, very shortly.

The future holds a lot for Absinthe Junk. We have more shows around Nashville coming up, including January 25th at 12^th and Porter, February 5^th at Hard Rock Café, and February 20^th at French Quarter Café. In March, Junk is hitting the road again. We’ll be making stops from the 11^th through the 14^th in St. Louis back to Chicago, then wrapping it up in Lexington, Kentucky.

Our album, “Living Ghosts”, is still in the mixing stages and will be out soon. Preorders are still being taken for it. For more information, check out website at www.mypieceofjunk.com . We are beyond thrilled to bring this music to you and hope you find a connection with it and love it as much as we do.

That is the info for now. Remember to check out website for more show details and the latest news. We want to thank you so much for your support and loyalty. We have the best fans in the world and none of this would be possible without you. We love you all.

Junk It Up!
Jeremy

Favorites Of

2010-01-24T23:14:00.000-08:00

Absinthe Junk's list of Favorites

Some Things That Absinthe Junk Likes On The Road,
And Some Things That Absinthe Junk Doesn't Like On The Road, Circa 2010

Current Absinthe Junk Driving CDs
Them Crooked Vultures
Muse
Deep Purple
The New Pornographers
Pink Floyd
Shrug
Misc. Reggae
Phish

Current Absinthe Junk Favorite Road Reading
Jeff Lindsay's Dexter series

Current Absinthe Junk Favorite After-Show Food
Chef Boyardee Spaghetti & Meatballs
Pringles
Honey mustard anything

Current Absinthe Junk Least Favorite After-Show Food
Leftover Arby's Sandwiches

Current Absinthe Junk Favorite Green Room Beverage
Death By Afternoon - Mtn Dew and Absinthe cocktail
Obsello/LaClandestine Absinthes
Whiskey and Coke
Ben's tequila

Current Absinthe Junk Least Favorite Green Room Beverage
Warm beer
Flat warm coke
Cheap absinthe
In reality if it isn't 3 weeks old, we'll drink it

Current Absinthe Junk Favorite Van Movie
Yet to be determined

Current Absinthe Junk Least Favorite Van Movie
Yet to be determined

Living Ghosts Diary #1

2010-01-24T23:01:00.000-08:00

This should probably be diary #11239250987 but I've not been keeping up my need for expulsion of emotion, rage, and all that jazz.

This thing has been gestating for nearly a year. If you boil right down to it and come back to the source it's been well over a year. We signed with the label in February, we got our shit done by April. They had me lay my vocals down in August. Since then we've been sitting on our hands. It feels like eight months has gone by - finally I talked with everyone and was able to get them to just let us finish the project. Patrick got all the tracks last Thursday and he'll start his work this week. Of course we see how this sucks because now we bring a friend, a family member, a bandmate and blood into this mixed up mess of emotional ebb and flow. Luckily he is (and hopefully he'll always continue to be) a very understanding cat and knows that the bitch is just crazy and it has nothing to do with him.

I've been working in art for around a decade and I've never had something literally pull the life out of me like this record has. It's just enough to make you want to fall on your fucking sword. I've started cooking mass amounts of food for no one and keeping it in the back of the fridge because it's all I can do to cope with the wait. The publicist, the licensing guy, the radio guy - they all call me at random intervals in the week to find out where the damn thing is. Until Thursday all I could say is "I dunno man. Sorry. Call the label."

A fucking nightmare. Just about sums it up. I don't want to think about it anymore and it's sad - I love the songs. They're a part of me but they're so quickly becoming a part of me that's going crazy. I don't sleep and I don't eat. I hurt all the time. And I don't really even care. I'm not complaining. I'm talking to the wall man because everyone else would cast shackles to my wrists and put me in a room without windows.

Living Ghosts... Heh.

Keep it real Junkies. I'll stay somewhat sane for ya.
Love,
Blair