Tag: confusionaires

many miles to go

Here’s another one of these.

This is me talking about what eventually became a really important song for The Confusionaires. Our first music video, the first song on our second album, the first song we self-produced, and really the first song we were each 100% excited with how it turned out.

Not throwing shade on the album before it, as we’re all proud of that one too, but this one definitely meant more to each of us.

The album was ‘From The Headache To The Heartache’ and featured a number of great songs we still play live to this day. ‘Many Miles To Go’ was the one that put it all in motion though.

whiskey ballad

I’m back on this trip I started a few weeks back.

In this installment of ‘this is a song i wrote’ I discuss the origins of ‘Whiskey Ballad‘ from The Confusionaires 3rd album ‘Westernization‘

It deals with the personification of my brain, my heart, and my belly and their internal argument in regards to my use of alcohol as a coping mechanism.

In the end, the body parts resolve to not put themselves in this position ever again, and take care of the body better… which; since this song is entirely self referential, includes a meditation practice, veganism, and a better relationship with the environment.

I maintain that the worst thing the human race ever did to itself was to view itself separate from nature. Maybe one day I’ll pick that notion apart, but to sum it up, if we lived in service of the planet and it’s inhabitants (which includes us) then the Earth would return the favor.

Anyway… I’m still working on getting better at this video thing.
Stay with me here, people.

Much love.

you know i’m right

This is a little different, so stay with me here.

I’ve decided to embark on a bit of a stretch of my comfort zone.

I play in and write songs for a rock & roll band called The Confusionaires… and much like this blog, when I write, it’s generally about something.

So periodically, I’ll be posting some of these videos of me talking about songs. It’s bound to get into some new subject matter over time, as there are definitely things I write songs about that have not been mentioned here yet… and some that are a direct result of a line of thinking from this blog.

Anyway… I hope you enjoy this.

Also… be gentle, these videos are bound to improve with time so if you find the voice a bit quiet, or you find me to be a little twitchy or nervous, just… pretend I’m flirting with you or something.

Thanks in advance.

tribute

It’s funny where life takes you.

I love 50’s style rock & roll – the style, the history, the under-credited performers and songwriters, the innovation, the sound… I love where it came from, how it got there, and where it went. I love that it was a rebellious response to the way things were… I love hot rods and upright bass… all of it.

That said, I’ve never really been a purist. I think I’m more the type to try and take it where it’s going, rather than to put it back where it’s already been… which is how I write songs, build my car, and ultimately live. It’s also what the vision for The Confusionaires is – completely unbridled vintage-inspired hillbilly rock & roll.

So, in a twist of fate, I’ve found myself playing in not just one, but three different tribute bands. I play guitar for Robin Kelly’s Long Live The King show, which is a tribute to Elvis Presley, I’ve recently taken on some guitar work in David James’ Johnny Cash tribute (and he also does a Waylon Jennings tribute that I’m excited to play with), and I’ve been doing my own Buddy Holly tribute.

I take these tributes pretty seriously, though I’m never expected to play everything perfectly note-for-note what’s on the album, I want to give a good show and be respectful to the craft, and it’s not lost on me that I am playing peoples’ favorite songs when I’m doing this. So – it’s not natural for me to do these. It becomes natural with time, because I am a professional, and these artists are historically significant and have thereby influenced my musical trajectory. So these things take up a lot of mental space as they approach – Especially the Buddy Holly – because that’s me playing the way Buddy played and trying not to fuck up the words – and even tell some stories.

And so, I think the Buddy Holly show will be seeing some changes. I aim to build a new show that is a bit more Confusionaires-centric, but also pays tribute to the great artists that paved the road we do burn-outs on every time we set up & play. I’m optimistic it will take some of the pressure off of ‘doing it the right way’ and open things up, so we can put on proper display the wildness that these primitive rock & rollers put forward in their day… because they weren’t trying to do anything the way other people were doing it.

For what The Confusionaires do – I think that’s the right direction… so although I am totally happy to play Johnny, Waylon, and Elvis tunes on my guitar the way they were meant to be heard, I think the gospel I need to spread is more about rock & roll in all of it’s glory, rather than just one small section.

Anyway… that’s what I’m thinking about right now.

long hauls

As this is being posted, I am now on tour with my band in Mexico, and as much as I look forward to writing about my experiences touring there when I return, this post and next week’s post are both written well in advance.

The shows I played in the latter half of 2023 were limited in quantity due to unforeseen circumstances. I don’t think I played live at all between Mid July & October, but since December 1st I’ve played 9 live shows in Alberta and am in the midst of playing 8 live shows in Mexico. In between, I’ve had numerous rehearsals and have had to travel for work, as well.

My family has been beyond patient.

Ultimately, we all understand that this level of business is good. The Confusionaires are in demand, and are raising their profile. We can expect some reprieve after this trip, which we’ll likely use to record. Bookings are coming in for summer & fall of 2024 already and that will give us something to look forward to, in addition to another exciting music-related thing that’s happening all the while. By mid April my day job will calm down considerably as well, as our year end will be dealt with.

This level of change has been uncomfortable, sure, but this level of change is what we’ve been working toward. The band is really solid and increasing in value steadily, but the 3 of us understand that every day is a gift and that opportunities need to be seized… and that opportunities are work.

I’m feeling a great level of gratitude for what I’ve been given here, between the songs I’ve been fortunate to write and the people I’m blessed to make music with.

I think complaining is easy, especially when things are uncomfortable, but it’s not lost on me that pressure, stress, friction, and time are all the elements required to make diamonds, thunderstorms, flowers, and all manner of beautiful things and that if I were being spared from dealing with these elements, that I would be upset that nothing was improving.

I am truly grateful for what I have, and where I am… in part because where I am is always moving.

discomfort zone

“The purpose in my visit is growth. Not necessarily artist growth or soul nurturing connection, but straight up business. Straight up business is still personal, in that it’s connecting with real people and following up in an effort to make real things happen in the future.”

I’m doing something I’ve never done. I’m at a music conference, hobnobbing and making connections with professionals in my industry. I’m putting my best foot forward, and attempting to glitz-up; via conversation and genuine connection, my musical output. This has historically not been my strong suit, as I’m more than a little introverted – but my conference compatriot and band manager is very comfortable in these scenarios, so I’m in pretty good shape.

This is not really a setting I’ve spent any time in save for a few ‘meet-ups’ and what-have-you. It’s a departure from my usual den of rehearsal rooms, recording studios, and coffee shops – but it’s ultimately good. It’s stretching me in ways I hadn’t anticipated and I’m enjoying it a bit more than I thought I might – in retrospect, it’s taken some time to prime myself for this adventure – but again it helps that my band’s manager is situated in a hotel room not far from me, and she is 10x the social butterfly that I am. I also have the unwavering support of my girlfriend, Lu, which I can feel from over 300km away.

The purpose in my visit is growth. Not necessarily artist growth or soul nurturing connection (though I’m down for that), but straight up business. Straight up business is still personal, in that it’s connecting with real people and following up in an effort to make real things happen in the future. I’ve been told that when your body, soul, and mind are in alignment with your purpose, that the universe conspires to support you. Those aren’t my words, but I like them and I’ll use them. I’ll receive that message and I’ll share it, because my whole life has led me to this point, through all the twists & turns & bouts with alcohol and self loathing, I am planted firmly in the here & now and I have to believe and facilitate the notion that something positive and affirming is going to happen here.

So wish me luck.

As this is being posted, I’m 2/3rds of the way through it and my brain and heart and notebook are all brimming. To be in the company of so many like-minded and career-focused people is encouraging. This is one of the very select places you can be where there’s no chance of anyone telling you that you can’t do it, or that you can’t make a career out of art.

I suppose I knew from the get-go that this would be a make-work project, and that I would come away from this experience with a broadened approach to what I do, but it’s hitting me square in the face that the discipline practice that I’ve been applying to my personal life and fitness regimen is going to have to be applied to my professional life much more than it already has (and it has).

I love change. I embrace change. I am capable of change.

Training this week as been… well half of it has been in a different locale. Downtown Calgary, AB is a real scene. I like this city a lot, likely because I don’t live here but I do get to perform here with some regularity. I’ve been able to acquaint myself with the Bow River a bit, and have taken in this city’s skyline on my morning run, and the weight room in the hotel that’s hosting this conference is a nice perk – hotels I typically stay in are not outfitted with such amenities.

The conference has a run club at 9am each day, so it’s been interesting finding pace with people I don’t know, but it’s interesting sharing non-musical ground with music people. Perhaps it’ll firm up some new working relationships… perhaps I’m just running with some weirdos.

Being physically taken out of your comfort zone causes you to realize and rely on your emotional comfort zone. You can really learn a lot about yourself by changing one thing, even temporarily.