I just found the last copy of an unreleased acoustic demo I recorded in 2007. I made a few copies and shared it with some friends, folks at the local coffeehouse and my mom. It’s all acoustic and includes three tracks. The first song was only performed once. The last song you may recognize if you’ve ever seen us play or own our studio album. The second song I can guarantee you’ve never heard before.

1.) Today
2.) Til Lights Send Me Home
3.) Beautiful

Let me know what you think in the comments.

What I love most about the guitar is its ability to create something big from relatively little. Unlike literature or painted art, audio physically surrounds the listener. It’s enveloping. And unlike other instruments like the piano, the guitar is unique in that the player has direct manipulation over the strings. New notes and sounds can be achieved via harmonics, slides and bends. You are truthfully the master of the universe that you create.

Rather than selling my soul to the Devil like Steve Vai’s character did in the movie Crossroads, I chose to do it the old-fashioned way like Ralph Macchio. (He is, after all, the Karate Kid.) And while running modal scales proved ultimately useless (I’m pretty sure I’ll never use Lydian), I did pick up a few philosophical lessons on playing and performing that I’ve been re-pondering hours before heading out to load for tonight’s gig at The New Parish.

So, here they are. Five life lessons that can be inferred from the guitar:

1.) Be Light As a Feather | Use the minimal amount of finger pressure while fretting to attain faster playing speed. It’s not how hard you press, it’s how efficiently you move.

2.) Find Your Balance | Relax and focus on what you’re doing now. Keep the future in mind but don’t wander too far or you might get lost.

3.) There Is No Wrong Way | Mistakes are only deviations from your desired path. Push through and don’t let these deviations bring you down or you’ll end up straying more. Don’t sweat the small stuff or you’ll end up drenched.

4.) Be Inspired | When it comes down to it, the goal of pursuing any artistic endeavor is to create something meaningful, expressive and aesthetically profound. Try and hold onto whatever it is that inspires you.

5.) Don’t Forget to Have Fun | Life is short, after all…

KT Tunstall | MySpace

This week of wet weather has been driving many of us, including myself, indoors. It’s particularly miserable, at first glance, with its bleak gray shadow and chill. But metaphorically, it’s sort of renewing. Rain, after all, is required for growth.

“Trying to find my umbrella, but I don’t know where to begin…”

The first few weeks of 2010, I find myself constantly reevaluating what I want life to mean for me. It’s the reemergence of a feeling I haven’t had since 2007 when I quit my last job and remade my life. It’s exciting, really, but there’s still an element of fear from the unknown. A shadow of a doubt.

“And it’s simply irrational weather, I can’t even hear myself think…”

It’s a shame to be encumbered by falling water. With all our technical prowess, we let a shift in perspective bring us down. And rain can be as much fun as sun, especially in how it seems to bring us closer in more intimate ways. Hot chocolate seems to be more sweet. Body warmth.

“I’m under the weather, just like the world, and I need somebody to hold…”

So I’m hoping I’ll find something more than just sunshine at the end of this shrouded phase. If anything, the storm is just a reminder, that we can walk the world and not find what we’re looking for if we forget to look within.

“I know that I’m not alone…

… it feels like home.”

Are you an Elite member of Yelp? If so, be sure to RSVP for the first East Bay Elite Event of 2010 because we’ll be performing that night! Not only will it be our first performance in Oakland, but it’ll be the first in a series of belated CD release shows. Because, while our album has been out for awhile, we haven’t properly celebrated its launch.

(Get the album here: CD Baby | iTunes | Amazon)

Better late than never…

Jan 21 – Yelp Goes Gaga!

8 – 11pm

The New Parish
Categories: Music Venues
579 18th Street at San Pablo
Oakland, CA 94612
http://www.thenewparish.com

Those hip to the scene have no doubt heard about Uptown Oakland’s newest hotspot, The New Parish. Created by one of the fellas behind The Independent in SF, uniquely designed and rigged up with a killer sound system, hopes are high for this venue. We’ve just heard that they’ll be granted their liquor license mid-month, and you know what that means right? Elite party on January 21st from 8-11pm!

Oh yes, they’re so eager to get yelpers in the house, the ten day countdown is on for a blow out! To ease into the night, guests are invited to enjoy spirit tastings courtesy of Drink Me Mag and Caribbean nibbles from neighboring restaurant, Hibiscus for the first hour. Then the party will really get kicking when Stunna starts flowing, and yelpers Ryan S and Keane L’s band Festizio rock the stage! Combining ambient sounds and driving rhythms in a landscape of intertwined harmonies, this will be an outstanding performance. To keep that groove going, we’ll have a special guest DJ come in with an arsenal of banging beats!

So bust out your hottest Lady Gaga-esque outfit and stunna shades, the first East Bay bash of 2010 is going to be blinding!

Here are a few heartwarming ads I found particularly effective. I love a quality promo even if it has little to do with the actual product. It’s interesting how so many goods are now defined by a lifestyle, and how proper marketing can completely turn a company around (see: Jack in the Box, 1995). A good commercial is a good commercial, even if it’s from a dinosaur relic like JCPenney.

By the way, did you know Arizona Jeans are way affordable?

Saw this ad before Avatar and it damn near choked me up. Song: “Follow the Arrow” by Rosi Golan.

Who doesn’t want Jim Lehrer to tuck them in at night?

Another great one from JCPenney that premiered in theaters a few years ago.

Wait for the eyebrow raise.