I Been To Your House An' Seen What You Adore

mp3 blog?

2008-07-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

I am starting an mp3 blog, to see if i like doing it.

Shyness Is Nice.

-Dan

English Crowds.

2008-06-09T14:37:00.000-07:00

In general, I have been really disappointed with the crowds at the shows in England. Note: Scotland, Ireland, Europe are all pretty awesome (Japan, you KNOW we love you the most!). But ENGLAND, man. Man. Tonight, for a crowd of about 400, it was as quiet and unenthusiastic as an insurance convention, except for the kid in the front row who continually yelled, "You suck! I hate you! Zebrahead!!!" Nate dedicated a song to him, which was kinda funny, but we definitely had some anger in our hearts toward him. Confession: I was angry as well. After we played and I was tearing down my cords, pedals, etc, I lashed back at him a little, purposefully loud enough for the others around to hear.

"What are your songs like?" I yell.
"What?"
"Your band, what kind of style is it?"
He feigns to not hear me.
"Is it like Punk, or like Avant-Noise or what? What kind of sound are you going for?"

The others laugh, and his friend even tells me, "Don't listen to him, it was great, man." The mean kid, who actually caught my pic as I threw it while walking offstage (irony of ironies), throws the pic back at me. I give it to his friend, who thanks me. Later on, I go up to talk to him and simply say, "You're being a punk, but I'm not mad at you, and I hope you will grow up from this sooner or later," but I find that he has been kicked out of the show, and so instead just take a second to talk to the kids in the front who enjoyed the show, and thank them for coming.

Still, I feel like I acted out of anger, not justice or love. So, stupid kid, I apologize, although I doubt you will read this. You probably don't even remember the name of our band. =)

Dan

Europe

2008-06-03T09:00:00.001-07:00

This tour has been such an interesting experience. We are all tired (somehow -- despite a nice break beforehand), and although we know it is a privilege to be here, to be with bands that are more successful over here than we are, and to see some new cities for the first time, there is still a shadow, it seems, hanging over the whole trip. i honestly would much rather just be at home right now, and have felt that way basically the entire time (with the exception of the 5 days in amsterdam, germany and paris). i miss jaffrey, and i really am anxious to start really working on the new album. it feels like i have had over 30 songs ready to be worked on for months now, but nowhere to go with them. david is a lovesick puppy with a new girlfriend, which isn't a bad thing, but he has been basically out of it all the time.

i sound like i am complaining, probably because i am. i know i am fortunate, and will cherish these experiences for the rest of my life. my prayer, i guess, is that i can keep that in mind and not be distracted by my own trivial wishes. maybe this will make the album better somehow as well. =)

dan.

2 (or 3) albums.

2008-02-29T10:49:00.000-08:00

Well, it's 2008. And musically, it;s looking to be a pretty good year. If you haven't been given a shave by the all-encompassing buzz about Vampire Weekend, then I am a little surprised. But don't worry, it's not too late to join in. Pick up their self-titled debut album as soon as you find a record store -- it is worth every penny, and is so far the best album of the year (and it's hard to image anything topping it!).

Similarly, the new MGMT album, "Oracular Spectacular", had been strongly recommended to me by both my musical-guru friend Thad, and lovely girlfriend Jaffrey. I just listened to it all the way through for the first time, on headphones, and am now on my second listen. This, so far, is #2 of the year.

And although I seem to rarely find anyone to match my love for their Elvis Costello-inspired California Pop Rock, I personally have been waiting 4 years, and now the time has come (on April 15th)... for a new PHANTOM PLANET album! This will almost definitely make my top list this year. I can't imagine them doing wrong; not to mention, about a year or two ago I heard them play some new songs live, and loved them. So did Joe, so it's not just a fluke.

Incidentally, 2008 looks to be a good, fun year for me/Sherwood. We are halfway through a surprisingly successful headlining tour, after which I get two weeks in Seattle with Jaffrey and friends, then a trip to Japan, and most likely some time in the UK and Australia later this year. Then a lot of writing, hopefully followed by the best Sherwood record anyone ever thought we could churn out. =) So, glasses up to 2008!

-D.

Time to Write.

2008-02-13T18:31:00.000-08:00

Jaffrey: “You’re about due for a blog entry.”

Me: “Yeah, but what would I write about?”

Classic excuse, friends. Classic. There is always something to write about, and although I don’t have a specific topic in mind as I sit down right now, I agree with my responsible, perceptive girlfriend that it is time for me to write something.

Here are my current surroundings: we are driving from Albuquerque to Amarillo, and I am on the couch in the “living area” of our RV. Joe is driving, listening to Bruce Springsteen’s Great Hits loud enough for the rest of us to hear; this, of course, is a good thing. Right now, “The River” is playing – I almost start to cry every time I hear this song. So real, such good imagery, good word choice, such an emotional vocal performance, such a good story. I am hoping that I don’t get carsick, which often (always) happens when I try to type while moving.

Nate has his cell phone plugged in above my head as he sits next to me, and as the RV takes turns, the cord swings back and forth and slaps the back of my head. If it’s not swinging, it is resting on my hair like a housefly. I am focused enough, however, to not be too irritated by it. Also above my head hangs the World’s Absolute Best Hanging Tree Air Freshener, not named as such by its manufacturer, but so named by myself because it just IS: the name of the scent is Freedom, and in the middle of the tree is the head and beak of a bald eagle. I challenge anyone to find a better air freshener than this; I think it is probably impossible. Oh, and did I mention the tree is REVERSIBLE? Red on one side, blue on the other, with white ink. Seriously.

If I ever write a song as good as “Thunder Road,” I will either buy myself a car or a $5,000 guitar.

I am in good spirits tonight because I revisited a bunch of super-rough early acoustic demos of new song ideas after leaving them fallow for a few weeks. I expected to return to them and feel disappointment, but rather was pretty excited about a lot of them, in particular a song called “Something In Common,” which I remember was written on an airplane from Minneapolis to Long Beach back in August. That one is going to turn out good. =)

This has been fun, so perhaps (hopefully) I will begin to do it more often again.

if you're alright with politics.

2007-12-23T18:47:00.000-08:00

i don't spend much time thinking or talking about politics. i get jaded and cynical. i don't know who to vote for next year. but i did just read a transcript of a speech that Sen. Obama gave at the "Call to Renewal" conference, an inter-faith gathering to speak about issues of poverty, justice and religion in America and beyond. This conference featured some writers that I very much admire, including Jim Wallis and Brian MacClaren, so I was interested to read Obama's speech. It's pretty awesome. I need to do plenty more research before the election, but this speech left a really good taste in my mouth. Read it here if you like:

http://obama.senate.gov/speech/060628-call_to_renewal/

-Dan

Bands give bad advice.

2007-12-03T14:52:00.000-08:00

Before coming to the glorious UK, I was given some less-than-glorious advice from a few people. Most of it has proven false. Some examples:

-Only the Italian food is good. Truth: not so! Indian is excellent, and most of the traditional English fare is quite tasty, provided you don't eat at disreputable establishments.
-Bring warm clothes, it's freezing! Truth: it was colder in Chicago. I wasted $60 on thermals and wool socks.
-It's boring. Truth: YOU'RE boring.

I've had a great time so far: discovered many great food and beer items that I'd never tried, and seen some amazing (read: OLD) buildings and sights. It's very green here, and in general the people are very nice. I am a big fan of Say Anything AND Hellogoodbye, so that is fun as well. Can't wait to come back.

Cheers, Mate!
Dan

Seat 20A

2007-11-26T11:34:00.000-08:00

Seat 20A.
Joe is right behind me, 21A.
To my left is the wing of the plane, and below it, the Atlantic Ocean.
There are a few clouds, like clumps of dog hair on a rarely-cleaned carpet. Only much prettier than that.
I’m watching what is perhaps the best film I have seen all year, Lovers of the Arctic Circle (thanks to Mikey for recommending it.)
I say Perhaps because there are still 20 minutes left, but I looked out the window and had to start writing.
It’s 9am in London. 4am in New York. At my house in California, it’s 1am. I don’t know what time it is here.
But I do know that the sun is rising over the Ocean, and in an hour or so I will be able to look down on the United Kingdom for the first time in my life. I’ll have a pretty good angle, too.
Things can get really good sometimes.

2007-6

2007-11-10T11:55:00.000-08:00

Recently, I received an email from our publicist, asking for my Top 5 albums of 2007. As a neurotic list-maker, and uber-fan of the film High Fidelity, I was of course up to the challenge. However, as I scrolled through my iTunes, looking for my favorite current records, I realized that almost all of them were actually RELEASED in 2006, but only became favorites of mine in 2007.

After a small amount of reflection, I came to realize that this is indicative of my musical personality -- i generally will wait until enough people have told me some band or album is really good before actually taking a listen myself. Then, if the first couple listens catch my attention (not necessarily to the whole album; maybe just a song or two), I will slowly invest a little more at a time, like someone who is afraid of the heat might slide into a jacuzzi one inch at a time.

So, here I present my Top 5 of 2007 list, but, more importantly I think, my In-Retrospect 2006 Classics Top 10 List, which is not only a better indication of what I was listening to this year, but also shows which records have stood the test of (some) time, for me at least.

Top 5 of 2007:
1. LCD Soundsystem - "Sound of Silver"
2. The National - "The Boxer"
3. Against Me! - "New Wave"
4. Tegan & Sara - "The Con"
5. Oh, Sleeper - "When I Am God"

2007 Honorable Mention/Recent Loves:
Manchester Orchestra - "I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child"
Radiohead - "In Rainbows"
Bloc Party - "A Weekend In the City"
Motion CIty Soundtrack - "Even If It Kills Me"

Top 10 of 2006:
1. Regina Spektor - "Begin To Hop"
2. The Format - "Dog Problems"
3. The Knife - "Silent Shout"
4. The Sounds - "Dying To Say This To You"
5. The Killers - "Sam's Town"
6. Copeland - "Eat, Sleep, Repeat"
7. Justin Timberlake - "Future Love/Sex Sounds"
8. mewithoutYou - "Brother, Sister"
9. My Chemical Romance - "The Black Parade"
10. Midlake - "The Trials of Van Occupanther"

color

2007-11-06T11:02:00.000-08:00

My Love wears a Purple scarf
if she thinks that it might rain.
And a pair of Rainbow gloves
if she hopes she might be happy again.
And she sees me: Yellow teeth
wrapped in a Pinkish smile for her.
And we bleed like a finger painting,
made by some happy preschooler.

autumn?

2007-11-02T16:05:00.000-07:00

I feel like we have missed Fall altogether. Where were we? Florida. Texas. The RV?

Here, in Connecticut, it is already past Intermission, and the guests are starting to leave. Soon the trees will be bare. Today, one of my last-ditch efforts, I managed to glimpse some of the brightest reds and yellows I thought imaginable, but it all leaves me wanting more. More color. More sunsets. More soft, padded earth to walk on.

Next year, I guess.

MB20

2007-11-01T21:58:00.000-07:00

So, when I was in junior high/high school, i used to scorn bands like Matchbox 20. (I only listened to Ska and Punk). But now that I am older, and oh so much wiser, I realize that Matchbox Twenty was actually a really good band. Listening to "3 AM" with fresh ears is indeed a pleasure. And their new single, "How Far We've Come", is one of my favorite songs these days. Worth a listen, iTunes buy, and definitely an illegal download.

My toes are wet and glistening from the time my foot has spent in my mouth.

i take some photos

2007-11-01T21:56:00.000-07:00

at the request of my lovely better half, i have created a flickr account. you can see the bad pictures i take on my travels here:

http://flickr.com/photos/danieljordankoch

notebook.

2007-10-30T14:42:00.000-07:00

I write in a tiny notebook, smaller than my hand, decorated with skyscrapers, shorter than fingers. And here I scratch my thoughts. I scale those buildings like an ant through long grass, hoping to catch some view from the top.

Les Zeppelin

2007-07-26T12:40:00.000-07:00

I think it would be cool to start a Led Zeppeling cover band, but have the band wears berrets, and smoke long ciagarettes, and call the band Les Zeppeling, like Les Miserables.

it's funny to me that this is my first post in a long time.

last 2 shows

2007-03-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

were AMAZING. holy crap. i think it was 2,200 people in NY and 1,400 in Philly. WHAT?!

i can't believe it. so fun. so much work, and so much fun.

thank you.

book recommendations

2007-02-27T17:52:00.000-08:00

i have been giving out a lot of book recommendations recently, and LOVING IT.

if you need one, email me on myspace: http://myspace.com/beardy

i got a lot of good ones stored up in these memory banks...

dan

practice makes perfect.

2007-02-11T15:23:00.001-08:00

we are in yuba city, ca, at joe's house, practicing for the upcoming tour with relient k and mae. this tour is going to be ridiculous -- in a good way. i can't wait. but i have never been much a fan of actually practicing. =) i think that in sherwood, we have always put a higher premium on work than on practice. we are attempting to change this now, but of course, change is hard, and comes slowly. it's like learning to farm and expecting your artichokes to pop out in a week.

we have been watching the American version of the Office a lot lately -- i think maybe a little too much. i am starting to identify with characters in that show more than i would like. i think i am also developing some sort of combination of my girlfriend and Pam in my head. sometimes i can't tell the two apart. time for a break.

i just read a pretty succinct entry on "slacktivist" about "christian bookstores." if you want to read it, go here:

http://slacktivist.typepad.com/slacktivist/2007/02/teetotalist_gif.html

i am trying to be less cynical, more patient, more quiet, a better listener. these things are also like artichokes. (what?)

trying, failing, trying, failing, trying,
dan

how some christians talk...

2007-02-06T01:49:00.000-08:00

By J. Matt Barber

"In his State of the Union address last Tuesday, President Bush briefly touched on the horrors of the HIV/AIDS pandemic currently plaguing Africa. Most everyone agrees that something must be done to combat the spread of this dreadful and preventable disease, which continues to infect many throughout the poverty-stricken continent.

That being said, the president unfortunately missed a valuable opportunity to address the needless HIV/AIDS epidemic within our own borders, which predominately affects – and infects – men who choose to engage in dangerous homosexual behaviors – and at times the women who love them. (In the U.S., the vast majority of women infected with HIV/AIDS are infected by men who also have sex with men, or through intravenous drug use).

As Peter LaBarbera, president of Americans for Truth has said, "It's time to acknowledge the pink elephant in the room: Fighting AIDS without talking against homosexuality is like fighting lung cancer without talking against smoking."

Lorri Jean, a respected leader among homosexual activists and CEO of the Los Angeles based Gay and Lesbian Center, recently began an advertising campaign tackling "gay" America's HIV/AIDS epidemic. Her message: "HIV is a Gay Disease. Own it. End it."

Although it might spell the end of her career as a pro-homosexual activist, Jean is to be commended for providing a rarely candid and refreshing approach to the homosexual condition."

WOW. A "Gay Disease"?! She should be "commended" for being a mean propagandist? And Matt, seriously, is it MORE IMPORTANT to squeeze a sermon out of the 1.4 million AIDS victims in America than the 25 MILLION IN AFRICA? Is the word "epidemic" really to be used equally between the two situations? When was the last "epidemic" that affected less than 0.5% of a nation's population? Or I guess it's a moral epidemic? What disease do you have if your symptom is ignoring a giant global humanitarian crisis that alone has left 15 MILLION ORPHANS in its wake? Or if we could be optimistic, I guess you are just allowing the epidemic to take its course so that later, you can "care for the widows and orphans"?

And Peter, seriously? "Fighting AIDS without talking against homosexuality is like fighting lung cancer without talking against smoking." That may be true in America, but read half an article on AIDS in Africa and you will be cured of your attitude.

There is too much to be angry about in these few short paragraphs. It's unreal. If you know me, and you know that I am a Christian, please do not ever think that it has ANYTHING to do with these people. Anything.

I'm going to sleep sad, now,
Dan

i built my army with photos.

2007-02-04T21:40:00.001-08:00

i put up a lot of pictures on my myspace profile, mostly from my europe trip:

http://myspace.com/beardy

enjoy!

left behind is scary.

2007-02-04T14:57:00.000-08:00

i have read some of the Left Behind series, many years ago. i wonder if you have; there is a good chance, considering the sales of those books. you might not know, however, that the theology those books are based on is pretty much 100% wrong. =) totally outlandish, unlikely, self-obsessed, poor scripture reading, you name it. so please don't believe them. also, this site is really funny, and pretty insightful, and goes through them, page by page, explaining the problems:

http://slacktivist.typepad.com/slacktivist/left_behind/index.html

good times. end times?

dan

back home, back to work

2007-01-25T16:11:00.000-08:00

i amback in the states, and i promise to start working more on the story-version of the euro trip. only thing is, there is lot of sherwood work to be done also, reading i am forcing myself to do, the ever-alluring time spent watching movie trailer mashups, and the fact that my friend got a Wii today. so, progress may be slow...

European Trip Story, Part 1

2007-01-01T15:03:00.000-08:00

so, i am thinking of writing a story about this whole trep; sort of a short story, i guess. i don't know if that will be achieved, but i have started. here is the rough draft of the first page or so, unedited, so probably full of errors. perhaps it will make you want to read more? i hope...
dan

The current setting: I have just stepped off a Berlin subway, where I was surrounded by eight loud British college students, a 70-year old ex-sailor who was muttering something to himself while violently rubbing his hands together, and a 60-year old German man in a Bob Marley beanie; he was obviously a bit warm, so he had unzipped his jacket…and unbuttoned his shirt… …ALL THE WAY DOWN, revealing a forest of a chest that was almost completely hiding a gold necklace.

After the subway, I walked one block: there were three separate late-night food counters, right on the street, offering six or seven types of beer. I turned right, down a dark hallway, bicycles tied up on both sides, got buzzed in to an apartment complex whose walls are covered in graffiti, and am now inside the apartment, starting this story.

Unfortunately, I have not had time to start writing until now, so I may forget some of the more entertaining details, and will hopefully forget the less entertaining ones. My trip started four days ago in San Francisco. Well, almost…

My flight was set to leave at 10:45am, so I arrived at the airport at 9:45…in Oakland. I have no idea how this happened. Needless to say, I missed my flight, had it rescheduled, and headed to San Francisco. Once inside the terminal, I left my bags with a girl about my age, just for a moment, and got some coffee. When I returned, I began talking with her, and she was very funny. If you have ever met someone that reminds you almost 100% of someone else—not in terms of looks, but personality, or more specifically, sense of humor—then you know how I felt, as she was a female version of another friend of mine. This made it easy to be friendly with her, and we arranged our seats so that we could share the long trip to New York City, via Charlotte. Her name was Laura.

I soon learned that it was Laura’s birthday. She was spending it on a 7-hour flight, followed by a 1-hour layover, and another 90-minute flight. We did not have to leave the plane during the layover, as it was the same plane that was headed to New York. We were the only passengers on board while the United Off-Flight Crew did their touch-up work, replete with intercom jokes from the “cabin” to the “crew” that so-and-so’s Gay Life Partner was waiting for them in the lavatory. But the way in which Laura was spending her birthday was not NEARLY as bad as the way she has spent much of the previous week.

Laura’s travel story is one of those classically tragic tales. What was supposed to be a two-hour layover in Denver turned into a two-DAY layover when the entire airport shut down. She spent two nights sleeping underneath a phone booth, sharing a small blanket with a boy she met in the terminal. She and her new friend had been passed over by the Red Cross workers, who had supplied full-sized blankets to the hundreds of would-be passengers that were stuck inside. After two days, she phoned her boss back in New York, who was able to find some employees within the company to pick her up and drive her to the Denver Greyhound bus station.

This, however, was far from salvation. Greyhound, in their great wisdom, had decided to overbook each bus leaving the city, and to a ridiculous degree: almost 200 tickets for a bus that held about 100. Laura had a ticket, but of course, that wasn’t enough. She found a man about her age who appeared to be close to the front of the line, and, in her words, “Started talking with him so people would think I was his girlfriend; so if he got on, I would have to go with him.” She spent the 15-hour bus ride to Las Vegas with her new friend.

From Las Vegas, she bought a plane ticket to Ontario, CA, where her father picked her up. She was supposed to spend a week with her parents in Palm Springs, but only got three days. Before our plane took off, she received a text message from a friend saying that the Denver airport was still closed – she could have been hunkering beneath a phone booth for a whole week had she not weaseled her way onto that bus!

We had a pleasant flight: watched Elf, got too many Coke’s with extra ice, and laughed a good deal. But as we arrived in New York, her bag was still in Charlotte.

...to be continued...

leaving san francisco...

2006-12-23T20:54:00.000-08:00

well, the album is (mostly) done. we left the studio, and san francisco, behind this afternoon. it is a little bit sad. no more jon, roman, and joe as regular fixtures in the lounge area. no more guitar hero. no more jamie and dan and lou. no more staying up til 4 am -- although that one is OK.

most importantly, however: it sounds great! i really think that we "stepped it up" this time. i am so excited to share this album with everyone.

and i am excited to be back home for a spell; then it's off to europe for two weeks. (yes!)

exhausted but happy,
dan

myspace commenteers unite

2006-12-21T00:33:00.000-08:00

this is one of the best Sherwood comments we have gotten recently:

"S
is for swish

H
is for hair rasing

E
is for excellent

R
is for Rad

W
is for wicked

O
is for Outstanding

O
is for Optium

D
is for deffo one of my fave bands

loveyouuuuuuuuuuuu™"

editor's note: opium?

this record is sounding awesome (can i say that about our own record?!),
dan

spam emails are great!

2006-12-20T16:14:00.000-08:00

this one was advertising low-priced viagra. some sort of sentence generator must have made this, and it is awesome...

"Right on, Zach. You have quite a musical record.
clutter; water tanks, vents, aircon units-and a goodsized smokestack
to existence in this world-wide spittoon.
of Liokukae will not be surprised at all when you arrive there.
the job done. Get the radios. Dont forget that Tremearne will always
Silence? Into the car. Speak to me in the office about a salary
and reliable. Which is an oxymoron. You have proved your criminalistic
stick with this assignment, thirty-day poison or no.
Theres more to it than that. But first a few introductions. The
really nice chamber group here, as well as a symphony orchestra-they
another slice just as our golden greeter appeared."

WOW!

deciphering codes,
Dan

this is crazy...

2006-12-16T21:17:00.000-08:00

watch this video:

http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/home_films_evolution_v2.swf

it is pretty crazy...

Creed

2006-12-14T15:01:00.000-08:00

I can't believe this, but it's awesome. If you type in a Google search for "worst band in the world" (without the quotes), it actually gives you this:

"See results for: CREED"

see for yourself! http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=worst+band+in+the+world&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

what a wonderful world...

personality test

2006-11-28T23:06:00.001-08:00

how revealing...

Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving
by Marina Margaret Heiss
Profile: ENFP
Revision: 3.0
Date of Revision: 25 Feb 2005

[The following comes partially from the archetype, but mostly from my own dealings with ENFPs.]

General: ENFPs are both "idea"-people and "people"-people, who see everyone and everything as part of an often bizarre cosmic whole. They want to both help (at least, their own definition of "help") and be liked and admired by other people, on bo th an individual and a humanitarian level. They are interested in new ideas on principle, but ultimately discard most of them for one reason or another.

Social/Personal Relationships: ENFPs have a great deal of zany charm, which can ingratiate them to the more stodgy types in spite of their unconventionality. They are outgoing, fun, and genuinely like people. As SOs/mates they are warm, affectionate (l ots of PDA), and disconcertingly spontaneous. However, attention span in relationships can be short; ENFPs are easily intrigued and distracted by new friends and acquaintances, forgetting about the older ones for long stretches at a time. Less mature ENFPs may need to feel they are the center of attention all the time, to reassure them that everyone thinks they're a wonderful and fascinating person.

ENFPs often have strong, if unconvential, convictions on various issues related to their Cosmic View. They usually try to use their social skills and contacts to persuade people gently of the rightness of these views; his sometimes results in their negle cting their nearest and dearest while flitting around trying to save the world.
Work Environment: ENFPs are pleasant, easygoing, and usually fun to work with. They come up with great ideas, and are a major asset in brainstorming sessions. Followthrough tends to be a problem, however; they tend to get bored quickly, especially if a newer, more interesting project comes along. They also tend to be procrastinators, both about meeting hard deadlines and about performing any small, uninteresting tasks that they've been assigned. ENFPs are at their most useful when working in a group w ith a J or two to take up the slack.

ENFPs hate bureaucracy, both in principle and in practice; they will always make a point of launching one of their crusades against some aspect of it.

back in the u.s.a.

2006-11-20T11:22:00.000-08:00

it was pretty great down there.

but it is also nice to be home (sort of).

went to amoeba records with jaffrey in hollywood yesterday -- got the cold war kids, jeremy enigk, and some beethoven (seriously). the cold war kids website is awesome: http://www.coldwarkids.com great photos, especially.

getting close to recording this album of ours. san francisco, here we come.

NYC Trip: Recap.

2006-11-12T13:26:00.000-08:00

our label payed for us to come out to new york city to play the CMJ music festival. these were the highlights:

-- arriving at baggage claim, greeted by a man with one of those paper signs written on in all-caps
-- having said guy carry our bags to a van, driven by a nice man named Frank, who took us to our paid-for hotel

(the view from the hotel -- not exactly scenic, but look at all the cabs...)

-- meeting up with a friend from Warped Tour, John Bush, at an inCREDIBLY hip bar in the Village, which was called Black & White, but didn't even have a sign saying so
-- getting two cupcakes from the Magnolia Bakery; they are famous -- you might remember them from the SNL video for "Lazy Sunday": "I'm crazy for the cupcakes, cousin!" I am, too.
-- eating said cupcakes in an awesome little park kitty-corner from the bakery, on a stone chessboard-table

(it was a Halloween cupcake)

(carrying gear for ten blocks through the East Village)

(Nate's costume)

-- playing with and meeting Matt Skiba, singer of the band Heavens, but also singer/guitarist of Alkaline Trio. He was very nice and put up with my dorking out; I have been listening to them since I was 16 (i'll do the math for you: that is 7 years of his songs in my life)
-- listening to demos of new songs with our producer, lou giordano, and seeing the excitement on his face
-- helping two 20-year old fans--some of my favorite guys in the whole country--sneak in to the 21+ CMJ show
-- watching joe play drums in a Luchador mask (Mexican Wrestler) -- the rest of us were in panchos and sombreros, but joe's costume took the (cup)cake. also, watching mikey jump from the stage to the bar, similiar height but about 4-5 feet apart, swinging a tambourine at the beginning of "learn to sing", all in front of a crowd of maybe 100 mostly disinterested industry-types, and a few fans
-- meeting, and subsequently having drinks purchased by, Courtney Taylor, the singer of the Dandy Warhols and main character of the Documentary "Dig!", a great film about his band and their friends/enemies the Brian Jonestown Massacre

(we look awesome)

-- and believe it or not, i actually remember fondly the twenty minutes of sleep i managed to steal on the floor of the airport terminal as we waited for our flight, my sweatshirt being used as a pillow.

did it do anything to promote Sherwood? not sure.
but was it awesome? yes.

back in mexican exile,
dan

Sherwood Signs. Others Get Angry.

2006-11-07T14:04:00.000-08:00

so we announced that we are signing to MySpace records, and Mikey told me that there is a bunch of stuff online about it. so i went and checked it out. the staff and kids from absolutepunk.net were generally nice and optimistic, i apreciate that. but on a few other sites, namely punknews.org, things weren't so pleasant.

here are my favorites:

"this band has two of the gayest album covers i've ever seen. what a bunch of bitches"

"Did they cuddle afterwards?"

"this band is from my hometown. then they moved to hollywood to "make it big". bunch of pricks. they think that their shit dont smell like poo."

"i bet they got it in the contract that they could get extra profile pictures."

two words: totally awesome. i love this stuff! if you can't laugh at yourself, then when can you laugh? please send your replies to my hollywood condo. =)

dan

can you believe it?

2006-10-18T21:59:00.000-07:00

there is internet in mexico. =) this is one of the most beautiful places i have ever been, and i get to wake up here for another month. i love this. it's actually DIFFICULT to keep from smiling whenever i am outside.

as for the album, things are coming along awesome so far. a song called "the best in me" is coming out awesome; i am super excited, as is everyone else. also, we did an electronic alternate version of a new song "alley cat", a la erlend oye or the postal service, and it came out so good that we are spinning all kinds of ideas around it. who knows. but for sure, this is going to be a dancy, fun album, and i am excited about how things are turning out.

i need to eat more tacos, and mulitas, and sopes. and drink more glass-bottled coke. i love mexico.

i am clumsy

2006-10-08T12:26:00.000-07:00

two days ago, we played at Washington State University in Pullman, WA. i was on my way to get coffee, and i opened this large wooden door AND SMASHED MY OWN FOOT with it. it bled quite a bit and i pretty much stood still for the whole show. i need to stop wearing sandals. a few weeks ago, i was at jonathan jones' house, (kind of) playing his piano, and i slammed my OTHER BIG TOE into the piano, bending my nail up. i need to stop wearing sandals. here is my toe now:

Seattle Journal Entry

2006-10-04T23:15:00.000-07:00

I’m currently sitting at the Caffe Vita, a coffee house in Capitol Hill, Seattle. Even had I forgotten the name of the establishment, all I would have to do is look to my right, out the 2nd-story window to the large, theater-style neon sign, black with white and red lights. This place was recommended by a girl I have been in recent contact with, and with whom I have unexpectedly become infatuated. This particular attraction, however, is different than previous ones I have experienced – it’s less rational and explainable, more instinctual and natural, like an unspoken complicity between old friends. She is very smart, quick-to-the-draw, and she has beautiful eyes that grab and pull your attention like a strong rope over the side of a ship.

I love this city, her city. We are playing tonight at El Corazon, a pretty cool venue that we usually play when in Seattle. The staff is generally unfriendly, but they usually give us a couple free beers each, and they carry my favorite Seattle microbrew, Mac & Jack’s African Amber Ale. The fact that this can change my opinion about a venue is evidence that I have become quite the beer dork. In fact, after the show, a number of us will be heading to my favorite bar, the Stumbling Monk, also in Capitol Hill. It is quiet, and specializes in Belgian, monk-made beer, which is my favorite kind. The monks are creative and colorful, believe it or not, and tend to produce vibrant, sweet draughts. See, a total dork…

I am listening to jazz on my iPod right now – something I should do much more often. For some reason, just being in this town is inspiring. Perhaps it is the cold, the coffee, the clouds. I’m not sure. But I feel like I will end up living here someday not too far away, and I am already excited. I should also journal more often. We will be in Mexico soon, writing and doing pre-production for the next album, and if I make an effort, I can set up a schedule for myself that would include journaling. I should do that. I think I’m going to do that.

Sometimes I feel like the only thing I ever want from a coffee shop is silence. It’s hard to read, to write, even to think when there is music playing. And I often feel that the music choices in coffee shops are especially hip – a declaration from the lonely barista to any eligible, attractive customers that he/she is in fact COOL and DISCERNING, that this coffee gig is just TEMPORARY, but Man, I got some real big plans, REAL BIG. In the meantime, however, I will prepare for them by soaking myself in as much 80s BritPop and contemporary EuroPop as possible. And hey, cool Massive Attack sticker.

All this wouldn’t be so bad if it didn’t in turn make ME self-conscious. Am I just another type of hipster, the kind of glorifies the Get Up Kids instead of Joy Division? Do my songs MEAN anything or am I just facilitating the toe-tapping, energy drink-related weekend habits of white suburban teenagers? This question, however, is too tough, to close, and I am leaving it where it sits tonight, on top of a stack of napkins, next to some straws and a carafe of half & half. I could go try and work on some new songs, if only someone would turn Morrissey down…

Happy but sad,
Smiling but lonely,
Hip but tragically unhip,
Dan.

tired.

2006-09-30T12:44:00.000-07:00

i think that i am truly exhausted, as i have been sleeping long and messing up on guitar much more than normal. in two weeks, we go down to mexico to write/demo the new album, and i am just LONGING for that trip. this tour is pretty good, but my heart jsut isn't in it.

i need a break, i need a computer and a keyboard and the GarageBand Jam Packs and a notebook, and the ocean and the sand, and some great books and better friends. i need two hours in the morning before most of the band is awake to sit outside and write and read. i need the same ceiling fan every afternoon, and a refrigerator full of corn tortillas and cheese.

soon, friends. i will have those things soon. =)

if i were a monk, i would sign my email like this:

Cloistered,
Dan

vegas / gentlemen's clubs

2006-09-15T21:31:00.000-07:00

nate lost a hundred bucks.

mike, joe, nate, gabe and i each spent almost 20 bucks on the "best buffet in the world". it was indeed the best. i didn't eat for another 8 hours or so, and wasn't even really hungry when i did. i had at least 4 of those vomit-burps where a little bit of food comes up. gross, i know. but how could i pass up on fried cornbread, creme brulee and sushi?!

i lost 20 bucks gambling/tipping the cocktail waitress, but did receive four (4) whisky & cokes, which were most definitely mainly coke, but that was what i was hoping for, so i was not dissapointed.

all-in, i spent $40, which is more than i was hoping to spend in vegas (desired amount: $0), but there were a lot of laughs and fun experiences, and i saw a shania twain look-alike dancing semi-erotically on top of some slot machines to "I Feel Like A Woman." what is the oddest thing about that experience? it was only SEMI-erotic; like, she would almost do something really sexy-like, but then just kind of smile and point. i guess this is because it was just a normal casino room, not one of those rooms for "gentlemen."

sidenote: what makes someone in a strib club a "gentleman"? i think that Gentleman's Clubs should be big rooms with tables and chairs, as well as lots of sparkling water and Harvard Classics literature libraries. and there should be girls working there, but not stripping. They should be trying to carry heavy objects, open doors for themselves with their hands full, forgetting their wallets at home, and the job of the Gentlemen is to carry the objects, open the doors, pay for their lunch, push chairs in for them at the tables, and buy them drinks.

at (perhaps) my wittiest, and therefore stopping now,
danimal.

disco

2006-09-14T16:10:00.000-07:00

does anyone else share my conflict? i grew up in scorn of the Disco movement, mocking bell-bottoms and Saturday Night Fever. The film Detroit Rock City was a musical anthem (although i replaced NOFX and MxPx for KISS), and yet now, here, today, I am downloading ABBA and Gloria Gaynor songs... and LOVING IT.

it never ends...

fried cheese curds.

2006-09-07T16:41:00.000-07:00

is there a better flavor in the world?

i guess the northern midwest is good for something after all.

the day i became friends with jesse...

2006-09-05T23:54:00.000-07:00

we went to the mall of america.

we talked about morality and God for over three hours.

for half of that time, we were sitting near the clear glass window/wall of the Starbucks, drinking coffee while the nearby area filled up with contestants for America's Next Top Model. =)

we went to Pizza Luce for dinner, in honor of Tony's birthday. Jesse bought me a shot called the Marshmallow Salad, which tasted EXACTLY like marshmallow salad.

we went to a dueling pianos bar, where i requested "What if God was One of Us?" by Joan Osborne, and asked the pianist to please say that it was "from God to Jesse".

Claudio, MCS's former drum tech and dear friend, played drums on at least 5 songs, and cowbell on one, and was absolutely the highlight of the evening. he was much better on the drums than any of the pianists.

and now, to bed again.

high school

2006-09-01T13:35:00.001-07:00

was on the bus today, and across from me sat two boys, must have been freshmen in high school, in soccer outifts. then this kid comes on the bus, must have been a junior, also in soccer attire. they start talking, they go to the same school and are on the same team, although perhaps the the older kid is varsity, the other two JV. but it strikes me that these younger kids are NERVOUS talking to the older one, and make awkward jokes and agree with everything he says. it is so hard for me to remember when a two-year difference was such a big deal.

for those of you in high school: it is not a big deal. =) enjoy your life.

after 3 1/2 days in new york...

2006-08-31T17:46:00.000-07:00

i have...

- been recognized and greeted by Jared Leto
- been hit on at least once (female)
- started three (3) new songs
- finished zero (0) songs
- been hit on at least once (male)
- ridden the subway thirteen (13) times, not including transfers
- taken two (2) cabs
- eaten two (2) falafels
- ridden on a plane with Chingy (rap star)
- ridden on a plane with one (1) aspiring science fiction novelist
- eaten one (1) chocolate cupcake from Magnolia Bakery (every bit as good as they say)
and,
- seen one (1) Broadway play (The Producers)

more to come soon. =)

so rad

2006-08-22T23:21:00.000-07:00

today i met someone whos actual california license plate reads...

ready...

SO RAD

that is so.... rad!

snakes on a blog (shits in a theater)

2006-08-22T19:20:00.000-07:00

just saw snakes on a plane. maybe you (YOU) like these type of cheesy thriller movies; i guess i don't. one of the worst things i have ever seen. =)

in one week i'll be here...

2006-08-22T00:43:00.000-07:00

wooo!!!

post warped, still warped.

2006-08-18T19:50:00.000-07:00

i left on a plane the day of the warped tour in cleveland. it was our last show. the runner for NOFX gave me a ride to the airport; i was picked up and the next morning went camping. straight from 60-day sweat-fest to 3-family social rumble was one of the worst decisions i have ever made. =) i was anxious, completely exhausted and afraid, and i went home early with my mom. since then, i have rested quite a bit, which is nice, but i can barely even get in the right mind for writing songs. so i have been demoing them for our band. no, you can't hear the demos =) they are terrible and onlky for the purposes of rough rough sketching so everyone can hear what's in my head.

this is a boting blog, but is a little more like what people generally blog about, and why they do: to get stuff out of their heads. kind of like the demos. out of my head. so then i guess it is full circle.

i started a podcast -- if you want to subscribe, go here:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=181770572

still resting, and excited about going to manhattan for 6 days,
daniel

FIRST PODCAST!!!

2006-08-15T03:39:00.000-07:00

Well friends, I have done it. I have begun my life as a podcaster. I think this job fits well... For my first podcast, I wanted to start off easy, and definitely avoid any legal complications. Therefore, I started with a relatively short one, about 25 minutes, just 7 songs. Testing the waters. All bands that I know personally, so hopefully no one will get too mad at me for broadcasting their music. Some of these bands contain very close friends, while others I've only spent time with once or twice; some are in between those poles. But all 7 songs are awesome, and I hope you like them. Here is the tracklisting of Episode 1 of "Beards Are Attractive To Women.":

1. The Sounds - Seven Days A Week (great Swedish dance-pop, met them on Warped Tour)
2. Against Me! - Don't Lose Touch (also from Warped, amazing dudes, my favorite song of theirs)
3. Satisfaction - Nothing, Oh Nothing (singer/songwriter Michael Rosas produced the first couple Sherwood releases, engineered the Summer EP, and is a phenomenal musician, as are the rest of his band -- UNSIGNED)
4. Waking Ashland - Telescopes (two of my best friends in the world, this is from their latest EP)
5. Hot Vegas - Struck Down (young Atlanta band with great potential -- UNSIGNED)
6. Watashi Wa - 10 Years In Separating States (have known Seth, the singer/writer, for many many years; this is his old band but I love the song; new band is called Lakes and they are on the Militia Group now)
7. Surrogate - Upsidedown Pictures (singer/writer Chris Keene played keys in Sherwood for a short time a while back, then in Number One Gun; this is his new project, I think it's coming out on Tooth & Nail Records, and I think Chris Armstrong, our old guitarist/current muse has something to do with it... such a beautiful song. When I first showed it to my friend Thaddeus, he made me repeat it multiple times and demanded I give him a copy)

If you don't know how to podcast, just download iTunes (or you may already have it), and I am sure there is some sort of tutorial there. Or just search it on Google... Right now you can just download the file from my podcast directory, here:

Beards... File Directory

Don't worry about downloading the ads, just download "episode1.m4p" or whatever. Soon it should publish via iTunes, and then you can just subscribe, and anytime I post a new podcast, your computer will more or less automatically download it, and then you can stick it on your iPod or just listen in iTunes. Enjoy =) Let me know what you think; I have an email address for the podcast:

byebyebeardy@gmail.com

with much technological excitement,
dan

warped tour is almost over.

2006-08-10T14:10:00.000-07:00

a few thoughts...

i love the sounds
i have enjoyed hanging with nofx, and even made it into one of their press releases (regarding the underoath controversy).
i have never had a smellier body (since mid-puberty).
i have never traveled to more cities and seen so few actually cool places and things.
i have never seen more parking lots.
i was frustrated that most days i was awakened by very loud knocking on the RV around 7am, demanding i re-park the vehicle, after i we were told to park it right where we sit.
i feel that hanging out with people like the members of nofx, the bouncing souls, against me, etc. has significantly helped me to find my vocation as a person and a person of faith.
and lastly,

i have learned that any time where i am covered in gold bond powder, exhausted and/or sweaty, suffering from lack of true sleep and worrying about whether or not we are running out of Youth Medium t-shirts, the last thing i want to do is write a blog.

so i'll be back soon, friends. i'll be back soon...

dan

last night

2006-07-31T14:38:00.000-07:00

i watched the Living End play an hour-long (maybe longer) set in a parking lot at 10pm after the Warped Tour in Chicago. They are all phenomenal musicians and it was honestly one of the best musical experiences of my life. I wanted to request "Rock This Town" by the Stray Cats, but didnt'. However, they PLAYED IT LAST!! It was awesome. I tried to dance with a friend, but she didn't know how to swing dance. I forgave her, however, because I am a really really good person.

redletter?

2006-07-21T12:52:00.000-07:00

so gabe and i were driving into boise this morning, looking for a coffee shop -- our weakness. as we passed Franklin Road, we looked to our left and saw RedLetter Books & Cafe. Gabe realized at once that this must be a Christian cafe -- RedLetter is a reference to the fact that in many Bibles the words of Jesus are inked red. (The fact that this poses a problem with the doctrine of across-the-board perfection of the Bible will be left for another more jaded blog).

So Gabe and I make a deal -- whoever gets the Gospel shared to them gets two dollars. I bring in my current read, "The End of Faith" by Sam Harris, a book proclaiming the need for Religion to become completely obscure, and Gabe borrows my "Portable Nietzsche". I open my laptop and am generally inconspicuous; I am asked a question about the computer, and I respond politely but am busy sending an email. My book is facing up, cover clearly readable. Nothing. No sharing, no $2.

Gabe's approach is slightly more involved. He strikes up a conversation with the worker I had been speaking with, but is dropping hints like fat kid running with french fries.

"Is this a Christian Cafe?"

"Oh yeah, I sorta grew up Christian."

"I'm not sure the name, I think it was a Baptist Church..."

And yet, no evangelizing. Maybe our friend has been reading too much Emergent literature...

(sorry to those of you who don't get much of this; it is only funny to a certain demographic of people. and your welcome to those of you who totally get this and are laughing hard.)

with love and jade,
dan

nofx?

2006-07-20T13:45:00.000-07:00

so i have actually befriened Fat Mike, the singer of NOFX. this may not seem important to you, the reader, and yes, it's true that i haven't listened to them for about 4 or 5 years, but understand something.

NOFX was my FAVORITE band in high school. Number One.

I have stayed over on their bus. I have written their set list and been made fun of from the stage. I have caused Mike to mess up the beginning of a song that he didn't remember very well, simply by putting it on the list.

My teenage years have been FULFILLED. I am now free to be in my 20s; no more reliving for me, no sir!

warped tour day one

2006-06-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

so we are lucky enough to have a day off at a wonderful home in st. louis. yesterday was the first day of warped tour. i am sunburnt, i slept for over 12 hours last night, and I am sore, but ready to work and make the most of this summer. if you are coming to warped tour, please give us hugs when you see us. our tent is awesome -- sunflowers everywhere, super girly, very representative of our band. =)

sunglasses, sunscreen (from now on), broomsticks, and lots of love,
Dan

sorry, warped tour, truck stops

2006-06-18T08:04:00.000-07:00

currently at a rest stop in northern texas (free internet? wow, everything IS better in Texas... or is it bigger?), and I really should be driving right now, as everyone else is asleep and we are making our way out to Kansas City for this crazy thing called Warped Tour. As a result, I don't know how much I will update this thing, and I imagine everyone is really crushed about that (kidding), so to cheer yourselves up, go buy the new Regina Spektor album "Begin to Hope", as it is simply amazing.

note: the iTunes version gives you SEVEN ADDITIONAL SONGS. That's 19 songs for $12.99 -- I sound like a commercial...

with love and (hopefully) patience,
Dan

Dan & Gabe come to realize...

2006-06-02T11:11:00.000-07:00

That it is no wonder why people often mistake any two members of Sherwood for a gay couple... Gabe and I are currently at a waffle-cafe-internet place in San Clemente, and I would like to briefly relate the story of how our waiter has got to be completely sure that we are gay. =)

We sit down at our booth and I order us both coffee, both wearing multiple bracelets -- one of Gabe's sporting a floral pattern. The coffee is ordered as an alternative to the orange juice brought to the table and offered, although Gabe assures our waiter that "He does love orange juice, but I think it'll just be coffee today, thanks though!" When it's time to order food, we ask to split a waffle (it would be too many calories otherwise), and "make it a combo". But, we ask, could we substitute that awful sausage for some potatoes? And how about some wheat toast? And then the kicker, "Could we get the butter on the side?", at which point Gabe smiles, grateful that I remembered this preference of his.

The only thing against the argument is that pesky wedding ring on Gabe's finger...

touring, blogging, yelling at self.

2006-05-29T11:25:00.000-07:00

so i think the reason i have been relatively absent from this blog (and not responding to emails, if any of the offended are reading this) is that we have just been practicing like crazy and then touring (like crazy?). when i start a tour, i tend to remove myself from all communication for about two weeks; this results in not returning phone calls, not returning emails, shirking any band busniess-related responsibilities that may include any form of email or phone usage, etc. i have not quite figured out why i do this, but over the past 5 or 6 tours the pattern has cemented itself. coincidentally, i am usually happy on tour until about two weeks in, when the loneliness/psychological tour rash starts to set in. is there a relationship here? not sure. looking into it.

woke up this morning feeling a little bit like a shit. looking into that. =)

in the meantime, Danielson has released a free mp3 of "Did I Step On Your Trumpet?" on their myspace page (myspace.com/danielson) and it is an AWESOME song; i can't stop listening to it.

Question: what can WE do in Sudan?

2006-05-12T10:37:00.000-07:00

I received an email today asking, "What can WE do about the situation in Sudan?"

Great question!

As far as i understand it, it's a tough situation over there, pretty complicated, and the full resolution of the crisis depends on a lot of political moves, decisions, compromises of the various parties involved. But what is definitely lacking, espeically in America, is awareness of the genocide, and resolve to do whatever needs to be done to stop it. What I mean is, most Americans seem to care about who wins American Idol, but don't even know there is a genocide occuring in Africa that is STOPABLE. They care that their gas prices go down, and the economy is good, and their particular political leanings don't go unnoticed by their elected representatives, but a Senator's or Congressperson's action or inaction toward the Darfur situation in no way swings their vote. This needs to change, and our representatives need to know that we will not re-elect them if they are not active in this fight. So, building awareness, and writing letters/sending emails to your local representatives, the White House, etc., as well as getting all of your friends informed and doing the same is a big help right now. It shows that there is a growing group of Americans who care about this issue.

Go to SaveDarfur.org and sign their "Million Voices For Darfur" postcard, and sign up for their email list, which will keep you informed as to the situation in Darfur as it progresses, and what you can currently be doing to stopit.

Secondly, we can donate to organizations who are making a difference. If you don't have any or much money of your own (welcome to my life...), BE CREATIVE! Put on a benefit concert, host a bake sale, lemonade stand anyone? I would also recommend some intentional personal decision-making, like holding off on certain luxuries (starbucks frapuccino's, designer jeans, whatever) for a couple weeks or a month, and putting the money you would have spent in a jar or somewhere, and then at the end, give it as you see fit. This is super rewarding, so easy, and incredibly helpful. Our money goes a long way in Africa. =)

SaveDarfur.org is currently taking contributions to help raise awareness and to take care of the refugees that have been pushed out of Darfur into neighboring communities and countries. There are a number of other organizations to support:

Students Against Genocide is currently selling "Stop Genocide In Sudan" t-shirts out of the Claremont Colleges in Southern California -- I saw a lot of these at the rally in DC, and they actually look really cool =) I want to get one, but you have to buy in bundles, so get some friends together and order a bunch of them. Their proceeds go to various organizations that are helping in Darfur.

The International Rescue Committee delivers lifesaving aid in emergencies, rebuilds shattered communities, cares for war-traumatized children, rehabilitates health care, water and sanitation systems, reunites separated families, restores lost livelihoods, establishes schools, trains teachers, strengthens the capacity of local organizations and supports civil society and good-governance initiatives.

The Genocide Intervention Fund will combine fundraising for the UN-supported African Union Mission in Darfur (AMIS II) with efforts to pressure governments to pursue a comprehensive strategy to end the genocide in Darfur.

Oxfam is helping over 600,000 people in Darfur and Chad, working with communities to fight the spread of disease and save lives. They provide vital clean water, build latrines and washing facilities, and distribute essential items such as buckets and jerry cans for carrying water, soap, sanitary cloths, clean clothes, ground sheets, blankets and plastic sheeting for building shelters.

American Jewish World Service is a non-sectarian group whose funds are helping to rehabilitate water sources, construct sanitation facilities, and provide basic health care and other essential humanitarian services, including a service program for children orphaned by the crisis.

I hope this provides some direction. =) It is a tough battle, but the battle brings peace.

Ecstatic that people actually care,
Dan

More Important Than Music blog is up!

2006-05-11T17:04:00.000-07:00

Awhile back on tour, I was talking and riding with The Fold one night, and we began talking about what we could do as independent, touring musicians to really make a difference in the world. We came up with one good idea, and this was it: start a web community where people in bands can post things that are important to them, and the fans of those bands can be encouraged to think about those things as well. The product of that conversation is More Important Than Music, a blog that does just that.

Here it is!

It is still in the baby stages, very few posts (just me and Dan from This Providence so far), but it is a start. And I hope it can turn into something that really makes a difference.

If you share my heart for this stuff and want to support the project, you can throw a banner on your Myspace page, blog, or website.

Click here for More Important Than Music banners!

This is not about me, not about Sherwood, not about any of the bands. This is about raising awareness for important issues in a scene that seems to my eyes to be pretty self-focused and naive. Maybe that is what rock and roll should be, but if it is, then I don't want to be rock and roll. I want to make a difference, and I CAN make a difference, and SO CAN YOU.

Some things really are more important than music. =)

With a fire in my belly,
Dan

i seriously can't believe this...

2006-05-10T13:36:00.000-07:00

what is the state of urban music these days? i am in no way racist, and it's weird that I feel like if I criticize urban music I'm being racist. there are plenty of caucasians in urban music, and anyway plenty of great african-american rock'n'rollers, past and present (sam cooke, aretha franklin, bloc party singer guy), not to mention some great urban artists (jay-z, the roots, destiny's child -- not joking, don't poke fun). but SERIOUSLY! I was watching music videos today--really, it just makes me bitter and I should probably stop--and a little gem by NE-YO came on, "When You're Mad". I was laughing audibly for all to hear throughout the house. Here is just one verse and the chorus:

Could it be the little wrinkle over your nose
When you make your angry face
That makes me wanna just take off all your clothes
And sex you all over the place?
Could it be the lil' way you storm around
That makes me wanna tear you down
Baby, I'm not sure, but one thing that I do know is

[Chorus]
Every time you scream at me
I wanna kiss you
When you put your hands on me
I wanna touch you
When we get to arguing
Just gotta kiss you
Baby, I don't know why it's like that
But you're just so damn sexy
When you're mad

"SEX YOU ALL OVER THE PLACE"! This is CLASSIC. I couldn't have made this shit up. I am actually laughing as i type about it. One more time, those first few lines...

Could it be the little wrinkle over your nose
When you make your angry face
That makes me wanna just take off all your clothes
And sex you all over the place?

Wow. Moving on... There is a group currently getting quite a bit of attention, especially on MySpace, called....wait for it... DA MUSICIANZ.

"What should we call our group?" I imagine one member asking another.
"Well, what are we?"
"Musicians!"

And the rest is history. Add a couple clever misspellings, and there you have it. Beethoven is leanin' and rockin' wit it in his grave...

Bitter but getting better,
Danimal

Good News in Sudan! =)

2006-05-09T09:49:00.000-07:00

So, apparently there were over 50,000 people at that rally! Pretty awesome... Just got this email a few days ago from the Save Darfur Coalition people; and it's exciting, so I thought I would share it. (If you haven't visited SaveDarfur.org and signed the "Million Voices" Postcard, please go now -- it takes maybe 45 seconds total, but it let's the President know you care about stopping genocide).

"I have some good news to report! Earlier today, the Sudanese government and two of the main Darfur rebel factions signed a peace agreement to end three years of fighting that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions from their homes.

This is only the first step toward ending the violence in Darfur and putting a stop to the tragic genocide.

You and others have sent over 800,000 Million Voices postcards to President Bush. And just a day after over 50,000 rallied on the National Mall in Washington, and thousands joined rallies in cities across the country, President Bush dispatched Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick to the peace talks.

And you helped make the issue of genocide in Darfur a top priority for the Bush Administration.

The momentum is building and we can make a difference!

Click the link below to tell your friends and family about our campaign. And thank President Bush for his leadership so far - but let him know there is more work still to be done.
http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/darfur/thankYou.jsp?campaign_KEY=2082

The peace agreement has been signed, but we must make sure that both sides live up to the terms. The millions of men, women, and children who have been displaced or have had their lives rocked by violence will not know peace until the government and the rebels live up to theses agreed terms.

The Bush Administration must continue to play a leading role.

On a more personal note, I am incredibly grateful to the Save Darfur Coalition staff, our volunteers, member organizations and all of you for your incredible efforts over the past weeks and months. Each of you helped us reach this historic point - but it is only the first step.

As we continue the fight, there will be many more opportunities for you take action and help make a difference.

Best regards,

David Rubenstein
Save Darfur Coalition"

Save Darfur Rally

2006-05-04T22:44:00.000-07:00

So... I found myself in Washington DC just one day before the Save Darfur rally this last week -- thousands of people gathered on the Mall, in between the Washington Monument and the Capitol, all together for the purpose of stopping the genocide that is taking place in the Darfur region of Sudan, a country in Africa. (To learn about this crisis, read this short article)

So, I thought I would attend. And I did. And I am very glad that I went.

It started well -- believe it or not, I actually was recognized by three very nice girls as I was walking off the subway. "It sure is A NICE DAY, isn't it?" one of them asked me, quoting "The Town That You Live In". I didn't get it at first, as I was on the phone trying to locate a friend who was there, but after my call they explained. This was a nice ego boost, and something that rarely happens, especially outside of California.

After eating some low-fat Ritz crackers with an overpriced bottle of water, I found a place to the right of the stage in some very nice shade. Almost everyone around me was there with one of many Jewish organizations. This was perplexing to me at first, considering the US population is not nearly as Jewish as this group was, but then I realized the reason that the Jewish community may be so attune to genocide is their own history with it as a people (i.e. The Holocaust). Still thought, I was really bummed to not see more Christian groups there. Where were the Christians, I thought?

I heard two people speak that day who were from groups considering themselves "Evangelicals". The first of the two only said a prayer, which started something like this...

"Dear Heavenly Father, Spirit and Jesus Christ, Your only Son..." At which point a number of the Jews near me laughed and or scoffed and looked at each other. Later, another Evangelical would speak, somewhat making up for the first guy, but I noticed a lot of the Jews were not paying attention to him, significantly less than any other speaker. It makes sense to me, though, that it might NOT be a good idea to start off a prayer with JESUS in a group of poeple who are predominantly JEWISH. Seems a little insensitive to come to a rally that is DESIGNED to bring people of divergent faiths and philosophies together on something they all agree upon and to start off with the MAIN THING that separated your group from the predeominate group present. I don't know what I mean to say with all this, only that I was disappointed, and maybe we can learn a lesson. Or maybe I will convert to Catholicism. =)

Anyway, the rally was very emotionally stirring. It was pretty amazing to be with so many people united for a good cause all in one place, and such an important place at that. I felt like I got to experience a little of what I missed not having grown up in the 60s -- something for which I routinely experience intense longing. The only drawback really was that the rally wasn't very IMFORMATIVE. It was a lot of sloganeering, chanting, emotional sitrring-up. Which is all GOOD, definitely, but I could have used more practical tools with which to work. This may be simply because it is hard to know what exactly to DO about the conflict, in terms at least of what the average citizen can do. There is a lot of really complicated politics, but the more people become concerned and show their concern, the more that would-be elected officials will work on this issue, to ensure that they in fact are elected.

So, be informed, stay informed. There is a weekly newsletter you can subscribe to at SaveDarfur.Org, and I would very much recommend that. I, for one, have slacked on my reading of those newsletters, and only HAPPENED to be D.C. during the rally, but now I am glad I was there, and it is encouraging me to keep up on this conflict more than I have been recently.

Feeling lucky and blessed,
Dan

The Summer EP Mix Tracklisting

2006-04-26T12:37:00.000-07:00

OK so here is that tracklisting (see previous post) and what each song means. This is true blogging here, folks, mainly for myself to process the experience.

1. Tegan & Sara, "Take Me Anywhere" -- I have been obsessed with this song for weeks leading up to this recording session, and I played it a number of times on my ipod during the trip. What I love about the songs on "So Jealous" is that they tend to be very simple: a couple vocal parts, light instrumentation, nothing fancy about the production. But within the simplicity of the performances, the strength of the song really comes through. I am trying to take some lessons from these girls while I am in Michigan trying to write similarly brilliant songs (and most likely failing).

2. The Velvet Teen, "Counting Backwards" -- This song came on while I was responding to some emails one night with the ipod on "shuffle", and I was so surprised at how good it was: surprised because this is on an old EP of theirs, written and recorded when Judah, the singer/writer/guitarist/pianist was quite young, I think like late teens, which blows me away. This song is so ahead of it's time -- sounds like something some really good dancy-indie band would release nowadays, but it was 2001, 5 years ago! So good.

3. Phantom Planet, "The Meantime" -- I listened to this song with Crystal Murphy, my new dear friend, as she drove me to the airport (via Highway 1, lunch, etc.) at the end of my visit. This record is much better than most people realize, so dancy and catchy and well-produced (think Pinkerton, lo-fi but ballsy), and great summer music.

4. Brandtson, "Nobody Dances Anymore" -- A video was made for this song that features many of my friends, including Twinsy, and I saw this video a number of times during the trip; it is very funny and awesome, just a bunch of people dancing in the "Green Room" at The Militia Group in Long Beach. Also, it's an awesome song: so fun. They will be here in Grand Rapids on Friday and I am super excited to hang out with them.

5. Satisfaction, "Everything You Don't Want" -- Satisfaction is our producer, Michael Rosas' band; they are phenomenal (go to myspace.com/satisfaction and see why), and the mix needed a song of theirs. This is my current favorite.

6. The Rolling Stones, "Rocks Off" -- I bought "Exile On Main Street" one day while we were tracking vocals, kind of on a whim at Best Buy, and it's a great record. This is the first song, and it got me hooked. Sidenote: it really reminds me of Squad-Five-O, if any of you remember them...

7. Bob Dylan, "Like A Rolling Stone (Live in England, 1966)" -- This is from the legendary British tour when Dylan did one set of acoustic songs and then one set of loud, blistering Rock music with the musicians later to be known as The Band. Before the song starts, you can hear someone yelling "Judas!", with Bob simply replying, "I don't believe you," then turning to his band, 'Play f*cking loud!" And that they do. It is such an energetic, well-recorded version of this, one of my all-time favorite songs. And what a rock'n'roll moment that was; I am grateful to have a recorded version to enjoy. Also, I was reading Dylan's new book, "Chronicles", recommended by Jonathan Jones (Waking Ashland), and loving every minute, listening to a LOT of Dylan; it was kind of a Dylan Trip for me. I thought of even putting "Visions of Johanna" at the end of the mix, but decided that would be Dylan overkill, although that might be appropriate, since the trip was pretty much Dylan overkill.

8. Richard Swift, "Looking Back, I Should Have Been Home More" -- I had discovered the depth of quality in this song a few weeks before recording, but I listened to it a fair amount while down there, and furthermore, Richard Swift is from that area, and friends with a few of my friends down there. Also, during the trip, a few of us went to see Fielding play at the Detroit Bar in Newport Beach, which reminded me of the time I saw Richard Swift at the Detroit. Good times...

9. Let Go, "No Drugs, No Alcohol" -- This song sort of stands out on the Let Go album, a decent three-piece pop-rock record. This song is more influenced by the Beach Boys than anything Green Day ever did, however, and has a few moments of genius, my favorite being the three-part vibrato'd out harmony, "yeah!" half-way through the song. Queen, anyone?

10. The Trade Winds, "New York's A Lonely Town" -- This song is on a compilation my parents gave me when I was 7 yrs old called "Surfin' Hits". It was also undoubtedly the theme song of this trip. I had it stuck in my head almost the ENTIRE time I was down there; i would track a guitar part, intent on performance, and as soon as I finished, this song would jump back into my head, and I would find myself humming along. The lyrics are amazing (sort of): the speaker's parents have moved to New York City from Southern California, and he is dismayed to find that no one surfs in NYC, and quote, "No one even cares..." His "woodie" is outside, covered in snow. Personal favorite lyric: "From Central Park to Pasadena's such a long way; I feel so out of it walkin' down Broadway." I want to cover this song at some point; it is total Brian Wilson rip-off, but I love it.

11. Joni Mitchell, "California" -- This one is here partially for obvious reasons, but also because I was able to share this album with a songwriting friend of mine during one of our days off. This song has such a good energy; Joni's voice is ridiculously awesome, and the song really does remind me of my home state.

12. Watashi Wa, "10 Years In Separating States" -- This is easily my favorite song that Seth has ever written, and I think I've heard almost all of his songs at some point. It's slow-building, epic, with great harmonies and great lyrics about moving on, something I was anxious to do while in Southern California (not one of my favorite places...). Sometimes I feel like this song will one day get me through a very rough time. So thank you, Seth. =)

i am falling in love with music.

2006-04-20T20:20:00.000-07:00

again.
and i am LOVING it.

i have a few people to thank: bob dylan, mikey and my boys, my mother and father (for buying me a beach boys tape and a compilation called "surfin' hits", which i rediscovered on the recent recording trip), missy higgins (who i heard and saw on the little TV on my plane ride here to Michigan), michael rosas (our producer), and perhaps many others. as some of you know, i am currently in michigan on a bit of a break. on the plane ride over, i made a mix of songs to sort of sum up my trip to southern california to record this EP that will soon be available for free to you, the reader. =)

i think i may type out the tracklisting with an explanation of each song and what it means to me in a subsequent blog. but for now, just know that i am happy. the people here in michigan are amazing.

smiling,
daniel.

overwhelmed.

2006-04-13T02:22:00.000-07:00

so much on my plate right now... constant sherwood stuff, it seems all day every day. when do i get to be dan? i don't even know how to have normal conversations anymore. the only break i have in the next 6 months is this month in michigan coming up, during which i need to be writing songs (frantically, if possible), teaching gabe guitar parts and conducting sherwood business via email and phone, which includes finalizing mixes for the EP, as well as making a million decisions regarding its online release, physical release, etc. i am going to turn my phone off and drown in bob dylan for days at a time and piss everyone off. so everyone, be ready for that.

and yet, amidst it all, i am learning, i think. today i took a walk and got coffee and cereal and listened to the beach boys and los straitjackets and a surfin' hits compilation my parents gave me when i was 7. "new york's a lonely town" by the trade winds is my current favorite song i think...check it out. =) also we are recording the best d*mn songs we have ever written, and i am pretty sure everyone who has heard them has agreed so far...

i spent some time with some female friends tonight, my age, actually younger than me, living exciting lives (but so am i, right?). and i was so completely intimidated that i had no idea what to say. if i talk about sherwood, i feel like i have to make constant apologies or preface everything with something, anything to keep from sounding like a prick or a rockstar or an egomaniac -- the first and third are true and must be masked, the second will most likely never be true. =) why all the excuses? i have lsot the faculty for normal social interaction. i hope it comes back, but i don't know if it will. if not, i can still be a poster on someone's wall, a lyric on their myspace page, a goofy picture in their photo album (or photoBUCKET album these days), and i am ok with that, i think there is value there. i just hope i can have real friends also, not just mikey and the piled of burned-out logs that appear to be all the older friendships i have left to entropy (you know who you are and i am sorry for being the ass that i am/have been/will most likely continue to be).

is this too self-depricating? if so, let me know. i am not trying to bum anyone out or elicit pity or anything; just getting it all out there i guess. we all have problems and insecurities. if you can't relate to this, you are probably 12.

with some love,
dan

found an old poem...

2006-04-05T16:05:00.000-07:00

...from september, it would appear. wrote it in washington dc. at the time i called it "kinda sexy..." i think i will keep that title.

If dawn fails to reach me, through shuttered glass,
if my alarm is silenced with the shirt
you ripped off like a man breaking his fast,
let it not be coincidence -- Hurt
can rise atop my brain like cream in milk,
it happens in the first few yawns each day.
So i have made my bed with sheets of silk
and feather tops, to keep those yawns away--
but night can be day, and day can be night,
so if the dawn should fail to reach me, dear,
with afternoon I will still have to fight.

it was suposed to be a sonnet (hence the rhyme scheme and meter), but it felt done after 11 lines; didn't have the strength for 3 more. the nice little punchline at the end is evidence that i was pretty much only reading Edna St. Vincent Millay on that trip. =) if you've never read her, go here:

http://www.bartleby.com/131/index2.html

or AT LEAST read this:

IF I should learn, in some quite casual way,
That you were gone, not to return again—
Read from the back-page of a paper, say,
Held by a neighbor in a subway train,
How at the corner of this avenue
And such a street (so are the papers filled)
A hurrying man—who happened to be you—
At noon to-day had happened to be killed,
I should not cry aloud—I could not cry
Aloud, or wring my hands in such a place—
I should but watch the station lights rush by
With a more careful interest on my face,
Or raise my eyes and read with greater care
Where to store furs and how to treat the hair.

*sigh* so good.

with love, terrible sleep patterns, and lots of trader joe's unpasteurized orange juice,
dan

home sweet home...

2006-04-05T02:08:00.000-07:00

its 2:15 AM or so.

having a hard time falling asleep these last few days; i think it is partly because i am so used to having people around me every night until i am exhausted and CHOOSE to be alone and sleep.

last night: watched almost famous until 3 am -- good and bad; good becuase i love it, bad because i wanted to point out that near the end jason lee's character is wearing his own "jeff bebe" t-shirt but had no one to point it out to.

tonight: read bob dylan's new autobiography until 2 and then had half a piece of cake and ice cream and then sat down to--seriously? am i doing this?--BLOG.

this is stupid, i'm out.

the laundromat - a longer entry...

2006-03-25T10:49:00.000-08:00

there is something intrinsically attractive to me about doing laundry at a laundromat. i can identify two themes: 1) the big-city connection -- people who live in big cities i feel are often to be found at laundromats; whether or not this is actually true, i have no idea, but i feel like it is, and 2) the blue collar/working class ethic i have found myself generally sympathetic toward (although not actively in pursuit of), since late high school. i need to get change for my $5 bill, i need to buy a single-serving box of degergent, i need to stay in one place while my clothes wash and dry. i bring a book. i bring an ipod. i bring a second book in case the first is boring. i wear gloves and a beanie. i think i will spend the time engrossed in tolstoy, the rhythmic humming and churning helping me to focus by providing white noise. i see myself, in all my low-income glory, sweating it out with the masses, so that i can wear clean clothes and not smell like an ass after the show tonight. this is how i see it panning out, but of course it doesn't happen this way. it's even better than i imagined...

here is what actually happened:

before i could load my clothes into two separate washers (i had a quite a heavy load, especially including a few jackets and pants and shirts that weren't even dirty but just needed to be shrunk in order to maintain the fashion status quo of playing in a rock band), i had to get change. as i walk up to the change machine, i notice three little boys following me (ages 2, 3, and 5 i later learned), engrossed in the put-paper-in-get-metal-out transaction. so i let the middle one help me put the dollars in, and the oldest gets the quarters. at the end of this, i go put my clothes in, and sit down to start reading anna karenina (see, i'm doing good!). before i read two lines, the middle boy walks up and stares at me inquisitively -- this is a common look i receive from children, partially because children are more inquisitive than adults, but also i think partially because i have a pretty fierce beard, which either inspires fear or, like in this case, curiosity. since i am sitting across from 6 of those quarter-vending machines for children, i anticipate what might be coming.

"i got a yellow bear", he says, in reference to the vending machine that dispenses rubber bears, good for nothing that i can think of other than bear-ness or rubber-ness.

"would you like to get another bear?" i ask. yes, he would. and yes, so would his younger and older sibling. i have plenty of quarters, so no big deal. this giving, however, leads to increased time with the boys, including them showing me how to throw the bears and bounce them off walls and the floor, me learning their names -- chase, alex, and quentin, which took chase saying "quentin" about 12 times before i understood him -- and giving hi-fives. about 5 minutes later, another socially adept 4-year old, fernando, joined the party. fernando was even cuter than the caucasian boys, and spoke english, but the combination of being a little kid and his accent made it almost impossible for me to understand anything he said. this, however, did not stop me from giving HIM a quarter as well, which he chose to spend playing a shoot-em-up arcade game. the only problem, of course, was that he was far too short to even see the screen, so i had to hold him a foot and a half in the air as he fumbled with the controls -- the sweet relief of "game over" did not tarry, and the game only lasted about two minutes. he asked for another game, but i tactfully told him he should ask his mother, who said no.

the rest of the time was spent watching fernando throw his jacket into the air and catch it, then to his great delight joining him and throwing it for him, on him, on mikey, on anyone around, and putting part of my hair into a pony tail with a rubber band that fernando gave me. not the kind of day at the laundromat that i was expecting, but probably more rewarding, right? i brought pictures:

the three boys:

fernando:

grateful to be alive,
dan

bob dylan part two

2006-03-21T15:04:00.000-08:00

i want to write about this bob dylan thing, but i don't really know how to organize everything. so how about this? i'll go with the vignette approach. aphorisms. snapshots. call them what you will...

- i am going to michigan to write songs for awhile, and i am thinking of buying a typewriter.

- i want to be sitting at a plain wooden table, in a confortable office chair, typewriter in center of table, old notebooks on left, ash tray on right, cigarette in mouth, cup of coffee next to ash tray, caraffe of coffee behind cup. when i picture myself in this situation, i picture that i am bob dylan, however, not me... and when i am bob dylan, the cigarette hangs casually to the side, drooped just a bit, and i type vigorously, oblivious to whatever else is in the room, brilliant rhymes spilling into the page. i pause to ash my cigarette, take a sip of coffee, place the cigarette on the ashtray; and then i have another great idea.

were it me and not bob, i would take a drag and then cough, wonder why i am smoking when i have these allergies. i would tap my foot incessantly and look around the room, wondering why i drank so much coffee and isn't it a diarrhetic? and yep, apparently it is because now i have to go to the bathroom, and i haven't written a damn thing.

so this brings me, oddly, to the real issue: is the bob dylan thing a fantasy? if not, am i capable of doing anything like what he did? is that where my talent lies? should i do what i am doing now, namely, write pop songs that teenagers (and some older folks) can relate to? or at the least, tap their feet and drive around smiling?

i don't know, but i do know that i feel very fortunate to do what i am doing, even if it is nowhere near as important as what others have done before me.

still confused,
dan

bob dylan

2006-03-20T13:00:00.000-08:00

been wathing "no direction home", the bob dylan film. it is effecting me pretty profoundly, although i am not yet sure just how. lots of thinking about the tension between the rock and roll life, and isn't it just a lie? an escapte into immaturity that few can afford so lavishly? but then why i am i drawn to so much of it? is this art? is this worthwhile to pursue?

and on the other hand, the book by the fireplace, kids running around on the carpet, beautiful wife giving me a backrub, pennyloafers and a sweater dream. is that one also a lie? where are the lines...

"like a rolling stone" is fast becoming one of my all-time favorite jams...might even make its way into the infamous top 5... beach boys ARE in there twice, maybe i can bump out "wouldn't it be nice".

more dylan thoughts to come most likely

confused, and in adoration of a brilliant musician,
dan

anna karenina pt. 2

2006-03-20T12:51:00.000-08:00

i am HAPPY to announce that i am ON SCHEDULE with my anna karenina reading. i honestly cannot believe it. i suck at these things, but i am on the road to victory. in 8 days, i have read 220 pages, which is EXACTLY 27.5 pages per day (you will recall i had figured that i would have to read between 25 and 30 pages per day...between 25 and 30. just log that real quick.).

AWESOME!!

Today we will be driving all day through the snow...the perfect time for reading. So i should remain on schedule, and finish the book by the end of tour. and for the first time in my life, i'm gunna be somebody.

dandylion

the vigilantes

2006-03-15T15:02:00.000-08:00

so this happened a few nights ago but i need to tell the story. after our show in grand rapids, we went with jessa and gabe (see below) to a house party, where gabe's band (menage) was opening for local boys the Vigilantes. menage was great; they are an instrumental band, kind of appleseed cast and explsions in the sky and mogwai. then we hung out for a bit, and the vigilantes started playing. i was on a phone call for about half their set, but when i came inside, i was unprepared for what i found there.

the last song, "let's dance all night", was a crowd favorite, full of crowd participation. the singer, joey, split the corwd straight down the middle into two groups. the stage left group was so sing, "let's dance all night," followed by stage right with, "doo-bee doo-wop". the song had no verses -- it was "unfinished", but i think i liked it that way -- and slowly the guitars dropped out and it was just the crowd and the drummer, then just the snare drum, then just the crowd, with friends and fans hijacking the microphones, one or two people crowd-surfing, and a whole lot of smiling on my face.

it was seriously a magical musical moment, one that made me feel like a sell-out, even though i don't really think i am. but this whole thing was just so organic and fun and there was such a strong sense of community in that house, that i wanted so desperately to be a part of it. thankfully, i think i will be moving to grand rapis for a month pretty soon to write, as well as to join that group of amazing people, if only for a little while.

love danimal

rob bell, sherwood explosions, etc.

2006-03-13T21:55:00.000-08:00

i feel like blogging, but i don't know exactly what to say. i feel like i want to pour myself into a paragraph or two, so that i can be sucked up through the screen into your heart. and YET! nothing to say.

feeling really strongly right now. not strongly any one THING, but feeling strongly. is that possible? am i making sense? how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?

i am really excited about some upcoming sherwood stuff that just. may. blow the ceiling off the house i am in. that exciting. maybe not THAT exciting.

but i got to meet rob bell the other day (two days ago that is) -- he wrote a book that i pretty much loved; a book that expressed succinctly what i have been wandering through for about three years now, only in addition to all the criticisms of american christianity that i had stored up, he also offered positive reactions. it was an important book for me. i met him after his sermon at a church in grand rapids that he pastors.

it was funny because there were all these people standing around him; some of them were having him sign their copies of his book. i thought, "that is so weird that they are doing that," and then promptly realized that i do that...EVERY NIGHT. i felt the awkwardness of being on the other side of such a conversation -- rob bell and i have very little in common that i know of. and yet, i want to talk to him because he is important to me. his work is important to me and i connect it to my life. he has gotten good at these conversations, keeping things moving, being slightly funny. i have gotten good at them as well in the same way, but this time i was the one coming to talk to him, and it was awkward for me, slightly, but i am glad i met him. he said he would like some tips on touring. i hope he was serious because man do i have some of those. =)

in his sermon, he mentioned at one point how being around generous people makes him want to be more generous. how true that is. i feel that way around my friends gabe and jessa, and i hope to be able to spend more time with them and rob bell and their friends in the GR very soon. and when i think about that, i blow the ceiling out of my mind. not really =)

love, me

anna karenina

2006-03-13T10:28:00.000-08:00

i have decided to finish reading tolstoy's Anna Karenina by the end of this tour. The only problem: I have almost 400 pages left, and less than two weeks. I have done the math: about 25 to 30 pages per day. Yesterday was day one and I read 35, so I am feeling strong. But even if I can't finish, I will hopefully get pretty close. =)

live clip from Rhode Island

2006-03-13T10:25:00.000-08:00

Mikey jumps on Nate's back at the end...pretty awesome. =)

tour photojournalism: merch guys (part 2)

2006-03-09T14:55:00.000-08:00

thomas atkins (a.k.a. tomdotcom, thomas and millay, dylan thomas, merchguy -- our merchandise seller) and the hilarious justin, with complimentary signs.

tour photojournalism: rhode island

2006-03-09T14:36:00.000-08:00

brown university (ivy league)...

providence first universalist church -- which raises the question, how many universalists are there in providence to warrant such a large church? but you can't get mad at them, because you know that they believe you're going to heaven!

and then Nate made a snowman in the town square (to which joe added the caption, "these arms are snakes")...

tour photojournalism: merch guys

2006-03-09T14:33:00.000-08:00

justin (This Day & Age) -- one of the funniest men i will ever meet.

tour photojournalism: nyc

2006-03-09T14:22:00.000-08:00

i am a lucky duck...

times square:

and the glorious empire state building:

i love it when i get to spend time in the city. new plan: move there for a month to write. am i excited? more than i can say. will i find somewhere to sleep? let's hope so!

-dan

SNOW!! and Pittsburgh...

2006-03-05T09:53:00.000-08:00

a few days ago, I woke up early in a hotel room with Waking Ashland, and promptly went out to the van and went back to sleep. but when i AWOKE!!! i sat up and looked outside; we were stopped at a starbucks -- this is common on tour, especially with Waking Ashland, where singer and merch girl are both tragically addicted to caffeine (my addiction is slightly less serious). so i step out of the car because hey, starbucks, and what do i find? SNOW ON THE GROUND.

this might not be exciting to some of you, depending on where you live, but I. LOVE. SNOW. we then comtinued our trek into pittsburgh, where i enjoyed catching snowflakes on my tongue and a wonderful $3 breakfast at P&G Diner, just down the street from the venue (Mr. Smalls Theater). a little bit of journal writing, and it was back to the venue for me -- an incredible place with an entire HOUSE as a backstage area. i felt so pampered; a little guilty, even. when did we start to deserve such treatment? i think we still don't, but there must have been a mistake in pittsburgh, and i am OK with that. =)

on the way out of town, i was able to snap this sweet shot:

and here's that interview...

2006-02-27T14:54:00.000-08:00

if you want to read a transcript of the interview, it's here:

joe, mike and myself making a**es of ourselves to a tape recorder, the results of which, in my opinion, are a little bit funny.

and here's that photo...

2006-02-27T14:46:00.000-08:00

(see "being interviewed", below)

an ode to mikey...

2006-02-25T11:20:00.000-08:00

(mikey showing us his toilet technique he learned while in Israel this January)

truth be told, i gave mike a little bit of flack in that last post of mine, and i felt it was appropriate to counterbalance it with something from the heart. although i try to stay away from friend-labels, mikey is probably my best friend in the world, and i would go completely insane on tour, i believe, if it were not for him. he holds me accountable, he encourages me, he makes me laugh, makes me feel guilty when i eat food that is clearly bad for me, and does all the other things that such a friend should do. if you know mikey, then you know that he is one of the most amazing, loving and gentle people on this planet. if you DON'T know mikey, come to a sherwood show. =) just kidding!

my favorite prayer

2006-02-24T12:46:00.000-08:00

being interviewed

2006-02-23T17:25:00.000-08:00

february 23rd 2006

It is about 6pm in hotlanta, and as I stand outside with mikey by the RV, I tell him that two nice 18-year old guys are coming to the show tonight for the purpose of interviewing Sherwood for their e-zine, For The Sound. meanwhile, mike, joe and i are all thinking that we need to get some coffee, but with no transportation (other than the monster vehicle we call home) and no coffee in walking distance, things are looking gloomy. then mikey has the idea of asking the interviewers to take us to coffee, simultaneously eliminating our headaches and providing a cozy chatting atmosphere. we all agree it is a great idea, but right before we leave, nate and lucas decide to pin my arms and wrap as much masking tape around my body (READ: around my beard and hair in overlapping loops) as possible. this provides our interviewers with the photo they need for the front page feature: a taped-up me, with my mouth involuntarily pried open by two opposing strands of sticky paper, half mummy, half mountain man, a grinning, mischievious nate smiling by my side.

on the way to coffee (the three of us sherwoods together in the backseat of the sedan while the interviewers chauffer), the jokes are already rolling, and i anticipate a good time.

we land at starbucks (not my first choice, but i try not to be picky), and joe and i pull our usual stunt -- a venti coffee frapuccino split into two tall cups (less than $2 each, but wallets full of coffee goodness!) -- while our new friends pull two tables together to start the interview. this is still a relatively new phenomenon for me, and i am not quite comfortable, but certainly not bored either. the majority of the interview ends up being spent in three-way nerdy jokes between us band members, with a few actual ANSWERS to questions interspersed between wisecracks. at one point, mikey begins knocking on the table as i am answering a question about labels. were i to transcribe this 30 seconds of conversation, it would look like this:

interviewer: so are there any specific labels you are looking at, or are looking at you?
me: ummmmmm (i learned this from speech class), i don't think we are really supposed to name any names...
mikey: *knocks on wood*
joe: mikey, why did you just hit the table?
mikey: ya know, "knock on wood"?
joe: i don't think you quite understand that expression.

at this point, joe is in fact correct, mikey doesn't quite understand it. for the most part, however, questions are answered relatively smoothly -- more often smooth when we aren't trying to be funny. my favorite egotistical mishap (which i hope isn't printed) occurs when mikey fields the question, "why did you guys get a one album deal?" with the answer, "well, we kind of DESERVED it." mikey also chooses at one point to answer the question, "would you rather sign to an indie label or a major label?" by citing that "Dan is a control freak, but he realizes he can't control labels." oh, mikey...how i love thee.

but in general, the interview is going well, joe is laughing a lot, there are numerous mentions of never "hearing organ in the winter" (as a reason our music is connected to the summer so often -- sub question: is it?), to which i can't help but laugh, mainly at the word "organ", which is admittedly childish of me. but there is something childish that tends to surface when i spent time with joe and mikey.

the interview concludes, we sign a phanny pack with a silver sharpie, and we make our way back to the club. all in all, a good time.

(Old Classic) Halloween Hipster Party

2006-02-21T17:36:00.000-08:00

We had a day off in Chicago recently, and I spent the evening with a friend of mine named Fire Jay (so named because of his duties as a fireman), who took myself and Joe to a party...a costume party...but no ordinary costume party...a HIPSTER costume party. Below is my attempt at blog photojournalism, replete with descriptions of each photo. These are hipster's at their finest, folks, so revel in it, love it, think about it.

This was my first clue -- hipsters tend to stick to PBR (for cheap nights) or Stella Artois (big rollin' nights...or any night in Capitol Hill, Seattle)

The visual counterpart to the hip music (obscure techno mainly, including the cover of "Money (That's What I Want)" from the Empire Records soundtrack) was a VHS copy of Back To The Future playing silently on the wood-paneled TV:

As i sat in an old, plaid, mostly comfortable armchair, I looked down at the PHONOGRAPH (necessary for any hipster pad) and noticed this sticker, denoting popular hipster politcal leanings:

This caused me to notice other graphics, mainly the art on the walls...

ALF Knit-By-Number Rug (this is actually pretty cool, I will admit...)

...and this one appears to be a Pope juggling five Jesus-On-The-Cross's...so true, man.

So I checked the bookcase...

Yep, five out of fifteen are by Kurt Vonnegut -- and they even avoided the bestseller Slaughterhouse Five!

Since I don't know much about early Devo or black and white photography, I was a bit out of the loop, forcing me to take matters into my own hands...

Happy Halloween, everyone.

Oh, Texas...

2006-02-21T17:02:00.000-08:00

I found the following two large stickers on a Flying-J truck stop somewhere near Houston, Texas. I believe they speak for themselves...

- AND EVEN BETTER -

my home away from home

2006-02-21T16:25:00.000-08:00

wednesday, february 15th 2006

i would like to describe the bunk in which i live more than half of the year. this will be an exercise for me in descriptive writing, and an exercise for you in understanding the spatial life of a nominally talented nomad.

my bunk is the largest of the living quarters, located in the front of the RV, hanging over the driver cabin, both lookout post and luxury suite. at about 7 1/2' feet long, it is the only bunk in which i can fully stretch out my 6' 2" frame. the ceiling is a dirty sand-colored fiber carpet of some kind, well worn and stained various colors. most if not all of these marks were here when we got the RV, and the origins of them will hopefully forever remain a mystery to me. there are three windows: one on either side of the vehicle, each of which open and are equipped with screens, which are good not only for keeping out bugs, but provide an additional variable which helps one to achieve perfect airflow through the bunk, especially on warm nights, sleeping while another servant-hearted band member drives.

the third window is long and narrow and sprawls across the front of the cabin, through which i can see the road and whatever scenery there may be to take in at any time. this panel, however, is perenially plagued by the remains of large insects -- if they manage to miss the regular windshield, this is where they often end up. no amount of gas station squeegie work ever seems to completely clear up these pockmarks, but the view can be beautiful regardless.

the dark green 70s fabric-covered foam mattress is about 6 feet long, and on either end are about 9 inches of fake wood paneling, perfect for basic storage. (let it be known, however, that "storage" for many people involves an organized system of items placed in specific places for specific reasons, however, when I say "storage", abandon this preconception; think chaos...) on the driver side, where i generally rest my pillow and head, i keep odds and ends -- things i use and need regularly, like my beanie, wallet, screwdriver (for fixing the always broken curtain system which constitutes my only privacy barrier), notebook and whatever book(s) i am currently reading. on the other end are the books i am not currently reading, a hot glue gun and glue sticks (also for the damn curtains), and whatever else may congregate, meaning whatever any other band member tosses there.

my sleeping bag and comforter are generally laid out on the closer half of the bunk for easy access; the front half, closest to the long window, houses my green collapsable laundry box (a wonderful and practical christmas present from Mom), my duffel bag for clean clothes, and an extra blanket for cold nights. also currently located in this half of the bunk is our merch guy Thomas' huge duffel bag (he didn't get the memo to pack light). on the driver side there is also one light, perfect for late night reading.

and that's about it. i am lucky to have such a nice and comfortable place to spend the majority of my time; feel free to ask for a tour anytime.

next issue: the greater RV.