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I’m still playing in Toronto on Saturday.

I’m pretty sure the album’s available everywhere it’s supposed to be. iTunes, Amazon, Bandcamp, CD Baby, Spotify, Rdio and now finally Jamendo (thanks to everyone who helped out with that). Oh and I’m slowly getting it on Soundcloud. Also a big thank you to everyone who’s been buying it. For a while I wasn’t sure if I’d get to still be a musician but it looks like I’m OK for now.

By the way, the source/stems for the album are here. Send me anything you make with my stuff, I’ll be featuring some things in the next while.

I’ve been neglecting this blog in favor of Facebook and Twitter. I have some confusion about where to channel my Internet energies these days.

It’s -28C outside right now. That’s cold.

Would you look at that, the CDs actually exist. I’m shipping off the first batch of pre-orders today, thanks everybody.

One of the issues with finishing this record (that I have figured out in retrospect) has been that my understanding of rhythm and “tightness” changed when I was nearly done. Tracks were in the bag and then I suddenly started noticing some songs didn’t “groove” or “bang” the way I perhaps wanted them to.

Before this I’ve mostly thought about my contributions in music as chords & riffs, melody and words. The groove was just something that happened — or sometimes mysteriously didn’t happen and I’d have no idea why.

But what to do? I can’t re-record the album every time I learn something new or get better at something. I know that doesn’t end well for me (or anyone who wants to hear my record in the next ten years).

So I took some time and I’ve gone back and re-addressed things, trying to avoid re-recording everything or changing them too much (people already like a lot of these demos! some have already been licensed!). Here’s an example of one I’m working on right now:

Excerpt of the original “Feel Free Plastic Surgery!” instrumental

Excerpt of the new version

It’s been confusing to diagnose and treat this without starting over. In this one I ditched the South American drum loop that I wrote the song on top of and replaced it with a more straight ahead rock pattern I tapped in. Then re-recorded the bass to fit better.

I’m still working on it (I’m concerned the snare on the 4 is late sometimes), but the new one is more fun to me, dancier and rockier. It’s such a small change and I feel dumb that it’s taken me forever to understand and figure out. But… maybe it’s a good thing? I don’t know, we’ll see.

2011 was kinda bananas. I think the original plan was to kick ass and make a lot of progress on this dusty old music career of mine but that hasn’t really happened so much.

People have been asking me about my record and I really appreciate that you guys are looking forward to it despite all the radio silence from me. Honestly I’m still struggling with it, getting the songs how I want them while not going all Chinese Democracy. It’s a tough balance.

But it’s moving forward now and I’m optimistic I’ll be able to wrap it up soon. Thanks for your patience and support. Have a sweet 2012.

I’m off to Boston today to do a panel thing at Rethink Music. and an interview at the Berkman Center. If you’re around there be sure to say hi.

I have another song demo nearly ready to go which means that’ll be nine out of ten done for the next album, holy smokes! The tenth track is getting there as well. With luck I’ll be working on finishing the record by the summer. So that’s nice.

Whoops. I found out on Friday that last week I accidentally uploaded a very old version of my Guess Who’s a Mess demo. That’s pretty embarrassing, I was actually pretty horrified but I think I’m good now. Anyway here’s the latest one instead:

Guess Who’s a Mess (demo 2)

Okay, moving on…

Hey, here’s another messy demo:

Guess Who’s a Mess (demo)

It’s the title track and will probably be track 6 on Guess Who’s a Mess.

Venue: The Tranzac Club
City: Toronto, ON
When: August 7, 7pm
Cost: $12

Event listings:

Facebook
MySpace
Eventful
Upcoming
last.fm

So Brad Sucks should be coming out of live show retirement this year. There’s an interesting show I’ve been offered but I need to gauge interest + probably sell tickets in advance to make it happen. Here are the potential details:

• The show would be at Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company in Vankleek Hill, Ontario.
• There would be a round trip bus from Montreal or Ottawa (depending on which city has more interest.)
• Cost would be $30, which is your cover and a brewery tour.
• It’d be in the spring or early summer.

Anyway, please let me know if it’s something you’d attend. Thanks!

These are the songs that got more than two votes on the site here and on the Facebook group:

So I think we’re doing the top 6, but I’m not sure what to do about Making Me Nervous. It’s the most popular song but many people think it’s a bad fit for Rock Band. I’m sort of thinking about doing a remix with more guitars, but maybe that’d kill some of the fun. “Play along to a different version of a song you kinda liked!”