I Like Writing Dumb Songs

I went for a walk around in the twilight. The sky was still blue, translucent, like glass. Commuters buzzing by on the raised freeways in three directions. Beautiful.

Today I wrote a song called "Costumed Characters Face Dangers While On the Job" I suppose its a throwaway for the record. It began as a facebook comment I didn't want to leave because I am too serious and don't wanna be 'serious guy' on the thread - (I never have very witty things to say)

There is a hipster bar in the mission called the Royal Cuckoo and they are experimenting with having a live organist instead of a sound system. It is a cool idea but my friend was put off by how seriously the organist took himself - especially resenting the 'no video' policy. My friend is one of the coolest people alive - and I think what he was really saying is that the organist needs to be a complete ham if he is going to be in that position. Nothing worse than a self important entertainer (I know about that first hand!!) Now while I have never seen this organist and I agree with my friend - I have to say I celebrate the No Video policy. Nothing worse than grinning drunks standing in everyone's way holding up their phones mocking and ironic and think they have a right to 'capture' you. It is so distracting, and cold. I hate that shit.

Addendum: I finally saw said organist and its cool - but yeah its kinda humorless. He should encourage interaction with the crowd in any way possible. Maybe get an old 'organ' drum machine.

Anyway I like my little song - it is also a slight homage to Quentin Crisp who I spotted once on the street in New York many years ago. It was as exciting as the time I spotted Bukowski in a bar in LA (I was afraid to talk to him but I gave the bartender a 20 to cover his drinks).

Another Light Goes Out

For 30 years KUSF was San Francisco's only college radio station. Last night (at the time I'm writing this) the Jesuit run university disclosed that the frequency was sold for 3.75 million. They shut it down and locked out the staff with no warning and say that KUSF will be internet only. Out of sight - out of mind. The new tenants of 90.3 FM are a station that plays the greatest hits of classical music. They used to be KDFC. I think I may have been the only one in SF that ever listened to them. Now some classic rock station takes over their frequency - and KDFC takes over KUSF and their much weaker signal. What is going on here?

Tonight the USF president spoke at a meeting open to the public. It was incredibly emotional for the people who attended. I was surprised that the University President stood there for so long to repeat the same empty reasons for the death of KUSF in the face of such disdain. I've never heard a priest called a douche-bag before (but it seemed right). There were cops just in case things got out of hand.

I guess they took the first offer that crossed their desk. They signed it without discussion or trying to bargain for more money.  The community was completely shut out. They were never given the chance to save the station. I think USF were overjoyed that KUSF was finally gone.

They did the wrong thing.

It was obvious to me as the priest (the president of the school) had been waiting to get rid of the station for years. He (and all those that pretend their lifestyle is a divine avocation) hated KUSF. Instead of trying to alter or tweak the format to suit their medieval beliefs - they just killed it off.

He wanted to manage public opinion by not announcing it because he knew there would be an outcry. He must have known that no one in SF would have advocated the loss of another free form community radio station.  He just wanted it gone. 

Conservative ideas darken the horizon. Perhaps the priests that run USF have realized that their myth is irrelevant and want to close the door to the world. The trouble is all the outlets that speak to a community are disappearing - and they are all owned by people who are irrelevant except for their money. Everything we see and experience in the public sphere is managed. They talk of freedom of choice but that is only true now if you are rich. (I loved the kid who spoke at this meeting. He was a DJ and is locked into paying 50,000 a year tuition at USF and felt SO betrayed) Of course there is freedom on the internet - but that’s not broadcast to the community for all to hear. It is not a shared experience.

KUSF had its problems but essentially it was a collection of good people volunteering to bring new things to the world. No matter How much the DJ's annoyed me - or how the music made me want to crash my car (yes it almost happened) I loved KUSF and the opportunity it gave musicians like me. I loved it for giving The City a chance to hear new music and media that is not managed. This is the death of something great.

That this happened at a Catholic university is more proof that religion is not a cure - it is a symptom of a greater disease.

The Bill Is Due

I am making a record called 'The Bill Is Due'. It is taking a while because I keeping writing new songs for it - and throwing old songs away. So far there are 13. I think it is great. I am proud. My plan is to make an acoustic album. Just guitar and vocal. Maybe one other instrument or a backing vocal. I know the world needs another 'acoustic' record like it needs a hole in the head - but I listen to a lot of random stuff and most of it is noise. Remember the signal to noise ratio? I want to be all signal. I am working with the engineer who shares the space where I work. His name is Ron Macleod and he is very decent and kind. He leaves me alone mostly - he sets up fancy mics and and lets me go.

I don't have a record label for this yet though I have a couple of ideas. I know that what people want is an AMC record - and so do I - but honestly I have to make some money now and this is the only way I know.

From Success To Succes I Climb

My friend Marsha Vdovin got a facebook update about me. Apparently one of my 4 fans from Paris spotted me at the Trader Joe's near the studio where I work and he expressed disappointment and commented to the order of: ‘never see your heros’...

So dear fans, I would like to use this forum to say that I absolutely understand and need to apologize not only to this fan but to ALL the fans that have invested their love, passion, and occasionally their hard earned cash towards my music. It is true that I have gained a beard and a couple of very casual,  friendly pounds. It is also true that my demeanor at this Trader Joe’s is often less than magical. In fact as soon as I enter TJ’s all my pixie dust pops off in a small (but noticeable) - uhm - puff.

This poor young French Man learned an awful lesson there in that tragic TJ - about how dreams die, about aging, decrepitude, and disappointment. But. To said Frenchman I would like to say for the record: Nothing in this neighborhood beats a 3.99 Chicken Salad for dinner. Nothing.