my love for local music is unparalleled. hearing folks from around here interpret the world in their own uniquely Salem way is something that attracts me like eating at a buffet of all my favorite foods, for free. even if i have to pay a door to hear and watch a live show it still feels free. Lucas DeWilde is a talented guy. he just sent me some demos of new music projects he's involved with. I am A Zombie (J.Peters/ LD) and Higgans and Merryweather (Josh Smith/ Jack Gloe/ LD) respectively. the first 'zombie track' i listened to: 'God's Gift' reminded me of David Bowie fronting a raw rock and roll project like the Kiss-offs. the first 'H&M track'- 'Hello Hello' was more withdrawn in its intensity and i sank into my work as it played. then about three-quarters into the song i noticed i was still listening, as if it had been with me all morning since i'd awoke. a tender opening in the vein of Silver Sun Pickups' Rusted Wheel (my fave) that reminds me of a song off Superchunk's lighter album whats it called again mixed with some kind of bastardized Neil Young. i plan on booking them just to watch the show even if i'm the only one.

http://data.whicdn.com/images/28934994/525825_3596594767607_1655636407_2783672_1448268260_n_large.jpg

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=563357317046922&set=pb.170586736323984.-2207520000.1392222954.&type=3&theater

I tend to melt down during the winter. It starts around my birthday and goes through the end of the year. Its beautiful and terrible. Beautiful because I think I am starting to be able to understand from an objective point of view that it happens and in order to be happy you must be sad. Terrible because when I am actually inside of it- it tears me apart and I blame, argue, fight, yell, cry, hurt, and right now as I list these it becomes too real. So I'll stop listing. ANYWAY the reason I am writing next is to post a feature piece I wrote for the Salem Weekly that didn't get published due to some miscommunication. I think it really captured the idea of its subject and I am practicing making a long term habit of this blog so here you go...also people just need to know what Freddy is up to and the kind of person he is. Go meet him.

Freddy Ruiz Jr.’s

“WE ARE ROCK STARS”

By Doug Hoffman

If you aren’t accustomed to the original DIY music terrain of Salem this book will introduce you through Freddy Ruiz Jr.’s camera lens to what his experience in the later part of the last decade was. Freddy has been a local staple in the Salem art and music scene for years. Many know his work on the Red Crown Review without maybe even realizing it. Hundreds of photographs of bands and their fans have entered the shutters of his cameras. Lighting, angle, shutter speed, and a fearless attitude in finding the right shots are some of the formula he utilizes for these pictures. If you are involved in Salem’s music efforts- paging through the We Are Rock Stars book is like looking through a photo album of close family, extended family, and family that you’ve never met. It is difficult to separate yourself from images in the promotional photography endeavor turned photo-journal. As a veritable visual quarry this tome of non-captioned snapshots subjecting energetic performers and their crowds will repeat forever. Among many; The Falcon, Agape, Typhoon, The Nodding Tree Remedies, The Apheliotropic Orchestra, Quandry, Jack Inferno, Shepherds of Ontario, The Funhouse Strippers, Kid Espi & the Garden Entertainment crew, and even the infamous ‘Shark Guitar’ are all showcased. One of several evolving hey-days in Salem yielded the legendary sites where this era became very important to Freddy and he immersed himself in it. Sites like the Columbus Club, Stitches, Ike Box, The Triangle Inn, Boon’s Treasury, Café Noir, and more are all backdrops for these historic shows. And now by heading to freddyruizjr.com you can own a piece of our local homegrown and sweat drudged pursuit. The stout thick and hard bound book is in its first pressing but will be reissued in a magazine style option soon and would be perfect for any Salem households’ coffee table. It is an authentic piece of our heritage and the sound of Salem over the past recent years. Perhaps this document will inspire future photographers and even modestly spark great conversations about common musical threads: the contagious conversations themselves in the comfort of your home- performances of their own.

http://freddyruizjr.com/

The Salem Weekly is being postponed an issue so I figured I would still publish on this blog the write ups I had prepared. 

Aural Pleasure Concerts:  Tonya Gilmore, Yaquina Bay, Asher Deaver

Saturday, November 2

All ages

7pm

$7 Advance/ $9 Door

Level B Theatre Pub 445 High Street SE

Local prolific songwriter Tonya Gilmore is releasing her long anticipated comprehensive album, “Phantoms Fill the Sky” this Saturday evening! This album features several very talented musicians tracking with her and will perform live for the first time together on this night!! Not only that but under the concert production moniker, ‘Aural Pleasure’ Stan Keightley will use his vast live sound and recording expertise to oversee this production and has Salem’s interest high quality experience at heart. As if that were not enough Yaquina Bay is also performing and will premier their latest music video produced by the Farris Family! Opening the show is Seattle’s modern bluegrass & folk outfit Asher Deaver- who if this event has the impact these local effectuals want it to, will garner lots of new fans. Finally, all of this is taking place as the Grand Opening of a new local music venue, Level B Theatre Pub!!! A portal where the line between what is contemporary and what is inherent human expression will be conjured on a fitting day, the Day of the Dead.

tonyagilmoremusic.com

The Steam Cats of Sekonza and the Sexbots

Thursday, October 31

21+

9pm

Free

Brown’s Towne Lounge 189 Liberty Street NE

Contra Bassist Paul Marche has been working hard at creating an immersive experience with his instrument for years in Salem. His latest project includes elements of stand-up bass, spoken word, turn table, and now Michael Taylor on electric bass, Craig Martell on drums, and Keith Hendrix on guitar. They spin tales with local roots and give them a steam punk foreground; Perfect for Halloween! Joining them is the infamous Sexbots project, a computer brain beat and melody driven adventure into the erotic dance party of life. Elvicious Cash will MC this event with a costume contest and other tricks!

Find Steam Cats of Sekonza on Facebook and Sexbots at ilimaconsidine.com

Allies From Nowhere, The Pumps, Brette and Blake

Friday November 1

21+

9pm

Free

The Triangle Inn 3215 Liberty Road S

The classic Salem venue will host Ronan Baker, Ben Thede, and Efrain Romero’s ever developing endeavor. This project began as a recording idea combining the songwriting of Ben and the production and recording chops of Ronan. An album was recorded a song a day; each time inviting a new local artist to track. Joining them in enchanting-meets-disenchanted rock and roll are the trained and experienced sounds of The Pumps and Brette & Blake! Again the combination of groups at this show is relatively diverse but they all seem to hold a common belief; Musical expression is a universal language of harmony.

Look em' up! Allies from Nowhere on Facebook, bretteandblake.bandcamp.com, The Pumps on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/events/687609844584723/ eventacle

In the fall everything that is rundown and old looks like its playing the right part. I think it is right. Chopped wood and tired eyes, the occasional burning sun even looks bleak. I enjoy this time of year so much because of its view and yet my broken mood that authentically hurts feels right. It is in accordance with the lung burning cold breathe. My heart sinks with the passing days and yet this makes me happy. Challenging my control of this craft which I thought I understood so thoroughly is a hunt for contentment that unearths only contempt of court. Ghoul court. http://www.15sunrises.com/images/20111114213200_sunset%20copy.jpg

hello

Hello sir!

how are you

Doing good man. Staying busy. Lots happening in a amazing way.

like what?

For The Youth. Getting t-shirts made. Finishing chapter 3 of my book. You?

i think i lost faith

i was thinking about the stuff i wrote the other day about booking and my experience ... maybe inspired to do so by you and i went to my shrink. i think i've discovered that i am sort of lost

Give me a few minutes I'm driving right now. I will message you in just a bit.

So, I feel/felt the same way you do now about things. Salem is at such a standstill right now that it's unfortunately very depressing. Especially for those of us who have a true heart for what we know could be such a beautiful thing here. I started For The Youth based out of that feeling. Because, as a promoter I saw that what I was doing wasn't making a impact as much as it used to. I decided to take my understanding of what I have done the past 13 years and filter that into something else. Something that had similar impact but in a different way. You have always been someone I have looked up to in the professional (aka promoter) world and as a individual. You have made such an impact here in Salem that it should and does spawn others to do the same. Others who know and feel the same way we do. We don't do it for recognition or to make tons of money; but we do it for the love of the business. I think that, especially now, we need to band together with like minded individuals to really set this place on fire again.

the word 'promoter' feels like a bad word to me now

i met with stan keitley the other day and he asked me for some consultation in working on the level b venue at the old salem cinema

i said booking is like a woman

i feel like i am not good at it anymore

booking that is

the path of music production and promotion.. the endeavor makes me anxious

I'm right there with you. Believe me. The past 3 or 4 years were the hardest for me as a "promoter". I too felt that it was such a dirty word. I haven't abandoned the business but I have found a way to mold it to something else; all the while keeping it as tagline for myself. Honestly, it's about using your knowledge of what you have done to mold something new. If it's your passion (like it still is mine), use what you have done to add another branch to your tree. Doing what we do, there are so many avenues we can take. What it comes down to is the passion for it. If a certain aspect is not working in your favor you can do one of two things. 1) Cut it out completely and start new. 2) Branch out from it, using that knowledge and incorporating it into something new but along the same lines.

i dont know if it is my passion anymore. i fell like ive done everthing i could do given myself to command the starship and iguess its not fun anymore to a point the idea of it is fun concocting show schemes is fun but i dont have the time energy or manpower to really execute and i also have messed up, burning bridges. i'm playing with fire and have a scarred mind

the pont of this whole thing is to inspire people to think differently, but the scenes have become so watered down and clicked that i find myself not really having an impact. just adding people to the dreamcrusher list

Well, it's about repositioning your passion but looking back on what made it a passion in the first place. Going back to the basic; the roots. I know that's cliche to say but it's true. Looking back on what made it a dream that became a reality. Sure, it may not be the ideal reality or where you thought it would be but it's reality. What you need to do is go back to that initial reason or reasons for it being a passion. Use that to reconfigure your plan. Adjust to the, often unfortunate, changes that Salem has reached.

so then what

man i just don't know. as soon as i said that previous comment i got this chill like i was going to hurt someone

I look at Alex and The Possum House. They have gone back to the basics. They are and have been dong something really good. I saw Brette and Blake there not too long ago and it showed me what raw energy can be brought to this scene. It's really about reaching down and gripping that raw energy or passion.

i cant tell if im asking you to convince me to do it or if i just am telling you ive reached burnout

i feel like the only place i really do that is behind a drum kit with people i care about

ive lost thousands of dollars and discouraged tens of artists and i dont think people even took anything from the experience

i did

its - well i wont do that again

i feel like its an addiction to heroin

Well, what it comes down to is exactly what you're doing. Reaching out to those who know EXACTLY what you're going through. It's about weeding out those who just want to jump on a band wagon or those who have been in the trenches, dealing with some bullshit, but coming through the fire (sure, slightly charred at times).

no one else understands but you and blanchard

i mean i cant even begin to talk to anyone about it because their all like - well you can't complain, its not REALLY work to do music biz stuff

I will tell you honestly that it's about reaching out to those people, letting others (who have a honest appreciation and passion) help out in any way. Not just those who are looking for their 15 minutes.

In regards to your very last message. Those are the people who have no idea what we go through. If we wanted to make millions we would have sold out long ago. What it boils down to, again, is getting back to basics. Starting with a raw, unfiltered vision and pushing forward. Mapping out every detail down to the very minimal thing. Taking time to sit back and look at it before throwing it out to people outside of the people involved.

im gonna smoke a cigarette

No worries man. I won't say a word. I in recent months have realized that if I am going to go for what I believe in I just have to leap with every fiber of my being. I met with Nate Hagen tonight and he made a good point. He said that we put so much emphasis on society telling us what we should and shouldn't do. We are told to get degrees, good jobs and work the 9 to 5. But, we should look at those who decided that although they had 5 dollars to their name, they would go their own way. If they made it. They made it. If not, they know that at least they did what they wanted and will never take it back.

i believe in that very much

no regrets

i don't regret selling my truck

or putting on tireless pushes for music showcase

i know i'll have great stories when i'm old

I don't believe in a lot of people or things. But, I have believed in the things you do. and in you. Again, it's rare for me to say that because I too have had some negative things happen to me. Both in this business and in life. It's seeing those who have similar ideas, dreams and passions that I cling too. It's not because I see a way to get ahead it's because I see that they are right in line with how I feel deep down.

i do have a family starting and i need to put my finger on whats going to support that and find the right door

Family? Really? Are you and Melissa...?!?

well no

but i mean

she'll follow me to the ends of the earth

and she'll even help, but im sort of lost right now and reeling

i've been all over the baord

go back to school, move away, get a regular job in order to separate music from my work

Ah I see. Well, first off that's an amazing woman you have there to see that in you. Cherish that always.

Second, I Did that. Moved to PA, thought it was right, made plans to drop my true dreams etc. What it comes down to is utilizing and working with true" believers" in your dreams. Looking heavily at each part of the dream and moving forward. If it doesn't work, don't give up, learn and readjust. Its about getting away from this mindset that we can't live out our dreams. Its about fulfilling them how we want them to be.

ill follow

u lead for a while maybe

My stock in SiriusXM is up and I am playing a show tonight. My dogs are happy and my belly is full of a good self-made breakfast. I have the woman of my dreams (literally) with a ring on her finger and armor enough for handling me and the world. We are unstoppable. The Live Beat column I feel is getting better and better. But I suppose I tend to ramble so i am working on it (along with proper grammar but i'm to lazy to capitalize all of my "i's" right now). When I look at the world through these words it makes me happy. I should think doing this a little more often would help me out. It seems i tend to lack some confidence when my plate isn't overflowing with 'busy'. Summer is almost over but that's alright. I'm looking forward to getting out my coats. I wonder if people are a fraction stronger here during and after the 'coat seasons' because they have more weight on their body during the cold for a somewhat extended period. It would be interesting if that were true so lets pretend it is. That would mean...

We are stronger by proportion here in the Northwest than in other warmer parts of the country. It is with compliment in irony to 'the grey'; which hangs over the valley for an extended period of seasons chipping away at our individual gleam and putting our minds in a sunless haze. So things are out of balance it would seem during the summer month- the event a paradise dream, and we make the most of it.
http://images.annarbortees.com.s3.amazonaws.com/vin1_cities/all_models/0-Vin1_Salem_Youth.jpg

I'm in need of a chest of drawers... going to look into that. Also just finished my second live beat column. I think its better than the last except for the picture of our cat, Olaf with The Great Idea tickets. More deliberate writing- less deadline coaxed. http://www.potz.blitz.szpilman.de/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/olaf_breuning.jpg