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Blog posts
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Aug 05, 11:21 AMEast Coast Fall Tour // Remix Contest // FuseTVLINKS
syd on myspace | syd on twitter | the official syd site | the co-op
HELLO FROM SYDWhile the summer days rain themselves stupid on the east coast, I'm in that perpetual meteorological purgatory of southern california. Another day, another 72º and light breeze. Not that I'm complaining, but the lumberjack in me is used to fighting the weather a little harder, that's for sure!
Assuming mother nature continues her tomfoolery, I'll get to do just that this September when I head back east to play in NYC, Boston, Philly, DC, VT and all manner of clubs and colleges in between. We have some great shows planned for the fall. We're also working on some radical t-shirts. Hell, we have a lot of things going on.
We've added "view this event on facebook" buttons to all of our show dates because we have a feeling you, like everyone else, are probably on the 'Book and this will help you keep tabs on the upcoming shows.
Some shows of note: NYC will be at the Canal Room, which if memory serves is a big room with great sound. This would definitely be a worthy contender for "best NYC venue I've played" and I could really use your support in making that night special.
In the Boston area I'm doing things a bit differently -- I'm playing Club Passim with my friends Todd Martin and Luke Brindley and we're doing the show in the round. We thought the Boston crowd might want something a little different this time around. But fear not, heavy drinkers, Club Passim now serves moonshine of all colors and potencies. Those tickets go on sale for non-members on August 5.
Anyway, plenty of news below, I'll stop taking up your time. But thanks in advance for coming out this fall (you *are* coming out right?) It'll be great to see you again, and I'm looking forward to bringing the heat to these stages. Whether that means breathing fire, having greg and dylan do a solo-off, or a simple game of strip poker depends on the night. I guess you'll have to come find out.
s
NEWSREMIX THE PATTERN, WIN.We're holding a remix contest for our song "The Pattern" from the free Upswing EP. The winner will be included on a digital EP later this year. Right now the entries are from all over the world but there's nothing from YOU yet. Check it out, it's free to enter, you probably already have the software you need to do it and it's FUN to remix. (Remix Contest at RemixComps.com)
"THE BIG TOWN" + FUSETV
ONDEMANDI haven't had a chance to see it yet, but "The Big Town" is one of the featured videos over at FuseTV's onDe
mand channel starting August 17th. So if you have onDemand, check it out! (and hey, send me a pic or something @sydmusic on twitter)
UPSWING STILL SWINGING
I won’t belabor the point—my new record is a free download. Go to http://syd-music.com to hear it and click the banner to download it for free.
SHOWS*wish I was coming to your town but I'm not? hit me on twitter or email me, we'll try to make it happen. Really we will.
**A note about college shows: College shows are generally in student centers, activity centers, or if they're during the day, sometime they're even in cafeterias. The schools generally don't mind if non-students come as long as they behave themselves. They're fun shows because you never know what to expect in these unique settings.
August 5, 200 AND August 12 9 8:00 PM - VENTURA, CA
Ones To Watch Wednesday (Solo Acoustic- In The Round Series) - Zoey's Cafe
451 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93001 (United States)
All Ages
Price : $5
These are nights where 3 songwriters sit on stage and swap songs. It's a unique experience if you've never been to an in-the-round night and each night will have it's own feel. It's worth it.
August 18, 2009 7:30 PM - SANTA BARBARA, CA
SOhO
1221 State St #205, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (United States)
(805) 962-7776
All Ages
Price : $5
Other Artist: Lee Koch & The Grinders
Other Artist: De La Vina
This will be a solo show, warming up the stage for Mr Lee Koch and his Grinders. Come see the only solo
full set in CA this summer!
September 1, 2009 8:00 PM - SYRACUSE, NY
Syd Solo College Tour - SUNY Upstate Medical
Syracuse, NY (United States)
This is a solo acoustic show. It's also a college show
September 11, 2009 8:00 PM - NEW YORK CITY FULL BAND!
Syd FULL BAND - Canal Room
285 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013 (United States)
http://www.canalroom.com
(212) 941-8100
All Ages
The full band returns to NYC. Other bands TBA and exact set times TBD, but put it on your calendar, it's happening!September 13, 2009 8:00 PM - BOSTON ACOUSTIC SHOW!
Syd, Todd Martin & Luke Brindley in the round! - Club Passim
47 Palmer Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 (United States)
http://www.clubpassim.com
(617) 426-3184
All Ages
Price : $15/$13 for members
TICKETS GO ON SALE 8/5
Other Artist: Todd Martin
Other Artist: Luke BrindleySeptember 14, 2009 5:00 PM - CANANDAIGUA, NY
Syd Solo College Tour - Finger Lakes Community College
Canandaigua, NY (United States)
This is a solo acoustic show. It's also a college show.September 15, 2009 12:30 PM - CAMDEN, NJ
Syd Solo College Tour - University of Rutgers - Camden
Camden, NJ (United States)
This is a solo acoustic show. It's also a college showSeptember 16, 2009 11:30 AM - NEWARK, DE
Syd Solo College Tour - University of Delaware
24 E Main St, Newark, DE 19716 (United States)
(302) 831-8741
This is a solo acoustic show. It's also a college show.September 18, 2009 9:00 PM - DC FULL BAND!
Syd FULL BAND - IOTA Club & Cafe
2832 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201 (United States)
http://www.iotaclubandcafe.com
21+
Other bands TBA and exact set times TBD, but this show is happening, so mark your calendars!September 19, 2009 8:00 PM - PHILLY FULL BAND!
Syd FULL BAND - World Cafe Live (Upstairs)
3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (United States)
http://www.worldcafelive.com
All Ages
w/ Fooling April and Todd MartinSeptember 27, 2009 8:00 PM - BURLINGTON FULL BAND!
Syd FULL BAND - The Monkey House
30 Main St, Winooski, VT (United States)
http://www.monkeybarmusic.com/
All Ages
with Zac ClarkSeptember 29, 2009 12 noon - Bangor, ME
Syd Solo College Tour - University of Maine - Bangor
This is a solo acoustic show. It's also a college show.September 30, 2009 12 noon - Augusta, ME
Syd Solo College Tour - University of Maine - Augusta
This is a solo acoustic show. It's also a college show. -
Jul 08, 11:23 AM[Syd] The Pattern Remix Contest! | Santa Barbara Show!
THE PATTERN REMIX CONTEST
Summer is here and that usually means long, lazy days with nothing exciting to do. Well, we've come along and created something that's bound to keep you busy. For all you out there who have the desire to put a new spin on an existing song, listen up. Have you ever wanted to step behind the mixing board and tweak what you're hearing? If you have a remixing hat, or are trying on one for the first time, we've got something going that we think you'll be interested in. Do you think you have the chops?
For the 'Find the New Pattern' contest, we're looking for a fresh take on one of the tracks from Syd's newest EP, "Upswing". Take 'The Pattern' single, find your own way through it, and send it to us. We want to hear what you hear, and see what you see in this tune. In the process, the winning remix will be made available for digital download via The Co-Op and Syd.Here's the important thing: anyone can enter, it costs $0 and if you have Garageband or a slew of other free audio editing software, you have everything you need to enter. So don't be shy!
To send in your entry you must create/have an existing a Remix Comps account. Form there you'll be able to upload your entry and will be able to see a list of current entries a they are loaded to the site to check on your competition.
The contest is running now through the end of August and the winners will be announced right before Syd heads out on his Fall Tour. So, get out there and get those remixes working. We can't wait to hear what you've got for us!
The Contest Link - http://www.remixcomps.com/SYD-Find-The-New-Pattern
The Myspace/Website Widget - http://www.remixcomps.com/Syd-Widget
SANTA BARBARA SHOW ADDED (*MAYBE FULL BAND?*)
We just added a show in Santa Barbara at the fantastic venue SoHo -- the last show I saw here was Martin Sexton and Chris Trapper, so I'm very excited to be joining Lee Koch there on August 18. There is a *chance* I'll be debuting my west coast full band. I'm doing some auditions right now and if we have our poo together, we'll play. If not, I'll be solo!
August 18, 2009 7:30 PM
SOhO
1221 State St #205, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (United States)
(805) 962-7776
Ages: All Ages
Price : $5
Other Artist: Lee Koch & The Grinders with De La VinaUPSWING STILL SWINGING
We won’t belabor the point—Upswing is a free download. Go to http://syd-music.com to hear it and click the banner to download it for free.
-Syd
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Apr 01, 09:51 AMNew Music Video, West Coast Tour Dates, Amazon/iTunes!New Music Video, West Coast Tour Dates, Amazon/iTunes
2009 has been off to an insane start. There’s just no two ways about it. I remember New Year’s Eve like it was yesterday and it’s the end of March already. Maybe that’s because this year I’ve already:
-co-produced an EP for Jessie Bridges with Patrick Thomas (more on that soon)
-played the drums for Gregory Douglass’s “Battler” CD release tour (you haven’t heard that album yet? you’re crazy: http://gregorydouglass.com)
-released a new EP of my own for FREE called “Upswing” (download it now, don’t be silly)
-made a music video for “The Big Town” from that album (watch that below)Upswing EP Free Download
If you haven’t yet heard the record, go download it now because it’s free and might not be forever: http://co-opsounds.com/downloads
If you have heard the record, come over to our sharing page and help us spread the word about the album—add a widget to your blog, a banner to your myspace and review the album on iTunes and Amazon. Just click here (http://co-opsounds.com/downloads/share
Watch The Video for “The Big Town” & See Behind The Scenes Photos
Watch the Video
Behind the scenes photos:
West Coast Solo Tour Starts Sunday!
I’ll be hitting some of my favorite rooms with two of my good friends for west coast solo shows starting this Sunday. Excited? Yes. Want you there? Of course. Details? Below:April 5, 2009 8:00 PM - LeStat's in San Diego
Syd In The Round Acoustic – LeStat’s 3343 Adams Ave (619) 282-0437 Ages: All Ages With Gregory Douglass & Christopher Dallman
April 6, 2009 8:00 PM - Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles
Syd In The Round Acoustic – 1623 1/2 N Cahuenga Blvd, 90028 http://www.hotelcafe.com 323) 461-2040 Ages: All Ages with Gregory Douglass & Christopher Dallman
April 8, 2009 8:00 PM - Zoey's Cafe in Ventura
Syd Solo Acoustic – 451 E Main St Ages: All Ages with Gregory Douglass
April 10, 2009 8:00 PM - Dolores Park Cafe in San Francisco
Syd Solo Acoustic – 501 Dolores Street at 18th http://www.doloresparkcafe.org withGregory Douglass -
Mar 04, 08:03 AMNew EP Available For FREE. Right Now! Also, Tour Dates
Upswing EP Available NOW for FREE.
I know, that's kind of a lot of CAPS. But trust us, it's for a reason. This collar-poppin', PBR-swilling, dancefloor explosion of new songs was a blast to record and we're thrilled to share it with you. For free. 4 new songs for you to learn the words to, invent dance moves for, and share them with us on tour.
Just swing by http://co-opsounds.com/downloads and pick up your copy.
While you're there grab a copy of the free Co-Op Spring 09 sampler that includes Lisa Piccirillo and Patrick Thomas covering the Ray Charles classic "Night Time Is The Right Time".
Tour Dates! Full Band Shows! This Week!
Here are the tour dates that coincide with the EP release. Remember, learning the words, dance moves. These are important things to do before you come to the show!
March 4, 2009 7:30 PM
Upswing FREE EP Release Tour (FULL BAND) - Canal Room
285 West Boadway, New York NY, US
Venue URI : http://www.canalroom.com/calendar.php?m=3
Ages: 21+ Price : $10Other Artist: Beasts of Eden and Green River Ordinance
March 5, 2009 8:00 PM
Upswing FREE EP Release Tour (FULL BAND) - TT The Bears
10 Brookline St, Cambridge MA, US
Venue URI : http://www.ttthebears.com/public/index.html
Ages: 18+ Price : $10 Purchase Link : http://tinyurl.com/b2u4u7
Other Artist: The Queen Killing KingsMarch 6, 2009 7:00 PM
Upswing FREE EP Release Tour (FULL BAND) - The Monkey House
30 Main St, Winooski VT, US
Venue URI : http://www.monkeybarmusic.com/
Other Artist: iLL iNTELLEKsMarch 7, 2009 8:00 PM
Upswing FREE EP Release Tour (FULL BAND EARLY ALL AGES) - Old Knapp's Underground
447 Main St, Bennington VT, US
Venue URI : http://www.oldknapps.com
Doors: 6:00 PMAges: All Ages SetType: Headlining Price : $8March 8, 2009 5:00 PM
Upswing FREE EP Release Tour (FULL BAND EARLY ALL AGES) - Milly's Tavern
500 N. Commercial Street, Manchester NH, US
Venue URI : http://www.millystavern.com
Doors: 4:30 PMAges: All Ages SetType: Co-Headlining Price : $10Solo Acoustic West Coast Tour
April 5, 2009 8:00 PM
Syd In The Round Acoustic - LeStat's
3343 Adams Ave, San Diego CA, US
Ages: All Ages
Other Artist: Gregory Douglass
Other Artist: Christopher DallmanApril 6, 2009 8:00 PM
Syd In The Round Acoustic - Hotel Cafe
1623 1/2 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles CA, US
Venue URI : http://www.hotelcafe.com
Ages: All Ages
Other Artist: Gregory Douglass
Other Artist: Christopher DallmanApril 8, 2009 8:00 PM
Syd Solo Acoustic - Zoey's Cafe
451 E Main St, Ventura CA, US
Ages: All Ages
Other Artist: Gregory DouglassApril 10, 2009 8:00 PM
Syd Solo Acoustic - Dolores Park Cafe
501 Dolores Street at 18th, San Francisco CA, US
Venue URI : http://www.doloresparkcafe.orgOther Artist: Gregory Douglass
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Feb 17, 05:54 PMWCAX piece on "Battler"The local Burlington, VT news station WCAX ran a great piece this weekend on the album "Battler" that I produced with Gregory Douglass that just came out this week. It's a cool piece that showcases the great community of musicians that we have here in VT and how well the record came out:
If you don't see the video above Click Here
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Feb 12, 10:21 AMNew EP Upswing Finished! Stay Tuned! Upcoming Shows!I just wanted to drop a quick note to update everyone. The new EP (which you guys had a hand encouraging me to write!) is now finished. We're working out the details on how it will be released, as well as the track order, but I will say three things: pumped, thrilled, and...free.
It will be called "Upswing" and artwork will be available soon.
I'll keep you all posted.
In the meantime, we posted some new dates and I'd love to catch you at an upcoming show. Dates are below:
AS THE DRUMMER FOR GREGORY DOUGLASS:
Feb 24, 2009 - Cambridge, MA (US) @ Club Passim - SYD PLAYING DRUMS FOR GREGORY DOUGLASS CD RELEASE TOUR w/ Gregory Douglass
Feb 26, 2009 - Burlington, VT (US) @ Higher Ground - SYD PLAYING DRUMS FOR GREGORY DOUGLASS CD RELEASE TOUR w/ Gregory Douglass
Mar 1, 2009 - Portland, ME (US) @ North Star Music Cafe - SYD PLAYING DRUMS FOR GREGORY DOUGLASS CD RELEASE TOUR w/ Gregory Douglass
Mar 2, 2009 - New York City, NY (US) @ The Living Room - SYD PLAYING DRUMS FOR GREGORY DOUGLASS CD RELEASE TOUR w/ Gregory Douglass
WITH MY FULL BAND! EP RELEASE TOUR!
Mar 4, 2009 - New York, NY (US) @ Canal Room - Upswing FREE EP Release Tour (FULL BAND) w/ Beasts of Eden
Mar 5, 2009 - Cambridge, MA (US) @ TT The Bears - Upswing FREE EP Release Tour (FULL BAND) w/ The Queen Killing Kings - Buy Tickets
Mar 6, 2009 - Winooski, VT (US) @ The Monkey House - Upswing FREE EP Release Tour (FULL BAND) w/ iLL iNTELLEKs
THEN AGAIN AS GREGORY'S DRUMMER...
Mar 21, 2009 - Austin, TX (US) @ SXSW Showcase Venue TBD - SYD PLAYING DRUMS FOR GREGORY DOUGLASS CD RELEASE TOUR w/ Gregory Douglass
SOLO ACOUSTIC!
Apr 5, 2009 - San Diego, CA (US) @ LeStat's - Syd In The Round Acoustic w/ Gregory Douglass & Christopher Dallman
Apr 6, 2009 - Los Angeles, CA (US) @ Hotel Cafe - Syd In The Round Acoustic w/ Gregory Douglass & Christopher Dallman
Apr 8, 2009 - Ventura, CA (US) @ Zoey's Cafe - Syd Solo Acoustic w/ Gregory Douglass
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Feb 04, 09:36 AMFinal VIDEO BLOG from Gregory Douglass sessions before the album release!The turn my life has taken in the past couple of years from solely a singer/songwriter into more a musical journeyman couldn't be more clear than in the next 6 weeks of my life. I'll be doing solo shows with myown material, producing an EP for Jessie Bridges, doing full band shows with my band, and playing drums for the Gregory Douglass "Battler" CD release tour, a record that I've been very involved with.
And it's that last part that this here blog has to do with. I was fortunate enough to be asked to produce Gregory's 7th album and had a blast doing it. I've also helped design the album art and the website re-design that will be up shortly. Basically, I feel like this is my record too out there in the world, which makes seeing positive reviews like one in Boston's Edge a very thrilling thing.
So if you have a minute, check out this last video blog before the record comes out in early march and you can see what it looks like after two people have spent 4 solid months working their hardest to get something done. (not to mention the year before greg had spent working on the songs and demos) There's some other cool stuff, like seeing us just discover the best layout for the album cover during mixing, and seeing the studio's ProTools HD|3 rig completely maxed out. :-D
If the video doesn't show up below, click to go to youtube.
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Jan 16, 02:19 PMBest of 2008 Part 2 : Albums That My Friends MadeTop Albums and Songs of 2008
Part 2 of 4 - 2008 Albums That My Friends Made
Sort of an unbearably awkward title, but ce'st la vie. I'm happy that every year I've done this yields a few more friends that make records. It's always a pleasure to see and hear new stuff from people you know. It sort of keeps me thinking "OK! We can do this! Just keep plugging away..."
These are the records that I couldn't very well rank in my top 10 because they're my babies (Lisa Piccirillo's "Momentum") or because they were made by my friends. Below is the short (and incomplete) list.
Tuck Stocking - Goblins (Off The Grid)
(iTunes)
Tuck and I have been friends since we were in elementary school and ever since I can remember he's been playing us songs that would one day comprise an album of his particular brand of prog-metal-folk-blues. Pilots Want Spaceships, I Wish I Had Just One More Chance & Goddess are my favorites on this record. Don't be surprised if any of the songs on this effort show up in your next XBox game. And I mean that as the highest compliment.
Lisa Piccirillo - Momentum
My first production job, one of the first two records to be on The Co-Op imprint, Lisa's first proper album. The list goes on. I couldn't be happier with this or more proud of Lisa, and I look forward to this album continuing to live by it's name in the coming year.
Patrick Thomas - Build Me A City
More like Build Me A Studio, after you've Built Me A Following, after you've Built Me a Songwriter. This one was a long time coming for my good friend Pat and it's been a pleasure to have seen these songs go from on-the-road demos to fully produced PaulSimonTomWaitsRyanAdams blossom. The second of two records to be released on our Co-Op imprint.
Ben Folds - Way To Normal
No, I'm not friends with Ben Folds, but Sam Smith, the guy who toured with me for 2 (or 3?) years, is Ben's drummer these days and this is his first full length as Ben's full time drummer. Hearing the behind-the-scenes of making this record made me love it even more, but the swoon of hearing your best buddy's stickwork on a million dollar record is...worth a million bucks.
Chad Perrone - Wake
Chad, a member of our "supergroup" The Who's That Pack and Boston-area golden boy, worked hard on this album. He and his band with Dennis Carroll behind the controls have re-asserted Chad's role in the power-pop world leaving us all excited that he picked up his electric, turned it up and plugged it in. Seeing him play a sell out show at The Paradise in Boston was a sight to behold, the guys' been through the ringer in the past few years.
Tim Blane - Moving Day in Paradise
While "only" a live disc, Tim's latest is worth paying attention to because it confirms what we already know--the man can play. And sing. And joke around. And he's easy on the eyes. And...wait, why isn't he Perez's best friend yet? Only a matter of time, and now with him being one of the instructors in the new Garageband '09 for Apple, that time may well be nigh...
Eric Hutchinson - Sounds Like This
Ok, so this record may be a few years old, or whatever, but it really got its wings in 2008, and boy is it a trip to hear it *absolutely everywhere*. What a great wave of success Eric is riding and I know he's got his tongue firmly planted in his cheek the whole time which makes me chuckle every time I see him on a late show or hear his name on the radio.
Todd Hannigan & The Heavy 29's - Volume II: Courtside for the Apocalypse
Todd, with that twinkle in his eye, drink in hand, is an evil genius at making beautiful soundscapes I find some similarities between him and Joe Pisapia, one of my heroes of this kind of music. Although Todd has maybe unfortunately and unfairly been pegged in that "surf-film" genre that seems hard to get outside of, his music tells a different story. The song "Stay Awhile" is a haunting invitation to a lover to sit by the fire and stay awhile--it would be right at home on a shins record. Todd co-produced my first "proper" record "Fault Lines" back in 2004 and it's always a joy to hear new music from him.
Matt Duke - Kingdom Underground
Matt's passion is mesmerizing and this record showcases it well. He and I lost touch a bit this year as we both got busier and busier and found fewer opportunities to talk, but he's always an iTunes shuffle away. Aw.
Next up - the top 4 disappointments of 08.
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Jan 12, 09:15 PMBest of 2008 Part 1: Best Albums of 2008 -
Dec 11 2008, 04:24 PMEP Update: I'll probably disappear for a few days..sound aesthetic..Alright, we're headed into the weekend, Dylan lands here tomorrow night at 11:30 and we'll be hauling ass to get all the basics recorded by Monday night when he leaves. I think we just rented a big ass Marshall stack so his solos will sound like the gods are hailing rock and roll from the heavens.
There are two other songs I haven't quite finished the lyrics to so to spare you me singing "da da da" where lyrics should be, I'll just save those as a surprise for later down the line. One is based on a progession we've played in rehearsals for a couple of years and has finally come together, and the other is more of a spacey, epic ballad about hearing your friends on the radio.
If you're curious the sound aesthetic I'm looking to create here I would turn your attention to three records:
1. <A HREF="http://www.last.fm/music/Weezer/Pinkerton">Weezer's Pinkerton</A> for it's messy but huge sound.
2. <A HREF='http://www.last.fm/music/Spoon/Ga+Ga+Ga+Ga+Ga">Spoon's Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga</A> for it's spare production to accomplish grooves that are fierce and light on their feet and hooks that are undeniable but sleek, like a greyhound...with rabies.
3. <A HREF="http://www.last.fm/music/Band+of+Horses/Everything+All+the+Time"> Band of Horses-Everything All The Time</A> for their propensity to turn it up to 11,000 and let the reverb rattle you to your bones.
Those are albums I plan to put on repeat for the weekend along with maybe a few key songs that don't fit on this playlist-Elvis Costello, The Features, The Privates, AC Newman, The Shout Out Louds (their great first album Howl Howl Gaff Gaff, not their mediocre follow up)
And off we go.
