The Weblog of Daniel Tashian

Well it feels good to get the Christmas stuff out of the way. I did quite well, all in all. I got a toy helicopter and a new sweater and some itunes cards. I feel very optimistic. Spent some time over the weekend working on the new record, just trying different vocal ideas. I realize that’s one of the luxuries of having a studio; you can experiment until it feels right. But I won’t have anyone or anything to blame but myself if I don’t get them right now! Reading “John Adams” by McCullough. Saw Marshall Chapmann at Davis Kidd and she gave me a copy of “Jim the Boy” by Tony Earley. “He’s one of ours.” she said. I guess life is a series of good intentions, and I have a great one with my mix CD, but I can’t seem to finish the damn thing and burn it for everyone. Guilty Pleasures plays for New Years. Lots of songs to learn for that. Posh is feeling neglected and pent up and wants more than one walk each day. I don’t blame her. Little by little, things getting more organized. Went to the Y and did an hour of weights and running and swimming. It helped me keep my energy up through a guilty rehearsal. Oh! and i’m excited because Richard McLaurin called yesterday and asked if I would come and sing on Freedy Johnston’s record and I love him. I was just thinking to myself the other day, how much of a terrific voice he has! Also, Tucker Martine called, and he and Laura Viers are going to come over and record tomorrow afternoon. Some song for a tribute record.

Well Christmas is rapidly approaching, and after 3 trips to the mall, I finally found some good stuff. You have to be tenacious with this Christmas shopping stuff, because the cool stuff is somewhat hidden. I finally got to the point where I just couldn’t stand to shop anymore and I really wanted to be done, so I just put my head down and powered it out. I have to confess it was hard and expensive this year. L. helped me a lot, choosing things for people. Then we went to have a hamburger to celebrate finishing shopping, and then it made me tired. Then L. and I went to the Y and worked out on the new machines. Treadmills. They are nice…you can put your ipod in them and watch TV etc. Then made roasted brussel sprouts and took them to Liz’s house for a dinner party. There were lots of people there. Megan and Emily White, and Ferraby came by for a while. Met Rachel’s dad, who was the guitarist in the Surf Punks, who I guess, were an influential band in the 80′s. He said he was vegetarian because it was a “Low Karma” diet. It was inspiring to me, and I decided I would be vegetarian for 2009. I have, like 6 more days to eat meat. But the thing is, I don’t want to. The hamburger was gross. I think i’m done. I can just decide something and then “bam!” It’s like on Being John Malkovich when he’s like “I want to be a puppeteer.” Watched another episode of “Kitchen Nightmares” with Karl and Carl and L. and it was a good one. I’m kind of ready for it to be the new year, and to get back to work. I have a lot of new song ideas, and I don’t know if they are any good, but I want to see how they sound outside of my head.

Well yesterday I had my last scheduled co-write of the year. Madi Diaz and Kyle Ryan came over and we wrote a song quite quickly. I had some very fast moving chords and a kind of soul groove, and they sort of slowed it down a bit, into more of a Nicolette Larsen kind of groove. They are from Boston, and Kyle is a very good drummer and guitarist and writer, and Madi is a great singer and writer. It was fun working with them. Very talented duo. We went to lunch at PM, which seemed a little un-inspired, then we went back to the studio and made a little work tape of the song. The vocal was distorted, but they both liked it, so…what do I know? Then, after that, the uke club came over, and we were doing 3 ballads, then Jonathan Trebing suggested we do “Chestnuts” uptempo, and it was a big hit. The uke club played at the Basement Christmas party, and it was fun. L. had never seen the uke club before, and she was impressed. We forgot the flip video, or the Edirol, so, sadly, no documentation, but I did get some of the rehearsal on tape, which I intend to post. Then we met C. and K. at P.M. and I had ribs which was a mistake and they made my stomach hurt and I had nightmares.

Well we went to Knoxville to celebrate Christmas a bit early with L.’s grandparents. We had fun and I ate too much. I made some video of Captain Jack’s orchid collection. He is a retired Naval captain, and his main hobby is the greenhouse. There are thousands of orchids in there. I will try to post the video. Got home and my brother Carl arrives tomorrow, so I wanted to get the house tidied up. Putting things away. I realized (to my dismay) it’s all my stuff that needs to be put up, nobody else’s. Did some work in the studio for about an hour, on a song written by me and Bill Demain: “New Wave” – Nord overdubs. Got a cool Rhodes sound like Eumir Deodato -I was having fun out there experimenting with new sounds. Man, those Latin keyboard dudes got it figured out. I guess i’m always adding new heroes to my ongoing list of heroes. I was thinking about Ben Folds. How he managed to metabolize the “Nashville” work ethic, songcraft, etc.,and live here, take advantage of all that it has to offer, with regard to studios, gear, way of life, etc. but never be dependant on the industry here for his b. & b. I mean, I listen to Country radio, driving around and what not, and it’s fine and everything, it’s just so dang conservative.    Lee Ann Womack was on XM radio and she was playing songs from her new album, and when they got to “The Bees” the guy interviewing her, was like: “At first, i’ll be honest with you, I just didn’t get this song! It took me a while to get it.” I mean, to me this is exactly what i’m talking about: what is so hard to get? It’s like, the simplest song! Why are there so many people who like everything to sound the same? I guess the answer is the same as why people like McDonalds. But I feel very proud that somehow, I got in there and she cut it. But I have to hand it to Ben Folds, because he was around town, playing his demos for people, and they were like: “You should really get a better piano…the pedal squeaks on this one…” and stuff, and he was playing them a song like “Boxing” which is really, quite elegant, classic, poetic, and could make you cry if you really listened to it. I don’t know. Maybe some people thrive on being outsiders.

Well we got a light dusting of snow, and it was lovely, but slippery on the back deck. We went to Blockbuster and got the 1st season of 30 Rock which I am just catching on to. Shit is funny. Practicing ukulele a bit. Getting ready for the Basement Christmas show next week. I am interested in making some new arrangements of some of these old songs, you know, kicking it up a notch. We are only doing three songs. “Nature Boy“, “Chestnuts”, and “Christmas Time is Here”. Posh has been miserable with all the rain and snow, and she hasn’t had enough exercise, so whenever she goes out, she barks now, at the back fence. Went to the Y and swam and ran but forgot the most important thing: sit-ups.L. suggested I make a Hungarian stew with paprika for dinner. It was delish, but used yogurt instead of sour cream, and in retrospect, this may have been a mistake. Heading to Knoxville tomorrow, and return Sunday, to watch the divisional champs the Titans continue their march to the Super Bowl. Watched “Whale Wars” – two episodes. I get a lot of inspiration from this show. It’s like a metaphor for life. Last night was about the little obstacles you will inevitably encounter. They couldn’t get the boat in the water in time, the weather was against them, there was a blackout, on and on, etc….the thing is, they just keep hammering away at these Japanese bastards, and they do make a difference.

Woke up and it was a rainy day, so I didn’t go to Begley. Posh was depressed and decided to make herself feel better by coating herself in mud. Worked a bit in the studio, but my MXL microphone was noisy. Talked to the company on the phone and they said to take it to a local tech because shipping to them for repair can be costly. Nice English guy on the phone. Natalie cancelled, and I was okay with that because I needed a day to get the ducks in a row. Spent most of the day on getting the studio back to where I was when I left. It’s weird how things don’t sound the same when you go away for a few days. Royal Plum meeting with dad. The Will Farrell movie is happening, as well as the Ashton one, but they haven’t paid yet. Good exposure for the S.S. – I’m really antsy to get working on the record, with Jason, but he is making Roman Candle’s record. I must remember: just be patient and everything happens for a reason. Still taking anti-biotics and I feel pretty much over this sinus thing. I’ve basically been sick since October. I need to get my acoustic guitar back from Grimey. Made some salmon and brussels sprouts. Roasted. Delicious. L and I watched a bit of “Baby Mama” with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey: “I think she wants me to rub olive oil on your taint!” Hilarious.