Record Release

At long last, Of Great and Mortal Men: 43 Songs for 43 U.S. Presidencies is finally out. We spent the better part of last week doing a handful of interviews and gearing up for the cd release show which has come and gone. I am quite stunned by both the book (the three cds come with a 106 page book) and the music that we all made. I cannot remember the exact number but there are over fifty different musicians (including Bill Callahan from Smog, Alan Sparhawk from Low, Jamie Stewart from Xiu Xiu, Rosie Thomas, Tom Carter from Charalambides, Califone, Denison Witmer, and many more) on the project and nearly as many artists. Because of this I am able to step back from the work, and view it almost as if I had nothing to do with it, which allows me to enjoy it quite a bit more.

As we drift into fall and the election grows ever closer, I will continue to post things here about the project for your curious selves. Yesterday we did an interview on KXPR the local NPR affiliate in Sacramento. If you missed it, you can listen to the archive here.

You will notice that we were interviewed right after two proton exploding scientists (UC Davis Physicists) about the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland. We told the interviewer that he had to somehow make us sound more intelligent than those guys. What an act to follow.

You readers may buy copies directly from the label here, from Amazon here, or a digital download from itunes (with a digital copy of the book) here, and now or in the very near future from your local independent record store.

Ps.
To any of the artists or musicians who participated in this project reading this post: My apologies that you've not yet received your copy. The distributor reports that these are "flying off the shelf," and that the second printing has begun. When we get our copies, you will get yours. A good thing this is.

Presidents and more presidents

Traveling with an infant is different from traveling without an infant. Challenging for sure, though beautiful in the way that it makes one reassess their priorities, especially the idea of having a plan. There are no plans anymore. We have been on the road for some time now, having finally settled in the blazing sun of California (for now). Living in the east for over two years, one forgets just how hot 108 is. Hot. Way too hot.

Amidst all of this running around, I have been busy with various projects, not the least of which is this collection of songs about the American presidents. The book and accompanying cd's arrived this week, and I dare say that I am terribly pleased and excited about the forthcoming official release, which falls on September 9th. It really is quite beautiful, due to the work of many.

Through all of this rather timely business, I spent many hours the last few weeks watching the political conventions. I shouldn't even begin with how frustrating it is to watch these spectacles of money, these overpriced commercials, but suffice it to say I found both quite bothersome. Of course, I could hardly watch (though I did) the Republicans, as I so vehemently disagree with their policies.

We've been doing a bunch of interviews for this project, and I have repeatedly been asked who I think will "win" in November. A question that I'm afraid I cannot answer with much confidence or certainty. I would like to think that the American public are disillusioned enough by the Bush administration that they might actually make a sensible decision, but I'm afraid I just lack faith. I keep oscillating back and forth, but after McCain's speech (and his selection of Palin) I find myself again in that fearful place that he just may win. While I found Palin's speech to be immature, pedantic, and absurdly sentimental, I thought McCain's speech was quite good. I don't agree with him on much of anything (anything?) but I fear that many people sitting atop that proverbial fence, will have been quite roused by his heroic, macho words, however misguided they may be. While his too long, too patriotic, too calmly self assured rally cry did not appeal to me, I'm sure many were near to tears or shouting. What are we to do? Perhaps I should leave it at that for now. Some links below to new press.

Sacramento News and Review

Sacramento News and Review part II

Nuvo

Sacramento Bee

Washington Times

Riverfront Times

Blog Critics