Snowfaller's Blogge

Hurly Burly...

2007-10-09T18:39:00.000-07:00

I admit. I'm way behind. I didn't check the blog of all blogs last weekend and by the time I got back to the blog it was already up to hurly burly 3...

I don't feel like I can read part 7 if I haven't read 1,2,3, etc. so I guess I'll wait until I have the proper amount of time to read the hurly burly series in its entirety.

Hopefully tomorrow isn't hurly burly 8 because I would sure like to read a blog!!!!!

How things could have been

2007-08-28T15:30:00.000-07:00

OK. So listening to Deep In The Shallows has made me think a little bit...

For some reason, fans of The Church tend to be a bit on the compulsive side. They are just one of those bands that people have a tendency to really really love - to the point of it being an obsession.

Now every fan has their story about how they got into the band - and I would wager a majority of them involve seeing Under The Milky Way on 120 Minutes or hearing it on the radio around that time. I'd be lying if I said Starfish wasn't my first Church album (well, CD) purchase. Thankfully, Arista rereleased their entire backcatalog at the same time so I was quickly able to get my hands on Of Skins And Heart, The Blurred Crusade, Seance, Remote Luxury, and Heyday. I played all six of those CDs non-stop for a long long time. I also stumbled upon Conception at an indie record shop and paid $25 just to get A Different Man. Yes - I was hooked and I was crazy!!!!!

But...

The first time I heard them was on MTV when I saw the video for The Unguarded Moment. I really liked the song a lot. My brother and I had a somewhat compulsive bent to really like bands with Rickenbackers too - and of course Marty has one of his Ricks sitting on a stand in the background and I'm sure my brother and I pretty much stared at the guitar the whole time. Plus, Peter looked so damn cool in his scarf and all...

I can't tell you how many times I looked at their album at the record store after hearing The Unguarded Moment. Never bought it though.

I've always wondered what would have happened if I did..

I'm sure I would have loved it. It was The Church album which was the US version of OSAH which was the mix of the original Of Skins and Heart and some of the songs from the Tear It All Away/Too Fast For You double single.

I'm sure it would have been life-changing, although to be perfectly honest I can't imagine it would have been nearly as life-changing as Starfish was.

Now, if i would have ever heard Almost With You (which I probably wouldn't have since The Blurred Crusade was only available as an import at the time and I was still too young to be able to frequent the indie stores since I couldn't drive yet!) I know I would have been hooked.

I guess things happen for a reason and everything seems to have worked out well. I have the best of both worlds - an obsession which started in the late 80s and an incredible appreciation for what they did in the early and mid-80s to fill in some of the cracks.

Sue said they're going back into the studio in September. As awesome as Uninvited Like The Clouds is I can only imagine what will come our way (hopefully) next year.

In reflection

2007-08-02T17:46:00.000-07:00

Interesting weekend - well last weekend since this weekend isn't here yet and I've been too lazy to update the old blog this week.

Went to a good friend's wedding reception last weekend. Strange this sort of thing occurs in the middle of SK's lovey dovey blogging recently.

Other than the fact it was strange this particular reception was right around what would have been my anniversary and it really wasn't nearly as hard for me as I thought it might have been (I guess that's good, right?), it did make me reflect somewhat.

They actually had their wedding at a resort in Colorado with just close friends and family. Man - the pictures were amazing. It got me thinking how wonderful it would be to have a group of close friends who would love to share that kind of experience with me. Think about it - six friends and spouses who would pay to spend a few days with you at a place that couldn't have been cheap. Obviously, I have a great family and they would certainly not have a problem with that sort of thing at all...

So, considering I'm a hell of a lot closer to 40 than not I realized I will most likely never have that sort of a circle of friends. While that does make me somewhat sad, when you compare it to the "troubles" of a lot of people out there in the world it really isn't that big of a deal, right?

I have so much to be happy about and even though my little "transition" period is going on two years now I certainly am not crying myself to sleep every night or anything.

Just something to make me sit back and think. I'm so happy for them. Hope it all works out!

As for Churchy things - Deep In The Shallows came this past weekend!

Funny thing eek, I did the same thing. Put the CDs in my player and haven't really listened to it yet but I have read the booklet and looked at the pictures. I also ordered one of my copies with the t-shirt (even though I already had one of those shirts) to give me a much better chance of all of the CDs arriving in unbroken cases! It worked! All present and accounted for and unbroken. Sometimes I do get lucky!

I have made it through the Seance songs. It's so great to hear some of these songs in a different order. It gives them somewhat of a different life to me. I had heard all of the different versions before except for the edit of When You Were Mine. Interesting to say the least - it almost sound like a different take to me but I only listened to it once so I'll reserve further judgement.

If anyone is on the fence about getting Deep In The Shallows I highly recommend it! Great liner notes and absolutely wonderful pictures!

I had always though David Fricke was kind of an idiot - especially from his appearances on some of the VH1 Classic Albums shows - but after reading his praise of The Church I will forever give him all benefit of the doubt!

Has it been a week already?

2007-07-24T19:31:00.000-07:00

Sonofabitch. I was going to start being better about updating this thing and I thought I was doing a good job. Now I look and it will be a week tomorrow.

How can day to day life be so slow and boring but the blogsphere can see a week pass by in the blink of an eye? It's not like I'm not on this damn website every day checking SK and other blogs (indraeek, etc.). Oh well. Maybe this is the start of a good run...

One nice thing lately is the interaction of my cats. I had read a while back that cats who know each other sniff each others' noses whenever they meet each other. My two cats have been together for close to three years and they were still sniffing each others' butts. Well, in the past couple of weeks they have started sniffing noses! Maybe they are starting to get into the groove of this whole thing. Granted, they both have been fixed (at least they don't have to worry about any Australian football injuries - ha!) but I've still wondered if there would be any territorial issues with them since they are both tomcats. So far so good...

Of course, everybody knows by now there is no Church U.S. tour this fall. Oh well. I guess on the bright side it saves me some money and some vacation - but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't totally bummed. I'll certainly hold out hope they will do something next year. They're too damn good to give the U.S. one last fantastic electric send-off before they decide to stop touring internationally (whatever "internationally" means for a band like The Church).

Oh well - no package from Churchmerch today. I can't wait to give Deep In The Shallows a spin.

Take care all...

Looking for something to remind me

2007-07-18T19:52:00.000-07:00

Well today was going to be the day I got back into the swing of things...

But, alas, I'm way too tired to attempt anything remotely constructive (damn sleepless night last night).

Oh well, there's always tomorrow!

One funny thing today - in dealing with some legal crap I had an email addressing me as Mister.
I still think it sounds weird to have anybody calling me Mister. I guess I should be used to it but I sure as hell don't think I'm old enough (or responsible enough) yet for anybody to be calling me by any sort of formal title!

2000 long years and they're all leading up to tonight

2007-07-17T16:50:00.000-07:00

Well, well, well. Look who is back.

Sorry - no excuses for vanishing for the past month. It was just one of those months.

Have you ever gone through a phase where you really didn't feel like doing anything that requires any thought or energy? Well - that is where I have been (I think).

Kind of got out of the whole blog thing. Still checked SK's blog religiously. I am so addicted to that it's ridiculous. (I also try to check every day from multiple computers to boost his ratings but I'd hate to admit to cheating. Ha.).

S0 who knows where the past month has gone. I'm certainly the one to blame. Part of it is probably spending too much time shopping (CDs, etc.) on the Internet. Too much time and too much money. Maybe I should return to blogging to help save money!

It is certainly nice to hear about the new solo projects from Steve. It's also great to see his new art. The new SK art is always tempting. I should put a few more pennies aside a bit more often into my SK art fund!

If anybody is interested in his art I can certainly attest to the whole thing being a wonderful experience. The art is so much more vibrant in person and dealing with Holly is nothing but a pleasant experience.

Is everybody else as bummed as I am the US tour looks like it is off? Man that sucks - especially for me since I had plans to see them in Europe this spring but had to call everything off because of our wonderful government being late in getting me my passport. It was a lot easier for me to take since I "knew" they would tour the US this fall but now that looks like it is not going to happen. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if they only tour Australia from here on out. I have no idea how much it costs for them to do the US or Europe but it certainly has to be a lot more than Australia since Marty is the only one they have to import!

We'll see. If they just tour Australia I guess I'll have to head way south someday. I have to go there sometime in my life, right? I can't think of a better reason to head to Australia than to see The Church!

I placed my dutiful order for multiple copies of Deep In The Shallows. I'm certainly interested in hearing some of the different versions/edits/mixes of the songs. I'm sure I've heard them all but it will be nice to have them all collected in one nice place. Sue C is right - buy some as gifts for family/friends! Great music in a great package - can't be beat!

Take care - I promise I won't be gone for another month.

And they say I choose a dream...

2007-06-11T20:46:00.000-07:00

Ah, Summer is here. Pushing 100 degrees here today. Feels nice when you step out of the over-air-conditioned workplaces, shops, restaurants, etc.

I can't believe I haven't updated my blog in nearly a week. I guess it's because I've been so busy lately. I've actually had a somewhat full social calendar believe it or not. I'll go weeks with absolutely nothing on my agenda and then lo and behold I'll have stuff with friends three or four nights in a week. I can't complain - it's nice to be out and about for a change.

So what is new with Snowfaller? Nothing - ha!

How is that for a waste of time blog? I promise the next one will have some substance!

Holy crap!

2007-06-05T17:32:00.000-07:00

SK says he is working on his new solo album and in today's blog he mentioned it will have Mellotron and radiotronics...

Are you fucking kidding me?

I can't tell you how big of a fan I am of the Mellotron. I would kill to have one! Well - not actually kill since I'm the nonviolent type, but I really would love to have one.

I know they started making newer ones but they are still so damn expensive there's no way I would ever really get one...

Well - all I can say is I can't wait to hear this album.

I'm a big fan of SK's solo work. I know it's hit and miss for some. I always get a kick out of seeing other people comment (on SKs' blog, on Seance, or on Hotel Womb) about how they love something I really don't like as much or how they hate something I love. I guess it just goes to show how diverse The Church loving crowd is.

Of course, when it comes to The Church (and solo work) the degrees of love and hate are certainly skewed. Other than a few tracks here and there, the worst Church and solo output is still better than just about anything. There are still very very few songs on any of their releases I even infrequently skip.

Dabble is a good example. Lots of people say it's weaker than his other stuff, but I absolutely love it. Maybe it's the live drums but I think those songs are fantastic! I really love that album!

(In my panic of talking to SK at Logan I never even thought about telling him how much I enjoyed Dabble) :-)

Oh well. I'm sure on Church time SK's solo album will probably come out next spring or summer... but I'll still be loading up my Karmic Hit shopping cart whenever it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How time flies...

2007-06-02T17:01:00.000-07:00

Wow - can't believe I haven't done this since May 16. Of course - nobody is reading so it really doesn't matter, right?

Let's see. Saw Ben Gibbard solo acoustic. Fantastic. Definitely one of the best American songwriters out there right now.

Saw Interpol Thursday night. Same old schtick but you have to admit they are damn good at what they do. I have to admit I absolutely love them...

I get a kick out of SK's blogs that list fans. I know I'll never be in the list. I'm one of those quite anonymous fans. Even though I own three of his paintings, buy every release from KH, and buy at least 3 copies of all Church releases (including solo efforts) Steve wouldn't know me from Adam.

Oh well, I can't say that I blame him. I've only met him once and it was one of the most terrifying and rewarding moments of my life.

I've met MWP twice and to tell you the truth he was a prick both times. Once again, I don't hold it against him. How would you feel if everywhere you went stupid drunkish idiots were always telling you how much they love you!!!

I've met PK once and he is the nicest most gentlemanly person on the face of this earth. Peter is fucking awesome.

Briefly met Tim and he was quite nice as well.

I travelled to Boston for the end of the After Everything tour and had a ticket to the meet and greet after the show. No way I would have even approached SK there. Man - you could tell he wasn't there.

Then, the next morning, while returning my rental car at Logan before my flight home...

Guess who was right behind me in their van - Steve Kilbey and Tim Powles.

I just had to approach the man. As shy and introverted as I am - I knew this was one time I absolutely had to do something or I would regret it the rest of my life.

I went up to him and said I just wanted to tell him I really enjoyed the show last night.

Then, much to my surprise, he engaged me in a really brief but nice and memorable conversation. He really is a wonderful man. I know he fights demons (like we all do) and I would probably get sick of fans if I had thousands of them all over the world bombarding me all the time so I can't blame him.

Anyway, that's my story of my one meeting with SK. One of the highlights of my life!

I hear there are rumors of a SK art exhibition in Atlanta (allegedly after the U.S. fall tour).

Believe me - I'll be there if it really happens...

And they're laughing at me anyway

2007-05-16T16:43:00.000-07:00

Wow. SK is tapped in to something. It's frightening actually.

So a couple of years ago the girl who eventually became my ex decided to end our relationship - caught me totally off guard. Sixteen years together and nine years of marriage gone in an instant. Sent me into a tailspin big time...

Now, the strange thing is The Church played Dallas for the first time in 16 years on what would have been my 10th anniversary. Plus, they played 5 blocks from my house!!!!!!!!!!!

You can't tell me some higher power or something wasn't involved somehow.

So recently, I've been thinking maybe there really isn't anybody out there for me. Can you believe that? Not even 40 and I'm thinking about giving up on love.

Now part of this is of course my problem. I am painfully shy and don't really have a huge circle of friends so it's really hard for me to meet anybody. But to give up????

So SK (who shouldn't be blogging because of his wrist) is now writing inspirational blogs about the beauty of love.

Once again, thanks to The Church for being here on the night of my 10th anniversary when I really needed support and thanks to The Time Being for lifting my spirits and helping me continue to believe there really may be love out there for me...

RSI

2007-05-14T16:27:00.000-07:00

So Steve has been diagnosed with RSI. Can't say I'm surprised. As much blogging as he does combined with the painting and guitar/bass playing...

I always wonder about that kind of stuff. Who knows what kind of long-term damage computers will cause to the human race. We haven't exactly been using them that long in the grand scheme of things.

I imagine we will see all sorts of wrist/finger problems, eye problems - who knows what the electromagnetic radiation will do. Humans haven't exactly spent hours and hours in extremely close proximity to electronic equipment for very long (except for children sitting right up next to the the TV to the incessant scolding of their parents!)

Well, I hope the RSI doesn't slow Steve's musical pursuits too much. I love the blog - it's the centerpiece of my day - but I'll take the music over anything of course!

I'm seeing Ben Gibbard solo tonight. Should be good. I haven't heard him solo before so it will be interesting.

Love to all Churchy people!!!!

Sorry, atmosphere

2007-05-09T17:41:00.000-07:00

Man, I don't know how people can keep up with posting every day!

I finally had to turn on the air conditioner. If I didn't I probably would have not been able to sleep the other night. It wasn't necessarily too warm, but it was just too damn humid. I hate to think I'm soft. I mean - people lived for years without air conditioning.

Now, I live in an old house. There is an attic fan still in place, but all of the venting, etc. has long since been removed. I'm sure if it was still operational I could probably survive without air conditioning, but I guess I won't really ever know.

Of course, most people are so ridiculous with their AC. It's no wonder the atmosphere is slowly disintegrating. I'm the kind of person who keeps the thermostat set around 78-80 in the summer and around 60-62 in the winter. I get so frustrated at places (especially work) where they keep it around 65 in the summer. I just about freeze my ass off. Plus it makes the air so dry it's horrible for your skin and lungs. There is nothing worse than having to wear a long-sleeved shirt to work in the summer when it's close to 100 degrees outside just because they keep the air so freaking cold inside. I always wonder just how much money companies could save if they would just set the thermostat up a few degrees.

Of course, all of the loser suburbanites who keep their cookie-cutter 3000+ square foot houses at 65 degrees in the summer would probably pitch a fit about it being too hot, etc.

Oh well, I'm sure they enjoy their $500 electricity bills.

It's the same in the winter. I have so many nice wool sweaters but you can never wear them because anytime you are inside (even when it's 2o degrees outside) it's too damn hot since they set the thermostat at 75-78 degrees or whatever.

One thing I really really hate...

2007-05-06T16:16:00.000-07:00

First off, I should get my positioning statement out there. I really love The Church. I own multiple copies of everything they have ever recorded. I own multiple copies of all of their solo projects. I listen to them all the time. They are very near and dear to my heart.

Now, I don't listen to The Church, etc. 100% of the time - but it's probably close to 80% of the time. The other 20% of the time is stuff recommended on mailing lists, message boards, etc.

Unfortunately, people I know also recommend music to me. I appreciate their efforts, but I really don't think they grasp how high my standards are because of how high The Church has set the bar.

Now - I think the thing that pisses me off the most is when somebody says a band "sounds like" somebody. Come on. If a band is worth a shit they don't sound like anybody else.

Check out The Church's myspace page. It's brilliant. Under influences they say "we believe we influence others". Under sounds like they say "we sound incredibly like ourselves".

When somebody comes up and hands me a CD and says "it sound like Joy Division meets The Cure" or some crap like that I instantly realize it probably sucks. Now - don't get me wrong - I LOVE music. I can't imagine life without music. But so much of the crap out there is so unoriginal it's amazing.

Just hand me a CD and tell me it's good - maybe I'll like it.

The other thing (I guess I should have entitled this blog 1.5 things I really hate) is classification. Come on - music is music! What the fuck do I care if you say something is slo-core or emo or whatever the fuck you say it is. It's freakin' music! I love iTunes - but the genre thing really pisses me off. Rock, alternative, alternative/punk, pop - who gives a shit. It's MUSIC!

Oh well - off to another evening of music. It's getting warmer. Almost time to turn on the air conditioner for the summer - which will be the subject of a later rant...

Sleeping cat and dying fire

2007-05-04T18:11:00.000-07:00

The vast majority of all pictures people take of their cats are of them sleeping.

Damn they always look so cute - and peaceful.

Have you ever thought about it?

So what are we going to talk about????

2007-05-03T17:48:00.000-07:00

So let's see how this is going to go...

I'm sure the majority of my contributions will be about music since it is my first love.

Of course, any music discussion will be dominated by the best band this world has ever seen - The Church.

I will talk about how their music has shaped my life - and how it continues to shape my life. Anybody out there who doesn't know The Church is still vital and relevant is really missing out on some incredible stuff. CHECK THEM OUT!!!!

I have loved this band for close 20 years now - and it doesn't even seem close to the end. The band continues to release incredible stuff - and the solo efforts from Steve Kilbey, Marty Willson-Piper, Peter Koppes, and Tim Powles also continue to impress. There is so much talent in this band I wonder why other bands even try.

I'm sure I will also keep you up to date with the adventures of Leo and Bailey - my two resident cats. Talk about a crazy pair. Two little tomcats - Leo will be 4 this summer - Bailey just turned 3.

I will also discuss food. I am quite the chef and also have a tremendous interest in world cuisine. On a related note, I will discuss my interest in wine and beer as well. Good food should always be paired with the appropriate wine, beer, or spirit (or all three as necessary!)

I will also have my occasional observation on the world - which hopefully will not be too negative since in general I am extremely disappointed with people...

I am bascially a happy guy though, so hopefully my observations will be enlightening and somewhat positive at least.

Welcome all to the Snowfaller's Blogge. I hope you enjoy it!

Well here we go...

2007-05-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

Now that we are close to half way through 2007, I figured I should move into the 2000s and start a blog!

I imagine 99% of people start their blog talking about how they can't imagine why anybody would want to read about them, etc., so I'm not going to waste the space doing that...