End of the Year

After Sunday evening’s show, I had about six hours in the car by myself to get home from the venue.  I had the masters of the album tracks with me, so I decided to pop the disc in and listen.  Now, of course I’ve heard them a thousand times, but I wanted to just drive and listen to the music like it was just that; music.  Not like it was our album that we’ve been messing with for the better part of 2013, but just some songs.  For the first time since we started recording I actually heard the songs as finished products, not critiquing and trying to think of things to make them better, just listening and enjoying the music.  I must say, I’m really proud of what we’ve done with this record.  I think it is really difficult to know what you want to do when you are doing all the recording, producing, mixing, editing, and mastering yourselves.  Are we trying to go for that “Nashville Sound” that you hear on the radio all the time, or are we going for something more raw and real.  I think probably somewhere in the middle.  The one thing I do know is that when we record our own music, we want it to reflect us as a band.  And that may sound simple and logical, but it’s not easy to do.  On the record you will definitely hear ‘us’, but a little more also.  It doesn’t sound just like we do on stage, but it hopefully we are able to do the songs justice when we play them live.  We tried to make each song unique.  From the style of writing, to the way we recorded each one, even to the way they were mixed.  One of our goals was to have a record where each song sounded different; where you couldn’t really label us.  And I think we were able to accomplish that goal, at least for the most part.

So anyway, I was listening to the songs as I was driving and a few things surprised me.  For one thing, I caught myself bobbing my head to several of the tracks.  I never do that with my own music.  Then there’s an acoustic song that I couldn’t stop listening to.  I must have played it about 20 times.  The song is called “Friends Like These” and is my thank you to all our fans that come to the shows and make it worth it for us to be out on the road away from our families all the time.  It’s a really simple stripped down song, just two acoustic guitars and vocals, but I think I’m more proud of my vocal track on this song than on any other song I’ve ever recorded.  I think just because the song is so truthful for me; it is not a commercial song at all, and I would never expect to hear it on the radio, but I wanted to include it on the album b/c it most directly reflects our relationship with our fans.     So it is probably my favorite track on the album, but not one that I ever expected to really like listening to myself.  And I have to say how impressed I am with some of the performances that Kevin gave on this album.  Some of the things he did on guitar throughout the record show what a talented and dedicated musician he really is.  Like on the song I was just talking about, he found a way to make an acoustic guitar sound so incredible, and made his solo speak, without overpowering the rest of the song.  Or how on the song “What They Say” in the second verse he made the background filler guitar so dirty, yet fit right into place and really improve the entire song with just that guitar.  Or even at the end of “Moonshine at Midnight” where he was able to flawlessly go back and forth between acoustic and electric lead solos while making them almost blend together.  I’m just so impressed with the work he did on this record, and I don’t think I can appropriately describe how much of a positive influence his playing had on this album.  I hope he is as proud of it as I am.   Well, I guess what I’m saying is that while listening to the songs on the drive home, I became very proud of the work we’ve done, and I am so excited to get the music out for you all to hear.  I really think there is something for everyone on this album, whether you really like country music or not.

Well, it’s the end of 2013.  We’ve played a ton of shows in hundreds of towns, in about 15 different states this year.  We completed an album, made a band member change, added new lights to the show, made a new stage backdrop and got a new banner, added stage gear, added new merch, and I’m sure several other things that I’m not remembering right now.  Sometimes playing to thousands of people, other times playing to less than a hand full, but always trying to have fun and be (if nothing else) entertaining.  It has been a fun year for the band.  Hopefully you all have enjoyed us being out there as much as we have.  What’s your favorite MDB moment from the past year?  We’d love to hear some stories you have from our time in your towns.  Feel free to email me some of them (michaeldband@gmail.com), and maybe I’ll be able to share them with everyone else on here.  But now we’re looking ahead to 2014.   So I think to myself, is this the year that we make that giant leap forward with our career?  If you read the last blog, you know I’m really hoping it is (the thought keeps me up at night).  I will say this: if I may make a collective New Years Resolution for the band, it will be to work as hard as we can every day.  My goal is to do at least 1 thing every day that moves us closer to that ultimate goal; to take no days completely off.  Maybe you all can hold me to that resolution; make sure I’m working hard every day to get this band to the next level.  And I’ll hold you to your resolutions as well (okay, no I won’t be doing that). 

I do want to take a moment to tell you all how important you have been for us, and to say thank you for listening to our music and coming out to our shows.  It really doesn’t matter to me who you are, or where you come from: male or female, white or black, straight or gay, Christian or Muslim or Atheist, or whatever else and everything in between.  If you’ve enjoyed our show, or liked our music, or even just stuck around for a while in the back of the club listening, then we really do appreciate you.  For us, the most important thing in the world is that you enjoy our music; that in some small way, the music we play influences you.  As musicians, that’s where we get our kicks.   That’s the high for me – when someone comes up and says “I really like that new song of yours” – that’s the best feeling.  Or when we’re singing one of our songs and I can see someone in the crowd singing along; they know the lyrics to our stuff well enough to sing them with us.  That is so cool for me (actually, listen to the chorus of “Friends Like These”.  That’s exactly what I am talking about here).  And my favorite compliment that we get from people is this: “You know, I don’t really like country music, but I really enjoyed your show tonight”.  That we can help someone enjoy something they initially don’t even like, wow.  That blows me away.  So to sum this long babbling ‘thanks’ up, let me say that I am humbled by all of you; every time you come to the show, every time you get out on the dance floor, every time you cheer after a song, every time you stay until the end of the night, every time you come back; just being there and supporting our music and our band really touches me.  And thank you for being interested in our lives. 

Lastly, several people have commented lately that they’ve been enjoying reading these.  And I thought just maybe two or three of you were out there reading.  Apparently a few more of you out there want to know what’s going on, which is awesome.  So, because I told him I would, here’s a shout out to my good friend DT who lives in down in Texas.  I hope we make it down there soon so you and Gil can make it out to a show!  For everyone else out there, if you are enjoying reading the posts let me know.  Maybe we can do a shout out to people all over the country… or maybe that’s stupid and no one cares, I don’t know.    But as always, I want to end by giving a shout out to all our websites and social media pages.  So please make sure you check out our WEBSITE, as well as our FACEBOOK and TWITTER pages.  And you know what would be really cool?  For everyone out there to take about 20 minutes to invite all of their Facebook friends to “LIKE” our fan page.  If you don’t know how to do it, EMAIL me and I’ll tell you how.  Again, thanks for reading.  Be safe out there this New Years Eve.  Hopefully we see you very soon next year. 

"Radio Stations / Christmas Wishes"

Last Sunday we left Lincoln, NE at about 1:30am driving through the night heading east toward Indiana and Kentucky.  I think this is one of the most difficult things about what we do – play a show, then immediately tear down afterward, get in the van and drive overnight.  The reason we do it is logical: it is the last show and we all want to get home as early the next day as possible. But actually driving overnight following a gig is rough.  Some of the guys fall asleep easily after a show and are able to sleep for a few hours as we drive down the interstate.  But someone has to drive, right?  And we try to have a policy that during an overnight run, someone stays up with the driver.  And as difficult as it is to drive late at night when you’re tired, it is often more difficult to stay awake with the driver.  There’s nothing to keep you awake except energy drinks and the radio.  So the best you can really hope for is to find an old radio station that plays all the best classic country that you never get to hear on Top 40 stations anymore.  I was struggling to keep my eyes open at 4am driving through Des Moines just wishing to find a station with some George Jones or Haggard or something.  Well, guess it was just another glamorous night as a musician.  Sure wish we had a bus driver.  And come to think of it, a bus too.   Eh, maybe someday soon. 

Someone recently asked what each of us would be doing if we weren’t in a band.  Good question, although one I’m sure none of us really wants to think about.  But now that I am thinking about it, it kind of makes me laugh to think about what the other guys might possibly do with their lives if they weren’t musicians.  I picture Steve as a Radio DJ.  He has the perfect voice for it.  Probably working for one of those classic country stations we try to find on late night drives.  I picture him doing the overnight shift, playing the songs he wants to hear, tapping along with the music with his headphones on.  How about Josh?  Well, he is actually taking recording classes as we tour, so I know that his goal is to record and produce.  But what if he weren’t doing that?  Hmm… Josh seems to have had about a million odd jobs, so I’m sure he’d have no problem finding ways to make money; but who knows where Josh would be without a bass guitar in his hands.  Kevin: this one is easy.  He has so much knowledge about how sound systems work, and how stages should be run, etc.  And he also is pretty good at building things.  So Kevin would probably be doing one of two things: either he would be a stage manager for some touring band, or he’d be building and selling road cases (and pedal boards, and amps).  Have you seen our drum case he built?  It is pretty impressive.  As for me… I’d like to think I’d somehow put my education to good use.  But I have a biology degree, and can’t see myself stuck in a lab.  So maybe I could use the Psychology minor and get back into counseling.  I wouldn’t be opposed to eventually starting up my own Indie label and working with other bands and musicians.  Or wait, I’ve got it: the perfect job for me would be a food critic.  Get paid to try new foods!  That’s right up my alley.  Okay, so maybe we should all stick with music and this band then.  That sounds like a much better idea. 

Well, Christmas is next week.  I love Christmas time.  For some reason, I really enjoy Christmas trees.  Not sure why; maybe the lights (or the presents underneath), who knows.  And I actually like old Christmas songs.  The classics though.  I’m not really interested in the current pop star singing “White Christmas”.  It is just not my thing.  It does annoy me when radio stations play Christmas songs for the 2 months leading up to the holiday though.  I am good with hearing them the week leading up to Christmas.  And on Christmas Eve, all holiday songs all day long!  But that’s it for me.  And I know I just said I’m not into pop artists doing Christmas songs, so I have no basis for telling you this, but if you haven’t heard them, you should really check out Straight No Chaser’s Christmas album.  For one thing, it is awesome; but also has some funny tracks too.   It is a great twist on everyone’s favorite Christmas tunes.  And it is all a cappella. 

Speaking of Christmas: do you have a Christmas wish?  I don’t have anything personally that I need this year, but I do have a Christmas wish for the band: to find a Label that suits our needs.  Which brings forth the question: what are our needs?  Well, to become bigger and more successful, radio airplay is a huge step; so having a label that can get us on the radio in major markets.  Then, performing our music to larger audiences; so having a label that has connections with promoters that can get us on tours with other national acts, playing in front of thousands of people at a time would really help push us forward.  And that is really the goal: getting our music heard as often as possible by as many people as possible.  Then I guess keeping our fingers crossed that people actually like the music and want to hear it again.  There are thousands of labels out there, but probably only a handful that are right for what we are doing and for where we are right now as a band.  But that is the hope, that they can find us, or we can find them.  Wow, as I read that back, I realize I have just shared the one major thought that keeps me up at night: moving forward and becoming a successful artist (and yes, it definitely does keep me up a lot of nights).  I guess I will be writing completely openly and honestly on here, huh.  So, if by chance anyone out there reading this has a relative working for a record label that you want to put us in contact with, that’d be very helpful.  haha.

We are heading to Illinois this weekend, which is always a good time.  I’m sure I’ll have a good story or two for next week’s post.  Stay safe out there.  Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas (or whatever other holiday you might be celebrating this season).  Check out our WEBSITE and other social media sites.  If you haven’t already, make sure you like our FACEBOOK Fan page, and be sure to follow us on TWITTER as well.  And as always, if you have anything you’d like us to write about on here, feel free to EMAIL us with any questions or comments.  We love hearing from everyone out there! 

"The King Lives"

The Highlight of the past week had to be when Elvis showed up to our gig last Friday night in Alda, NE.  And not only just showed up, but was in full Jumpsuit attire, AND we were able to get him up on stage for a 3 song mini-set with us.  Of course he stole the show.  Everyone in attendance immediately came up to the stage with cameras snapping tons of pictures.  Because when Elvis shows up unexpectedly, you better get a picture.  Thanks for hanging out Elvis. We had a blast! 

We are in Chadron, NE right now as I’m typing this part.  I ate possibly the best steak ever this evening at Feik’s 120.  Sitting here thinking about how amazing that steak was has me reflecting on some of the other incredible (or at least memorable) foods or meals we’ve had throughout the country.  In Belfield, ND at the Roughrider Bar it’s the ‘cheesy-hash’.  The ‘Reno Burger’ at Red Rock Saloon in Milwaukee, WI is incredible.  Primetime in Breezy Point, MN used to have the ‘Shrimp Pesto’ (maybe Kevin’s favorite meal in the entire country).  They don’t serve it anymore, but if you ask nicely, Gus might still make it for you.  Then there’s the ‘Cashew Burger’ at the Anchor Bar in Superior, WI.  Okay, I have to stop thinking about all this food. 

Well, I must say, the inevitable happened last weekend.  We have a song on our upcoming album called “Show A Little Skin”.  As we were performing it the other night, one of the women dancing decided that she needed to act out the lyrics and flashed the band.  About 8 times.  I am trying to think of the first time that happened (by the way, no, it does not happen a lot).   I bet when I was young and first playing in a band I must have thought it was the coolest thing ever for some woman to flash the band.  Now, it’s more like ‘nice boobs, want to buy a CD or a Koozie?’  I guess its true that as we get older our priorities change.  Now I’m just much more interested in whether or not you like our music.   It is more important for me to get our music out there and heard; that is more exciting to me these days.  Wow, I must be getting old. 

So, from our last blog (which was also our first one too…) we had several people write in with questions or things they wanted to know more about.  Which, by the way, please continue to do that.  The purpose of this is to give a little more insight into our lives on the road.  Hearing what you’d like to know about makes it a little easier.  So anyway, here is the question we got asked the most:

“What do you do for fun when off stage?”  It seems like although we only spend a few hours on stage each night, every waking second of our day is somehow involved with the business or the show.  Most of our time is spent traveling from one town to the next.  I hate to think of how many hundreds of thousands of miles we’ve spent in our van over the past several years.  I have gotten better at sleeping while sitting up though.  And if we’re not traveling to the next town, it seems like all we do is set up the stage or tear it down.  A typical day goes like this: wake up early, leave the hotel, get in the van, drive several hours, arrive at the next town, check into the hotel, go to the venue and set up, eat some disgusting fast food, quickly shower, go back to the venue, play the show, tear down the stage, go back to the hotel, fall into the bed and pass out; repeat process tomorrow.  It wears me out just typing all that.  Wait, I haven’t even answered the question yet.  Reading that back, it seems like I just spent the past several sentences complaining about my job, which is not allowed; I get to play music for a living – there’s no complaining about that!  Anyway, back to the question: when we have some down time, I like to read.  Yes, I know that’s not a very cool musician thing to do with my time off, but I’m a book worm.  Anything I can get my hands on.  Especially musician autobiographies.  They’re the best.   If you want to read one that will really blow you away, check out “The Dirt” by Motley Crue.  I couldn’t put it down.  Sometimes if we have a night off we all might go check out another band.  It’s always fun to go see other bands and hear what they sound like and what kind of music they’re playing.  But to be honest, the majority of the time, if we have a night off I’d rather just stay in and rest.  We spend so much time in bars and clubs, sometimes it is nice to not be in a bar on our night off; just stay in and relax and enjoy some alone time. 

Anyway, that’s it for this entry.  Again, please let us know what you’d like to hear about from our time out here on the road.  And thanks for reading and being interested in our lives.  Make sure you check out all of our other online forums as well:

www.themichaeldband.com

Facebook.com/Michael D. Band

Twitter: @themichaeldband

12-5-13 The initial post

So, we've had a lot of people ask about our lives on the road, or what its like to be a touring band, or want to know more about us than just what our music sounds like. So I thought about my favorite band; and as a fan, I want to know more about them than just their music - I want to know where they came from, and how they got together, and how they came up with certain songs, etc.  So I guess it actually makes sense that some people out there would want to know more about us than just what they see/hear at our shows. Anyway, it was suggested that we find a way to let people out there know more about what its like to be in this band.  So here's the best way I could think of: to just start writing.  Facebook didn't seem like the appropriate forum, Twitter doesn't give enough characters, and I don't know all the new hip social media sites, so a Blog it is.

And yes, I know I am officially about 12 years behind the times with a blog, so in my head its not really a blog. But its not cool to call it a diary either, right?  Journal?  Kind of.  and we even thought about doing a video thing each week, but that's too much work and its much easier for me to stop and think about it by typing.  So here we are.  You know, when we started touring I kept a journal of all the funny or interesting things that happened out on the road, thinking that one day it would make a great book. But I never thought about sharing those stories right away.  So maybe this is sort of a continuation of that.  Who knows.  Or maybe sometimes i can go back and find some of those stories for you too.

When starting a blog, apparently you have to have a title.  So after spending way too long thinking about what would make an appropriate title to encompass what all we're talking about, that is what I came up with: "The Road is my Needle".  Let me see if I can explain.  For me, being on stage is such a great high; its my drug.  Other musicians know what I'm talking about. I get such a rush from playing music, and feeling the energy from a great enthusiastic crowd.  But so much of my time is spent off stage; traveling from one town to the next, sleeping in hotel rooms, setting up or tearing down the gear before or after a show.  So being out on the road seems to be the thing that gives me access to my 'drug'.  Touring allows me to find my high.  Hmm, maybe the road should be my dealer, or the guitar is my needle.  No, this title works for me.

I guess just a little background is appropriate so we're all on the same page here.  We've been touring the country playing music for about 4 1/2 years now.  (wow, it both seems like a long time and just seems like we started yesterday).  We've played in 25-30some odd states, and hundreds of towns.  We say we're based out of Lexington, KY.  Our band is based there; I actually am from and live in Indiana.  But yes, the rest of the guys live in Lexington.  When we're out, that is what we consider our home base.  But when we are playing in Kentucky, its not really a 'home show' either, since we don't play there on a consistent enough basis to have the hometown fan kind of feel to it. We have one album out, and are almost finished with our second.  Its all original music, performed by us (which makes me very proud by the way).  We have gone through a few member changes over the past several years; each one most definitely leaving their mark in some way on this band, the music, and our fans.  You have no idea how many stories we continue to tell about Aaron and Brent.  I'm sure some of those stories will be re-told on here.

So maybe now would be a good time to introduce the guys in the band. Our lead guitar player is Kevin.  He's been with me since we started touring.  He's been with me for almost 5 years now.  He is the 'band leader' of the group.  And probably also the dad too.  He does his best to keep us in line. Then there is Josh, our bass player.  He is the youngest of the group, and has been with the band for over a year and a half.  If you've met him, you already know that his laugh is infectious.  And although he is not the newest member of the group, we still haze him like he just joined us last week.  Then there is our drummer Steve, who joined the group last March.  Wow, it doesn't seem like its been 9 months already. Steve has one of the most solid grooves you'll ever hear.  And is one of the best harmony singers around.  He definitely has helped make us a tighter band.  And I am Mike; or Michael; or "hey you" as some people like to call me. The 'lead singer', or 'front man'.  I just tell people I'm the self-centered guy that names a band after himself.  Actually, I just couldn't come up with anything better all those years ago when trying to come up with a band name late one night in my apartment in Nashville.  So the name stuck, and followed me up to Kentucky, and then followed me again all the way around the country.  I keep telling myself that some day I'm going to actually make it a band name.  I think that would be more cool anyway.  I have a name in mind.  But when is the right moment to change the name of a band?  It seemed to work for my friends in the band Wayland though.

Anyway, that is us.  And here we are.  This will be our way of sharing our lives and our experiences for those few out there that are interested.  So please, feel free to let me know what you'd like to hear about.  Because honestly, I feel like 98% of what we do is pretty boring, and frankly I'm going to need some ideas about material here.  So just let me know and we'll talk about it.  (just thinking, how will you let me know?) We have Facebook.  Also an email address: michaeldband@gmail.com.  And hopefully I'll be able to set this up so you can comment on these posts (so lets keep the comments appropriate, b/c my mom might be reading...)

Lastly, I think its important to always be promoting, so here is my attempt to link all of our websites and social media pages to this 'blog'.
www.themichaeldband.com
Facebook.com/Michael D. Band
Twitter: @themichaeldband