Matt Jones' Random Acts of Verbiage

Back last May when Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie said that The Lonely Forest was “totally doing it for me right now”, I knew that good things would be on the horizon for The Lonely Forest. A few months ago I was talking to John at a show and he mentioned that there were some big things happening and that it looked like they were going to be picked up by a label. How exciting that would be! Well, earlier this week, The Stranger reported that Walla’s new label, Trans, an imprint of Atlantic Records, has signed The Lonely Forest as their first band. Awesome indeed! From the article:

Walla initially approached the band members about producing them, but soon decided to create the Trans imprint with Atlantic to release their records as well.

“I’ve been lucky enough to make records with tons of phenomenal bands, and I’ve considered [starting a label] a number of different times,” he says. “I don’t know—is it oversimplified to say it’s them and it just makes sense? This wouldn’t be happening if it weren’t for the Lonely Forest. They’re a phenomenal band. I’ve been following my nose for so many years, doing the things that felt like the right thing to do. And this time the answer was yes.”

I am definitely looking forward to this union of talents! Great job guys and great pick up by Walla!

The Lonely Forest is currently on a good sized tour (check out their MySpace page for show info) and will be doing an all-ages show at Neumos on Tuesday, March 2nd (they will be going on around 10:30), $15. Hope to see you there!

And a little extra: check out a great version of Woe is Me from Catapult Records and KEXP.

After two and a half years in retirement, the lovely ladies of Late Tuesday will be performing a show at Seattle’s Triple Door! Dana Little, Tara Ward, and Jocelyn Meyer will be teaming up once again to share their melodious tunes with us at the always delightful Triple Door. Reserve your seats now before they fill up! Cost is $15 and goes to benefit Fremont Abbey Art Center‘s youth programs, so that’s cool too. If you are a Facebook type, check out the event page to RSVP (but still go buy tickets at Triple Door).

I hope to see you there, I am looking forward to seeing the ladies together again! Is it strange to still have a crush on Dana? Ok, don’t answer that.

Check out my Late Tuesday page for other various Late Tuesday stuff from the past.

The Lonely Forest officially released their latest album, We Sing the Body Electric, to a sold out, and quite enthusiastic, crowd at The Vera Project last Friday. I am biased, I will admit that up front, but it was an incredible show and the record should be heard by all. Really guys, this album is great. If you want to read what John Van Deusen, front man for the group, has to say, check out all the lyrics to the tracks at my Lonely Forest Lyrics Page. You can also check out Megan Seling’s and The Sound on Sound’s reviews of the show.

Songs of social justice, to insomnia, to thoughts of suicide turning to visions of beauty all around can be found in We Sing the Body Electric. Something for everyone. The album’s first (?) single, We Sing in Time is a song that looks hopefully forward to a time where our society isn’t broken. “In Time the trees die and light will fade. But I hope for a new breath, a new life to take me away…” On to Something is a harsh and ironic critique of materialist nonsense. Golden Apples of the Sun parts I and II encourage love in any context, no matter the situation. Julia’s Song deals with addiction and ends with John’s grandmother’s lullaby: “I’m little I know, but wherever I go I give I give… I give (away).” Borders and Towns is an oldie (ask me if you would like an old acoustic version!) but goodie and a classic love song. WSBHBWA is another ironic attack against the superficialities of much of our culture, concluding, “You’re beautiful but you’re empty.” Mt. Constitution suggests we take a moment to pause and think about our life. The album coming to an end full of reflection:

Breathing is a blessing
A variable we take for granted
One quick second
It’s blown away with all your happiness

Hope lies in the proles
That’s how they made you.
But not how they wanted you to be…

I could go on and talk about every song, but they are all worth a listen to and read through. Head over to the Burning Building Records store to purchase We Sing the Body Electric, you won’t be disappointed. Oh, and you can listen to the entire album at the Lonely Forest band page at Burning Building Records.

There are plenty of pictures and video clips from the show!
Read more…

Late Tuesday alumnus (or is it alumna?) Tara Ward has just released a new album: Tara Ward: Live @ the Triple Door. I downloaded it the other day and it has been extremely enjoyable! It will be a great addition for all the Late Tuesday fans and a welcome new sound for those that haven’t had the chance to hear her yet. She is only asking a mere donation of $10 to help her raise funds so she can produce her first studio solo album. This is a digital release so you don’t have to go anywhere to pick it up, you can just Visit PayPal at this link, drop her a few bucks and then you will get an email with the link that will allow you to download the album! Pretty easy!

Again, this is a digital album that can be downloaded by going over here, sending $10 her way and then checking your email for the link!

As a little treat and to wet your appetite, you should listen to a little preview: Tara Ward: Live @ The Triple Door: What is Good. Good stuff, isn’t it? Now go download it. And spread the news and share with your friends!

I should be grading/writing/reading/sleeping/etc. right now, but I thought I would post this quick because I think it is an amazing song and a great addition to the season of Advent (and I haven’t posted in a while… as per usual).

For a group of guys who wrote some crazy and bizarre songs, they sure know how to write some amazing theology that can make me cry. They are very similar to Five Iron Frenzy in this way I think, especially as compared to the song On Distant Shores, one of my personal favorites. Ponder these words as you enjoy your season of Advent. (Emphasis mine.)

I Celebrate The Day by Relient K

And with this Christmas wish is missed
The point I could convey
If only I could find the words to say to let You know how much You’ve touched my life
Because here is where You’re finding me, in the exact same place as New Year’s eve
And from a lack of my persistency
We’re less than half as close as I want to be

And the first time
That You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever

And so this Christmas I’ll compare the things I felt in prior years
To what this midnight made so clear
That You have come to meet me here

To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me
In the hope that what You did
That you were born so I might live
To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me

And I, I celebrate the day
That You were born to die
So I could one day pray for You to save my life

Back on August 11th, Erin and I went to another awesome show at The Crocodile Cafe. The Pale Pacific put on two shows because they are going to put out a live CD! How awesome is that? The set list was great; the CD should sound amazing. Cam, Gabe, Greg, and Justin gave a performance quite worthy of being recorded and now Cam just has to find the time to mix all the tapes down. I just hope it comes out soon! We’ll see I guess. I will be sure to keep you updated when it becomes available.

Here’s the scoop, as per usual, I took some pics and some video clips. For your visual enjoyment, check out my Flickr set: The Pale Pacific @ The Crocodile Cafe. Some are posted below as well and will take you to those pictures, but you should check out the full set (and larger versions). AND for your visual and audio enjoyment, I have posted some clips up at YouTube. You should check them out, I am pretty sure you will enjoy them. (You can also check out my Pale Pacific YouTube playlist.

Wake Up Call

Sucker Punch

Stop/Start

Reasons to Try

In The Sun Pt. 1

Gravity Gets Things Done

11

The Pale Pacific Rocks!

I have been listening to The Lonely Forest for a while now and their EPs have always left me wanting more. To be honest, I was a little nervous when Tony left and the God is Dead project was sidelined for Nuclear Winter. With the release of the new album, my concerns have been alleviated and my wants have been fulfilled.

The debut is a concept album: “a space rock odyssey into an alternate dimension, [which] showcases the raw sound of the piano, bass and drums layered with synthesizers and melodic vocals” (source). Not only that, but it is the story of a lonely hero who leaves the Earth as it is being destroyed. The narrative throughout the album is compelling and captivating. For those of you who appreciate the call to social justice, you will eat this up; for those of you who place emphasis in other areas, you should eat this up. Regardless of where you are politically, you should find the issues raised worthy of listening to and pondering.

Questioning God and the search for truth are common themes throughout. While not part of the main story, Hangman sheds light on our hero’s life and struggle (and is one of my favorite songs). Leader Holding His Eyes deals with the frustration that our hero fosters with the leaders of his time:

All we had is gone, tell me Lord what have we become?
When water, earth and sky are sacrificed
By leaders ruling blind…

This frustration continues throughout. Another one of my favorite tracks is Lessons in Miscommunication Part II, which is a mellow and powerful reprise of Part I and Leader Holding, is where hope is lost:

Angels weep at this gaping hole
Spilling blood till our lungs are full
Corrupt kings and governments fall
And we can’t deny…

That we could have made, made a choice
To consciously love those who had no voice

Hope seems to be found again as our hero ends this part of the journey and heads for new skies through Cygnus.

What are we to do with this wonderful creation? Well you will have to decide. There is definitely a call to make the world a better place. There is the search for God and who He is. Lots of good things to think about. But really, we are left in anticipation. How can things be different for us? You should read the story, listen to the lyrics (they are here for your convenience). What does it make you think about?

Oh right, there is music too! What is a good story without some amazing music to carry it along? Like I mentioned in the beginning of this post, I was a little worried about how things would sound without Tony’s electric guitar, but the trio of John, Eric, and Braydn knew how to balance things perfectly. The driving keys that John Van Deusen provides makes sure that the melody is never lost. The crisp… or distorted as the case may be… bass lines from Eric Sturgeon keep things moving along. The abilities of Braydn Krueger on drums are extensive; he is able to surprise you in every song with something you didn’t expect, completing the trio. And of course there is John’s voice. If you haven’t heard it, you are missing out. There are a few songs on the album that I didn’t think I would like because John yells… that is generally not my style. I dig it live, because hey, it’s a rock show, but on a studio album? But who screams in key? He compliments his outbursts by moving right into melody, the contrast is quite striking and interesting. Part of me still misses the sound from Regicide, but the other part of me knows this sound is extremely well done, creative, and original. In the past two weeks I have played this album over and over and I truly cannot get tired of it.

Now that I have you lusting for this masterpiece of a rock opera, you want to know where you can pick one up, right? Well I have great news, there are a number of ways AND the CD can be yours for only $10! In early August you will be able to buy it online here, it will also be available at a few local music stores (check out Easy Street Records right now!), AND you have multiple chances to pick one up at a live CD release show.

August 4th, 7:30pm (doors at 7:00p) @ the Vera Project at the Seattle Center. The cost is $6.

August 10th, 8:00pm @ the Retrodoxy in Mount Vernon. The cost is $5.

August 11th, 4:00pm @ The Crocodile Cafe in Seattle with (are you ready for this?) The Pale Pacific! The cost is $10.

How about that for options? What is the bottom line (cause, wow, this is becoming a REALLY long post)? This is a great cd that is well worth checking out. This is a great introduction to The Lonely Forest. So get on that!

Calling all Seattleites! Tomorrow night (Thursday, June 28th) at the High Dive (location) at 9:30pm for a mere $6 you can come to a rockin’ show put on by my fav, The Lonely Forest. This is a CD release show for Lacey Brown whom I have never heard before, but listening to a few tracks on her MySpace it sounds like she has a pretty good sound (I could easily hear her music being played on Grey’s Anatomy).

The Lonely Forest is on right at 9:30 so get there a bit early for the show! Josh Ottum is next at 10:30 and then Lacey Brown at 11:30.

For $6 you can’t go wrong! What else are you going to do on a Thursday night? Oh, this is a 21+ show, so no youngins! I hope to see you there! If you see me, say hi! Check out the various MySpace pages (or check out my Lonely Forest blog page or their Virb page) to listen to a few tracks from the artists, I don’t think you will be disappointed.

I’m serious. I had better see you there.