East Coast bird addresses West Coast bird

 

From one bird to another: we have not had any practices since your flight to the West Coast only proving that you are the straw that stirs the drink known as The Birds of Play. It hasn’t rained much so your basement is safe and since we haven’t played, it’s also clean. Well, as clean as you left it.

I have attended two night’s of trivia with James as quizmaster. It’s fun but I don’t know jack about The Simpsons so when he went on a spree this Tuesday, I was clueless. I haven’t heard a peep from John. But that’s not a surprise. Music-wise, I have picked up my Rickenbacker a few times and played along to the new Shout Out Louds CD. Victoria likes to dance when I pluck away so that is an added bonus. I am also thinking about e-mailing a couple of booking agents for Salem area clubs with the hope of scoring a gig at a club  not called Sally O’Briens. That’s about it!

Hope you are doing well, we miss you.

Remote bird wonders as to state of nest…

The bird who has recently migrated westward is curious as to whether any practices have yet taken place in her absence… and thus wonders further as to the condition of her nest. Without a feminine presence, it’s entirely possible the basement is littered with shiny objects (such as beer cans), feathers (from James’s leaking jacket), and other assorted bird…droppings.

AUDIO: Some random thoughts from Birdland

1. There’s another band around the Somerville/Medford/Salem with an avian theme called Caged Birds. It’s lead by Christian McNeill and features sultry Sarah Semanski on lead vocals and a dude who plays a mean Wurlitzer. They’re going to be at Toad in Cambridge for a Tuesday residency, according to McNeill.

2. I came up with a bass idea 4-18-10 this morning and sent it along to James Christensen to do with what he wants.  It sounds like a chorus to me but I’ll let our main songwriter decide, if he wants to.

3. Melissa is getting dirtier by the minute attending the Coachella music festival in California. Word has it she joined an impossibly long line for a shower this morning and was promptly admonished by friends for trying to get clean at an outdoor festival. The thinking being that getting grungy, smelly and dirty is part of the experience. Sorry, but that sounds like no fun to me. Melissa is right and her so called friends are plain wrong!

4. James will be hosting trivia again on Tuesday at The Precinct.  Having participated last week, I can safely say that it’s worth your while. It was a lot of fun and James does a great job as your host. He even bought a team an appetizer for winning a round. I did pretty well, by the way. I was tied for third place after three rounds before bowing out so I could catch David Johnston over at Bull McCabes. James told me I did really well considering I was playing with myself where everyone else was playing with a partner or a team.

 5. Will have some more audio files for your listening pleasure in the days to come including one that features Johnnycakes behind the microphone.

AUDIO: Newest James Christensen song

The Birds of Play’s James Christensen just uploaded his newest solo tune as part of his 52 Song Project for 2010. It’s called: Tell_Me_to_Shut_Up. Give it a listen and then write 350 words on it. You will be graded. Enjoy!

AUDIO: Kevin Crowley, the grunge version

This version of Kevin Crowley was recorded on Wednesday, April 14, during practice. It’s noteworthy thanks to some real grungy guitar from John and James. Plus, you can hear Melissa comment on the guitars right as the song begins chugging along. Enjoy!