NEWS 8.18

Silence.

So I have been neglecting this blog, so the TRUE updates probably range beyond what will be covered here. Work is stressing me out right now, so let me talk a little about things that are less likely to be objects of annoyance:

1. Midwest Vacation
2. New “Future” Record in the Works
3. State of State Address
4. Compilation News
5. Upcoming Shows

1. Midwest Vacation. I’m going to Omaha, somehow someway for a likely show with Simon Joyner in November. I’m not sure if I want to fly or drive. Driving would mean dates in OKC and West Texas. Flying means more upper Midwest shows. Either way I’m excited at the possibility of playing with one of my musical heroes, enough to get all lame and girlish about it.

2. New “Future” Record in the Works. So I’ve spent over a month now working on new songs for a record about the future of a post gasoline Los Angeles where movement is more difficult and infrastructure has collapsed. Now, while I feel guilty subjecting people to such a high concept record, everyone should breathe easy because all the songs thus far have been very approachable, maybe even pastoral, but not in a gay way, you know. I’ve been playing a lot of these songs live lately, many of which are based in West Covina. In a world without the car all I can think is that this hellhole in the center of the San Gabriel Valley would decay into a wasteland.

So there. Now, influences here range from mountain songs to Brazilian forro, anything super democratic. The songs thus far, may give you an idea of the tone:

The Flower of West Covina
Holiday at the Biosphere
Joker and the Nazis
The Pillars of Old Malibu
Slow Rapture
The Land Between the Rivers
The Emperor of ¼ and ½

3. State of the State Address. Here’s the skinny on various things supposedly destined to come out beneath the John Thill banner.

Goth Tales – This is long delayed by myself because I haven’t finished the cover art.

Voice on Tape / John Thill Split 7” – We found a great home for this release with Tiny Panda Records out in Phoenix as part of the “Seven Inches in Heaven” series. Right now it’s slated for December. My contributions are “Loud Birds” and “In the Valley.” This will be solid!

President of Happiness – I’m still working on getting some overdubs done for this record. Then I’ll actually worry about securing a label to put it out. Might end up on Shrimper, but I haven’t talked to Dennis Callaci about it yet, so it’s up in the air. I know this much; it has solid guests on it thus far, including Brad Dunn, S. Pineda, Clark 8, Whitman, Golden Boots, Sam from No Paws (No Lions). Sick!

Girls of Meth – New copies arrived in the mail on Friday and I’ve already sold a few. I’ll get this tape back up on the site ASAP, but it’s likely to sell out again before we get too deep into Fall. This has always been one of my favorite releases I’ve done, great bang per buck ratio. $5 ppd in the USA / $7 ppd elsewhere. Send funds to presidenthappiness@yahoo.com

4. Compilation news. I don’t even know where to begin. I sent out a lot of stuff to labels for compilations many of which I’ve forgotten about completely. There’s a couple I’m pretty excited about.

Sun, Smog & Hate: This Phoenix/Los Angeles compilation has amazing stuff on it and it will be a classic in my book. I have some intimate knowledge of it because I was forced at gunpoint to master it by the label head. Yo j/k. But really French Quarter and the Voice on Tape tracks alone make it worth whatever cash you got.

Rot Box: Chris Fischer, who I’ve never actually met, but I feel very indebted to is compiling I quote “a compilation of records and garbage.” I would take it literally if I were you. I love this label and its ethos, though I doubt they are as thought out as I might assume. Chris just does stuff the way he likes to. I have yet to turn in my track, but I think it’s about Atlanta’s sprawling airport, unless I come up with something better soon.

5. Upcoming Shows:

8.31 Shamel Park, Riverside w/ Brother Mitya
9.15 Pehrspace, Los Angeles w/ Human Host & Gabbertree
9.27 Shamel Park, Riverside w/ Whitman, American Gil

Going slow with the shows for awhile due a hectic schedule, but I’m working on songs everyday. So I’ll get a better handle on the situation soon. Working on a master degree as we speak, going to school on the internet is utterly lame. Where’s the motivation to do anything.

So the other night I was awoken by Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Helicopter shining a light repeatedly in the backyard. What dangerous criminals are on the loose? It turns out the whole incident barely warrants a footnote in the news though it stole more than an hour of my sleep. LA County uses a helicopter to pursue car thieves, seems rather ridiculous to me, couldn’t a cruiser suffice. I was hoping to see the incident on Topix.com along with a discussion strand rife with gang slogans. Sorely disappointed.