milesnorth's posterous

New Song = my hibernation period is over?

I've spent the past three months taking time off from the world and any thing resembling obligation. I moved to Brooklyn in September, and after multiple trips to Ikea, I fell asleep on my bed and haven't gotten up since. That's a slight (and by slight I mean 100%) exaggeration.

Some pictures of my messy apartment:

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During the three months I've been writing new songs and am in the process of recording another EP - this time it'll be available for free download some time in the early new year. Also, I'm planning another two to three week tour kicking off the second week in February heading down the East Cost. As always, if you have any leads on places to play around your campus or hometown, and you live in NY, PA, MD, DC, VA, NC, SC, GA or FL let me know (freddyhallmusic@gmail.com).

SO. Shoot. I feel like I have more to say, but for now I'll let the song speak. 

It's called "A Thursday Night In Brooklyn."  Big thanks to Chris Frasco for his recording time.

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To download, just click the download link. If that's not working, email me (freddyhallmusic@gmail.com) and I'll send it to you.

New Photo Update

Greetings from the coolest apartment in Tucson, AZ!

Mini written update:

I awoke from the most comfortable sleep on the most comfortable couch thanks to my friend Arteen. Arteen lives in an amazing apartment right by the University of Arizona and, more importantly, right across the street from a Cheba Hut (google it). If the locals here are anything like Arteen, then I reckon Tucsan is a city worth living.

Liam and I are two weeks into ouf tour and it feels like every day holds years of inspiration. We seem to be running into the nicest people each city has to offer. Some act of fate has led them to the places we've played and made our drive worth it! 

So far we've had...

10 shows

9 Subway Subs (too many)

8 stops for the bathroom on any given trip

A realization that 7 hour drives are nothing anymore 

a 6 person jam session in New Orleans  

5 nights of saying "let's wake up early tomorrow morning and run." We never do.  

to stop the car 4 times just to admire the view   

3 shooting start sightings  

2 tickets: one parking and one speeding. It's safe to say Welsh, LA has left a bad taste in my mouth.

1 night of sleeping in the van (right after I got the speeding ticket... rough night)

 

Photo Update:

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* this is the guest book that Brian, our good friend from Berklee, and his family put in their guest room. 

* this is me felling on top of the world right before our show in Birmingham, AL

* the sign in front of Moonlight on the Mountain, the venue we played in Birmingham.

* us with our new greatest inspiration, Keith, the owner/sound man/booking agent/bed and breakfast runner of Moonlight on the Mountain. 

* a rack of goodies at a rest stop somewhere on the trail to Georgia.

* us with some new friends in Decatur, GA - we shared the stage with David Disharoon: www.daviddisharoon.com

* Liam and I singing "won't go down" in GA

* our great hostess in GA, Teddi, and her new bf

* Liam out side of the Neutral Ground in New Orleans

* my bed for the night. Cross your fingers that it was just for that one night please.

* Jenni motha f'n MOORE - COX drove all the way down from College Station to hang/watch the show in Austin. Much love.

* we had the pleasure of playing with The Loblolly Boy in Austin TX. If you want to know what's good for you, check out his music: http://www.myspace.com/theloblollyboy we also played with School Of Liars: http://www.myspace.com/aschoolofliars

 * this is Liam reading the Atlas while driving. Mrs. McCormack, are you reading this blog!?????

* sharing the stage with Alac Alabado in Tempe, AZ - awesome!

* Grand  motha f'n CANYON. Amazing.

 

I'll leave you with an epiphany I've had on one of the drives through this great country:

Traveling is education for the soul.

 

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and thanks for reading,

 Freddy

 

Summer. Music. Road Trip. Photo Update:

Greetings from some stolen internet in Rock Hill, SC!
 
Liam and I are almost a week into our music road trip, and I think I've learned more in this little bit of time than I have in a while. We set sail last Thursday night in Boston and have been on a journey since. We've spent endless hours on the highway, we've had a constant shuffling of the ipod, and I've been getting wrapped up with the Buendía family drama in "One Hundred Years of Solitude." I'm feeling really inspired though. We've met some really amazing and talented people tucked away in the little corners of some big cities. There are so many supportive people of live musicians who write their own songs. I've also been getting an overwhelming wave of support from everyone I know and I can't be more thankful. The encouragement has equipped me with some much needed confidence. 
 
This tour is a lot different than the previous one I was on (Spring Awakening) for these very obvious reasons:
 
I have to drive a lot!
No 3 and 4 star hotels 
No paycheck
No more family of 40. There are only two of us out here
No 3,000 seat theaters
No boss
I get to play my own music
 
I can easily say I'm just as happy and feel just as lucky to be doing this. It's is a very grass-roots, do it yourself roller coaster ride. The United States is a lot bigger than it looks on a map, especially when you're driving everywhere. I've been thinking about doing a tour like this for a long time so it feels good to finally turn those wild thoughts and endless conversations into reality, even if the reality right now means playing at a bar full of baseball watching drunks who want me to play 'Free Falling.' My response: "buy me a drink and I will!" 
 
I've gotta start somewhere right? It's so easy for me to get lost in a day dream about touring with Ben Folds, but I don't deserve to play with Ben Folds just yet. I have to put the hard work in and get my spoiled ass out there. I have to go from couch to floor, bar to coffee pub, to get a lot of shows under my belt. If I can't gain the attention of 15 people (10 of whom are chatting about which celebrity they look like most) how am I supposed to for 500 people? PLUS, life is a little more meaningful when you have to struggle a little bit.

With that said, here is a photo update of our travels thus far:  
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* Yellowbirddd rocking Club Bohemia in Cambridge, MA
* Gettin some Philly Cheese Stake's with my good friends Kate and Brian 
* Gas and Tolls from Boston to Philly = arm and a leg. Reuniting with some SA buddies in Philly = priceless 
* Marques and I in DC
* Awesome DC house show crowd 
* Raleigh Water Tower... (come on Raleigh, you could put a little more life into your towers)
* Jenn Mundia and Liam watching me take a picture of the water tower from our van
* Jenn, Liam, Lemon and Becca help me sneak into the Wolf Pack football field 
* Liam sleeping on Jenn's couch
 
Here are some new dates added to the schedule:
 
Tuesday, August 3rd: Tempe, AZ - The Sail Inn
Show @ 8PM SHARP
Admission: Free
21 + (unless you're with a parent)
Playing with the amazing Alec Alabado! 
 
Thursday, August 5th: Tuscan, AZ - Shot In The Dark Cafe
Show @ 7:30PM
All Ages
Free
 
Thursday, August 19th: Portland, OR - The Alberta Street Pub
Show @ 9:30PM
21+
 
Thursday, August 26th: West Martinsville, WV - 
House Show (if you're interested in coming, email me at FreddyHallMusic@gmail.com for details)
 
Friday, August 27th: Woodbridge, VA - Borders Books and Cafe
Show @7:30 (unless otherwise noted)
All Ages
Free
 
 
And here is a full list of the remaining dates:
 
Wednesday July 28th: Birmingham, AL — Moonlight on the Mountain
Admission: Donation
Show @ 7:30
Age: All Ages

Thursday July 29th: Decatur, GA — Kavarna Coffee Pub
Admission: Free
Show @ 8:30PM
Age: All Ages
w/ David Disharoon

Friday July 30th Jacksonville, FL — Three Layers Coffeehouse
Admission: Free
Show @ 7PM
Age: All Ages

Saturday July 31st: New Orleans, LA — Neutral Ground Coffeehouse
Admission: Free 
Set Times: 8PM show
Age: All Ages

Sunday August 1st: Austin, TX — Dominican Joe
Admission: Free
Show @ 8PM Show

Tuesday August 3rd: Tempe, AZ - The Sail Inn
Show @ 8 PM
21 + (unless you're with a parent)
Free

Thursday August  5th: Tuscan, AZ - Shot In The Dark Cafe
Show @ 7:30PM
All Ages
Free

Friday August 6th: Escondido, CA - The Metaphor Cafe 
Show @ 7PM

Sunday August 8th: Los Angeles, CA — The Hotel Cafe
Show @ 11PM
Age: 21+

Saturday August 14th: San Francisco, CA — BrainWash Cafe
Admission: Free
Show @ 7:30PM
Age: All Ages
w/ Marksupial

Thursday August 19th: Portland, OR - Alberta Street Pub
Show @ 9:30PM
21+

Friday August 20th: Grand Junction, Colorado — Coffee Muggers
Admission: Free
Show @ 7PM
Age: All Ages

Sunday August 22nd: Chicago, IL — Pressure Billiards
Admission: Free
Show @ 8PM

Tuesday August 24th: Powell, OH — Espresso Yourself Music Cafe
Admission: Free
Show @ 6PM
Age: All Ages

Thursday August 26th: West Martinsville, WV
House Show

Friday August 27th: Woodbridge, VA - Borders Books and Cafe
Show @ 7:30PM
All Ages
Free

Saturday August 28th: New York, NY — National Underground
Admission: Free
Show @ 6PM
Age: 21+

The only date we're looking to fill now is a show in Seattle between the 15th and 19th of August. If you can help out in any way please email me: FreddyHallMusic@gmail.com
 
As always, thanks for reading, I hope all of you are staying cool this summer and enjoying life. If you're near a city that we're playing and can make a show, please come! If you come to a show, please say hi!
 
Freddy

Updated Tour List

FREDDY HALL and YELLOWBIRDDD 

Summer Tour 2010:


Thursday July 22nd: Boston, MA — Club Bohemia

  • Show @ 8 
  • we go on at 10 cover is $7
  • 21+

Friday July 23rd: Philly, PA — Lickety Split

  • Admission: Free
  • Show @ 9
  • Age: 21+
  • w/ Rachel Schain and Baffle The Cat

Monday July 26th: Raleigh, NC — Deep South Bar

  • Admission: Free
  • Show @  8:30
  • Age: 21+
  • w/ Jenn Mundia  (woot woot!) 

Wednesday July 28th: Birmingham, AL — Moonlight on the Mountain

  • Admission: Donation
  • Show @ 7:30
  • Age: All Ages

Thursday July 29th: Decatur, GA — Kavarna Coffee Pub

  • Admission: Free
  • Show @ 8:30PM
  • Age: All Ages
  • w/ David Disharoon

Friday July 30th Jacksonville, FL — Three Layers Coffeehouse

  • Admission: Free
  • Show @ 7PM
  • Age: All Ages

Saturday July 31st:  New Orleans, LA — Neutral Ground Coffeehouse

  • Admission: Free 
  • Set Times: 8PM show
  • Age: All Ages


Sunday August 1st: Austin, TX — Dominican Joe

  • Admission: Free
  • Show @ 8PM Show


Sunday August 8th: Los Angeles, CA — The Hotel Cafe

  • Show @ 11PM
  • Age: 21+

Saturday August 14th: San Francisco, CA — BrainWash Cafe

  • Admission: Free
  • Show @ 7:30PM
  • Age: All Ages
  • w/ Marksupial

Friday August 20th: Grand Junction, Colorado — Coffee Muggers

  • Admission: Free
  • Show @ 7PM
  • Age: All Ages

Sunday August 22nd: Chicago, IL — Pressure Billiards

  • Admission: Free
  • Show @ 8PM

Tuesday August 24th: Powell, OH — Espresso Yourself Music Cafe

  • Admission: Free
  • Show @ 6PM
  • Age: All Ages

Friday August 29th: Washington DC - TBA


Saturday August 28th: New York, NY — National Underground

  • Admission: Free
  • Show @ 6PM
  • Age: 21+



Notes:


* We are still trying to fill in the dates between shows for the most part (especially in August). I will post frequently with updates. If you have any ideas at all please send them my way: FreddyHallMusic@gmail.com


** The DC date has been moved to the end of August, and the venue will be announced soon.


*** Check out my myspace for a frequent, up-to-date list: www.myspace.com/freddyhallmusic


**** If we're playing near you and you can make the show, PLEASE come!!! If you can, help spread the word. Every little bit counts.



Thanks for reading,

Freddy

My Pixar Ranking:

26_pixar_lg

To me, the creative gods behind Pixar embody the true secrets of love and happiness: pride, heart, honesty, integrity, and not taking life or, themselves, too seriously. Each film they've made is inspiring and poses important questions for meditation. WALL.E's personal quest is to go after his love-at-first-sight, EVE, but in doing so he shins a light for us on the ever growing importance of taking care of the planet we live on and also the importance of taking care of ourselves so we don't lose the ability to walk! Finding Nemo is all about building trust. Trust in the people you love, trust in the love that you give, and trust in the fact that you are not, and can not always be in control of life. 

After seeing Toy Story 3 this past weekend I felt inspired to rank the 11 blockbuster smash hits that Pixar's finest have spent the greater part of the last 15 years making.

I own the entire catalogue (with the exception of A Bug's Life) and I respect every movie for different reasons. This ranking is strictly my opinion, based off of how the move transcended a way of thinking for me, how moved I was, and simply, my personal taste. From number 11 - "least" favorite - to number 1:

11 - A Bug's Life
10 - Cars
9 - Toy Story 2
8 - Ratatouille
7 -  UP
6 -  Monsters Inc.
5 - The Incredibles 
4 - Toy Story
3 -  WALL.E
2 - Finding Nemo
1 - Toy story 3

*as I was attempting to rank these movies I realized that this list depends on the day. Today I have Cars at #10, but tomorrow I might be like "Oh yea! Cars is a freakin awesome film, it's up there in my top 5."

So this is my list as of today, care to agree or disagree? 

I'm taking my music on the road this summer!

Greetings and sun salutations!


As many people might know, Spring Awakening closed on the 23rd of May in sunny Orlando. After the final bow, a few of us spent a week amongst a star-studded crowed; Donald Duck, Chip & Dale, Nemo and the one and only, Mickey Mouse. I followed that week with a long road trip to D.C. stopping to visit family and friends along the way. And now, not really knowing what else to do with myself, I decided to tour in support of my latest EP "The Colors Before Daylight" (out on AMAZON and ITUNES now!!). I'll be taking this trip with and playing along side my really good friend Yellowbirddd (yellowbirddd.com/). We are still in the booking process, however these are the dates we have thus far:


Thursday, July 22nd: CLUB BOHEMIA (club-bohemia.com) Boston, MA 


Friday, July 23rd: INFUSION COFFEE & TEA (http://www.infusioncoffeeandtea.com/) Philadelphia, PA


Saturday, July 24th: Washington DC (STILL NEED A VENUE)


Sunday, July 25th: Richmond VA (STILL NEED A VENUE)


Monday, July 26th: DEEP SOUTH BAR (http://www.deepsouththebar.com/) Raleigh NC 


Tuesday, July 27th: Greenville SC, or somewhere else in NC - (STILL NEED A VENUE)


Wednesday, July 28th: Atlanta GA (STILL NEED A VENUE)


Thursday, July 29th: KARVANA (http://www.myspace.com/instantkavarna) Athens, GA


Friday, July 30th Jacksonville, FL (STILL NEED A VENUE)


Saturday, July 31st: NEUTRAL GROUND (http://www.neutralground.org/) New Orleans, LA 


Sunday, August 1st: DOMINICAN JOE'S (http://www.dominicanjoe.com/) Austin TX  


Wednesday, August 4th: Phoenix AZ (STILL NEED A VENUE)


Thursday, August 5th: San Diego, CA -- (STILL NEED A VENUE)


Saturday, August 7th: Los Angeles --(STILL NEED A VENUE)

Saturday, August 14th: BRAIN WASH (http://www.brainwash.com/) San Francisco, CA


We have more dates that are in the process, but that is what the general outline looks like as of now. 


If you're familiar with some good venues in the towns that say (STILL NEED A VENUE) OR you're a fan of hosting living-room, and/or basement shows, PLEASE email me at FreddyHallMusic@gmail.com soon!


Thanks for reading - and hope to see you soon.

I need help picking out a cover (part 2)

Good news: EP#2 is recorded, mastered and titled (The Colors Before Daylight). My buddy, the very talented Julian Peterson, designed the cover selections and did an awesome job.(amazing designer and songwriter peep his janx at www.julianpeterson.com and www.design.julianpeterson.com/

Bad News: My lack of ability to make decisions. I thought I knew which cover I loved, but now I can't decide. Which is where I need your help (again). The last time I asked for help on the previous EP (Connecting. Reconnecting) I had an awesome amount of feedback, and made the decision easy. I'm kind of crossing my fingers for the same. Julian and I narrowed down the style and vibe of the cover, we just need help deciding which one is the champ. 

If you have a second, take a look at the three contenders and let me know which one sends the best vibes to your bones. 

We'll call the first picture Corner Action, the second Right Side Action, and the third Orange. 

Also, a quick plug for Julian, who is also the mastermind behind my personal website (www.freddyhall.com):

Julian's music - www.julianpeterson.com

More info about the EP coming soon.

Thanks for your help!
 

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Record Stores Across America

I spent most of today (aside from tonight's show) adding up my deductions for my 2009 taxes. It's a long and tedious process, but at the same time it's rather nostalgic and a fun way to document the year. It can be a frightening recap, I've realized I spend money... a LOT of money! Luckily everything I love spending money on can be, in one way or another, a deduction due to the industry I work in!

I am able, for example, to take a percentage off of my tax payments for buying music because it's considered research. I can also write off the two new (and stomach-upsetitng-ly expensive) guitars I bought this past year. It's legit and, in a way, it's instilling my belief in a god. I've noticed one of my favorite things to discover in the different cities we play are the record stores. I buy a lot of CDs and I think it's because I've stubbled upon some of America's finest, and for the most part independently owned, music stores.

Here is a ranking of my top five favorite Record/CD stores I've spent a good protion of my paychecks in:

1 - Amoeba Records, LA/San Fran/Berkeley
I've been to all three locations and I'd have to say my favorite is in San Francisco. But in general, I love Amoeba because of the selection it offers and the insanely cheap prices that you can find. I think it's safe to say I've contributed over $300 to Amoeba's yearly income. And you know what? I'm not ashamed.  Among my collection of Amoeba purchased CDs are most of REM's catalogue (and I found a lot of them for under $4!!) Green Day's newest 21st Century Breakdown and Volcano Choir starring Justin Vernon of Bon Iver

2 - Reckless Records, Chicago
I went to two of the three locations in Chicago - both with an awesome selection. I'm not sure the damage I did at Reckless, considerably less than Amoeba because we were only in Chicago for two weeks, but I'd say it was easily close to $150. I've discovered so many great albums thanks to their selection and prices - most notably Wilco's "Yankee Foxtrot Hotel"

3 - Newbury Comics, Boston
I went to school in Boston so I'm all too familiar with this store. It's amazing. They tailor to both independent and popular artists and they've got a bunch of wacky gifts too. Thanks to Newbury Comics I've gotten into St. Vincent and Manchester Orchestra (they had a sale on their newest albums). I'm a big fan of both now. 

4 - Waterloo Records, Austin
I'm not sure if there are any other cooler record shops in Austin, I'm guessing there are because Austin is a bad ass music town, but I was way impressed with this store and made multiple trips in the short-but-sweet one week we were there. They also have a big selection of Austin based bands, which is pretty awesome if you ask me. I discovered this guy named Matt The Electrician. He's got some cool music, worth checking out.

5 - The Exchange, Pittsburgh 
This is in a pretty cool area of Pittsburgh called Squirrel Hill - I sold a bunch of CDs here and made some good dough, then went ahead and spent it there. This is where I first discovered a band called The Books. A band I highly recommend if you're into creative/experimental/ambient sounds, etc. I also picked up Björk's Vespertine.

Some other pretty good stores that I've spent some time in:

Lunchbox Records 
Charlotte, NC

The Sound Garden 
Baltimore, MD

The Beat
Sacramento 

Independent Records
Denver CO

Bart's CD Cellar
Boulder CO

Anyway, I'm realizing how nerdy this all is as I type, and I'm not sure if anyone will find it interesting. But It hit me, while calculating my deductions, that I spend a lot of time at record shops and incase you're a fan of buying actual CDs or Records (or tapes even) and you find yourself traveling to some of these cities, then I hope this helps.

2010 accomplishments thus far...

Here's to the even years!

* I started the year off with breaking 100 in a (real) bowling game. Took me 24 years but I FINALLY did it - which led me to start working on a bucket list, more on that for a later post. 

* I survived a week in Hershey, PA without eating too much chocolate. I've also come to realize that Hershey's chocolate isn't the best...

* The second EP is all recorded and mastered, just working on some art work, but it's close to being finished. Which means I'm closer to completing my goal of having 15 songs recorded before May. 

* Played my 500th show of Spring Awakening

* Spent a disappointing, but very fun, evening at a Casino... the only reason I consider it an accomplishment is because I learned a lot from my losses, and experienced something new.

* I finished three excellent books, both of which I highly recommend. 
"The Open Road: The Global Journey of the Fourteenth Dali Lama" by Pico Iyer
"Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri 
"The Mysteries of Pittsburgh" by Michael Chabon. 

I believe that's about all the notable accomplishments I can remember, but I'd say I'm off to a humble, productive start to the new year.