February 2010 Newsletter
THEY'RE GOING TO PUT ME IN THE MOVIES
If I only had a dime for every time some well-intentioned person has told me my songs would sound great in the movies. I know what they mean, and appreciate the sentiment, but it always gets under my skin. Given the sorry state of the music business, the prominent placement of a snipped of one of my songs in a movie (or network TV show or commercial) would a much-welcomed windfall.
Being a new(ish) dad, I don't get to see as many movies as I once did. Still, I've noticed there seems to be another genre of movie slowly gaining on all those thrillers and romantic comedies: movies that don't have my songs in them. I know, it seems like a narrow niche, but from where I stand I would be willing to bet this subgenre outpaces even the vampire movies in 2010.
Let's start with the one that got away: Ghost. This flick should have had my song of the same name from 2001's Compass & Companion playing in the background during that iconic scene where Swayze and Moore get frisky with a potter's wheel. I know the movie came out 10 years before I even wrote my song (and two years before I started playing guitar), but still, can't you just see it? Then there was Hollow Man, a pretty deplorable Kevin Bacon movie, which might have been redeemed by my song of the same name playing over the credits. The genre has ballooned in recent years, what with all the Iraq war movies that don't have "Shadowland" or "Volunteers" in them. Thank God I never wrote any songs about 10 foot tall electric blue cat people so I was actually able to enjoy Avatar.
Still, I don't think I'll be seeing Creation, the new Charles Darwin biopic, anytime soon. When I was researching material for my involvement in last year's Darwin Song Project, the main book from which I drew inspiration was "Annie's Box," by Randall Keynes. This is the book that the movie Creation is based on, which explores the deterioration of Darwin's faith in light of his evolutionary studies and the death of his oldest daughter Annie. Not one, but two songs that I wrote for the Darwin Song Project deal explicitly with this very aspect of Darwin's life. Thus, I think that seeing Creation's credits roll while some bland orchestral score sweeps in the background would send my blood pressure higher than the Dubai skyline.
Since I can't seem to get into someone else's movie, I had to go ahead and make a movie of my own. It's not exactly a Lions Gate art house production, but it's a six minute documentary going behind the scenes during the recording sessions for my upcoming record, Little Vigils. You can check it out right now on YouTube. It's got lots of the same elements that the blockbusters have (e.g. guns, chainsaws, whiskey, pedal steel, etc.), but I take particular satisfaction knowing that the entire soundtrack consists of songs from my new record, due out in April. I'm proud of it, and I hope it helps folks share my excitement about the new material.
Now...if I could just figure out how to write myself big checks, I could enjoy the movies once again.
VERMONT IN AUGUST: Have you ever wanted to go on vacation with me? You'll have your chance this 17-19th of August, when myself, Lori McKenna and Tracy Grammer will be coming together for a unique three-night stand at Arlington's West Mountain Inn. The three of us and a few dozen fans will take over the inn for the weekend, for hiking and a variety of activities during the day, and intimate, collaborative performances by the three of us each night. It costs more than a Motel 6, but it's a unique way to experience some great music from artists that have never done this sort of thing before. You can find out how to book your room today by visiting Cabin Concerts website today.
MP3 of the MONTH: In honor of the elevated level of bluegrass in this month's schedule, I thought it only appropriate to feature Barnstar tearing through "Do It Everyday," a song from my debut record I hadn't played live in many years. It's available for free for the month February on the downloads page. Enjoy
THE SHOWS:
Fri Feb 5th - The Rendezvous, Turners Falls MA - 9 pm
How's this to kickoff the month? This show is "High Country Lo-Fi," the brainchild of Jeffrey Foucault, Kris Delmhorst and a revolving cast of western Mass. pickers. You can expect classic country performed in a casual and heartfelt manner, with yours truly sitting in on mandolin, guitar and lap steel...and I imagine I'll sing a song or two. It's all yours for $5 at the door.
Tue Feb 9th - Passim, Cambridge MA - 7 pm
A benefit for Partners In Health, who are on the forefront of providing relief to Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake. Join myself, Chris O'Brien, Hanneke Cassel, Margaret Glaspy and whoever else shows up as we try, as Bruce Cockburn said, to "kick the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight" and and raise some money for folks who desperately need it. Get your seats today.
Sat Feb 13th - Stone Soup Coffeehouse, Pawtucket RI - 8 pm
Last time I played here, I was readying the release of a new record, brought producer/multi-instrumentalist Zack Hickman along and together we threw down on a bunch of songs new and old. This time through, I'm readying "Little Vigils" for release, Zack Hickman will join me once again...can you say deja vu? (venue is located in St Paul's Church)
Sun Feb 14th - Passim, Cambridge MA - 9:45 pm
Nothing says "Valentine's Day" (and forgive me, honey, for taking a gig on Valentine's Day) like bluegrass. Barnstar is headlining the Winter Campfire. 'Nuff said.
Thu Feb 18th - Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton MA - 7 pm
It's been a long time since I was last here, but every time is special. I always try to do something different, and for this show I will be accompanied by the Boston bluegrass supergroup Barnstar (Taylor Armerding on mandolin, Jake Armerding on fiddle, Charlie Rose on banjo and Zack Hickman on upright bass). As if our western Mass. debut isn't enough, we're sharing the bill with Red Molly, so this will be pickin' paradise.
Fri Feb 19th - Cafe Veritas, Rochester NY - 8 pm
Alright, upstate New York in mid-February...here I come! It's been a long time, Rochester...still remember me? I certainly hope so, because you are my reward at the end of the NY Thruway. Come on out!
Sat Feb 20th - Wellsville Creative Arts Center, Wellsville NY - 8 pm
It's always a challenge to know what to write in my blurb when I've never been to a particular venue or town. All I can go on are the recommendations of friends, and if the gals in Red Molly like this place, I know I will too.
Sun Feb 21st - Bound For Glory, Cornell University, Ithaca NY - 8 pm
This radio show has going strong 40 years and running, and it's an honor to return. Stop by the Cafe at Anabel Taylor Hall on the Cornell University campus, or tune in on WVBR, in Ithaca or on the Internet. The show runs from 8 to 11 pm (ET) and there are three live sets at 8:30, 9:30, and 10:30.
SIDEMAN SECTION:
Feb 4, 11 & 25 - Somerville Armory, Somerville MA (w/John Shade)
ON THE HORIZON:
Mar 5 - Portland ME (co-bill with Bill Morrissey)
Mar 6 - Lexington MA
Mar 14 - South Yarmouth MA (benefit for New England Folk Music Archives)
Mar 18 - Jacksonville FL
Mar 19 - St. Petersburg FL
Mar 26 - Easton MD
Mar 27 - New York NY
Mar 28 - Stony Brook NY
peace,
mark
