TBT WIRE

So while I was working in the studio today, I noticed a strange smell emanating from my left side.  As you can see from the photograph, the source of the odor was confirmed.  Some people might think it would be impossible to make an album when your surrounded by poo and a family with three kids.  Well somehow we’ve recorded this album in the midst of screaming babies, barking dogs, and a whole lotta love.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.  -Tim

Jim tracked the last song on drums today.  Since he was tracking in an upstairs room, we couldn’t see him or hear him really well.  So in one of my rare moments of genius, I suggested we set up a video chat since we both had our laptops.  It worked beautifully.  Not only could we hear each other, we could see each other in albeit grainy live video.  In other news, Regan’s baby (Max) was teething really badly today and was crying hysterically.  It was actually pretty heartbreaking.  Either teething really hurts or our music is too painful for him to listen to.

Today was our first day back in the studio after the spring tour.  Our producer (Regan) moved her studio to a temporary location in a house by the river.  It’s actually pretty amazing.  There are huge windows that look out over the landscape and we have more space to stretch out now.  Since I’m getting back into using my amateur photography skills, I thought I’d share a shot I got of Regan working hard with our little friend Chloe diligently working alongside her.  Enjoy! More pictures to come.  -Tim

After sifting through some old photos, I found this picture of us from October 2007 when we were on our way to New York to play our first show at the Knitting Factory.  My parents took this picture while we were standing in front of my house in NJ.  I seriously could not believe how young we looked and I was surprised at how happy the picture made me.  In some ways it made me really sad too.  In the past three years, in the whirlwind of tours, interviews, video shoots and recording, we have taken hundreds of photos for fans and professional photographers, but we failed to capture the “off camera” moments, when we’re un-showered, hair unkempt, bum clothed and just having fun as friends.  This picture reminded me that life is so much more than trying to be somebody, but it’s all about the somebodies you’re with along the way.

And it also reminded me to charge my camera.

Tim

***Disclaimer: This blog was written two weeks ago, we apologize for the lag in our updates…

We hung out with some of the good folks from Living Water Church on Thursday before our show and they were kind enough to take us out for sushi and a walk down the beachfront. Good times. The show went really well, and more importantly, funds were raised to benefit a great organization that works to combat sex trafficking called New Day for Children (www.newdayforchildren.com).

Pier 39

Tearing it up

View from the drumkit

So this blog entry is a little late, but here it goes. Three Thursdays ago, Steve, Jack and I witnessed one of the more memorable musical experiences I’ve ever been been a part of: The Watkins Family Hour at the Largo in Los Angeles.

At the legendary Largo

It wasn’t just the ridiculous collective talent displayed on stage that left me at loss for words, it was the intimate, conviction-filled way they connected with the audience through their blend of folk and Americana. Forget the overproduction, the pro-tools, and the auto-tune, strip music down to its most raw, basic level and let it carry its own weight and speak for itself. Not to mention the guest appearance of John C. Reilly…yes, that John C. Reilly. Shake and bake. However, the best part of the evening was yet to come. Right before their set ended, they announced that they would continue the party at the even more intimate space next door, appropriately named “The Little Room”. We sat within inches of the Watkins siblings, John C. Reilly, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, and the one and only Brad Mehldau (whose surprise showing caused quite a stir among the folks on stage). A bit of a disclaimer: the correct spelling is indeed “Mehldau”, the spelling on the note depicted is incorrect.

No words needed

***Disclaimer: This blog was written last week, so we apologize for the lag in our updates…

Everyone in the world,

Some would say that karaoke brings friends and strangers together, and takes them on a magical ride through cheesiness and sheer awesomeness…and some would be correct. Last night Steve, Jim and I went to a karaoke bar in San Jose, CA. It was such an awesome time of just relaxing and having fun. It was exactly what I needed. While on tour I think it is essential to participate in non-band related things and just unwind. It helps take the stress away. Needless to say, we had a great time.

Karaoke Place...

Today was a busy day. We had two interviews in San Francisco, one of them being at a TV station and the other over G-Chat. The TV interview was for MYX and I have to say it went really well. I always get a little nervous when we do interviews/performance on TV because I never know where to look. I try to let my eyes wonder everywhere except for where the camera is but somehow I always let my gaze land on the camera. It’s so weird. Plus, when you’re doing a performance they are constantly moving the cameras, which makes me want to look at what is going on in periphery thereby leading me to look at the camera again. I just can’t win on TV. But thanks to editing magic I’m sure the station will make it work. Check out the pics of the studio below.

Studio!!

This was the greenroom we had at the studio...pretty nice.

After the interview we set out in the city to find food and a coffee shop to do our G-Chat interview. We found a Peet’s Coffee and camped out in the corner for the interview. Once it was done, all of us were starving so we started looking for food. I guess we were just in the coffee shop section of San Francisco because literally that’s all there was for like the surrounding 5 blocks. It was that or a super expensive steakhouse that’s perfect for struggling musicians to eat at….PSYCH!! (that’s right, I’m bringing it back.) So we set out to find somewhere to eat. We found an Italian place online, but it was over a mile away. But we were determined so we set out. After the lovely stroll along sidewalk beach (not) we arrived at the Italian place to find out that they had adopted the same menu prices as the expense steak houses. So we searched some more and found a Chinese place and an Afghan place. I had Chinese and it was a lot of mediocre food for a little bit of money (so basically it was perfect for someone like me). Then after dinner we had to take the long walk back to the van (at least we burned some calories!!).

Like I said it was a busy day. Perhaps it’s time for Karaoke again!!

Parker

**Disclaimer: This blog was written over a week ago, we apologize for the lag in our updates…

Ikea

So I’m writing to you right now from the middle seat in our van.  I spend so much time in this seat, that I can’t remember a time when I didn’t sit in it. Travel the country playing music and it’s a given that you will have to spend a lot of time in the same seat.

Right before we left for this tour, we were back in the studio tracking some stuff for our new album. We literally lived in the studio for almost a week

before we left. The good thing about being on the road with the band is that we are able to work on the recording and discuss ideas all the time. I wish we had a studio in every town we play a show, but that would be crazy expensive. The solution: set up a mobile studio in the van. It’s so amazingly ghetto, but it gets the job done.

Mobile Studio

Till next time . . .

Parker

*Disclaimer: this entry was written last week, so we apologize for the lag in our updates…

Greetings from rainy Southern California! So far, it has rained in Cali every single day we’ve been here. Not like peaceful rain either, the treacherous downpour rain. And the one thing that I have discovered about LA and rain, is that the locals don’t know how to drive in it. It’s like they don’t know what this liquid is falling from the sky. Thankfully we haven’t gotten into an accident. Fingers crossed.

So earlier this week, we played at The Living Room on Loyola Marymount’s campus. The turnout was great for our first time playing there.

After the show a couple of girls gave us goodie bags with our names on them, which included a personal note and a brownie. Thanks girls!

It has been great to enjoy some free time on the West Coast. One of our favorite pastimes is eating. I have to say to everyone who has not tried it, go eat some Korean BBQ. It was amazing and all you can eat!

After dinner, most of us went to Guppy House, which is a like fruit and shaved ice place.  Jim went to the famed Watkins’ Family Hour at The Largo with our road manager, Steve, and our manager, Jack. I kind of wish I had been there because they all said it was one of the best shows they had ever seen.

Next week we head off to Northern California and then on up towards the Seattle area. . . . Hopefully we will see some sun at least one of those days.

Parker

Doing What we Love

The Crowd

Greetings. So many things have happened since we hit the road last Wednesday. Our first stop was in Austin. We weren’t sure what the crowd would be like with the city being an entirely new market and all, but were pleasantly surprised to see the venue packed when our set started. After the show, some folks invited us to their place for some steaks – which were incredible (thanks Chris Lu and company)! Next was Houston where we had two stops. We had a feeling that they were going to be great shows since we’d played at both churches before, and our expectations were more than met – thanks FBCC and HCC!

After Houston, we started the long trek to Los Angeles, with a pit stop in San Antonio for breakfast burritos (courtesy of our road manager Steve’s Uncle Jim). During our lovely breakfast, Uncle Jim proceeded to inform us of a recent incident that occurred in one of the cities we would be passing through. This incident involved a man en route to Los Angeles, his car, and burning flames, which were not accidental. Needless to say, we stayed pretty alert during the next 7000 hours to California. We took some pictures of the scenery for your viewing pleasure. During this trip, we unknowingly came to a border patrol checkpoint and were momentarily excited at the prospect of our tour becoming international….But the only border we got to cross was into New Mexico.

In short, 22 hours after leaving San Antonio, we arrived at Andrew’s sister’s place in Irvine and crashed for a few minutes before getting ready for our first show in Los Angeles (which was this past Monday). We’ll post more about our time in CA soon, so until next time…

Grace and peace,

Jim and Parker