Update on the Music I Make

So I've been working on an acoustic EP titled "A Little Less Rough" for my solo project, and now all that remains are some loose ends that need tying up. The whole thing is going to be released late March/ early April. I'm normally not a good sharer, but boy oh boy am I excited to share this thing with you. So excited that I might even let slip a track or two before the official release..... Stay tuned.

Please and thank you.

-Andrew Rohlk

City & Colour New Album

So pumped for this.

Developmental Stages of Musicians

So I've been thinking a lot about how I've progressed as a musician over the years compared to others I know and have read about, and I think the general development is in the following stages. This obviously isn't true for everyone. Some people get stuck in certain stages, skip stages, or don't follow this arch at all. So again, IN GENERAL this is how I've found the stages of musicianship to progress:

1. What is this and how do I make it make noise.
2. Ok now I know what to do to make sound/play notes, but I suck.
3. Sweet cheeks of a Gerber baby! I can play 3 notes/chords in a row!
4. I'm good enough to learn some songs now. Let's do this.
5. This is hard. I just want to be really good.
6. I can now play something that sort of resembles someone else's song.
7. I have mastered my favorite song by my favorite band.
8. I can play my favorite band's entire catalog.
9. I make up original stuff every now and then, but usually just stick to my favorite band's songs.
10. I wrote my first song, and it sucks.
11. I wrote some more songs, and they all sound like my favorite band.
12. I wrote some new songs, and I think they're pretty original.
13. Nope, they all sound like my favorite band.
14. I wrote some new songs, and you can still tell what my favorite band is, but it's less obvious.
15. I wrote some songs that are good. People don't play the you-sound-like-so-and-so game as much.
16. I've found my sound and don't care about comparisons.
17. ???????
18. Profit.

Add in writer's block/getting stuck in the same habits, riffs, etc. after step 10 or so and you're good to go. Tell me if I missed anything.

Please and thank you.

-Andrew Rohlk

Good Advice From a Dead Guy:

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." 

                                                       -Theodore Roosevelt

Cool Perspective

In this Stereogum article with Fleet Foxes, they discuss their sophomore release and other related topics. It was a good read, but this tidbit at the end made me really perk up.

"After the first record came out, I had to really come to terms with what it is that we actually do. It sounds so pretentious, but in deciding to play folk music there is this almost curatorial aspect to the music you make. You are working within a tradition. Everybody who makes music is making a choice — you see the unlimited options out there and pick the one that feels right for you."

That last line rings pretty true for me. I'm in a place right now where I'm still trying to find and define my sound. I have a lot of music that gets me going and there are several directions I want to explore musically. The tough part is deciding what direction to go in. Unfortunately my choices are limited a bit right now for several reasons, but on the bright side, that buys me some time to decide. 

If you haven't heard of them already, and you dig Folk and/or gorgeous harmonies check out Fleet Foxes here. 

Please and thank you. 

-Andrew Rohlk

Freak Owls

Saw these guys the other night at Clementine and enjoyed it. If you like Folky Indie-Pop, Check'em out here.

Please and thank you.

-Andrew Rohlk

Be Nice to Your Ears

Consider this a friendly Public Service Announcement. I have no endorsement or affiliation with this company, but these bad boys are awesome. If you dig live music, play music, or are around loud music, you kind of need these. They actually make music sound BETTER in my opinion. Most foam earplugs give you that muffled sounding thing that messes with pitch. These are great because it's just like turning down the volume without the muffle or pitch shift. You can hear everything more clearly, because your ears aren't overloaded. They're easy to clean, come with a cool/dorky carrying case, and even have a string you can attach so you can dangle them around your neck when you take them out. You'll be the coolest kid at your favorite music hang! Ok, that's it for this infomercial. Protect your hearing. 

Please and thank you. 

-Andrew Rohlk 

Oh yea, here's the link.  

The King of Limbs

A lot of people are talking about Radiohead's recent release, so I won't bore you with another review of the album. Instead I'll offer you my perspective on this band that everyone loves to rave about.

I wasn't always a Radiohead fan and only somewhat liked the "OK Computer" album. I've never cared for anything on "Pablo Honey" and eventually gave "The Bends" some spins. What really turned me from casual listener to raving fan was "Kid A" and "Amnesiac". Oddly enough, I turned my nose up at both these albums and was NOT feeling them at first. After a few listens though, it seeped in and these two quickly became my favorite albums.

I then discovered the beauty of this band: They sound better and better with each listen. For me, there's no better reward for a listener than having this happen. Most (maybe not most, but a lot of) music gets stale and its effects wear off with repeated listening. "In Rainbows", "Hail to the Thief", and now "The King of Limbs" are no exceptions.

So maybe you're not a Radiohead fan, and maybe you never will be. The point is if you hear this band or any other music that makes you ask, "How on earth could anyone like this?!", maybe give them a chance instead of writing them off right away. Listen with an open mind.

Please and thank you.

-Andrew Rohlk

Starting Somewhere

So I've tried my hand at blogging before and just end up getting overwhelmed with the possibilities of what to share. I'm going to try to limit the scope this time to just music. I can't promise straying from these parameters from time to time, and I can't promise you'll like it. Promises are dumb anyway.

I promise to keep writing if you keep reading.

Please and thank you.

-Andrew Rohlk