Opera

I was in Orfeo last night at Queens College- playing the Lord of the Underworld. It may be my last show as I attempt to finish up my Master(s) Degrees. If I write that down here, I guess that means I have to actually finish it.
Yes. And then I'll finish that Musical...or at least, start it.
Crap. I have so much to do and I'm still wearing flip flops...well, sandals actually. I guess that makes me more chic.

Or maybe its the eyeliner I can't get off from last nights show.

Either way.
Chic.
~J

Lately (Things swirling in my brain)

There has been little to report on the Smile Pretty Misery front... we've been working in the studio for the last few weeks. You know some of those tunes that you've heard us play at gigs and said to us "Hey, why don't you have that song on the album?". Yeah, we're putting those on an album.  Not quite sure when it will be done, but I wanna run stuff by people as it comes. Get feedback. Not just my friends, or musicians, but anyone who has an opinion.

I was talking to Mike (Bassman) Bayer the other day and we concluded for an album to be any good, you have to have at least 5 songs you are willing to cut from it. I guess that means we need to be more prolific songwriters. I'm not sure how many people reading this (all 3 of you) have written songs before, but it can be a draining experience. Plus, sometimes you'll have a good idea, like a catchy melody (I tend to write melody first, it's just what's easiest for me) but can't find the right chords or the words sound too much like the last song you wrote. At least, that seems to be my problem. 

I had dinner with my friend Ilan, from Sputniks Down, the other day and we reminisced about going on the Warp Tour. That probably was the most enjoyable case of sun poisoning I ever had. Yes. I'll go with definitely. And not because of the obvious reason- not because of being on the WARP TOUR. It was all the practice beforehand, the singular goal we all were reaching for, that level of awesomeness. I always wanted to be a part of a successful band. The team atmosphere it paramount. I guess that's why I like basketball so much. Yeah, you can have talented individuals, but in the end, you have to all want it and see the same path to getting it. I think that might be why most bands fail. They either don't all want the same thing or they can't agree on what path to take. I've probably had that conversation with any/all band mates I have ever had at some point in time. And it's not like one person is right. You both are. You all are. It's just...something  that has to be, everyone on the same page, or things will fall apart.

And my continued friendship with the band members of Sputniks Down shows, only time can remove you from the situation enough to see that sometimes that is just the way it is. Yeah, crap can convolute that, but truth is still truth- it is never relative- only perceived that way. 

So why would someone get involved in a band if they never make it? 

For just that reason, to never make it.

You wanna make it. Go solo.

Me, I'd rather crash and burn with a crew.

~J

Why we don't tend to do many covers.

Lyrics are important to me. Therefore it is important that I know the true meaning behind any song we sing. In this instance, Mike and I determined that we should translate and then untranslate this possible cover, so that we might ascertain its true meaning. Here is the following email conversation to validate this process:

The following is a direct translation of the words as related to me by a crazy homeless guy.
I suppose I could just look them up.
But that would be less exact.
~J
On 8/18/08, Mike Bayer <mikebayer76@yahoo.com> wrote:
sounds good... how's your spanish?
Radiohead - Policia de karma (Karma Police)
Policia del karma, arreste a este hombre (Arrest the man)
el habla en matematicas (The speaker of mathematics)
Zumba como un refrigerador (Dances with a refrigerator)
Es como una radio desintonizada (Is with a radio destination)
Policia del Karma, arreste a esta chica (arrests the girl)
Su peinado de Hitler me esta (Your Argentinian volcano of Hitler me is)
Haciendo sentir enfermo (The weather feels sick)
Y hemos caido en su fiesta (And the homosexuals have your party)
Esto es lo que obtienes (There is the what you receive)
Esto es lo que obtienes (Esto es lo que obtienes cuando te metes con nosotros (This is what you receive when you meet with all of us)
Policia del Karma (Karma Police)
He dado todo lo que pudo (the dad all of what penis)
No es suficiente (It is not enough)
He dado todo lo que pudo Pero seguimos en la nomina (He dads all the what expletive dog segments of the name)
Esto es lo que obtienes
Esto es lo que obtienes
Esto es lo que obtienes cuando te metes con nosotros (It is what is obtained, when you mess with us)
Y por un minuto alla, me perdo, me perdo (For a minute there, me lost me lost me.)
Y por un minuto alla, me perdo, me perdo
Por un minuto alla, me perdo, me perdo Por un minuto alla, me perdo, me perdo
Uf! por un minuto alla, me perdo, me perdo (oof!)

I hope that clears a little up for you readers. I know Radiohead can be a little deep.
~J

Welcome ! Bien Venidu!

Hey there. If you're reading this, then you love Smile Pretty Misery. Ok, maybe you don't...yet. But you will. This is the spot where I, Jaymes Welsh, Fearless Lead Singer of Smile Pretty Misery, will let you in on all the wonderful thoughts bouncing around in the space between my ears...under the hair.

I hope you like the music. 

We think it's pretty cool.

~J