Indie Wensdee // Hawkboy

So upon suggestion, I have changed the name from it's previous domain (Intro Wednesday) to Indie Wensdee(it's Indie as in indie music and wensdee as in Wednesday pronounced with an e sound). It was a suggestion of my friend (Chandler Baldwin) and it has grown on me so I am going to keep it for now:) If you hate it you can go to Chandler's Apartment and throw eggs at his door.

(Source: Hawkboy Facebook)

Now that that's settled. The artist I am going to share today is called Hawkboy. Hawkboy consists of Cody Bonnette and Aaron Lunsford. Cody is the guitarist and singer and Aaron plays drums. You may recognize their name for they are both former members of the excellent band As Cities Burn. If you don't know As Cities Burn, you need to. They are no longer a band but are still doing mini tours and shows, mostly in the southeast (ya i don't know how that works either, "We're done BUT not really!"). I am attending the Nashville date next week and am super amped.

Hawkboy is a totally separate entity though and some of the sounds of As Cities Burn do gleam through but you definitely have to chew on Hawkboy for what it is in itself.  Amazing guitar work from Cody is always present. They truly to have a pretty great sound considering it is only a guitarist and drummer. Think of an indie Black Keys. Crunchy, raw guitars with delicate drum beats and parts that you can just jam your head to.

Either way give them a listen. Do it for free because you can stream their whole latest E.P. on soundcloud. Below is the title track off their latest E.P. King Folly (I love the guitar work about 2 mins. in). But definitely don't skip over the first E.P. self-titled Hawkboy and if you're into vinyl they just released some dope looking vinyls which I plan to be purchasing soon. Go to their facebook, download their music for they won't disappoint.

My Death Exaggerated...

A small plane making an emergency landing killed Andrew Dibb April 7, 2046. He was at Cherokee Lake on his fishing boat. He was born on April 29, 1991, in Modesto, Cali. He was the son of Douglas and Cynthia Dibb and was a 2013 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University. 

He resided in New York City for the past five years. He worked at an advertising firm in Manhattan and was very successful. Dibb was visiting home in Morristown, Tenn. when he went for the dangerous, nostalgic run.

He is survived by his wife, Carey of New York City; sister, Morgan (Tom) Jennings; and many dear friends and extended family members.

Dibb loved his wife and his work. He will be remembered for his strong opinions, physical attributes, sense of humor, work ethic and lively personality. He will be truly missed by all who knew him and loved him.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m.  Monday, April 10, 2018, at Jones’s Memorial Chapel in Morristown, Tenn. Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 11, 2018, at Jones’s with Pastor Ben Shoun officiating.  Graveside services will follow at West End Cemetery. 

Pallbearers will include his best friends, Taylor Riden, James Elliott, Stewart Doka, Daniel Williams, Tyler Ham, Jameson Mcgregor , Eric Steedly; and brother-in-law Tom Jennings.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dibb’s memory may be sent to Jones’s Memorial Chapel by April, 10, 2018.

**Obviously I did not really die like this. This is one of those assignment we are required to post. I hope I don't go out like this but it would be in honorable fashion in my opinion**

Making A Big Decision // Transferring Schools

Transferring schools is a huge decision that many struggle to make for quite some time. It can be a life-changing choice affecting your family, life and finances. It may be an easy decision for you or an extremely time-consuming, stressful process. Either way there are a few things to consider.

By no means do I consider myself an expert advice giver. I CAN claim the title of having gone through this experience. If you do not know, I transferred schools from King College in Bristol, Tenn. to the big university of Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

I made the big decision in the spring of 2011 but it was long, enduring process in my case. I arrived at King College in the fall of 2009, ready to take over the world. I had received a cross-country and track scholarship and was truly amped about running for a collegiate team (new shoes, new jerseys, etc). King College is a small school with only about 1,000 students and I struggled with the small mass of students and lack of diversity. I began to entertain the thought of transferring my very first semester. Not a good sign!!

It was the first week of the 2011 spring semester when I had finally arrived upon a conclusion. I withdrew on the following monday from King College and enrolled in my local community college that same day. Many factors went into my decision to finally transfer. Myself, my coach and my friends were quite shocked that I actually did it!

But the most assuring thing, was the feeling of relief I got driving down I-81 realizing I had really done it. I was excited for the future.

I wanted to share my story of transferring and my decision process. I also wanted to share some tips, in case you are considering this process. So I hope they help or give you some direction.

1. Make the Decision for YOU
 -many people will be sharing their opinion on what you should or shouldn't do. Opinions will by flying at your from all directions. Don't simply ignore this advice but when you're lying in your bed at night, know that you made the decision for YOU. You will be much happier and content.

             

Money is a big factor

 2. Consider Options
-this is a more obvious tip but an important one. What are the big advantages and disadvantages of leaving and thoroughly think about each one (Finances is a big one, books are expensive!). I made a list of the pro's and con's of transferring and considered both sides.

3. Plan
-the decision to transfer brings a lot of thought and work and you don't want to be sitting around in the fall realizing you're back at your parents house eating mom's food. Know the deadlines. Know the time you have to withdrawal by, the application process, the registration dates, etc. Plan your visits and be on the ball with forms and transcripts to avoid a stressful process.

And here's a song to serenade you as you ponder on your decision.

Red Bus Project // On the Move for Orphans

Today I thought I'd post on a really cool thing going on at my campus today (and many others. I had to write an article for class on the same subject so I thought I would just share it. If you'd rather not read all my nonsense just watch the video!! I interviewed their lead guitar player below and make sure and scroll down to the end to get the FREE download.

  

Red Bus Project is a unique charity concept that is touring universities all across the southeast. It is a double decker bus-turned-mobile thrift store that tours from college to college, spreading awareness about the needs of orphans and raising money for orphan care.

 It is the brainchild of Caleb Chapman, of the band CALEB, and Chris Wheeler, director of Student Initiatives, at Show Hope Ministries. Caleb and Chris worked together wondering how students could assemble their stuff (clothes, shoes, accessories) to help support orphans. They loved the idea of mobilizing and bringing an opportunity to for college students to participate in. They eventually landed on the dream of using a double-decker bus.

The dream came alive this spring and they were able to buy a double-decker bus and have it shipped over from England. After converting it into a mobile thrift store, they were off to tour the southeast. The tour started on March 12 at Martin Methodist College and ends on April 16 at University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. They will be in Murfreesboro at MTSU on April 2nd parked by the knoll.

Photo taken from RBP Facebok

The Red Bus Project is unique for many reasons. The obvious being it is a big red double-decker bus turned thrift store but also the awesome opportunity. It is easy and simple for students to participate. The organization comes to them and it can cost you nothing to share and give. Redbusproject.org explains how by using the motto “Give. Buy. Show Hope.” They say to, “Donate your best clothes, buy clothes on the bus and invite all your friends to join the Red Bus Project. The funds raised by the thrift store will go toward providing forever families to orphans.” 

After shopping on the bus and donating your old clothes there is a night of music from local band CALEB. CALEB consists of lead singer Caleb Chapman, drummer Will Chapman and lead guitarist Scott Mills. Caleb and Will’s dad, Steven Curtis Chapman was early involved with Show Hope ministries and their family has three adopted children from Asia. I emailed back and forth with Scott Mills and asked a few questions about the RBP. 

611:  What is your favorite thing about playing on the RBP?

Scott:  My favorite thing about being on tour with the Red Bus Project is the perfect marriage of music and cause. We are getting to go to colleges all over the southeast (and soon other regions) playing our songs for people and at the same time encouraging people to lock arms with us and The Red Bus Project to raise awareness about the world's orphan crisis.

611: How long has Show Hope and Caleb been preparing/planning the RBP?

Scott: This tour and concept that is now the Red Bus Project has been a dream for about a year. In December we officially presented the idea to the board of directors at the non-profit Show Hope and got the tour approved. So starting at the beginning of 2012 we got a double decker bus from London, got it retro fitted into a rolling thrift store, started rehearsing and hiring a crew and hit the road on March 12.

611: What is life like on the road with RBP? Are you on the bus? Do you get to shower?

Scott: We, the band, are traveling in our van, Big Roon, for all the dates of the Red Bus Project. The staff of the RBP ride from city to city on the top floor of the Red Bus. Typically we all stay in a hotel in the city the show is in and then wake up early (5-6am) to drive to the next city and set up. The way the tour is routed right now we don't have to drive through the night so we can shower, get some rest, and make it to each campus by 9am.

611: You recently released the CALEB E.P. in November of 2011 but what’s the future for CALEB right now? New music soon?

Scott: We released our 3rd independent EP called "To The Ends Of The World" on November 22. We got to see it make it all the way up to #14 on the Alternative iTunes chart and sit between The Black Keys and Florence and the Machine for a few days. For now our plans are to stay independent and let our music grow organically. We love having the freedom to do what we feel we need to do in these early and formative days of our band. We've decided to turn down several deals with management and record companies until the right thing comes along. It may be harder in the beginning but we feel like in the end it will help us establish a real and honest fan base that listens to us because they want to not because we are the "next cool thing."

611: Lastly, for any gear techies, what is your gear setup right now?

Scott: Currently, CALEB is a 3 piece band with Caleb and I tag teaming the electric guitar and him playing acoustic and me playing bass on a given song. For our guitar set up we are using a VOX AC-30 H2L. Its got the original handwired VOX EF86 tube circuit with Alnico Blue Speakers housed inside of an all wood mahogany 2x12 cabinet. Its a 50th anniversary so there were only 500 made worldwide. As far as guitars go we love hollowbody electrics. We have two ES 335's (Cherry Red 1978 and Natural FInish 1991) we've used until we recently received an endorsement with Epiphone guitars. Caleb now plays a Sheraton II and I play a Casino. We also have a Pedal Train 3 loaded with a Boss Giga Delay, Boss RV-5 Rever, Empress Tremolo, Jekyl and Hyde overdrive from Visual Sound, Strymon Brigadier Analog Delay, AC Booster, and Keely modded Katana clear boost. That array of pedals lets us create about any sound we could ever want.

*For more information and a complete tour listing visit: http://www.redbusproject.org

*To hear CALEB's music or check them out go here or visit their website for a free download right now.

Intro Wednesday // Among Savages

I love this haircut.

It's wednesday! Halfway through the week. Woo! This means it is Intro Wednesday and this means I am gonna introduce to you guys another artist (one person claps).

So today I am sharing an artist by the name of Among Savages. He is an unsigned artist out of Nashville, which always makes me happy, being so close to Nashville. His music can definitely be described as indie and maybe a little experimental. Lots of strings and piano, sweet and poetic lyrics. I am drawn to the full sound of his songs. The mix is full of all sorts of instruments. If this doesn't give you any idea what he sounds listen down below or go to his facebook music page. To maybe give you a better idea his page claims his influences as Bjork, Little Dragon, Miike Snow, Richard Ashcroft, Radiohead, and Disney. His music is full of expression and the lyrics tell great stories that seem to fit perfect with the music.


He released his first full length album in January and it is called Wanderings of an Illustrative Mind. You can grab it at the bottom of my page in my store.


This is the opening track and one of my favorites so far. Hope you enjoy and tell me what you think!

Article Find!!

Check out this interesting article I found over at Paste Magazine. It's called 20 Musicians Discuss Their College Majors and whether or not you know or love the musicians it's super cool to see what they studied or if they even use it. There's some good ones. Click the link!

Intro Wednesday // Washed Out

Ernest Greene
( photo credit: SubPop.com)

I've decided to have a weekly posting called Intro Wednesday (or something cooler if I can come up with a better name). Intro Wednesday will be a day that I post about a band or artist I have been listening to or really love. I'm not claiming each one will be a completely new, cutting edge band you've never heard of. They might even be old or I might share an old song because I love going back to old album or song and remembering why I loved it so much in the first place. Either way, welcome to Intro Wednesday and I hope you will check back to see who I posted about.

So for my first post I'm gonna share an artist called Washed Out. I love this guy. His real name is Ernest Greene and he makes music that fits in the genere of chillwave. This is like electronic, flowing, easy listening dance music. It's really good and you should check out the genre itself. I first found out about him after watching one of my favorite shows Portlandia, for one of his songs is featured in the opening credits (it will be posted below). I had to know what the song was and I was opened up to a whole new world of beautiful music.

So far he has one E.P. out called Within and Without and his full length is called Life of Leisure. I recommend both for they won't disappoint. And here is a link to his tour dates.

This music and this song in particular is absolutely perfect for a wondrous, sunny day like today. Windows down, smoking on the front porch or chilling in your backyard. Buy from my store. I hope you enjoy.