Todd A » Notes

Dubstep Hall and Oates

Todd A — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:42:25 +0000

Been listening to Drivepilot’s dubstep remix of “Private Eyes” lately.

Prompted me to download more of Drivepilot’s stuff.

My novel Barry’s Cherries for Kindle and Nook!

Todd A — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:50:24 +0000

I got an email this morning telling me my novel Barry’s Cherries was now an eBook and available from major vendors. I wasn’t sure what exactly that meant since originally the only eBooks they did were PDFs but this is an actual ePub format. You can now buy Barry’s Cherries for Nook and Kindle. It’s less than $4! Go get it!

Totally accurate, Yahoo. Thanks.

Todd A — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:40:46 +0000

Show her you’re that type of guy

Todd A — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:07:16 +0000

Listening to this on the way to work this morning and remembered this awesome video of Chromeo performing “Fancy Footwork.” I love the claps.

Saturday at the LAB in Costa Mesa

Todd A — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:57:04 +0000

I asked David to make a flyer for our show and he sent me this. I emailed back, “It’s probably funnier that I don’t know who that is.” But then I realized what it was. And now I’m entirely amused that this is David’s poster for an Orange County show.

Anyway, my pal David Dewese and I are playing this Saturday at the LAB in Costa Mesa from 2pm to 4pm. We’re sorta kinda the backdrop music for the afternoon shoppers, I guess. We’ll be in front of one of the trailers with our makeshift PA. Drop by and hear us sing some songs we made up.

UPDATE: Awesome news! The Slow Waltz will be joining us!

Last Night at Anchor Bar

Todd A — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:53:01 +0000

My friend Paul Hines runs an open mic at the Anchor Bar in Costa Mesa on Monday nights. I’ve been going when I can since he started it. In the early weeks, it was largely a musical open mic with a couple of comedians mixed in. In the past month or so, the comedians have been showing up in droves. Last night there were 15 comedians and 5 musicians.

It’s a weird mix to jump from comedians who are, you know, trying to make us laugh (generally) to singer-songwriters who are singing songs about heartbreak (generally). I tried to split the difference and played Maureen but my voice cracked in it and I missed all kinds of notes. So I hated that.

It’s interesting to observe comics at an open mic. I don’t know what an all comedy open mic is like so I don’t know if the Anchor Bar is “normal” but there are definitely more misses than hits. Comedy is different from music. You can’t sit at home and practice comedy. It really gets defined only in front of other people. So misses should outnumber the hits in the early stages.

But one thing that really came across to me last night was that the only comic I enjoyed, a girl named Emily, made her 5 minute set enjoyable by not stopping. Everyone else’s set was punctuated by ellipses. Just long… awkward pauses. Not hers. One bit she had would have fallen flat but she didn’t even stop long enough to let that happen. She just picked it up and went into another bit. That energy was undeniable. I was so impressed, I felt obliged to tell her she was great before I snuck out of there. In my awkward…compliment of her set, I didn’t even grab her last name. Just gave her my website address and bolted.

I saw Briana Harley again. I met her last year at the SoCal Live Music Awards thing and was impressed with her then. She was really great last night. She has a tremendous voice and the original she played was clever and melodic and unique. Check her out.

Anyway, I hope the hosts, Paul and Evan, find a better way to arrange the comedy and music. I think it could work out into a cool show every Monday but going abruptly from comic to musician is an awkward shift in gears.

Complicating my water

Todd A — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:33:32 +0000

I hate that my Brita filter has an electronic device in it. I don’t care if it’s a cute reminder; I don’t want a battery right next to my supposedly clean water. So here’s what I did with it …

It’s Called “It’s Called A Secret Attack!”

Todd A — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:46:32 +0000

The record I’ve been talking about for 6 months is finally out! It’s called “It’s Called A Secret Attack!” after an Axe Cop comic. It’s 7 songs but only 5 tracks of total awesomeness for $5! Listen and buy it here:

"It’s Called A Secret Attack!" by Todd A

I’ve also created a page for the record with all the info about it.

David Dewese CD Release show tonight!

Todd A — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:24:35 +0000

I’m playing David Dewese‘s CD Release show tonight in Encinitas at E Street Cafe. David’s also gotten out old pals from Nashville, Rich & Mindy, to come down from LA to play. The music starts at 7.30. It’s free but bring $5 to pick up David’s CD.

David’s CD is a bit experimental for him. He used producers and sometimes session musicians to make the most hi-fi sounding songs he could. You can read his credits on the sessions as well as listen and download the songs here.

Hope to see you tonight!

Nicole Vaughn and her lovely EP

Todd A — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:11:47 +0000

My friend Nicole Vaughn is giving away downloads of her new EP to anyone who heads over to their Facebook page and writes on the wall. Go like ‘em while you’re there and get some free tunes. The three tracks on the EP are more loose and live than her excellent album from last year, Say It. It’s a fun listen and a nice introduction to the band.