On The Floor

Popular superstition is a pretty interesting phenomenon.  As many of you know, my brother and I have relocated to Long Island City.  We're living on the "14th Floor".  At first glance, whether it be at the mail or at the door which reads "1408" you'd think. . well probably nothing.  But, introduce yourself to the buttons in the elevator and you might take notice that there's no 13th floor.  The floors advance from 12 to 14 rather inconspicuously.  So much so in fact, that when I was introduced to a girl in Pat's building who also lives on the 14th floor she said she had never noticed.  And why would you? 

Excuse me, but this is just the most ridiculous practice in the history of humanity.  I hate to break it to everyone, but contrary to what it says on my door and the door of every other apartment on this floor, we live on the 13th floor.  Doesn't bother me very much.  I'm rather at home with it as a matter of fact.  I'm not concerned with the dangers of admitting that I live on the 13th floor.  I'm more concerned with management's attempt to pull the wool over my eyes and sell this to me as a 40 floor building when it's actually 39, and trying to trick me into believing I'm one floor higher than I actually am.  It's apparently an effective ruse.  I've taken notice of every building with an elevator and 13 floors or more.  Shock of shocks, none of them have a 13th floor.  Or, more accurately they all have a 13th floor but not a single one is named as such.  I flat out disagree.

Moving on.  I spent most of the day with the following lyrics stuck in my head:

And you won't have to worry no more. 

No you won't have to wonder again,

About how this song or story ends,

About how this song and story will end.

That's the closing lines to "From A Balance Beam" by Bright Eyes.  That song is awesome.  I've been listening to it pretty consistently for at least the last 5 years and I dig the fact that it's got such staying power.  I love the fact that music, as a whole, is relatively timeless.  Hearing that song brings me back to a place in my life that I haven't been for quite some time.  Having an opportunity to relate the lyrics of songs I fell in love with as one incarnation of myself to the period of my life I find myself in now is pretty special.  Having the things you love grow with you is something to behold and something I appreciate about music above most other things. The words to that song were just on repeat in my head all day.  On the subway, off the subway, up the stairs down the stairs, lock the door, unlock the door, pay the meter and so on.  I actually hadn't realized that I knew all of the words to the song until today when I "sang" it in its entirety, and got stuck on that last phrase which frankly just captures the essence of most things.  

Don't wonder, don't worry.  Eventually you'll find out the ending.  And all the whispers will be quite clear.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

So it goes. . .

The generational shock wave that was felt yesterday as news filtered through of Michael Jackson's death, shook me in my flip flops.

The text message came from Mr Brian Holtz, who is responsible for laying down the bass line when we play Billie Jean.  It seems particularly funny to have added that song to our set list on Tuesday night as something of a last minute call.  In fact, it was (in my opinion) one of our best performances of the song to date.  Whatever the case may be, his talent and indelible mark has been left on music for the rest of time.  Everywhere I've been over the last 18 hours has been playing one Michael Jackson song or another, and people are traversing the subway humming the guitar line to Beat It.  

It's interesting to consider just how many active performing artists were influenced directly by his career.  Even with all of the oddities and bizarre behavior, the body of work that he produced over the course of his lifetime is undeniably phenomenal and something to be revered.  One of the things I've come to appreciate most over the last day is just how much everyone, and I do mean everyone appreciated his music.  You just like Michael Jackson. Whether you readily acknowledge it, or are even readily aware of it. . You like Michael Jackson. He's singing your song.

I'm not sure "sad" is even the right word to describe my disposition.  I'm surprised, and I'm hoping that one day the only thing he is most remembered for is his otherworldly talent as a songwriter and performer.  That's frankly all you can hear on the radio anyway.  

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies. . Yee hee hee

B Ripps

Joss Stone. . .

Are you serious?  Check this out.  Watch the whole thing.  This is precisely the type of thing that makes me want to pick up a guitar every morning when I wake up, and fall asleep every night holding it.

More to come.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

Cover This

So I recently re- visited the Garden State soundtrack with my brother in the car on the way to a gig. I'd say that in the years since the last time I listened to the whole thing straight through, my appreciation for the score of a movie has increased significantly. Additionally, my familiarity with the meaning of "covering" a song has also changed drastically. 

This soundtrack features Iron & Wine "covering" The Postal Service's Such Great Heights.  The reason for the quotes is that there is a marked difference between playing a song the way it sounds (covering it), and playing a song the way it sounds to you. That difference is something I'm not sure I'd have ever had so close an attachment to if it hadn't been for the last two years of playing other people's songs on a nightly basis the way they sound in my head. I think that would be best identified as a reproduction. Samuel Beam (of Iron & Wine) reproduced Such Great Heights in such a way that caused me to question, and very carefully consider the way songs sound.  I always wondered why his version came out so soon after the original, but now I think I get it.  What does a song really sound like?  Is it something you hear in your head or could it be something you hear in your heart?  

I like to picture Samuel Beam playing the guitar at his kitchen table eating Cheerio's and listening to college radio trying to write a song.  As he sits, the DJ announces a new track from The Postal Service called Such Great Heights.  The song plays and he looks up from the notebook he's scribbling in, drops his spoon into the cereal, splashes milk on himself and sits with his jaw agape at what he's hearing.  The song playing on the radio is the song he has been sitting at his kitchen table trying to write.  

Fanciful though that recreation may be, I have to imagine it was something similar.  And whatever the case is, that's how I like to picture it.  The Iron & Wine version couldn't really be any more different from the original, but still manages to stay true to the feel and intended meaning of the song (whatever that may be).  Samuel Beam heard it and immediately knew exactly what he wanted to do with it.  He had been waiting his whole life for an opportunity to put together a song that would make him feel complete, and then found it while eating Cheerio's and playing the guitar.  I like to imagine how that must have made Ben Gibbard feel. Someone feeling so strongly about a song you have written, that they just absolutely need to put their own spin on it.  It's crazy.

I got to thinking also about what songs I feel so strongly about.  Lately is most assuredly a song that I feel that kind of kinship with.  Use Somebody, too.  Those are both songs that I remember hearing for the first time, and wishing I had written.  I felt like it was on the tip of my tongue until it was reverberating in my ears.  And my heart.  And my soul.

That's the way it all looks to me.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

Best Buy 6/5/09

Thank you so much to S.E.G. Presents for putting us up at Best Buy this past Friday on 23rd St at 6th Ave.

Check out the video:

I'll Take It From Here

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

Lucky Number 7

What a crazy week it has been.  Six of seven gigs in the bag and one left to go at The Playwright in Times Square tonight.

Everyone that has come out to see us this week to sing a song, or just have a drink and relax deserves a big hug and a handshake.  We've been on the move like crazy, and are just getting the summer started.

Wherever you go, we'll be there waiting to sing to you.  I promise I'll write more later on or tomorrow before next week's insanity starts.  Hoping to see y'all out at a show.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

Not To Worry. .

Very special thanks to Sr Miguel Cervantes III for taking video of Not To Worry at BBQ Inc this past weekend.

Anyone with any pictures or video are more than welcome to post and tag at their leisure.  We love a digital High-Five when we can get it.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

Stopping by. .

Another awesome night at BBQ Inc last night, very special thanks to everyone that made it out. As we broadcast to the streets of Rockville Centre all week long, everyone is welcome to come by and sing a song with us.  In fact you're welcome, invited and encouraged to do so.  It's not a show without all of you guys, so endless high fives, handshakes and pats on the back.

There's a good chance you'll hear some new additions to the catalog in the coming weeks.  Pat and I have been throwing darts with our eyes closed to try and incorporate new songs into the repertoire and have come up with a few that we enjoy playing and we feel you will all enjoy listening to.

Also, if anyone has any suggestions for songs we should play or that you'd like to hear us play please feel free to e mail us!  BrianRipps@aol.com will do just fine.  You can text also if you're so inclined.  

Off to Gabrielle's to end the Park Avenue Tour for the week of 5/25/09.  See you at the show.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

Songs are Skyscrapers

Think of how it feels when you try to look at the Empire State Building from the windshield of your car as you cross 34th Street.  You need to squeeze over the wheel, and peer up. . narrowly avoiding the taxi that just cut you off while you were staring google eyed at only 2/3 of the building because it's so tall.  If you have a sun roof you can look through that and you'll be able to catch almost 100% of it.

But you need to stay with the flow of traffic, so you keep going before you actually get an opportunity to view the whole thing.  Next time you drive by, you'll have to look again.  And again.

That's what a great song can do to you.  You listen all the way through, and you know you love it before it's even over.  But by the time it's over you can't figure out just why you loved it, so you have to listen again.  Even the second listen won't do it justice.  So you listen to Use Somebody repeatedly.  You turn it up every time you catch it on the radio.  You stay a minute longer wherever you are to hear it.

Songs are Skyscrapers.  Just keep looking.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

CHOICE

Many, many thank yous going out to Choice NYC and everyone that made it out last night for the show.  The impromptu crowd that came out to Rock The Turn on a moment's notice was overwhelming and we love you all insanely.  It was an interesting night and there will be pictures to follow.  

The next full band show is in the planning stages, and in the meantime we'll be all over the place. Summer is just about to get started, so I'd like to invite you all to The Turn show.

Stay tuned.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

On Screen. . .

Thanks to the lovely camerawork of Marina and Heather, we have a growing collection of videos for your viewing pleasure.

Come on over, leave your comments, enjoy the show.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

Mother's Day. . And So On

A bunch of little things on my mind.  First and foremost, I'd like to wish everyone and their mother a Happy Mother's Day.  I will concede to the fact that this is not my favorite day of the year, but it gives me an opportunity to publicly send my love to my mother, and anyone who has acted as a mother to me in any way over the course of my life.  I hope everyone has had a wonderful day to this point!

Some goings on. . 

Thank you to everyone that made it out to Gabrielle's last night.  It was a great time as usual. The doors were wide open and we were projecting onto Park Ave from the other side of Merrick Road.  You'll have another opportunity to catch us out at BBQ Inc this coming Friday 5/15 10PM-1AM.  We'll sing your song, so come on out and Rock The Turn.

We will be performing at the New York City Walk for AIDS next Sunday morning May 17th, 2009 @ 11am.  In cooperation with the Show Entertainment Group, we'll be stationed at 74th and Riverside playing for all of the walkers and passersby.  

The Parkside Lounge extravaganza is right around the corner.  Friday 5/22 @ 8pm, 317 Houston Street.  Be there, we'll Rock out together.

Grumblings. . Somehow, with all of performances we've made, and venues we've played, the request lines have found a way to overlook one of Rock and Roll's most prevalent and otherwise enduring groups.  So I ask you. . Where is the love for Aerosmith?  It only occurred to me recently while enjoying Tell Me What It Takes To Let You Go on the radio that we have received exactly zero requests for Aerosmith.  I'm open to interpretation, but I'd love to know why.  The fact that we more often receive requests for *NSYNC (twice this weekend) and Britney Spears begs the question again, Where is the love for Aerosmith?  I think the move is for Pat and I to learn a couple of songs and mix them in so you all have no choice.  Consider it done.

We've been writing a bunch of new songs recently.  The process that we go through to write songs is constantly growing and evolving to incorporate ideas that we might not have previously had, and being influenced by more newer different types of music.  With that in mind, I sometimes return to what I call "default inspirations".  These are songs that I've listened to an innumerable amount over the course of my life, and will keep listening to indefinitely.  Those might be favorites, or "bookmarks", but they're influences.  Whatever it takes to get the creative juices flowing.  On my list of songs to address again in the very near future is "A Day In The Life".  I think it's time to go back and try to nit-pick every aspect of that song and identify them.  Getting to know that song on a personal level is something I think anyone attempting to write a song should do.  Interview it, dig deep, find the answers you're looking for and apply them to your own craft.  Again, there's something to be learned from everyone. 

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

Between The Couch and My Bed

Stopping in quick.  Will come back and update everyone later on.

Played at McBride's tonight, thank you to anyone that made it out.

Got a cup of Celestial Seasonings tea just before I went on, and the tea-bag had a Swedish proverb on its tag.  "Those who wish to sing will always find songs".  My only response to that:

Damn right.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

Here Comes The Sun. . .

I woke up on the couch with my guitar in my lap.  SportsCenter on MUTE and the remote on the floor in three pieces (four if you count both batteries and the back plate individually).  I looked out the window and found the sky was this color 

though sadly, the view from my living room wasn't quite as exquisite.

Across from me on the floor was the pad and pen I had been using before I fell asleep.  We've got a new song in progress, its working title is "Stormy".  Pat and I played it with Chris and Brian last night for the first time all together and I have to say that it sounded very similar to, if not exactly how it sounds in my head.  Just need to write the second verse and I think we've got something on our hands.  Maybe we'll call our full length Operating On Time.  

Back to bed.  

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

Early Morning Pondering. .

First of all, I owe massive hugs to the following people:

Beth Melillo, Christina Ferrara, Frank Festa, Ben Rocco, Andrew Guttilla, Marina Golfo, Heather Cahill, Anthony Zizzo and Paul Ianuale.  You guys are all fantastic, thank you for coming out to Rock The Turn and making any venue I/we play feel like home. 

To The Turn's newest fan Alana Simone Purvis - Friday night on a whim, hugs and kisses.

We'll be in Times Square at The Pig 'N Whistle tomorrow night from 10-1.  Come on out, it's gonna be a party.

We're into May!  Three weeks until the next big show at The Parkside Lounge, 5/22 @ 8PM. .  

There's other stuff on my mind, but I'm gonna give it a rest for now.  Just wanted to stop in and give everyone a little love.  I'll start fresh tomorrow.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

How To Rock The Turn

Just ask Marina.  She took care to Rock The Turn at BBQ Inc last Friday night.  Many thank you's going out to her for this video.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

Rock The Blog

Today was a business day.  It has led me here, to all of you, to catch you up on what I've been thinking.

First thing's first.  I imagine around half of you reading this have at least one tattoo.  The other half have "thought about it", but aren't so sure they could get used to having something emblazoned on their body permanently.  Rest assured, you can, it's not so hard as you might think. It's made especially easy if you find an artist you like that cares as much about their craft as they do about putting their indelible mark on your skin someplace.  When it comes time for your first, second, or whichever number it is, look no further.  Rich Verdino is the tattoo artist you want to go see. He is literally a brother in arms.  Both of mine have been illustrated rather ornately, and I couldn't be happier.  

This should say it all --->

I've also been thinking a lot about "influences" as they're described by most bands.  I find that these days there's something of a taboo against having modern or contemporary influences.  Every band on MySpace (including The Turn) cites The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and so on, as their influences. The fact is if you're playing music in 2009, you've been influenced by at least one, but more likely all three of those bands and a whole host of others from that generation that will go unnamed.  That doesn't bother anyone.  Then, yesterday at the gym when Fall Out Boy's America's Suitehearts came on, it occurred to me that they have been one of the bands Pat and I have done a lot of listening to over the years.  Don't look now, but they just released their fourth major label effort, and have been steadily touring for almost ten years.  The inclination among musicians to (consciously or otherwise) shun their modern/contemporary influences when discussing their own body of work is prevalent.  Why is that?  I suppose there is a fear of being lumped into a category or a "scene" as it were.  There's a fear of being accused of ripping off a band, but that's not necessarily reserved for your peers.  It's just a taboo that I can't exactly put a finger on, and am more than willing to let go of.  I'll gladly cite Kings Of Leon, Fall Out Boy, Keane, James Morrison and John Mayer all as artists I respect and to a certain degree, emulate.  In music, as in life, there is something to be learned from everyone around you.

That being said, an influence that I left out of the above segment in the interest of addressing them personally is The Police.  Their recent reunion made deserved international waves.  It had been something like 15 years since the last time they took the stage together for a touring effort, and what footage I caught of it on VH1 looked utterly insane.  I'll cop to not having any desire to spend upwards of $300 for a ticket, either way there's no love lost.  They're three musical geniuses whose work is worthy of timeless acclaim.  Though they only recorded together as a band for six years, they produced some of the most mind boggling music I've ever been privy to and I feel privileged to play it when the opportunity presents itself.  Take a few minutes and listen to Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic.  There are few musical compositions, or even compositions in general that elicit such a universally positive reaction when played in any form.  The elevator version of that song probably gets carts of people dancing and whistling to themselves.  Leastwise, that's what would happen if I was in that elevator.  I could go on listing their greatest hits, but everyone's favorites would stake a valid claim to "best".  So, in order to avoid confusion I tend to listen to their greatest hits records, and soak it all in at once.  This one has the singles, which makes it very easy to whittle down their catalog and find what you want to hear.

That's what's going on inside my head right now.  I'll be back.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

Rife With Ideas. . .

There's been a ton of stuff running through my head over the last few days.  I'm in a little bit of a hurry right now so this will just have to serve as a preview to a longer, more informative post sometime in the very near future.

But keep your eyes open, I'll be back in no time.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

Off The Top Of My Head. . .

Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah is 6:57 of jaw dropping, awe inducing brilliance.  This is not the first blog entry of mine that references this song, but I thought I'd bring it back and encourage everyone to pop it on during this beautiful day.  Grab your iPod and take a walk, listen to Hallelujah, it'll feel good.  

While we're on the topic, Last Goodbye is a song worthy of a listen today.  Any day really, but definitely today.

Just chiming in.  See y'all later.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

Week(end) Update

This has been a crazy week.  And I'm glad I have a minute to fill you all in now.

Wednesday after practice with Chris and Brian, I shot right through the Lincoln Tunnel and into Hoboken for a gig at The Dubliner.  It was my second time in there this month, and I'm very glad to have been welcomed.  Everyone is always extremely receptive and it makes it that much more fun to play for people that love music and just want to sing along.  Having the good fortune to be stuck in a room with a bunch of people that just want to hear songs that I want to play is a pretty special thing.  I'd like to send an extra special thank you to Emma Hardesty and our newest Hoboken supporter Michelle Attilio for coming out and singing along.

I briefly mentioned Thursday night at Gleason's in Astoria.  This is the newest spot I've played, and I can't wait to go back with Pat.  It's a brand new, beautiful bar on 33rd and Broadway. The front entrance has big wide windows so everyone walking by can see in, and they are welcome to come in and join the good time.  The staff was warm and accommodating, the crowd was gracious and there to have fun.  The best rooms to show up in are the ones where everyone is prepared for a good time.  I will let you all know when we're back in there, and you'll come out to see for yourself.  

Friday was our return to Rockville Centre.  Always feels good to run around a bit and then come back home to a place we've played a whole bunch of times.  BBQ Inc feels like home to The Turn, and we couldn't have been happier to play our first RVC gig since The Big Show on home turf.  The front door was open and we were projecting out onto Park Ave.  Anyone who wants to know where the party was on Friday night, it was at BBQ.  I'd like to thank Vicky and Chris (bartenders extraordinaire) for opening their doors to us, and leaving them open to let us make some noise.  It really was an awesome night, and we owe big hugs to everyone that made it out.  You can catch us back there on May 15th. Come on down.  Pig in, Pig out.

Last night was about as busy as it gets.  But busy often has its rewards.  We started the night at Blvd playing a spot at a benefit called Music Against Myeloma.  We were invited by our new friend Matt Ostrower of Lost In October to come out and play a short set.  The crowd was receptive, and they were there to raise money for a wonderful cause.  Everyone has been hit in some way or another by cancer, and this was a very special privilege to shed a little light on a less than ideal situation.  The Turn would like to send our heartfelt appreciation to Matt and Slava for planning the event which was celebrating its fourth year, and for having us in to share the stage.  We'd be happy to return with the full lineup next year, and you're all invited to come out, Rock The Turn and raise awareness for this and all cancer research/treatment.  As soon as the pictures are up on their website I'll post a link.

Off the stage, out the door, through the tunnel, and right into The Mile Square.  We walked in at 10:29 and started up at 10:30.  In the nick of time to say the least.  It was a great night.  We were already riding a high from having the opportunity to play earlier at Blvd for such an enthusiastic crowd, and carried it right on over to one of our favorite spots in Hoboken to play. This was our first time there in around a month, and it was a great welcome back.  Everyone in the house made it a super enjoyable Saturday night.  Coupled with the 80+ degree weather, and the birthdays, bachelorette parties, and hometown friends that came out to support (big love to Jonny, Heather, Beth and Jo), this was a uniquely awesome opportunity to play two shows for two great groups of people.  Nothing makes us happier than to be on a stage playing the songs you want to hear, and hearing you sing along with us.

Thank you barely touches it.  Your collective voices are what keep us going.  Check out our schedule on MySpace and come Rock The Turn.  We'd love to have you.  As mentioned we'll be playing with the full lineup Friday 5/22 at The Parkside Lounge and between now and then you can find us all over the metro area.  Come say hi, we'll be waiting.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

Brian