THE ISLES

Yes

2008-01-10T15:45:00.000-05:00

more overused thanks! Jezebel, Cholo, Elizabeth Harper, New Idea Society

Union Pool Summary:

The Isles self-destructed on stage but managed a stirring rendition of "it's begining to look a lot like christmas"

A couple people got punched

Someone fell asleep surrounded by a party

The wall, ceiling and some bodies we're splattered with red wine

We have no excuses
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Death to music simulating video games.
Player Piano is a great book

Shows - News- !!

2007-11-07T18:53:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone who has made the last bunch of shows so much fun.

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I'm switching positions within my company. From one shit-hole to another that I'm less tired of.
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I finished grapes of wrath. Sad book. I just read "chicken with plums" (which was bought for me by a friend) by Marjani Satrapi. Another sad one but clever.

The same friend gave me "Letters to a Young Poet" by Rainer Maria Rilke. It is a collection of letters from Rilke to a student who reaches out to him for guidance. I am enjoying it and can already recommend it.
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oh

2007-09-19T15:32:00.000-04:00

We've had some shows. The second was better played than the first but also creepier.

Our next outing takes us upstate to a friends bar and another friends birthday party.

The van's roadworthiness will once again be tested. It's been on probation since it exploded outside of the Lincoln tunnel. A failure which damaged both my and the van's creditworthiness.

I finished Don Quixote. It was superb. I finished Frankenstein. Also great.

Next: Grapes of Wrath

Here we go

2007-08-02T11:32:00.000-04:00

not really- I'm at work again. They ran out of green tea yesterday. I've been moved to a new department. I work in a hallway between the real office and the elevators. It's a tunnel of flourescent light.

I'm witnessing the life getting sucked out of this new person at work. It looks like she's being slowly bled. Some vampire is visting her. She doesn't realize. Easily seen in the sunken eyes. Less energetic face. I was in her spot but now I'm somewhere else. I'm glad.

A

Sunday

2007-07-01T13:33:00.000-04:00

It's nice out. I tried to work but couldn't get anything done. I have work tomorrow anyways.

A lot of changes. Feels like progress or at least a different type of pressure.

Finished Nostromo, reading Don Quixote.

Here's an ad:

Looking for players.

If you want to play bass/guitar for us send us a message through myspace.

-Andrew

The Isles on NPR: Sharing Musical DNA with Mellencamp

2007-05-30T11:17:00.000-04:00

The press push for our first record tapered off over the Winter, but once in awhile I'll hear about an Isles song popping up in a very interesting public context (ie: "Flying Under..." closing out the Perry Elllis Fall '07 show during Fashion Week). First off I have to say thanks to Colleen Crumbcake and DJ Mary Nisi for the tip. Now, if you're like me, you spend a decent portion of your desk time half listening to NPR while you slave away at the computer. Well, Monday May 28th being Memorial Day, I was deep in slumber when the following occurred.

On Morning Edition, Tim Westergren, founder of internet radio site Pandora, came on to explain how sites like his will function after the Copyright Royalty Board's tripling of their current rate; alleged to happen later this summer and subsequently slaughter many of our fave internet stations that won't be able to pay the bills. Pandora works by reseraching the "DNA" of a particular artist or song and building a playlist that the software feels will satisfy the listener. So Steve Inskeep, the host, dives in for a demonstration. NATURALLY, he types in "John Mellencamp" (come on who wouldn't)...a newish John Mellencamp song comes up, after a few moments he asks the program to pick a related song and WHAM BAM, out of the half a million songs on Pandora, The Isles "Flying Under Cheap Kites" pops up. "Does this sounds related to John Mellencamp?" asks Inskeep. A slightly hesitant Westergren replies, "There are differences in the voice". Next song. Fucking hilarious. Weirdly, the verse chord progression always kind of reminded me of Jack and Diane. Looks like the jig is up.

Listen to it here. Its only a 5 minute segment, the part with us starts around 2:20.

You know, we may not be on a 45 date world tour right now, but its nice to know that maybe, just maybe, God is occasionally on our side.

Catch 22

2007-05-29T12:31:00.000-04:00

Apparently there was some confusion about us playing Annex this past Saturday with our friends Elizabeth Harper and the Matinee. We canceled about 10 days before. Situation was out of our control. Apologies to those we vexed! On a happier note, a very Happy Birthday to beloved drummer and band youngin' Timmy McCoy who turns 22 this Thursday May 31. -Ben

Different Day

2007-05-29T10:29:00.000-04:00

The coffee is starting to taste like dirt. I can only stand it when it's really hot.

My croissant is gross. I'm throwing it out. My granola with fruit tasted ok.

You'd be shocked at how many weight watchers conversations I'm involved with.

The weather was nice this morning but the subway platform was the most crowded that I'd ever seen it. The train rolled up and I think most people gave up on the idea of getting on. The train wasn't crowded. I stepped in.

I never read Brave New World

2007-05-18T11:15:00.000-04:00

in high school. I half-assed it through most of the required reading.

When I was young, I was a devoted reader but when I hit high school I lost interest in most things required or expected.
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BNW is a nice book. It would have been great high school reading. If you haven't read it I highly recommend that you do.

That said I will be traveling down the long and windy road of Don Quixote.

-Andrew

(at work) Moderating ->

2007-05-16T15:20:00.000-04:00

my coffee consumption with excessive water. The water filter warning light on the coffee maker has been blinking for 6 months. No one cares. I drink tea out of a completely rusty kettle. I'm not sure if that's better?

I'm lobbying for afternoon naps at work after I read that naps not only increase productivity but lengthen your life. Actually I'm not sure if they lengthen your life, decrease the chance of sudden death or increase general well being. Anyways - They're a good thing.

-Andrew

Andrew's Melodic Blogwagon repost

2007-04-28T11:52:00.000-04:00

This is a repost of a 3/27/07 blog that Andrew did for Melodic. Thats Andrew up above, seated near Professor Iha at the nonstop Fader SXSW '07 day party. Thought it was appropriate to slap the content on here as well. Take it away Andrew...

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The last few months:

Writing music/lyrics for our new record. Added two new songs to set (Fail Tonite, Natural Badge)

Sharpening musical skills as well as adding new members to the Isles

Adding rooms to our studio and our house

Isles@SXSW - - Ben tried to bring a knife on the plane. We landed in a thunderstorm. Processed so much music, free beer and queso that our brains, livers and stomachs nearly burst. Really enjoyed playing an acoustic set for XMU radio. Great to see Dave and Will from melodic. I thought that I caught something from the air mattress that I slept on but I’m ok.

Recording a full length for another project - Should be done by summer.

Working 9-5…………………….9-5….9-5………………….9-5………9-5

103 fever. Thank you tylenol for preventing brain and other organ damage

Read War and Piece, GBV biography

Got someone else to read Ayn Rand

I need a new book (or bunch of them) if anyone has a suggestion

I saw 300. Giant piece of shit but entertaining. I saw it in a ghetto theatre and everyone applauded when it was done as if they’d just seen empire strikes back.

I saw Zodiac. B-.

I saw the Departed. It was fantastic.

One of my favorite movies is Martin, by George A. Romero. Apperantly it’s Romero’s favorite work. I dressed up as Martin for Halloween and no-one got it.

If you havn’t seen the original texas chainsaw massacre you probably should. I had my doubts but it ruled. Amazing visuals and feel that can’t be duplicated.

I watched Blue Velvet last night. Pabst Blue Ribbon!

I lost the Oscar pool that I won last year. The results are contested.

Birth of a Nation

2007-04-28T11:17:00.000-04:00

I never thought this day would come. The Isles blog has begun.