When looking ahead to the coming year, some of us look to the NFL draft, the next round of American Idol contestants, or maybe upcoming congressional races. I can't help but wonder though, if these are just distractions from when we should really be doing with our time.
There's an old saying, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going". I take this to mean, when you're faced with adversity, you will never regret a hard days work. Now is the perfect time to plan for the future, make it happen, and make sure the people you love, feel it every day.
Things are tough in Michigan. Every where we go, the same stories are repeated over and over; Things are slow, it's dead in this town, everybody's out of work...
Fewer jobs in Michigan, less money going around, each person has fewer dollars to spend on entertainment, such as coming out and seeing a band.
With great respect to our friends and music loving fans, we understand that with fewer dollars in your pocket, and a desire to go out and blow off some steam, you expect to see a GREAT band when you can out for a night.
It's important for us to let you know that we're working very hard to improve every facet of what we do as a live band. New songs, freshening older songs, and improving our stage show are constant projects for us.
Hoping things will get better in this economy is rather useless, but counting on your favorite band to bring some happiness to an evening now and then, for some fun memories to talk about on Monday, for an opportunity to lose some stress and forgetting your troubles for a while...that's reasonable. And that's what we aim to do. Music, friends, and good memories make the hard times livable.
To the folks who have come out and had fun with us, we say a heart felt THANK YOU. If you're reading this, and on the fence, a heart felt invitation to join us at a show coming up, so we can share some music, laughs, and good times with you.
Johnny
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The Automatics / Blog
Leavers and 9 Week Blog Challenge!
For our email list patrons (you are very special to us) I put the entire album up on our Reverb Nation page. Just a thanks, and we hope that you tell your music loving friends about it too. That's how local music spreads ya know! Tell your friends and family, and let them know there's great music in your own backyard.
I've begun the Music Success in 9 Weeks Blog Challenge, by Ariel Hyatt. The book is great, and working through the first chapter (focusing on mental preparation) is changing how I think about a few things.
I've begun writing down my goals, personal and musical. Putting dates on them is difficult, as is making them pretty and hanging them on a wall where I can't ignore them. My kids don't even like to color, that's how much I don't like to color. lol...
But, the process is working, none the less. I think writing down 5 positive things that I do during the day is a great exercise that makes me focus on what I do actually get done. Not what is yet to be done. I like it!
I'm almost ready for week 2, which is where I work on the perfect pitch for my music. I always thought a perfect pitch was when you through a banjo in a dumpster and you didn't hit the sides...Guess I've got a lot to learn about promotion.
Till next week... Johnny
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Mastering is complete...
and in my excitement, since it is my birthday, I put all the songs up on our Reverbnation site. Yes, I'm supposed to push a single for a set number of weeks, but I also use this page to let people listening to my songs for critiquing, or who knows what. So, I felt compelled to share the whole darn thing with anyone who wants to listen.
I've also begun participating in Ariels Cyber PR Music Success in 9 Weeks blog challenge. I like the premise, and have read the first chapter. I certainly need help with taking all the right steps in the right order! I have lofty goals with music, so it's only right that I give it my all to get there.
On my own, I'm driven, but sometimes scatterbrained or just too busy doing so many music and family related activities, that I fail to take the next step on time. Music is my business, but it's easy to get swamped and forget to keep moving forward, instead, paddling in circles.
So, over the next 9 weeks, I'll be blogging about Ariel's book, and the steps I'm taking to get where I'm going.
I hope everybody goes to www.reverbnation.com/ihearttheautomatics and listens to Wicked Little Angel! I'm loving it, think yall will too.
Johnny
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9th inning stretch
The last few days of studio time is booked, and we're wrapping up June 17th!!! At that point, I'll take the mix down to Big Sky Studios and have Geoff Michael master. He's a wizard, and I'm confident the finished product will knock your socks off.
Let's put this baby to bed, shall we!?
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So close, I can taste it.
We finished up vocals in the studio today! We've got a day of lead guitar bits to go, and we'll be mixing, editing, and off to get the record mastered. I cannot wait!!! Anyway, we've got some great shows for you at check out, and we'll be working on more free stuff. See you at the show. Johnny
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Leavers & Non-Believers, nearing completion
It's been almost a year, people!
We're seeing this through this time, and the results, we think, will impress.
www.reedrecordingcompany.com Check here for a couple videos of us in the studio with Andy Reed, very funny.
We're hoping for a July 1st release date, and we'll have a string of release parties over the summer and fall, considering we play all over the place. Stay tuned for an option to pre-order your own signed copy!
Support local music. There are so many great artists in your own back yards that work their tales off to make the best music for you.
TA
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2010, Let's Get It On
When looking ahead to the coming year, some of us look to the NFL draft, the next round of American Idol contestants, or maybe upcoming congressional races. I can't help but wonder though, if these are just distractions from when we should really be doing with our time.
There's an old saying, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going". I take this to mean, when you're faced with adversity, you will never regret a hard days work. Now is the perfect time to plan for the future, make it happen, and make sure the people you love, feel it every day.
Things are tough in Michigan. Every where we go, the same stories are repeated over and over; Things are slow, it's dead in this town, everybody's out of work...
Fewer jobs in Michigan, less money going around, each person has fewer dollars to spend on entertainment, such as coming out and seeing a band.
With great respect to our friends and music loving fans, we understand that with fewer dollars in your pocket, and a desire to go out and blow off some steam, you expect to see a GREAT band when you can out for a night.
It's important for us to let you know that we're working very hard to improve every facet of what we do as a live band. New songs, freshening older songs, and improving our stage show are constant projects for us.
Hoping things will get better in this economy is rather useless, but counting on your favorite band to bring some happiness to an evening now and then, for some fun memories to talk about on Monday, for an opportunity to lose some stress and forgetting your troubles for a while...that's reasonable. And that's what we aim to do. Music, friends, and good memories make the hard times livable.
To the folks who have come out and had fun with us, we say a heart felt THANK YOU. If you're reading this, and on the fence, a heart felt invitation to join us at a show coming up, so we can share some music, laughs, and good times with you.
Johnny
Reply
The Automatics
This collection of guys, professional musicians, and part time stand up comedians, know how to throw a party. They'll inspire you to sing along, dance, and lose your stress! Catch a live show, book them for your venue, and look for their upcoming release, "Leavers and Non-Believers".
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What is the band up to?
Tee shirts are being printed right now, awesome designs that will last a very long time. We really can't wait to get them in your hands. We've begun pre-orders! vmaxjohn@chartermi.net for details.
Also, we're expanding our travels! March 12th we're at White's bar i saginaw, and the 14th finds us at The Gate in Big Rapids! Very excited for these shows.
We're also working on the new album, "leavers and non-believers, which will include 13 originals, all statements to the talent in this band. a complete calender of shows can be found here: www.myspace.com/ihearttheautomatics
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