NEW SONG - "Loving You"

Here's a new song from our upcoming album. Enjoy. (Lyrics below)



Well I don't know just how
I will get out of
This hole that I have dug myself into
By loving you

See love is all around my world
And it's constantly
Reminding me of these feelings
That I have for you
For loving you
For loving you

Well I won't stop, not ever
I won't stop, not ever
I won't stop, not ever

Well maybe if we moved apart
And changed our scenes
We wouldn't regress anymore
But I can't see myself
Not loving you

There is just something in the way
You stare
That makes me swoon
And I could hardly bare the thought
Of losing you
And not loving you
Not loving you

Well I won't stop, not ever
I won't stop, not ever
I won't stop, not ever

F.U.N.P - One 2 One Bar 4.2.11

You know who you are.

East Coast Tour Vid (March 2011)

Put a few clips together...

Love
MB

Venues in Austin and the joke of its live music scene...

I need to vent. If you're a musician you will understand this post. I am so sick and tired of dealing with venues. We moved to Austin primarily for the music scene just about two years ago. Over the past two years we've made quite a name for ourselves in this town. We've made wonderful friends who are very loyal to us. A part of the frustration from living in L.A. and being involved in the music scene was the "pay to play" mentality. But oh.. that never happens in Austin right? Bullshit. I cannot tell you how many occasions I've experienced where we saw a band play at a certain venue or heard from someone that that band hardly brought 10 people to their show and they continuously get re booked at that venue. I'm not gonna put this venue on blast or anything or say any names but since when does a bar on 6th street require a band to bring 450 people to be able to play? Is your place that terrible that you can't get patrons in to buy your drinks? Maybe you should consider restaffing and hiring friendlier bartenders? Why is it that you rely so heavily on bands to bring their fans and buy your drinks? And then to top it all off you (pardon my language) JEW us out of our appropriate pay? It is WORK to be a musician and the next time a bar offers me %10 of the bar for that night I will make sure I let everyone know to not support that establishment. What a fucking joke. If you're a musician and you accept %10 of the bar for the time that you play.. I highly suggest you demand a print out of what was sold. We recently played a gig at an Austin staple venue (I won't say where) and the place was so packed you could not move around. This place mind you is not necessarily cheap on drinks and the spirits were flowing. I know. I was on stage watching. We had 2 and 1/2 hours to account for the %10. Not to mention. We bring all of our own equipment, run our sound, do our own soundcheck (place ring a bell?) and for those of you that know us, we have a lot of equipment. We walked out of there with $100. Four hours of our night. Now spilt that $100 six ways. This is Austin. Where live music is embraced and the musician is appreciated. If you ask me. Austin venues and bars don't give a shit about the musician. All they are concerned with is making more money and for some of them it's so they can support their little drug habit. Ugh!!!

Maybe Austin wants to be just like Nashville... (I'm not even gonna tell you my feelings on Nashville)

I am confident in my talent, the talent that my band has and in the loyalty of everyone that supports us. So confident, that I know the tables will turn and one day soon the very people that stick their nose up to me... to US... will be sorry.

My Top 10 Records of 2010

I've seen a few people do this and thought I'd share myself. Keep in mind I love all kinds of music. If you have a list of your favorites, share it with me :)

1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West
So set aside your personal feelings and opinions towards Mr. West. He's a genius and this record proves that. So well put together; Beautiful, sad and ugly all at the same time. The imagery in his short film reflecting the feelings he had/has... to his lyrics; honest and harsh... incredible. This was hands down my favorite record of the year.

"I hit the Jamaican spot, at the bar, took a seat. I ordered the jerk, she said 'you are what you eat.'You see I've always loved a sense of humor, but tonight you should have seen how quiet the room was"

2. Bad Books - Bad Books
Kevin Devine and Andy Hull are brilliant together. I love Manchester Orchestra but definitely prefer the sound they created on this record. Favorite song is "Texas."

"My heart is pumping my blood. Your hearts not beating at all. In a way it makes sense that it isn't, it just never was."

3. Smoke & Mirrors - Lifehouse
For those who know me you're probably thinking this album made the cut because I'm biased to them. Which, you're right. But honestly.. through whatever I'm going through in life.. Jason Wade always has the right thing to say. This is not my favorite record from them but I love the direction they took.

"And if I fall and crash and burn at least we both know that I tried. And as I crawl, there's lessons learned. Yeah they remind me I survived."

4. Go - Jonsi
I think we were all waiting for a more upbeat Jonsi. "()" had over 4600 plays on my iPod and now I find myself only playing "Go" at night. Plus I love that he's singing more in English now.

"We all grow old, use your life. The world goes and flutters by."

5. The Suburbs - Arcade Fire
Arcade Fire has such a great story. They never took no for an answer. That is incredibly encouraging to me as an artist. I clean the house to this record... literally and figuratively.

"Some cities make you lose your head. Endless suburbs stretched out thin and dead."

6. Recovery - Eminem
What a come back! I was getting nervous that he was done but I underestimated him. Em will always be that artist that when I hear his verse come in he has my undivided attention. Favorite song is "Talkin' To Myself."

7. Lost Boy - MyChildren MyBride
Even though I grew up with the ring leader of this band and have a history of friendship... this record is amazing! I think they finally have all the right members. This is not my favorite genre but this is definitely my favorite record from them. I really related to Matt's frustration. The tables really turned.

"Never again, never again will my voice fall on deaf ears."

8. Sigh No More - Mumford & Sons
They just took "Folk" to a whole nutha level ;) Start to finish!

"And you have your choices, and these are what make man great. His ladder to the stars."

9. Pink Friday - Nicki Minaj
Hip Hop really needed this one. She's vibrant, she's vulgar.. and she just doesn't care. Another strong woman "turn on" to me. Besides, she's made quite an impression on a certain community.

"I'm fightin' for the girls that never thought they could win."

10. Formalities - The Spill Canvas
I've followed these guys since "All Hail The Heartbreaker." The aggression and passion that Nick Thomas has is incomparable. This record is on my gym play list :)

"Let me hear you beg, or I'll take the other leg. Then you'll really be hoppin' to those bars. I'm leavin scars. Are you gonna cry? I thought you were a tough guy? Turns out your nothing but weak like those you mock. Is it any shock?"

Learning...

I feel like blogging.. or just typing to clear my head/heart. This past weekend was something else. I learned a lot.. from things I wasn't expecting to "hit me." Faith is a funny thing. How much of it do you really need? Often times I find that I need grace more - but I hate saying that.. almost as much as I hate hearing people saying it. They say being a musician is the least promising life to lead but I beg to differ. Though it's difficult and for me a constant emotional roller coaster.. it's the only life I'd want to live. I believe with my whole heart that I was born to do this. It's the only purpose I've ever longed for. The thing is.. we're ready for the next level. That leaves us to deal with transition. Something I've never dealt with very well. When we released our latest record back in October I thought it would explode. It didn't and each day, all day long I contemplate what I did wrong. And if it wasn't something I did wrong, what is it that I could do better? This is the album I've waited to write for a long time. It's literally a reflection of my heart. The good and the bad. I know these things take time and I believe that it will get the recognition it deserves. Then I got to thinking we just need to hit the road and make some sacrifices we may not be ready to make. To further. To spread. To discover. To learn.

I posted this status yesterday: "What makes us stronger is the building of our character through the best and absolute worst times. I'm grateful to know that and live and learn everyday." We're so blessed to have such loving and wonderful friends that are always there for us. So many of you here in Austin have become the best family away from family we could ask for. I love you.. and I speak for Joel on that too! xo

Also this weekend I got the opportunity to watch the movie "Burlesque." It was incredibly inspiring for me. I guess I've been "waiting" for too long for something or someone to come along that could help me get to that next level. But that's hopeless. I learned that I need to take this and not take no for an answer. So that's a new development I'm gonna start working on.

There really aren't any words that could describe how grateful I am for everyone that supports us. If if wasn't for ALL of you that always come out to shows, share our links with your friends and family, buy our music, feed us (lol), text me that a certain song is helping you at the moment... I could not keep going. It pays to feel appreciated. I only hope and pray that I can continue to give you what you need. Haha I don't know why I felt inclined to write all of this but you do need to know that if you're reading this... you're who I'm talking about. So thank you. You really do keep us going.

Anyway. I love you all. I am so thankful for each and every one of you. Happy Holidays everyone. Make sure you let your family and friends know how much you love them.

-Mike

Show at Lucky Lounge this Sat Dec 4th!

Austin! This Saturday we will be at Lucky Lounge on 5th St. We will have our dear friend Jaime Saso sharing some music with us.. and we'll be doing some classic Christmas tunes. Come out and hang out with us... buy our new record.. for those of you that couldn't make the CD release party in Oct.

Love you all!

Here's the Facebook event so you can RSVP :-D

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=117775021616777