God I'm Weird...

So, despite previous circumstances, the show last Thursday went pretty well. I was testing out if I could in some way use the PA as my own monitor. That was an epic fail. I don't think I'll have anything to worry about on the 10th, and I might not have much to worry about on the 9th...

Oh yes the 9th! So, I'm playing a show in Urbana IL the night before my release on the 10th of October. Should I really be doing this? Will I jinx myself? I've actually already thought of those two questions, so I'll only be doing another a'capella set and try my hardest to fight the urge to drink and party with the rest of them. Plus I'm thinking this should be a perfect opportunity to sell some disks the night before the release. Get a little bit more exposure. a Light Sleeper hooked me up with this show at the last minute and I'm appreciative, but I only wished that I had shipped some disks out to the north side earlier to get better publicity and promotion.

But back to the show on the 17th. For those that were there, you all knew that I didn't have enough time to program "stage banter" scripts into my loop pedal. So there was unbearable, for me anyway, silence in-between songs. I'm not sure what has happened to me in the last several months...I guess working feverishly in a hermit state has caused me to forget how to be social and work a room or a crowd. I was a little bit more awkwardly weird than usual and I have no effing clue as to why. And for some reason, I'm still afraid to look at my audience while I'm playing. What is up with that? What's happening to me? Where did all this fear come from? It could have been because I was immediately following Daniel Francis Doyle because he's friggin' awesome, but BAH! I've even noticed this quirk during the last stella show. I wasn't working the crowd, just kinda sitting off to myself extremely tired and ready to play so that I could go home and sleep. Yes, I had a lot on my mind about planning this release but geez! This is something I definitely need to work on in the next coming months because I want to give it my all in Chicago. .e and I are going to rock that city, with are ethereal-like qualities.

Anyway, I guess you all need a little bit more poking than usual. Do you guys not want free merchandise? How could you not want free stuff? Well, If You Really Want It, sign up on my mailing list and I'll send you a ticket that you must present to me on the 10th of October at my Listening Party. Give me the ticket, I give you free stuff. It's not that hard peeps!

Once again, in case you forgot: (I'll be posting this every week until the show's happened)



Tell a friend, bring a friend!

...that's all I got...
~Syrhea

The Question I'll Always Hate

Most of you know that this past week I had a little interview with KDHX for the Local Artist Spotlight, and I think overall it went pretty well. I may have gone off in my little tangents and side acting stories a bit much, but hey, that's me. I did, however, encounter a question I'm learning to hate more and more twice this week. The first time was obviously in the interview at the radio station. Just one simple question that I don't think I'll ever be able to answer confidently or with any absolute idea of what I'm talking about.

The question is:

"What does your music sound like?"

Not that this question isn't already hard enough to answer but we all know what that really means. It means, "Who do you sound like" or "What artists that I've heard do you sound similar to?". I'm not sure why we must always compare music with other music. It's true, I do it too, but can't our vocabulary extend beyond this general comparison?

I stumbled over the answer for about 3 minutes before I finally said, "I hate this question...I don't know how to answer it."

The same thing happened this past Saturday at bar. I can totally understand an owner wanting to make sure a disk doesn't sound like shit before he agrees to host a party, but God I hate that question! Just listen to the album! I got you a free copy! I could say that I sound like a female fronted MUSE with drops of Queen's vocals, Trail of Dead's rhythm's, and arrangements touch to the like of John Williams, but I won't. Why, because I'm not that sure that it even sounds like that.

I can say confidently that I don't think my recorded album sounds anything like Imogen Heap. I get that comparison quite often and Imogen has been a huge inspiration to me, but her music sounds more like the music I WANT to make but somehow falls short and in a whole different genre. Maybe the next album I could agree with that common comparison I get.

Anyway, enough about that riff-raff.

I booked, with the help of Nana, (actually SHE booked) a Listening Party at the Royal immediately after the Release of the Cd on the 10th of October. The Party is obviously free, and we'll sit and drink some beers and listen to my album...for free! But this is not the end of this news. For those of you who are already on the mailing list, you will receive a little ticket in your email that you can print off and bring to the Listening Party. In exchange for this ticket, you'll get a free (did you see that...FREE!) grab bag of Syna So Pro merch because, let's face it, you're special. I'm very appreciative of all you who willingly signed up on the list.

So if you want to get a freebie bag of Syna So Pro merchandise, you need to sign up on the mailing list. So easy.




And here's the flier for the CD Release show! Whoopie!

click to enlarge




Plus I'm playing a show at Lemp Arts Center with the awesomely talented Daniel Francis Doyle, and .e this Thursday! Come out if you can. It's a night of loop-de-looping!

...that's all I got...

~Syrhea

Pep in the Step

So...

Despite the fact that I'm still very, very tired, I've gotten energized about what I've been doing with this project. I pretty much forced myself to sit down, on Saturday, and finished the animated music video, as if The Goblin King himself would crown me Princess of the Bog of Eternal Stench. (Yeah, I just recently watched that movie...classic)

Like I've posted a million times before, it consists of 834 frames and I did it all by myself. Whoo hoo!

I probably shouldn't brag too much. It totally looks like children animated the video. But I kinda like that look.

The people who's already signed up on my mailing list has already received the video...except some of you Hotmail peeps... Apparently the attachment is "too large" and I have to resend the email to you. Lame...


In other news, I shipped out some disks of the album to local press and I'm sure I'll be playing the waiting game until the very last minute of hearing anything back. Thanks to all who wished and wishes, and continues to wish me luck.

The next step is to send out about 10 more disks to local noteworthy bloggers...I know of about 4, if any of you actually read music blogs in the area and dig them, send me a link! I need to get on this pronto!

But first, I need to wash my hair...

...it stinks...

...that's all I got...
..except...

♫♫You remind me of the babe
What baby? baby with the power
What power? power of voodoo
Who do? you do
Do what? remind me of the babe♫♫


~Syrhea

Slow Burn...

This past week has been pretty interesting...

I pretty much stopped working myself ragged from Wednesday to earlier this afternoon. This wasn't by choice. I suddenly feel like my mid 20's body has been replaced with the body of a frail and frigid 60 year old man. I find myself being hungry, getting something to eat, and falling asleep before I even finish my meal, and waking up confused as hell and still hungry. I fell asleep from sheer exhaustion twice (that's right twice) this week before 9pm.

I'm yawning right now...and it's barely 9:30pm.

Friday night I went to El's place to catch up on new mailing list subscriptions (You guys are awesome!) and a little Linux education only to fall asleep on the couch while watching Arrested Development at around 10:30pm. I mean seriously, who the hell falls asleep on Arrested Development? And once again I have to thank the person who invented the striated concrete on the shoulders of interstates. If it wasn't for those loud, god forsaken vibrations, I would have sustained serious injuries trying to drive back home, on Friday, while sleeping.

Saturday I made it a point to actually get out of the house and act like someone in their 20's. Had a few beers, hung out with a couple of friends, saw a few bands, and was in bed by 12:30am. Still a bit early for a Saturday, but baby steps...

...baby steps...

I'm pretty much burn out on this music video. I've got one more minute to animate, but I can't bring myself to do anything with it right now. So I ended up doing what this project is supposed to be about...playing music. Practiced for about 2 1/2 hours today (too tired to go longer) working on some new stuff and trying to perfect the old. And jotting down a wave a lyrics that came from nowhere..as if they were there the whole time. I was going to post some new music here but... yeah, I'm effing tired...

But I did make a couple of paintings that will be printed on the album discs.

I dig it...

Took a wooden turn table, taped paper to it, got a few colors of watered down acrylic paint, spun the table, dropped some paint and Voila!


Test 1


Test 2


Combination of tests with the aid of Photoshop

I dig it a lot...

Another quick reminder that Jovian's CD Release party is this Friday @ the Firebird... It would be cool to see some of you out. Let's hope I can stay awake for the night of music...

*yawn*


*smack* *smack*

...

Yeah, I'm going to bed...

~Syrhea

Listeners and Parties and Releases OH MY!

Many things to say but only 2 things are really important.

First the unimportant stuff. (In my opinion...not that's it's unimportant, you've already heard or knew it was coming...I don't know...who cares/ SHALL WE?)

I'm proud to say that I've successfully animated 318 frames to my music video!

Oh yes!

Is it finished?

Well...no but it's halfway! BOOYAH! I've got 1 minute and 20 seconds (and counting) of it finished, and I'm very confident it'll be entertaining your beautiful eyes in about 2 weeks.

The mastered disk is back in the hands of Jack. There were just 3 small things that weren't sitting well with me. Although I've had a few close friends listen to the album,and they have no idea why I'm sending it back, I know I'll never be able to listen to two songs without shaking my head. I would never forgive myself.

Having regrets like,'What did I see in you?', 'Why did I eat that chili before this meeting?', 'Why didn't I slap that bitch in the face?' is one thing, but this?...nononono. No regrets.

Jack did an awesome job and I'm lucky he's willing to work on the changes.

The album art. Well it's done...kinda. You know it looks nice and stuff. But my poor band mate Jim is totally slammed at his job. He's been slammed for a while and I feel bad for him. So for now, I'll print maybe about 10 cd's or so for the press and promotion and save the REAL ONES for you listeners.

And speaking of you listeners... the first of you who signed up on my mailing list last month will be receiving a free mp3 from this album next week. Think of it as a thank you for putting up with my weekly emails and reading this blog. I appreciate every last one of you! If you aren't signed up to the mailing list but you want to receive a free mp3, you can either send me an email @ synasoloproject@gmail.com or simply sign up on my mailing list by visiting http://www.synasoloproject.com/contact.html

Soo exciting!

---

The Important Stuff!

---

The Jovian Chorus will be having it's first CD Release Party this month (08.21.09) @ the Firebird! I think you all should come and give Mr. Moseley a big pat on the back. He pretty much recorded all the instruments (except a few) himself as well as arrangement and composition of the songs. (Trust me, that shit's meticulous) With Mr. Jones at his side pounding out the mixes, and production, I can very well say the record sounds pretty sweet. Plus Jack did that whole magical mastering thing again!

You're wondering where I come into this equation, and the answer is simple: I don't. I'm just the bass player for the live shows.

You can stream his whole album via myspace @ http://www.myspace.com/thejovianchorus. And I've heard something about T-shirts and digital downloading directions can be purchased at the show. It starts early (9:00pm) and I hope to see you all there!

And last but not least!

Syna So Pro (that's me) CD Release party will be on Sat, October 10th @ The Luminary Center for the Arts. (10.10.09) It will be a night of live looping with Glass Waves and a Light Sleeper from Chicago. I'm pretty excited/scared/anxious/nervous/relieved/stressed and any other adjective you can think of. More details as the date approaches.

And...

some pics...

Glass Waves


a Light Sleeper


...that's all I got...

~Syrhea

Deadlines in Sight

A few of you may have seen that I just spontaneously decided to make my own music video...

This is proving to take up more time than I had originally anticipated. I thought I could make a little cheap video with pictures and toys in frame by frame movement, but I decided not to deal with issues of lighting and scenery etc. So I'm drawing it. Got the story board finished in about two hours and started the animation right away. Story board images are below...

click to enlarge












It will have ducks, water, cliques, planning, motivation, excelling, and back packs...Don't ask, you'll see.

So, I'm not too terrible of an artist...I can dabble a little, but what I can't do is dabble with a mouse. The software I've been using requires me to draw with a mouse and only with a mouse...I don't even have shape tools to my advantage. I could just open up photoshop and import the frames in that way, but I actually like the way the video looks in it's childlike cartoonish form. I've animated about 120 frames so far...which is about 20sec out of the 2:38 seconds of the song.

Will it be done before the release of the cd? With everything else that's going on, I can't make any promises...but I really should fine time to practice while I'm doing all of these promotional projects.

In other news, I got the mastered disk back from Jack yesterday. El and I had a little meet with him at his effing awesome pad! I must say, I'm pretty impressed with his work and I'm excited that the rekkid actually sounds like a record. I'm going to let the disk soak into my brain for about a week before I decide if it's a no or a go. Just like what my boss says,
"Take your time, go slow, and do it right!"

Plus I still have a crap ton of research to do, as well as the finishing touches on the album insert...I need to clone myself like Michael Keaton in Multiplicity, so I won't be so exhausted from working my 9 hours, then going home and working the remaining 7-9 hours on this release. I'm tired! But like Mrs. Schwartz says, "You've got to get off of your butts and your buts!"

Hmm...but if I were to clone myself...it's best to clone 5 of me...

...then I'd really be my own band...

I'm off to do more research...

...I've got deadlines to meet...

...that all I got...

~Syrhea

Tests, Tributes and Flashes

Once again, thanks to all who made it out to the show last Friday. It was a lot of fun and it made me realize that I need to play out more often. And a special thanks to .e for asking me to play the show and Bill Tucker for just being himself. You both are awesome!

It was also a test to see if Big Blue could survive being transported, and if I need to re-think any elements within him. He passed with flying colors but I do need to make one minor adjustment. I put Easy Liner on the actual board of the pedal board and thought that industrial strength Velcro would keep it in it's place. Well, apparently the weight of all the pedals, pulling downward on the Easy Liner when the case is upright, pulls the Liner from the Velcro.






The Velcro is strong enough, but the adhesive on the back of the Velcro isn't. So I'm thinking I should just use some cabinet liner that has an adhesive backside and cross the fingers... (still not going to post pictures... probably after the stella show on 07/25/09)

I was going to get some today, but I was too lazy...

Plus the thought of having to go to a Walmart/Kmart (insert any other chain mart) makes me annoyed, impatient, and dreading every second I'm there. So I watched (again) Michael Jackson's live in Bucharest concert instead. And speaking of the late MJ, I have to give mad props to all the people on Friday who sang their asses off during my performance. I made a little video for your enjoyment. I'll definitely have to play that song again sometime in the future.



Oh yeah and those business cards that I printed and were feverishly snatched up has the incorrect link to this blog. It's synasoloproject.blogspot.com not blogspot.synasoloproject.com. Not sure why I'm even posting it here, but I'm hoping that some of you already knew the correct link or can use a search engine.

I watched the footage of the show to critique myself and to get newer media up for viewing and I was absolutely horrified at what I saw. The performance was pretty good...confidence about as normal as it can get with my solo shows...but the wardrobe... uh oh. Talk about a wardrobe malfunction that I not only didn't notice, but not one person who witnessed the show informed me of this. Not One! Dude, I practically flashed a group of people on the left side of the room...for a long, long time. By far the worst 1.07 seconds I never remembered. It was hot in the room...but geez, you'd think I'd notice something like that!

And the image...edited of course!




I'm very surprised El didn't zoom in on the atrocity.

Anyway, hope you all had a great 4th and mother nature (we're not on good terms) didn't ruin too much of the festivities for you.

Plus I just uploaded another video from my last show.

Check it out.

...that is all...

~Syrhea

The Saga Ends...

YAY!!!

Big Blue is finally finished and boy is he heavy! I still haven't figured out how I'm going to get him out of the basement...even with his wheels.

I would post a picture, but I'm really wanting you folks to come out to Cranky Yellow this Friday(07.03.09) around 8:30 to see myself, .e and Bill Tucker and friends. Then you can see my new pedal board, listen to some sweet ass tunes, and hang out with me. I mean c'mon! There should be no thinking...just GO!

I spent most of the day today at El's place making the final edits on the album. Why has this taken so long? Well, there are a few reasons...the main one being, I'M SO EFFING TIRED OF LISTENING TO THIS ALBUM...IT'S MAKING ME CRAZY...ALMOST TO THE POINT THAT I DON'T EVEN CARE ANYMORE! Seriously, it's getting pretty old...but it's work that has to be done. Editing is a very important aspect of the flow of an album and it cannot be overlooked...plus I'm picky. And having a sense of pickiness (yes I'll make up my own word) and monotonous redundancy causes me to fight with myself. Either I don't care, or I have to do this right...Pick one!

I then spent the rest of the late afternoon/evening memorizing stage banter lines that I've written for myself. I wish I had more time before this show on Friday, but I think all will be fine. Just trying to think of ways to entertain you folks while I'm setting everything up for the next song. So I'll be rehearsing for 4 hours each night until Friday to make sure that I don't even have to think about what I'm doing anymore. Did I already mention monotonous redundancy?

I also just want to quickly mention while I'm finally gained my composure and self. Michael Jackson is one of the best things that could have ever happened to me as a child. Just listening to his music brings me back to my family, summer days, bbq's, dance off's, and all around happiness. Janet's Control and Rhythm Nation does the same. So when he passed last Thursday, it felt like those days left with him. I'm glad I had this experience with him, although I've never met him, nor been to any of his concerts. (watched all the live videos 5x over with my papa though) This was something that was shared by not only blacks, but ethnic groups and generations of the world. Although I'm absolutely devastated that he's gone, I'm even more saddened at the people who cannot relate. He was the most unique entertainer I ever seen, and probably ever will see. And a handful of you missed it.

That is the real shame.


...and I still love him...

~Syrhea

Sempre Con Calore

Happy Father's Day!

Ahh...First off I'd like to make a quick little note:Big Blue still isn't finished! Remember me bitching about how I've waited a little over a week for a manufacturer to ship in an item that I ordered from the ma and pa hardware store? Well it turns out the so called manufacturer stop producing this item and decided not to ship it to me. This doesn't bother me as much as the fact that no one at this said ma and pa hardware store bothered to call me to inform me this. And even that doesn't bother me as much as it took 5 phone calls, from me, to them, to get this explanation. So I got my refund and a name of another hardware store located in downtown Kirkwood...Yeah, I'm getting it from the internet this time around.

I started and finished the front cover of my album art this past week. I wanted the art to be full of layers to compliment the album but at the same time, I want it to be more about expression and impression as oppose to definite objects/images. So I got canvas, paint (no brushes) and worked in my little laboratory until the wee hours of each morning. It was a lot of fun to make, and to attempt to put the images, my songs create in my head, on paper. It's about as close as I can get, but I'm please. I have to admit, about half way through the meshing of paint, I panicked...convinced it was crap. Determined to not let myself stop me, I continued with the project and finished it today. I'm also graciously, thankfully, (insert other synonyms) accepting help from my fellow band mate (stellas) Jim Harper. He's agreed to design the album artwork as well because let's face it...I've only got the cover and I'm sure he can bring out other textures that I can't. And I'm tired...geez this shit his hard work. But the work must always be with feeling...or there's really no point in doing it.


Check out some of his stuff here and here.

Beginning:



and untouched end:




Each square represents a song on the album...could it be a bit too artsy for the content on the record? Ehhh maybe, but I think it's cool and so does my father. For this was his Father's day gift. Love that JOKER.


The website is practically finished...just need a little bit of help on the html/css of mail list forms...Anybody...anybody?


Also, the show on 7/03/09 @ City Art Supply has been moved to Cranky Yellow which is a little further east of APOP on Cherokee street. Hope to see some of you there!

...that is all...

~Syrhea

Shoot Me Once, Twice, Five Times. HOORAY!

Photo shoots and fun!

My good ol' dad has been wanting to get out to new areas in St. Louis to shoot people just to stay loose and to feed his artistic needs. What better person could he shoot, other than his very photogenic daughter... That's right. I jumped at this opportunity, because not only have I been slacking on just getting new media out about this solo project, but just to have some professional looking photos would be nice.

But why would you need these photos? It's not like your solo project plays out that much...

Yeah, thanks...I'm aware of this. And I'll take the time to explain to some of the 'Debbie Downers' out there.


You're right, I don't play out often...I've got three other bands to practice and play for...plus my set up is a bit more complicated...Don't want to play when I'm not ready. But what I am doing with these pictures is building my own website.

I've already got my basic layout complete, as well as a few of the tabs in the navigation bar...A few tweaks on color scheme, setting up shop, and actually writing something of substance and VOOWAHLAH! A website.

I'm heading into Yellow Hat tomorrow (hopefully the last time) to fine tune 4 more songs on the rekkid, pass the rekkid to Will so that Will can pass it to Jack to let him do his magic mastering. YEAYUH! But what good is an album if you have no means to sell it digitally? Ahhh...the website.

Indeed...

Still doing a bit of research on digital downloads but the ship is in motion. I will press about 100 and I plan to use them as I see fit. (Sell Sell Sell!)



But let's get back to the photos...

Fun times with dad...
Difficult times changing in the back seat of a car and praying no one can see...and if they do, no one will call the cops. And it was Hot...in the car. (No air conditioning) Here are several pictures I'm willing to share.


Whu-whu-Whoooaah!


Dad, I have no idea what you want me to do...


Loungin'


Your soul is mine!




Wheee!


Wheee agaaain!




Model wannabe




Unattractive close up...


And another...


I have no idea what I was doing



And now, the one I'm most proud of. I call it the Barack Obama meets a JC Penny Model...Enjoy!



...that is all...

~Syrhea

Delays in Sagas

So...

Yeah...

I'm not too happy right now...

My pedal board is practically finished...FINISHED! But am I going to get to use it at tonight's show? (Viva Voce et al) Nope. Should I really be complaining? Probably not...but I went out of my way to give a local hardware store some business. They promised me my item would be in on Monday... ...that promise was made last Tuesday... have I heard anything yet? Nope. I mean c'mon, seriously? This is why Ma and Pa business are going down... I could have gotten this shit by Friday of last week if I had just ordered it online! I knew I should have done that. What was I thinking?

I guess there's always the July shows. The 3rd is approaching faster than I'd like. Mostly because I'm having a really hard time with volume levels between the Headrush, Repeater and the Jamman. The chain of wiring events goes as follows:

All instruments to Mixer
Mixer to Pedal Board
TU-12
OD-20
Big Muff
Whammy
Small Stone
Holy Grail
DD-20
Headrush
Repeater
Jamman

Pedal Board to Bass Rig

Here's a lovely picture I drew! CLICK TO ENLARGE

With this set up, the Jamman will be the "drum machine" per se, while the repeater takes over the looping and the Headrush and DD-20 can serve their main purpose. DELAY Delay delay delay. Which is a lot of fun and is definitely adding to my orchestrated sound. I still use the Headrush and the Jamman as loop pedals on the old tunes...which is where the problem I stated above lies. I'm not sure if I have the mixer output level too high or if it's the Headrush's or the Jamman's or the Repeater's but my levels aren't fitting in the correct spot with my drum machine. Yes, I could just push the drum machine volume up, but when I do so, it effects all the loops being recorded into it...causing the loop to be louder than the current instrument that I'm playing. And that poor Backline didn't sign up for that. I'm slowly breaking him, and I know it. Which is why I desperately need a PA system to run this craziness through.

So this one seemingly little problem will and can indeed cause me to spend a whole 8 hour day to figure out and fix. This is what I plan to do after I post this nonsense. And the process is painfully frustrating and monotonous. I guess the first place I should start is to re-recording all the drum beats onto my Jamman...this way I'll know that they're all at the same exact volume. I anticipate this alone taking a few hours and I already don't want to do it. But like I said before, I can only depend on myself...I can't let anything stop me...not even myself. So let's get this loopage started right...

But I'm kinda hungry...

I will let hunger stop me...

...temporarily...

I'm going to get some food...

Hope to see some of you at the stella show tonight! It's early, all ages and it'll be fun!

...that is all...

~Syrhea

Pete and the Repeater

It was April 16th, 2009.

I was at work, gmail chatting about tax money. The thread reads as follows:

Scott: sooo... .what is the damage?
me: I'm expected to get about a grand back
Scott: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
me: 400 from Federal and 600 from state
12:55 PM

Scott: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Electrix Repeater????
HeySus Christo, that is awesome.
me: Nah...
not yet
hmm...maybe
I don't know
I want an i-pod too
Scott: hehe
repeater!
1:00 PM

me: Yeah, you're right
I could probably swing both...
Maybe.
Scott: Yeah!
me: I just hate to spend all the money at once on one thing.
Scott: Does this mean we'll have to go to Chicago to buy gear?
me: You know?
Ahhh.
I don't know
Only way I can get a reapeater is ebay.
Scott: haha - nah, I know. It's good to hang on to some cash, for sure!
I can't believe they stopped making that.

---

1:07 PM

me: looking up repeaters now
Scott: lol
me: Look at what you've got me doing!
Scott: awesome!
I am a good influence

---

1:11 PM

me: And I've found one for $600!!!!
Scott: That's good?
me:
let me see
Bidding ends tomorrow
Ahhh...what am I going to do!
Scott: when do you get your funds?
me: Should I just get it?
Scott: With what?
me: Next friday
Scott: hmmm
me: But I get paid this friday
Scott: Well, check it out thoroughly ya know, seller history/references, etc...
me: yeah
I don't even have an ebay account
Scott: do you have a paypal acct, tho?
me: no
I know
it's actually only $530
Scott: Well, you might be able to check it out late tonight when ya have more time, and set up the accts, if ya want to. Otherwise, I am sure there will be more on the market!
me: But that's definitely the cheapest one I've seen
Scott: Wow... of course, the bidding could spike as the dealine approaches.

---

1:20 PM

Where is the seller located?
me: I can't figure it out.
I'm trying to look
it just says he's from the US but he has great feedback responses
Scott: that's weird... I thought they usually had more specific info.
me: he hasn't sold anything in the last year...he has a blue star but the comments left were very positive
http://myworld.ebay.com/cellowings
Scott: cool - I just pulled it up
oh - It's Bainbridge Island, WA... Right across the water from Seattle
Upper right of screen
me: oh..

---

1:30 PM

Scott: Yeah, that is a lot of good feeback, even from buyers
me: You think i should go for it?
Scott: Yeah - I'd drop the seller a line and inquire regarding any known problems... But it looks good, and comes with a foot pedal..
me: I wonder if he'd just sell it to me for a flat price
Damn you Scott!
Now I can't stop thinking about it!
I was going to buy wood to start my pedal board this weekend
Scott: Wood is cheap
me: But my heart needs that repeater!
AHHHHH
Scott: Awww
Sorry!
1:35 PM

btw - I think it is a chic sellin it
I was reading her feedback responses to other people
me: oooo even better!
Scott: that unit really does look pretty mint
I think I want one too
;)
me: and it's not too expensive!
Scott: word - go for it!
me: I think I will
THANKS!
when should I place the killer bid?
10 minutes before?
1:40 PM

Scott: I would be ready to make a little move in the last 2 minutes, actually
me: Ok, tonight I'm going to set up my account...
Then in the last two minutes make a bid at about 550
I know that's 20 dollars over but I really want this now.
Scott: Someone else might have a max bid set higher... If you thought 600 was fair, ya might wanna go that high
me: I think I'll risk 550
Scott: Cool

---

So, that evening, I set up my accounts and by later on that afternoon, the repeater was mine. Outbid those losers in the last 10 seconds. Sooooo didn't see that coming. It seemed like eternity for the repeater to arrive, mostly because I didn't realize that it took 3 business days for pay pal to verify a bank account, as well as another 5 business days to transfer the money to pay pal. But when it finally arrived on April 28th 2009...I was estatic!


I immediately ran to the laboratory and tried to figure it out. (very difficult without a manual) I knew I would be spending every moment I had with Repeat (that's her name) but my time with her was so short... I started building Big Blue (that's the pedal board 'his' name) causing the last time I touched her, to be the first.

I neglected her...

For over a month...

She was probably wondering why I bought her to begin with...as was I the other day. But in the last 72 hours, almost all of my spare time has gone to her. We've already created 2 new sweet songs that we'll bust out together on July 3rd @ City Art Supply. (w/.e and Bill Tucker and Friends)

I must say, I'm enjoying actually using delay pedals...as a delay pedal instead of a secondary and/or tertiary loop pedal with my previous set up. I'm very excited, and can't wait until Big Blue joins in all the fun. Plus, good Old Greg(g) just happens to have a midi footswitch controller laying around his place that I can use to join forces with The Repeater. Big Blue just might be big enough to hold all that hardware as well.

Speaking of the pedal board, it's almost finished. Waiting for the finish to dry and then I can apply all the accessories to my baby...

...dude...I tingle...

I think I might have it finished for the Viva Voce show next week...but I had to special order some parts today, so no promises...

...that is all...

~Syrhea

The Saga of the Pedal Board (pt.6)

Happy Memorial Day!

This past Saturday, I finally traveled to good ol' Springfield Mo to visit my nephew. He's about 3 months old and this was the first time I've seen him.

The kid's adorable, and he's stuck with me. He'll soon realize that I'm going to be the craziest aunt he'll ever have.
...
...because I'm his only aunt...
...
...and I'm the craziest by default.

The 3 hour trip down and back (same day) proved to be quick. I listened to my album 4 times; twice on the way there and twice on the way back. (It's about 45 minutes long) I believe El and I have accomplished much and although there are still (STILL) some tweeks I'd like to make, if I were to release it now, I'd be pleased.

I'm really hoping to have this out by the end of summer or beginning of fall. This whole project has proven to be a lot of work...and money. I had some artist lined up to do the artwork, but they all fell through for various reasons. But this is not going to stop me. Syna was born because of former band mates not believing that my songs were "songs". I think it's fitting that not only did I record, produce, and mix (etc) this damn record, I might as well do the artwork. I'm on a mission, and I'm not going to let the nay-sayers, non-believers, jealous-opposers drag me down anymore. Sometimes, a person can only depend on themselves... So once the pedal board is complete, the artwork will begin.

But first, the pedal board.

I spent most of the early evening sanding this sommamma bitch down but only after I sanded a sample piece to test my dye. I went with blue because I think it'll look cool.

I tested the dye solution (8oz H2O) at 10gtts; 20gtts; 40gtts; and 50gtts. I believe I got the shade I'm looking for. I'm waiting for the test board to dry so that I can see if the dye solution warped the wood in any way. If I can get away with not using denatured alcohol, that would be great. Either way, I'll probably be staining the sucker tomorrow after I finish puddying up some holes and test the polyurethane finish I got. I'm pretty excited.

I'm sticking to a blue theme with this board. I've already got some sweet ass casters to add to this mega box and it's going to be the sweetness!

Anyway, for any of you Lou City Folk, .e has put together another Tower Grove Park show this Sunday. (05.31.09) I will be playing (violin/vox) as well as:
.e

the staircase

of course you realize...

true callahan

sleep in sundays

killer b and the drones

mavis concave

color blind

andrew markee

We'll be there around 1pm. Message me for the location in the park.

...also .e has a facebook page and I suggest you all should become a fan.

...that is all...

~Syrhea

The Saga of the Pedal Board (pt.5)

Sooo....that Gorilla Glue...Eff'd me up man! Most of last Tuesday night, Wednesday morning and Thursday, I was having uncontrollable asthma/allergy like symptoms on top of sounding like a man. I actually didn't go into work on both Wednesday and Thursday, but I will not let this set back stop me!

I got back to work on my precious last night. I decided to not use the Gorilla Glue but to just stick to Elmer's Wood Glue. All is well. Finished up the second box and made a mental note: If I'm ever to build another one of these again, I'm getting more expensive plywood. The wood on the bottom box of the board totally split leaving the screws visible and bare. I'll have to puddy it up and for some reason, I forgot to take a picture of it...oh well.

But the box to hold the board is complete, and HUGE.

It's seriously like a little bit bigger than a Fender Twin amp...no fooling. Wheels are a must. There's going to be no way around it.

I then propped up the board that's actually going to have my pedals on it inside of the box to get an idea of where to put the hinges.

I found some 3/4 in thick wood pieces and screwed them to the back of my box and then placed the hinges on the wood blocks so that I could have space to feed cables/power strips/etc through the void. I finished up and called it a night.

This afternoon I connected the bottom ends of the hinges to the pedal board, after conveniently making a little hole to grip the board.

Making the connections seriously took me about an hour because I needed about 4 arms and hands. After I got the board connected to the box, I realized there was about a 1/4 in overlap of where the board is supposed to land.



Frustrated, I'm thinking of ways to just cut the extra wood off without taking anything apart. Around this time a dude on the west side of the Isle of Sky came around and became the second set of arms and hands that I needed. We took the hinges off, used 1/2in wood blocks, screwed those in the back of the box, and inserted the hinges on the blocks...Success!



Well...almost. The bottom of the board still wasn't clearing the edge of the box...just barely. Here comes the sanding...and sanding...and more sanding...and sanding...and blah blah blah FINALLY!



It's looking like a pedal board! Hells yes! And to see how much room I would have for my power strip, I decided to place it in the bottom of the board...



Look at all this room in here! I mean C'mon...LOOK AT IT! I could fit a small child in there. My fear of not having enough room for power turned out to be unfounded. I'm actually going to put two power strips in there. One for the pedals, and the other for bad-ass accessories. You'll see and yes, it's going to happen.

But for now, I'm tired and dusty...

And help me think of what color I should stain the wood (I've decided to stain)

...that is all...
~Syrhea

The Saga of the Pedal Board (pt.4)

Ahh man. Now I can totally understand why a durable and efficient pedal board goes for $250-300. This is seriously hard work. I do not envy carpenters and the like, especially if they hate their job. If they like the job, then I'd probably envy them, getting a job that you thoroughly enjoy is hard to come by.

Anyway, I was working on the pedal board until about 11pm last night. I didn't want to test the neighbors too bad. I meant to quit around 9:30 but I just couldn't stop. I shaved some pieces of wood to make a border for my routing mishap and then proceeded to glue the pieces with some Gorilla Glue.

I started to drill the sides of the boxes together when I discovered two things:

• One-my length side board was cut slightly crooked
• Two-drilling is effing hard!

I actually had to get my dad to come out and drill the first 3 boards together after attempting several times on my own. Turns out half the reason I was having so much difficulty was because I was using a broken drill bit to make the initial hole before I screw. Couldn't get that sucker to penetrate the wood. When we exchanged the bad bit for a good one, I finished up the sides and turned in for bed.

I woke up at 6am this morning to continue where I left off last night...but I didn't actually get to work until about 8am because of those damn addictive Law and Order Criminal Intent marathons. I would have to say that my biggest personality flaw and strength is confidence. Well, this morning, I was very confident about using the drill...a little too confident. Not realizing that the reason the drilling went well the night before, was because I had the assistance of my dad. So here I go clamping everything down, listening to some MGMT, marking my spots, and starting my drilling.

I happened to make a mistake

after mistake

after mistake

after mistake

after mistake

after mistake


I was so disheartened. I was ready to quit.

"Maybe Paul was right", I thought. "This is way to frustrating...what was I thinking...thinking I could build this..." Around this time my dad was leaving for work. He asks me whats wrong and I proceed to show him all the mistakes I've made and how I'm afraid it's not going to be strong enough to hold all the weight.

"Oh this is all fine Syrhea. Quit acting discouraged. We can puddy all of this up. You didn't think you were going to build this perfectly the first time around did you?"
"Yeah...I kinda thought this would be easy..."
My dad laughs at me and leaves for work.

I head over to my buddy Elshua's place to record some guitar (yes guitar. I'm no prodigy but I can play a little) tracks for one of his songs. I cooled off, wrote some new stuff, and was eager to get back here to finish what I started. I managed to get the bottom drilled to the sides of one half of the box this afternoon. I took the advice of El and my dad: Drill straight and be assertive.

All in all, I think everything is fine. The picture above will be the lid to the pedal board in hopes that when I start bottom, I'll do a better job. We'll see.

On a serious note, my finger tips are all irritated and brownish looking...even worse now than this picture taken earlier.

Turns out that the Gorilla Glue is apparently a skin irritant. I also read on the back of it's label "Asthmatics, consult doctor before using". Ooooh! This explains why I've been having trouble breathing for the past two days! Who knew? Not me...

...that is all...

~Syrhea