7/19/06I just added a blog section. Or rather, I'm about to. I set it up so now I'm just going to do the links and it's done. That will probably get updated more than this. This will probably just have basic news items if anything exciting is going on. Details on the blog. Something like this:Currently touring with Jennifer O'Connor opening for Hotel Lights.Gearing up for some Portastatic fall touring and for record releases for Portastatic, JO'C and Kevin Devine.We'll see how this new plan works.6/16/06I'm so slack about updating the news section here. But every now and then it actually gets done.I'm in Seattle with Portastatic right now. We're playing tonight for the Seattle International Film Festival doing the score for this really odd 1927 film called The Unknown, starring Lon Chaney and Joan Crawford. We have this afternoon to run through it hopefully a couple times to make sure we start and end things on time. Fingers crossed. The film itself is about an armless knife thrower in the circus who is in love with the ringmaster's daughter. She's terrified of being touched so the fact that he's armless is helpful. Except he's not really armless. So he finds a doctor to blackmail into amputating his arms, though while he's away getting that done and recuperating, she gets over her fear and she and the strong man are to be married. There's more to it as well. It's just a very weird and twisted plot.Anyway, I'm here until Sunday, then back to NYC. My birthday is Tuesday so I think that the show I'm playing on Wednesday with Jennifer will be my birthday celebration, mainly so I don't have to figure out where I want to be to organize anything else.4/9/06I'm in Chapel Hill at the moment, sitting on the lawn of Weaver Street in the warm sun. Flew in last night, am recording with Regina Hexaphone tonight and Portastatic the next couple days. Then back to Brooklyn and work. The past month or so has been pretty busy. Portastatic had a week of shows opening up for Wilco in the southeast. Great shows and people abounded. Then SXSW with JO'C, Mascott, Kevin Devine and the Mendoza Line. It ended up being 7 shows and 2 rehearsals with 4 bands in 4 days. I wrote it up for a Jane magazine email blast thing that's going out sometime probably in the next few days. And the incredibly detailed account of our travel day there is available on my myspace page (www.myspace.com/mogwhite). Too much time to kill on the plane, basically. Last week I flew to LA for a day of recording with Kevin for his new record. What I heard all sounded great. Rob Schnapf is producing and is doing an incredible job, besides being super easy to work with.In other news, my grandmother turned 100 last weekend so we had a big family reunion at her place. It was good to see all the cousins and their kids, several of whom I hadn't seen in probably 6 years. It's hard to know what to do for any ensuing birthdays though as it seems difficult to have so many people gather each year, but really every birthday after 100 is a pretty big deal...2/2/06Apparently the groundhog saw his shadow this morning and we are therefore in for a few more weeks of winter. Which, if it continues the way it has been so far, should be quite pleasant.Right now I'm at Long View Studios in North Brookfield, MA, doing some recording with Brand New. What I've heard so far sounds really good. And the place is amazing. The studio and our living space is in an old barn that smells like horses (probably due to the three horses who live there). Samson came up here with me and is loving being able to run around outside. The only problem is that he's also decided that barking is fun and that he should do it every time somebody enters, leaves, or moves around the room. And he's not allowed in the control room unless under strict supervision as we discovered early on that his tail is at just the right height to hit the power on ProTools when he wags it (which he does a lot, even when barking).There are a bunch of shows coming up with lots of different bands. It changes constantly so just check the show page for that. And I will be at SXSW the whole time playing with Jennifer O'Connor and Mascott and probably Portastatic and Kevin. And possibly other people. You just never know. And apparently I like to keep myself ridiculously busy.1/10/06The new year so far has been pretty good. Started out with a nice cold/cough/flu thing, so really it could just get better from there. And it has. I adopted an incredible dog, Samson, from Bide-A-Wee Shelter and so far he's been so good and well-behaved. I'm sure that will change as his comfort level increases, but hopefully not. He had his first rock and roll experience this past weekend as he came to Headgear Studios in Brooklyn for some demo recording with Kevin. Which, by the way, sound really great. We have a show coming up in a few weeks in Hamden, CT, and I think Mascott is going to open up. That means double duty for me, but that's always fun. Oh, and I think there will be some SXSW announcements soon.
12/20/05Right now I'm completely fascinated by this transit strike that's happening here. And apparently it was just ruled that the union will have to pay $1 million a day each day they're on strike. That's insane. Will they stop the strike, will it continue on? Who knows. I feel like I haven't really been part of it yet since I just didn't go to work today. I feel like I need to join with everyone in walking the 7 miles to work just because...we'll see what happens there.In other news, the past few weeks have been busy with several shows, each with different groups. They've all been most excellent. And at this moment the only thing on my schedule is a solo show at Pete's Candy Store at the end of the month along with my friend Pete Fitzpatrick.And, as another exciting part of that evening, there will be a re-gifting comedy show, so if anyone has presents they're not so sure they want to keep, bring 'em on!12/6/05It's cold out. Finally feeling like winter out there.Tonight is the first of rehearsals with Jennifer O'Connor for our big Dec 11 show on Sunday opening for Laura Veirs. I actually haven't really heard Laura yet, but Jennifer and Kendall are both enormous fans and listen constantly and are really excited about the show, so it must be really amazing stuff!This past weekend (yeah, I'm behind on the news stuff) Mascott played with the Mendoza Line at the Knitting Factory Tap Bar. Fun times, though I'm not sure if we'll ever be able to get Tim to hang out with us again. Who knew that partying with Mascott and the Red Panda crew would do him in...And on Sunday I played with Kaiser Cartel along with my friend Brent on cello. I think he and I are trying to take over as the newcomers to NY string section. That show went really well too and Margot and the Nuclear So-and-So's played after us and totally rocked the house.I better go or I'll be late for practice and in so much trouble...11/4/05A few weeks ago Portastatic played on KCRW in Los Angeles. It was broadcast this past Monday and now, by clicking here, you can listen and even watch us whenever you want!Regina Hexaphone has some shows up here next weekend. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone and to finding out if I remember the songs after many months of not playing them at all. I better start practicing my rock moves so at least if I forget the parts I'll have the moves down...11/1/05Just got back from a couple weeks on the road with Portastatic and John Vanderslice and the Batwings. It was a really great time - I wish we could have kept on going out west with those folks (especially considering the vanderjohnless shows in Baton Rouge and Jackson, MS, on the way home).We had four shows in Florida, and those, I would say, brought us the most adventure. Swimming took place in St. Augustine, though unfortunately we didn't make it out to the late night swim and hang out with the Batwings (sorry Ian!) If only the hotels were a little closer to each other...We got to Talahassee the day of Florida A&M's homecoming (they won). We stayed up until 4 or so watching the bass-heavy, fancified shiny cars cruise outside the hotel. We were expecting it all to be much louder, but the bass really only shook the whole building once.We met up with Hurricane Wilma in Orlando, but were on the northern edge of where it hit and experienced nothing but rain and some wind. Not too much of either. And when we arrived in Gainesville, FL, later that afternoon we were met with some absolutely gorgeous weather and the bluest skies of the tour.All the shows were good. Great people were out and about and with us. We should really do it again.It is good to be home though.10/12/05I'm nearing the end of a couple weeks at home. More or less at home anyway. I've been working a lot and busy during most of my time off. But anyway, Portastatic starts back in a couple days. The first two shows are both in New York, the second of those being within walking distance of my apartment in Brooklyn. Then we have a couple weeks on the road, most of which will be in the southeastern portion of the states, which will hopefully be warmer and slightly drier than it's been here the past few days.The Portastatic shows so far have been really fun. Some have had great crowds, some not so much. But it's all been fun, and we've been trying to do one new song a night, which basically means that we have a lot of songs that we sort of kind of but don't really know. I get to rock out on the tambourine and maroccas, so that's all that really matters.Oh, and the parental update: they're doing much better. My dad's walking around more than he's supposed to (though he has a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning so maybe he'll actually get permission to walk without use of crutches or a walker) and my mom's arm is now fully functioning, though still in recovery.8/20/05The first of the Portastatic tours starts in a couple days, the first show being an in-store up here in NYC at Other Music, and the album "Bright Ideas" releases on Tuesday. It sounds really great - I highly recommend everyone going out and getting a copy.There are also some shows with Kevin, most of which I'll be around for, though there will be some I'll have to miss. And huge congratulations go to Kevin for his recent signing to Capitol! Hopefully they'll treat him right.I really must work on learning these songs for the tour now. The apartment is clean, the cats are sleeping. It's the perfect time.7/18/05I'm down in Winston-Salem, NC, right now helping out my parents for the week. They were in a wreck a couple weeks ago and are now recuperating. They'll heal but are a bit broken at the moment.But in better news, more Portastatic touring is on the horizon. We're starting in mid-August around the release of the new album, Bright Ideas. We'll be touring with Tenement Halls (the new band of the Rock*a*teens' Chris Lopez) for a couple weeks, then with John Vanderslice in October for a few more. It'll be good to be on the road again for a bit.Oh, and I have a new kitten named Skunk. I didn't mean to get him, but someone was desperately trying to get rid of him on the streets of midtown Manhattan a few weeks back during my lunch break, and I'm a sucker. He's cute though. Little white stripe on his back (hence the name).6/15/05
It's been a while. Good and bad times. Elsa, my wonderful beautiful sweet cow-dog, died a few weeks ago. It's been a hard time, but I was lucky to be surrounded by lots of good friends. And the Portastatic tour was at just the right time to keep me busy. And it was a good tour as well. Rilo Kiley and the Brunettes are both great, as bands and as people.
4/16/05
Last night Kevin and I played the Sara Schaefer is Obsessed With You show and had a great time, followed by the playing of a few songs in the street for some folks who had driven a long way not realizing we were only playing a couple songs. Good times, odd looks.
Not too much coming up in the immediate future that I know of, but I will be playing a few shows at the end of May and beginning of June with Portastatic on their tour opening up for Rilo Kiley.
Other than that, it's finally getting warm and spring-like up here! We spent last Sunday in Prospect Park and I think the oddest sighting was that of firemen attempting, with their truck and ladder, to rescue a bird from a tree. They were having difficulty as the bird kept flying away every time they got near it.
2/26/05
The Love Hangover was a great success. Everybody sounded so amazing, and there was so much love in the room. If only we could have the Raleigh version and the Brooklyn version somehow simulcast...something to think about for next year.
This week there are several shows going on, some of them, like this coming Wednesday's show with Sleater Kinney, are last minute additions.
And the date is now set for Kevin's cd release party: May 4. Mark your calendars.
Tomorrow night is Oscar night. Mascott is playing a benefit at Tonic. We will do as much as we can to bring an Oscar-worthy night to you, complete with fancy dress and who knows what other surprises!
Oh, and I really must thank the wonderful, lovely and talented Jennifer O'Connor for being my dog walker on those days when I don't have time between work and shows to come home to see dear Elsa. So make sure you go see Jen when she plays. You don't want to miss it. She'll be at SXSW, so if you're there then you should go see her because you really won't be disappointed.
1/17/05
The holidays are come and gone and now it's back to normal life. There's not a whole lot going on right now. And only a bit of snow on the ground.
A few shows with Mascott are on the horizon, and I'll be playing the Love Hangover on Feb. 15 with my friend Keir.
There are all sorts of special people at Pete's Candy Store that night. It'll be worth making it out, I believe.
There probably won't be many KD & the Goddamn Band shows until the big cd release party sometime in April or May.
12/19/04
We had a brilliant time in London! Unfortunately, Rainy was sick and unable to join us, but Kendall and I managed sufficiently on our own.
We actually had a couple performances over there, the first being at a pizza place singing back-up to that Kylie song with the cover band that was playing. It's our new-found career, I think. The Chickfactor show was great. Everyone played so well and we all had a blast.
We found some pictures online of our show (the one at Bush Hall) and those are now in the Mascott section of the pictures page,
as are some photos of our other adventures and friends.
This past week has been busy with work and shows. Both those of friends I've gone to see and ones I've played with Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band. All have been good. Now I rest.
11/21/04
So, the London show is on the 10th and glockenspiel prodigy Rainy Orteca will be joining Kendall and me!
The Girls Gone Oscar Wilde tour will be filmed and documented by fashionista Debora Francis.
On Friday Kendall and I played one of the weirdest shows either of us has ever played. It even rivaled the midday Rock Camp performance I played this summer with Regina Hexaphone. Weird in a different way.
We played at the Sara Schaefer is Obsessed With You show, which is a talk show type thing. It was fun and definitely a good release from the insanity that work has been this week (Kendall and I live the same life, by the way). It was a nice change from the regular rock club thing. Just slightly surreal.
Thursday I went and recorded with Kevin Devine. Everything is sounding great so far. I can't wait to hear the final product.
Soon he'll be part of the family as he and my dog have fallen in love and I think might be getting married...
11/13/04
It's starting to get pretty chilly up here. And my cat won't stop shredding paper.
This week I did a bit of recording for a soundtrack with the nice folks from Yo La Tengo, and soon I'll go to the studio with Kevin Devine.
In December Mascott will head over to London to play the Chickfactor showcase at Bush Hall. We don't know yet whether we'll play on the 10th or 11th, but either way it's the weekend and I'm sure will be loads of fun. And we'll have a few days to hang out and relax and catch up with friends there, and that's really the most important part of touring anyway.
Now I really must clean up the little bits of paper that the cat has managed to tear up and that are now scattered all across the floor...
10/20/04
Hello all! Welcome to the new news section where I can keep you updated on whatever latest goings-on are going on!
The biggest going-on, of course, is that I moved up to Brooklyn, NY, at the beginning of September.
I'm still getting settled and adjusting to living up here. So far work has been keeping me busy (thanks Kendall!) and I've been doing a bit of playing.
Mascott played the closing night of CMJ for the Red Panda Records night at CB's 313 Gallery along with Jennifer O'Connor, The Naysayer,
and Bitch with the wonderful Murray Hill hosting it all. It was an incredibly fun night with many folks turning out for the show.
I think it's fair to say that all were rocked.
Nothing much else is scheduled at the moment but that is of course subject to change at any moment.