ETHAN SELLERS MUSIC |
Hey Everyone- September was such a whirlwind, personally and professionally, that I was unable to get last month's newsletter out. The gigs were well-attended even without a reminder e-mail, so I guess it all worked out in the end. Here's what's up this month and beyond... |
|
BOURBON ARISTOCRACY GIGS: My bluegrass band, Bourbon Aristocracy has had a busy late summer, playing on the Riverwalk in downtown Chicago, Cudahy Family Library, the Lombard Historical Society Food Truck Social, multiple gigs in Barrington (Barrington Area Library, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, and a memorial service), a benefit for Family Forward in Palatine, and more. The next few gigs ease us into fall....: Friday, October 3rd, 7-8pm Saturday, October 4th, 10am-noon |
|
CHEZ BUTTER GIGS: My soul band Chez Butter has two public gigs coming up - some nice community events. We've been hard at work, freshening up our songlist with some more classic soul, R&B, funk, and disco.
Friday, October 10th 6-8pm
Friday, November 7th 7-9pm |
|
CHARACTER FLEADH GIGS:
My Irish/Scottish band Character Fleadh hit the road this summer, playing to more than a thousand people at the Allerton Retreat Center in Monticello, IL and at a thunderstorm-shortened set at the Illinois State Fair.
Friday, October 24th 7:30-9pm Saturday, November 1st 7-10pm |
|
TAUTOLOGIC - 25th ANNIVERSARY OF WEST IS NORTH, EAST IS SOUTH: My rock band Tautologic’s debut album, West Is North, East Is South, turned 25 in June. My intention was to feature a song per newsletter, but it appears that I've gotten behind by 3 songs - so here's a bit of catch-up: Glasgow Smile (2000 Tautologic version): With all love for my Tautologic then-bandmates’ excellent work on this track, there is a far superior version of the song by Logical Fleadh. It’s telling that I completely re-wrote my vocal melody and chords for the verses of "Glasgow Smile" - but didn’t change a lot about the instrumentals. That’s because I mostly got it right with the first pass. I was still so obsessed with all of the instrumental details that I didn’t bother to write a real melody to sing. The lyrics are the same, but the Logical Fleadh versions removes he one bad word from the original recording. I still swear too much in real life, but I’m not proud of it. I also figure that skipping the objectionable words makes it more likely that the track will get airplay. Somewhere in the archives, I also have a recording by the defunct Ethan Sellers Band, which attempted a jam-band approach. I think the Logical Fleadh version is the last one I need to record, unless I do an acoustic version sometime. I’d still like to get Highland bagpipes on a version, although there are some technical reasons (Highland pipe tuning is quite a bit sharp of standard tuning, for one) why that may not happen. Drummer Pat Buzby wrote “The House Song,” and violist Jennifer Justice sings lead vocals. The track features five of the seven band members at the time, which allows it to breathe a bit more than some of the others. I particularly like the lyrical cello instrumental section (played by Ken Arai) and the chiming of Mick Hirsch’s guitar chord on the intro/interlude/coda hook. I didn’t have a lot of input on this track, which - per my usual - results in greater enjoyment on my part.
GET TURTLE DOWN MUSIC AND MERCH: Can't make the gigs to buy stuff in person? Just head on over to https://turtledownmusic.bandcamp.com, pick yourself (or a loved one) out something nice (downloads, CDs, t-shirts, posters) by me, Tautologic, Logical Fleadh, or Le Travaillant. Turtle Down Music is operated by me and Tautologic co-founder Pat Buzby. Pretty much everything we make goes into making the next recording, so your ongoing support is appreciated. Buy the current stuff and we'll make some new stuff! |
|
MUSIC LESSONS - ONLINE AND IN-PERSON AT MY STUDIO: I have some openings for piano, guitar, and voice lessons. I also teach
theory and sight-reading for all instruments - and I have worked with some advanced students to write songs, set career goals, and plan large projects like albums. Inquire within and referrals always cheerfully accepted! Gotta kick this out the door and get on with it, so... catch you later... Ethan Sellers |
