What's This Music For?

If you’re reading this, you’re probably aware that Transposition, our first album, is an example of that much-maligned art form, rock opera.  After the album was completed, we became interested in the possibility of bringing Transposition to the stage.  So far we have had little success; the people we have approached seemed to lose interest after learning the subject matter.  I guess it’s a little too controversial for our conservative little neck of the woods.  Anyway, I have been searching for alternative ways of presenting the opera visually as well as aurally.  I arrived at the idea of using static drawings to illustrate the action, but until recently hadn’t found a cost-effective way of doing that.  Then I found Pixton.com–a great tool for creating comic strips quickly and relatively easily.  After several weeks of feverish activity, I have produced a series of videos consisting of comic strip-type drawings (complete with dialog balloons), so that for the first time, it’s possible to see as well as hear Transposition.  It’s not quite as exciting as watching a stage show or movie, but it’s a start.  We will be having a private showing or two, and then eventually upload the videos to YouTube for viewing by the general public.  Stay tuned–we’ve got more Skeleton Crew videos on the way, too!

We’ll be reappearing at the Acoustic Coffeehouse, Johnson City, TN at 8:00 PM tomorrow for another unplugged set that will include material from both Transposition and Skeleton Crew, as well as a medley that will make you cry, “That’s just wrong!”.  Be there or be somewhere else.

Busy times here in Chameleon Red land.  We are preparing for our next gig a week from tomorrow.  And another super-secret project is underway.  I won’t reveal the details just yet; suffice it to say that Transposition still has more life in it.  TGIF!

As the Internet has evolved, it’s been exciting to watch all the new avenues for artistic self-expression open up.  The gatekeepers are being swept away, and literally anyone can present their music, writing, painting, poetry, photography, journalism, etc. to the world.  You don’t need a record company, or a publisher, or an agent anymore.  How wonderful!  Except that, it’s not always so wonderful.  It seems like these days we are awash in crap.  Bad music, bad photography, you name it–it’s out there, often invading our Facebook, Pinterest, or whatever Web 2.0 app is popular at the moment.  And generally, only those creative types who are great a marketing are able to grab your interest.  But great marketers are not always great creators.  Now don’t get me wrong–there is good, even great stuff out there, too.  But it’s often buried in the sheer volume of the mediocre to bad, and buried under the strident voices of the tireless self-promoters.  I believe that eventually new gatekeepers will emerge–with all the good and bad that entails.  But until then, we are left to our own devices; once in a while we even find some life-changing work of art among the garbage.  If you do find something worthwhile, please share it with the rest of the world; we may never find it otherwise!

Well, not really.  It’s Jimmy Fallon doing a very good impression of mid-70’s Dylan.  I enjoy a well-done (and silly) impression.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AdwPqDZpA8

Happy Valentine’s Day!  Here’s a little of what’s going on in Chameleon Red land right now.

• We got a good initial response the the “Skeleton Crew” video, including several Facebook shares.  That’s encouraging!  What?  You haven’t seen it yet?  Watch it now, before it’s too late!
• We have hit #6 on the local rock charts on ReverbNation (though we’ve slipped back to #10 now).  Don’t know what that means, really, but it sounds cool.
• We’re getting airplay on Jango radio.  Don’t know what that means, either, except that people from across the globe are listening to us.

• We have signed on for a four-month radio promotion campaign, targeting independent and college radio stations across the U.S.
• We have another live show scheduled for the near future.
• The video for “Impatience” is in the works.
• We’re starting to write some new material.

Whew!  Who knew we had that much energy?  Seriously, though, it’s exciting to see things happening.  Thanks to all who listen to and support us!

We had a good time and great turnout at the album release show. Now we’re ready to present the second video and title song from Skeleton Crew.  It’s totally different from “Westwood”–a danceable, slightly menacing peon’s-eye-view of corporate culture.

8:00 PM, the Acoustic Coffeehouse, Johnson City, TN. ‘Nuff said.

Yep, today is the day.  Skeleton Crew is now available for purchase and/or streaming from the following sources (and probably others we don’t know about).  Of course, if you’re local, you can get it directly from the band during our album release show at the Acoustic Coffeehouse in Johnson City, TN,  next Friday (January 24) at 8:00 PM.

CD Baby
iTunes
Amazon.com
Google Play
Spotify
iHeartRadio

Mark your calendars!  We are inaugurating the release of Skeleton Crew with a show at the Acoustic Coffeehouse in Johnson City, TN on January 24, 2014 at 8pm.  We’ll be stripping down to our bare acoustic instruments, playing unplugged versions of new songs from Skeleton Crew plus favorites from the previous album, Transposition.  And we’ll be selling copies, of course!  Come along, and bring your friends—heck, bring your enemies, too!