KS.com update:
I recorded a version of the Replacements’ song ‘Kids Don’t Follow’ for a tribute record… being released at some point by a label in Sweden… had a very nice visit to WFMU in New Jersey, and beyond that… looking forward to REM’s upcoming tour and the release of Soft Commands in the world outside of North America soon (well, in a month). Got a couple of interesting things in the works… but can’t talk about that yet.
Love (in the meantime)
KS
Athens GA
Played the ‘Little Steven’s Underground Garage Festival” yesterday…Big Star played a 15 min. set, following Nancy Sinatra, and we did just fine, without any leggy dancers. If you ever wondered what it sounds like when you cross #1 Record with Live at Leeds, yesterday was your chance to find out. Amazing day of music…the Chocolate Watchband, the Stooges (Iggy attacking the cameras in TV Eye prob. the highlight of the day) , the Creation, the raunchy Pretty Things (LSD!) all killer. Never had seen the Woggles either…stormin’!
I don’t know if I was clear but Soft Commands comes out Worldwide on Rykodisc next month with extra tracks. It’s already out in the US and Canada, of course, and now Spain on Houston Party, and soon…everywhere from Andorra to the UAE and inbetween on Ryko.
Also, this coming week’s issue of Mojo has 2 free CDs with american groups covering the Beatles…Nilsson to the Four Tops to…the Posies. There’s a good story behind the track–get the mag and find out!!
Love
KS
New Canaan CT
You can hear a clip of ‘I’m Looking Through You’ here: http://play.www.emap.servecast.net/downloads/emap/beatles_01_01.mov
mirrored from yeproc.com
WBZK will feature Ken Stringfellow on it’s Deep Cuts program with Preston Toney on Thursday, August 12 from 8pm to 10pm EST.
You can tune in to hear cuts from Stringfellow’s latest release on Yep Roc Records SOFT COMMANDS as well as cuts from his past records and an interview with Ken himself.
You can stream this program by going to the link and clicking the “click here to listen” button. You must have Windows Media Player 9 to stream this station.
http://www.wbzk.com/
mirrored from ks.com:
Was it worth all the worry, all the anticipation? *I* thought so. I am the first to admit that I am no big deal… just doing my version of painting my little corner of music’s great house. Sometimes I paint myself into a corner, sometimes, I just walk up a wall when I’m done (done?).
The tour, as far as I’m concerned, was all highlights. I came away from each night feeling like I had added something positive to the lives of those present. But also, I constantly asked what more I could do. I try and discern what is most useful but also, music is subject to different valuations… that which makes money, that which garners attention, that which foments change. On that big grand scale, I am getting about a D+. But so many tiny musical things changed me, gave me the components of my intellect and aesthetics, maybe I will provide those little grains for someone’s, uh… loaf of thought. Argh.
Folks, I want to thank everybody who came out to see the shows, who put them on, and all the great op’ners… from Bridget St. John to Jesse Sykes to the Ex-Lovers to the Minders to Jessy Green to Kenny Howes… and to Oranger, for providing explosive back-up on ‘Down to the Wire’ and ‘Never My Love’ (the latter also augmented by Patented Padilla Peavey Power).
Highest order of thanks to all the providers of gear – Will K., Brian P., REM/Dewitt, Beth & Ed, Rachel I., JKY, Aaron, Padilla… and let us not forget one of my favorite moments, having the very talented Ian McGlynn play piano on ‘You Drew’… and a version of the ‘Summer Wind’. His new record, Tomorrow’s Taken, is a current fave of mine, I think anyone who likes my stuff would like his… check out ianmcglynn.com
And god bless the Magnum.
Several of the shows were recorded, and available online. The Boston show at the Middle East (thru the club’s website ), the Hoboken show at Maxwell’s, and the Chicago show at Schuba’s. (for the last two, check the club websites, and look for the emusic links.
I hope to hit some dates in Europe before the year’s end… in the meantime, I’ll be traveling around with REM (see tour page).
As always, I am looking for tennis partners on tour! Feel free to drop me a line if you’re up for a match around one of the posted tour dates.
Best
KS
New Canaan CT
DCN.com (now emusiclive.com) has videos (streaming .ram files) still up for viewing, including an interview with Ken in July 2001, and his performance on the Digital Network Club’s soundstage of several songs from Touched the same day.
http://www.dcn.com/contest/band_page.jsp?artist_id=4414 (You have to register to view the videos)
SOFT COMMANDS TO BE RELEASED BY RYKODISC SEPT. 27 OUTSIDE OF US / CANADA / SPAIN
with two extra tracks, no less– a cover of the Association’s ‘Never My Love’ (feat. Larry Knechtel on keyboards/bass–the keyboard player on the original version!!) and a wild n woolly cover of Neil Young’s ‘Down to the Wire’.
I can only say that my lack of posts means that I have been working quite hard on this tour –and it has been a joy to do so. But it hasn’t left much time for me to sit in front of a computer. I will write a summary when I am off the tour next week.
Love
KS
Napa CA
“I write about everything,” he said. “And some things are better being projected through a reverse telescope. Every piece of fiction is an assembly of facts with the names blurred. Everyone has an agenda and a set of beliefs they want to reflect, and that’s OK. I don’t even try not to be subjective.”
And Stringfellow likes the clearly non-objective curves that his career has thrown him.
“My career happened without thinking. I’ve been playing in bands since I was a kid, and 20 years later, I’m still going,” he said. “The lack of control only teaches you how life really is. As a musician, you can’t help but live this way, but that’s OK. Other people are caught by surprise by change. Change is always shocking, but I feel that maybe I can accept it more.”
One thing that Stringfellow surely accepts is the appreciation his fans show.
“I haven’t a clue why they like me. It’s truly a mystery,” he said. “Sometimes I think, ‘OK, give me a sign if I’m doing the right job.’ But, if I make some people happy, and I’m not forcing it, then it’s all worth it.”
FP: In between “Soft Commands” and working with R.E.M., what else were you up to last year?
KS: I recorded in Memphis with Big Star and Seattle with the Posies both of which will be released on Rykodisc. The Posies material is 90 percent done and the Big Star material is done – it will be their first release in 27 years, the Posies’ first release in 6 years.
FP: What were those recording experiences like?
KS: Jon and I have been playing with Alex and Stephen since 1993 and we’re like regular members. Alex has moved on to another place musically and he basically set us in a room together and let it ripÉ I think it’s a cool record that only occasionally brushes up against a Big Star of the past. The Posies’ new material is just different enough and just related enough to be fresh and not trying too hard to disown their past – there are many twist and turns.
(read more)
“just wanted to let those of you outside the u.s. and canada know that ken’s album will be coming out on ryko in late september. there are two bonus tracks (both covers). we’ll be attempting to line up shows around all the other activity ken’s got on his plate. i’ll keep you posted as details are confirmed.”
(posted by Barbara Mitchell to the dear23 list.)
R.E.M.’s side musician Ken Stringfellow has told Murmurs.com how the band’s bold approach to making a record revolutionised the way he records his own music.
In an interview with Ethan Kaplan, Stringfellow, who also plays with Peter Buck’s other band the Minus 5, said working on Reveal gave him a more “spontaneous” outlook on the recording process.
Stringfellow last month released Soft Commands and has been busy helping out with R.E.M.’s forthcoming album, scheduled for release in the first week of October…
EK: The new record seems to find you wearing your influences on your sleeve, most notably the Beach Boys with “When U Find Someone.” Was this a conscious thing?
KS: Well, it’s like using digital samples. There are all sorts of evocative tones from established musical forms out there, it’s fun to quote them and recontectualize them.
EK: Whats with the Holst’s “The Planets” progression on Any Love?
KS: It’s one of my favorite pieces of music, and I wanted to see if any one would notice!