Fat Bean Show Thanks!

I just want to give a quick thanks to everyone who checked out my show at Fat Bean a few weeks ago, with Peter Frederiksen, Daniel Hautamaki, and Matt Schweinberg! We had an awesome time playing, and we even made a few new friends! Thanks to Billy of Dashney for running sound for us, and thanks to Tom of Screaming Beaver for promoting the show.

I've just finished pre-production on the few new songs, which means I'm ready to record a few in the studio. It looks like I'll be doing work on my next album in sections. I feel like my songs, musically speaking, really stretch into different genres, which makes them difficult to record with the same producer, etc. (unless, of course, it's me).

I'm also really excited about the prospect of working with a songwriter/producer in Nashville. His name is Jeremy Casella, and we've been communicating a bit by phone and email, talking about the possibility of recording some of my more "David Gray-esque" songs. Very exciting.

As for some of the other songs, I'm trying to hook up with an old buddy of mine who works out of Villa Park, running a studio, producing, and engineering.

Alive and Kickin'

Just wanted to let you all know I'm still alive and kickin'! I have atleast one more week left before completing some new recordings. I'll let you know when they're done and online. Also, I'm working right now to solidify deals with an attorney and manager. Big stuff. Bringing other people on board is the first step to "upping our game," you could say. Keep in touch!

Festivals, Festivals, Recording, Recording...

And so it begins. We're now in the process of working with Chicago area festivals to line up shows for next summer - yes, next summer! These places book super-far in advance. Not only that, but we're doing a new photo shoot this month, along with some more studio work. New songs coming in February, if all goes according to plan!

Blown Away...

I just can't thank all of you enough for such a great show at La Spiaza last weekend. I know this thanks is a little late, but I hope you all appreciate it still. Special thanks to Rachel Zibrat, Peter Frederiksen, Daniel Hautamaki, and Rob Bruhn for performing with me - this show would have been nothing without them standing beside me.

And thank you all who were there! I know it was worth your while.

-Jay

PS: To those of you who were in Ragtime, I thought you tore it up on Saturday night!

Northbeach Show Last Week; La Spiaza This Week!

Wow! I had a great time hangin' out with everyone at Northbeach last week. Thanks to everyone who came out, and thanks to Tom Hartman and Screaming Beaver Records for setting up the show. Now that the Wheaton Grand Theater is gone, Northbeach has picked up some of the "local music slack", I think. If you haven't been there yet, check us out the next time we play there.

Of course, that was the past, though, and it's now time to look forward - to this weekend! I'm looking forward to a laid-back show, hanging with friends, playing with friends, etc. If you don't have plans yet for this Saturday, come out! And if you have plans, make sure it includes coming by around 8:30 PM! Daniel Hautamaki (guitar), Rob Bruhn (box), Peter Frederickson (bass), and Rachel Zibrat (vocals), will all be a huge part of the night.

Special Thanks to Glenbard East and Students!

I've been so busy over the last few weeks, it's unbelievable! I would have to say that the week prior to the Homecoming Dance was, quite possibly, the busiest I've ever experienced. But even since then, I've been going non-stop. Life's not willing to slow down for me until after my Northbeach show on October 24th (though I'm very much looking forward to that).

So here's the deal: I want to extend my greatest thanks to the students and staff at Glenbard East for making my concert there such a great success! I'd like to thank Rachel Zibrat for singing with me, and hanging out the week of the show, and Chris Vandenburg - for sharing the stage with me, and for helping with logistics for the event. Of course, I couldn't forget to thank Jim for contacting me about the show to begin with. I had a blast!

Facebook or Myspace?

Well, actually, the answer to this is much simpler than you might first expect. Any of you who frequent the pages of Myspace.com know that every day they seem to be getting more and more "sketch" - the advertisements, the random friend requests from businesses looking to make a few bucks. Here's what's happening: Myspace is going "commercial." Myspace is out to make money, and companies advertise on Myspace because it generates more money.

Now I'm not saying that other sites (like Facebook) aren't making money (they are), but it's more about the way the whole system is set up right now. Atleast for the time being, you have to be, or have been, a student to get an account. And, only companies hand-picked by Facebook can do marketing to its members. Also, it's difficult to "randomly" add friends, which makes it "safer," in the sense that you'll most likely know the requester. Finally, you can't see people's profiles unless you're friends with them!

Bottom line, though it's difficult to say, and difficult to swallow, Myspace.com will eventually lose out to Facebook.com - that is, if Myspace continues commercializing and Facebook is careful to guard their network. O.K. So what does this all mean for you and me? If you're a student, get on Facebook and add me as a friend! Here's a link to my page: http://www.facebook.com/p/Jay_Mathes/48609039

peaCe.

Jay