For the duration of the summer, I’ll be posting new music every Friday. Some songs will be used in“Zeus”; others will not. The goal here is to focus on one song idea for an entire week, fine-tune it and have it recorded and posted by Friday. The good stuff will end up on my next release, which will be available for free download upon completion.

It was a great week of ideas, having come out of last weekend with three full songs ready for lyrics. I decided on recording the Creedance-Clearwater-Revival, motown-ish sounding one, and here it is:

This track is easily one of my favorites thus far. I started out hearing a ?uestlove drumbeat in my head and quickly went to work on incorporating some clean guitar sounds. Going into Thursday, I was a little terrified at putting vocal parts down because they make or break songs. Thankfully, they sit well enough in the mix to not totally destroy the track. Really happy with how this one came out, considering how bummed I was with last week’s song.

Lyrics:

Mary Mrs. walks the streets at night
Mary Mrs. hasn’t been feeling right
the routine gets old,
I know.

Mary Mrs. push your pencil
Mary Mrs. Hyde your Jekyll
it’s like your soul has turned cold,
I know.

There ain’t no medicine
or a pill to cure the low,
you’re just down with the Buffalo morose.

Mary Mrs. wear your teeth down
have a drink to flood this bug out,
but it only gets worse
it’s a curse.

Mary Mrs. feels no better
days spent under the covers,
stranded down a rabbit hole
her heart goes.

There ain’t no medicine
or pill to cure the low,
you’re just down with the Buffalo morose.

That black dog is at your throat
got you once but now you know,
you’re just down with the Buffalo morose.

Copyright 2010 Louiston Music BMI

When Refused released their epic “The Shape of Punk to Come” in ’98, I was just a stupid kid too strung out on adolescent pop-punk to care. Back then, Refused was that odd, raven-haired band on Epitaph Records compilations, whose songs were sonically assaulting and unapologetically political (and, now that I’ve learned a few things, brazenly anarchist). The New Noise that Refused offered did little to satisfy my then-insatiable appetite for songs about girls and breaking up.

So it was with little surprise that Refused’s sociopolitical content went completely over my head, as did their unique brand of hardcore. Yet I knew, while scanning the booklet of Punk-O-Rama 4, that my taste in rock music and the bombast of such tracks as “Worms of the Earth/Faculties of the Skull” and “Tannhauser/Derive” would some day intersect. Eventually, their lyrics would strike a chord. Eventually, the Drop-D guitar chaos would cause my ears to perk up. Eventually, the band’s general on-stage bravado would elicit under-my-breath mutterings of “This is the raddest band I’ve ever seen.”

And I was 100 percent correct.

When the pangs of Resistance (read: procrastination, apathy, anxiety, etc.) creep up, I’m typically steered toward YouTube to watch bootleg Refused concert footage or the band’s official break-up documentary “Refused are Fucking Dead” for the umpteenth time. There is one video that intrigues me most out of all the others. In it, the band is tucked into the corner of a dive bar in Ireland somewhere, playing to a handful of listeners. In front of lead singer, Dennis Lyxzen, is a booth with a few buzzed drinkers paying little attention to the pummeling noise behind them.

Now, here is a band set to release what will eventually become a pivotal record in punk/rock, playing in a shitty bar and still rocking out with the same passion and energy that became their trademark. Viewing it now, it appears that this show was beneath the band*, yet one can’t sense as much from their performance. Perhaps they hid their displeasure well. Or maybe they saw on opportunity, as meager as it may have seemed, to blow an audience away with the New Noise. Based on the acclaim that follows Refused today, some 12 years after their split, I’d say it’s most certainly the latter.

* It should be noted that Refused’s last official show was in a random Virginia basement. Something tells me they didn’t much care where they were playing, just so long as they were.

* * *

Remember, every show – whether it’s an opening slot, an open mic or busking on the street – counts. Many times I’ve nearly talked myself out of playing at some random venue because I was sure it would lead to nothing. Yet I can tell you that those very nights when I reluctantly got off my ass, stashed my acoustic in the trunk and drove off to an open stage were some of most memorable. It was then that I had the best performances, received lots of positive feedback, handed out a pile of CDs and spent the rest of the night connecting with other musicians. That’s the kind of reward that makes battling the Resistance a welcomed challenge and, in turn, opens the door to future opportunities.

Good afternoon, folks. I’m pleased to welcome you all over for dinner at my new website www.loudipietro.com*.

For some time, I’ve been seeking a simple directory, a central location for all my stuff, specifically this blog and music. After a month or two of fruitless attempts on my own using Dreamweaver, I stumbled onto exactly what I was looking for, courtesy of www.flavors.me.

What’s this new change mean for the blog? Nothing at all, really, except now you can read this blog in one of two places – either at the new site or by punching in www.loudipietro.wordpress.com. Pick your poison.

So, thanks for reading, and let me know if you encounter any site bugs.

Oh, and a big thank-you to Ms. Lindsey Glover, who took all these rad photos.

*louisdipietro.com and louistonmusic.com work too. (I’m a domain hound)

Unlike the previous 11 or so songs, this one is definitely not for “Zeus”, at least lyrically. I came across this picking part while rummaging through my GarageBand files a few days ago and thought I could use it for a 30-second loop in the film. I toyed with that idea before giving the riff a shot as a full-fledged song about my grandmother, who’s in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Structurally, the song is a straight shot – two verses and the chorus and done. It’s short, almost too short, dying out as it’s just getting started.

I think I like it; I think I hate it. That’s the story of a songwriter.

Might explore this one again sometime.

Lyrics:

She holds the edges of a map
what she once knew, the wind blows through.
an aimless kite goes up and up
no amount of screaming or shouting with bring her down.
She drifts where no eyes can see
into the recess of stubborn memory.

I wore no mask
your mind betrays
a foreign room, a familiar frame
I wore no mask
but I stood as a stranger.

A flower blooms in its vase,
Your photos hung in their proper place.
Seems I wore a mask,
I’m the piece that doesn’t fit here.

Blood of my blood
etched on my name
We watched the flood of chemical rain
and it came in waves.
find peace now in fairytale sleep,
and I’ll wear the mask
a reflection of the missing.

* * *

The evolving Zeus Collective

1. Respite
2. Street Cred (Volcano Casualty)
3. The Weight of a Feather
4. BMX Bike
5. Gentlemen Wear Suits
6. Dirty Dozen Dimes
7. Like I Should
8. All Noise
9. Cemetery, Stop Sign
10. Footrace
11. Duck, Duck, Noose

Click here to visit the official “Zeus” site

I sometimes laugh when I read other artist’s biographies. Along with all the 25 cent words, my favorite is the part when the musician states that they’ve been playing music since the age of 2, as if that somehow means they’re destined for stardom. To each his or her own.

I like to write, but I have a hard time turning myself into a product, so instead I wrote a synopsis of my last five years as an artist. This is my official, and like the rest of my work – evolving, biography.

Read it here

Greetings,

Reshoots are underway here in the Southern Tier. Yesterday, we shot some familiar Route 16 landmarks, including the not-much-of-a-landmark “Pat’s Tac” (a country western store), the Hinsdale Cemetery and, of course, “Earl’s” – home of the jelly jar drinkers. The entire afternoon was spent under the humming gymnasium lights in Hinsdale Center School. Between our filming in April and this weekend, we’ve spent a total of five whole days in that damn building. Our crew shared a collective groan as we stepped onto the lacquered basketball court and a quiet hooray as we bagged up our gear. Finally, our days there are over. We finished the night at Jeremy’s sister’s house, refilming a scene on her porch. All went great, and we’re happy with what we got. 

The weather is just right: Beautiful, sunny skies with temperatures in the 70s, and then nice and cool in the evenings.

Wish you were here.

Love, Lou

“I like (men) to talk nonsense. That’s man’s one privilege over all creation. Through error you come to the truth… you never reach any truth without making fourteen mistakes and very likely a hundred and fourteen… talk nonsense, but talk your own nonsense, and I’ll kiss you for it. To go wrong in one’s own way is better than to go right in someone else’s. In the first case, you are a man, in the second you’re no better than a bird.”

Razumikhin, from Dostoyevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”

For the duration of the summer, I’ll be posting new music every Friday. Some songs will be used in“Zeus”; others will not. The goal here is to focus on one song idea for an entire week, fine-tune it and have it recorded and posted by Friday. The good stuff will end up on my next release – “The Zeus Collective”, which will be available for free download upon completion.

A couple of weeks ago, JHurls requested music for the Battle Bats scene in “Zeus”. “Something insane”, he said.

Battle bats, for those of you who were deprived as elementary school students, were big, foam bats that were used to “tag” your classmates during gym class. The game was basically tag ball, except with foam swords and way more violence.

With Jeremy’s request, I grinned and tented my fingers. Finally, I could dabble with Dillinger Escape Plan chaos, assault listeners with diminished 5ths,  sprinkle in a little Botch and Refused and pack a bunch of riffs into a minute and 30 seconds.

The acoustic was gently placed back in its case.

As promised, here’s your Face-Melter Friday.

Anyone wanted start a hardcore band?

* * *

The evolving Zeus Collective

1. Respite
2. Street Cred (Volcano Casualty)
3. The Weight of a Feather
4. BMX Bike
5. Gentlemen Wear Suits
6. Dirty Dozen Dimes
7. Like I Should
8. All Noise
9. Cemetery, Stop Sign
10. Footrace

Click here to visit the official “Zeus” site

We’re well past the halfway point of 2010, which is flipping mind-boggling. So, I’d say it’s time for an honest look at where I stand with my year’s goals, see where I’ve drifted and make the necessary corrections. This should be sobering.

1) Record two more EPs with at least four songs on each.

On Schedule. This summer’s one-song-a-week project has revolutionized my output, and because of it, I might be ahead of schedule (Don’t want to get cocky). So far, I’ve recorded 10 songs, some good, some bad and some that could use a quick re-write here or there. As far as “releasing” two separate EPs, I decided a couple of months ago that I wanted to approach releases a little differently. With the freedom to put up a song within minutes of recording it, why wait for some random future date to officially release it on a record? This was my thought: Make my entire body of music available as one big, evolving collective. Kinda like a journal. Then, every few months, take the best songs I put to tape, burn them on a CD and give them out at shows.

I love how the internet gives guys like me the opportunity to spread my music to virtually anyone, but there’s something to be said to talking with listeners and handing them an actual CD instead of a business card with a web address. Look, everyone’s short on time, and I don’t want to make people comb through 50 some songs in search of the good stuff. As a listener, I wouldn’t do it. BUT, I think it a cool idea to open up the vaults and let people listen to as many Louiston songs they can handle.

2) Write a novella.

Fail. I’ve got my idea, but have yet to put pen to paper, so on the back-burner it sits. Yes, I’ve written a couple short stories here and there, but that doesn’t count. However, JHurls and I have started writing a web series. That kinda counts, but not really.

3) Find a job that plays to my strengths but also challenges me to improve.

Fail. It’s time for a career change.

4) Begin busking uptown. Donate proceeds to one local outreach.

A little bit success, a little fail. I busked once uptown in late February, collecting around $40 for Jackson Park Ministries. That night, I was jacked up to continue at least once a month, but since then I’ve let that excitement slip and slip. The Resistance got the best of me, and all I’m left with is a defeated sense of self. Time to utilize the last few weeks of mild weather and hit the streets. Then maybe I can count this as a success.

5) Play bar gigs for extra cash.

Fail. I compiled a list of 40-some covers to play out at bars, and dammit, I’ve yet to invest the time needed to learn them. Playing the chords is no problem; it’s remembering the lyrics that’s the real bitch. Yes, I could put up lyric sheets, but isn’t that cheating? Doesn’t that seem a little, I don’t know, amateur? I’m over-thinking this, probably…definitely.

6) Film “Zeus”. Our screenplay is nearly a year old. It’s time to get this done so we can move on.

Success. We filmed the bulk of the film in April, and this week I’ll be back in Olean to film the last bit. We’re looking at a Halloween release, as of today. You can read the thorough recap of the filming process here, here, here, here and here. I’m so glad JHurls and I stuck it out, worked and reworked the script over the course of a year and now get to see it come to life. It being our first crack at writing a movie together, we’re keeping expectations low. We know “Zeus” won’t be taking in any screenings at Sundance. But, hopefully, this is the start of a long-term writing partnership, with more projects ahead. We’ll see.

7) Play at least 20 to 40 shows, including bar gigs.

Fail. Fail. Fail. I suck. Open mics don’t count. So far, I’ve played a handful, maybe five actual shows. I’m worthless. Time to get busy this fall and winter.

8. Read a book by Ayn Rand.

Fail. My reading took a significant hit once I started writing songs for “Zeus”. I got my copy of “Atlas Shrugged”. Now all I need are eight to 12 months to read it.

9) Learn to play piano.

On schedule. I inherited my grandfather’s old keyboard and spend a little time each week, going through chords. Of course, I didn’t expect to master the instrument in one year but instead establish a base knowledge in which to build from in the future.

10) Learn Italian.

Fail. Other than a few language lessons on my iPod, I have yet to dive in and invest the needed time in learning Italian. Probably, the best option here would be to sign up for a language class, something I see as a valuable use of time and money.

There are a few too many “Fails” in this short, very do-able list and four months is enough time to get on the right track. No excuses.

I will, however, give myself a pat on the back for the upkeep of this blog. Starting these things is always a fun endeavor. I mean, setting the theme and banner image! How f#$#ing rad! It’s keeping content coming on a semi-regular basis that’s the difficult part, and I’m glad that nearly one year after creating it, this blog remains as important to me now as it did then. For someone who’s often struggled with staying dedicated to one project, I can look back at this past 12 months and see what a little discipline can accomplish. Here’s to another year on the blogosphere.

As for you, reader, where are you at with your goals for the year?