Summer Jam West 2010 wrapped up tonight and I am nearly in tears at the amazing people I am surrounded by. There is NO way to describe this past weekend and I can’t fathom a synopsis at the moment.

You see…I am hours away from the 24 hour drive to Austin, TX from Salt Lake City and even as I head east I may be relocated to LA as soon as Sept for another HUGE opportunity. So, I am packing for whatever future lies before me….I am no longer the person with their hands on the wheel of the car…I am the one with their foot on the gas pedal.

Are you ready? I am.
LIFE changes so fast that we must be present in where we are to better appreciate where we are going and the presence in that place once we arrive…..

LET’S DO THIS!

It isn’t very often that I am left speechless, so I am both relishing and recovering from an incredible day in upstate New York. This morning I showered as usual (yes, the shower is usual) got ready and loaded up with Jed and Lisa into the big white van excited and anxious.

I have learned in the last year that opportunity presents itself on a daily basis, but rarely are we prepared to embrace it. My focus has been to play anywhere, everywhere and write songs even when they lacked any appeal to myself, or anyone else. Such a rigorous year proved to be beneficial when Jed and I were catching up and talking about doing some music together.

“Too bad you aren’t in NY anymore, Kole….I have time to lay stuff down with you….”

“Ummmm, I can make that happen if you are serious…should I push the big red button Jed?”

“YES, PUSH THE BIG RED BUTTON KOLE!”

Three weeks later I am in Albany New York with the honor of having Jed arrange and properly organize the slew of songs we selected out of my top 25. One week into this journey I am returning to Albany from Woodstock where we just spent 10 hours laying down drums with the incredibly amazing Jerry Marotta. To prep for our day with Jerry, Jed and I spent the week tracking vocals and getting it all ready for today….10 songs went with us today and 8 came back finished, more or less…..NICE!

We all have those moments that you know that someone will be in your life forever and today was no different. Jerry welcomed us into his home, nestled in what seemed like the purest forest setting, where I headed straight for my favorite things…..the animals. A orange tabby cat lie sunbathing at the window and I was eager to scoop him into my arms and love his face off. Once I released the cat I was encouraged to reach my hand into a cage and pull out a big black rat. Now, some of you may have shuttered but I love rats and Jerry had a cute pair of sweet little rats that I also scooped up and held close for a bit.

Once I could separate myself from the animals we headed downstairs to work…..if you can call making music work. Especially with the company I had there was no work done today, it was a day of hanging out, laughing and creating….my favorite kind of day.

The rest needs no further explanation…just watch the video….Jerry is incredible, Jed is incredible, Pete is incredible and Lisa Brennan is incredible.

Here was my first day of August:
animals
Music
Vegan Pizza
Summer Rain
Taos drums
percussion
bagels
coffee
oooey gooey awesomeness………..

Yep. I had the best day.

This day is especially great because I am waist deep in recording my album with a big move from Salt Lake City to Austin Texas only a few weeks away. Maybe it isn’t a big move since I sold everything to accommodate the relocation with only a trunk full of clothes and the pups in tow, but none the less, a big change. I am moving to a house I have never seen, that I have been renting for 2 months and subletting to a yoga student, with no furniture and only shadows of a life left behind. There is something amazing about wiping the slate clean to rebuild from the foundation, not a remodel or a restoration, but a total rebuild.

Over the last year I have discovered my purpose and have clarity to the path I have yet to travel. More importantly, I have learned opportunity is always in front of us but rarely are we prepared for it. Even in the last year and a half of continual growth and preparation I was limited by my knowledge of chords and progressions but that didn’t make me less of a musician. Finally, I am able to release my songs to the care of my good friend Jed Davis, whom I trust to arrange and build the songs while pushing me to another level. Normally, I would have been horrified to let go of my songs into someone else’s hands in fear they would be altered and veer away from the place in me that created them, but not this time. I have sculpted the piece and now require an artisan painter to add detail and depth with an experienced hand to cradle them.

My experiences have taught me the only thing worth carrying heavily is: never forget to love, to live, to laugh, to smile, and to be grateful. If you learn gratitude then you will never be poor or alone and you will know happiness. I feel blessed to have the support of so many people that have been in my life over the years and can not wait to see what beauty will manifest itself moving forward.

Love you all with all of my heart and hope to see you at my final show in Utah at the Acoustic All Stars Aug 8th at the Star Bar in Park City, Utah. Next Stop, who knows…..but I can NOT wait to find out.

www.kolemusic.com

The questions began as to why/how they write the songs—As the moderator turns to Bill Whithers with the same question Bill replies
“I was waiting to see if your question was as long as Justin Timberlake’s Answer”..

Both elude to the need to set aside expectations and do you. Bill says it best
“What you eat, don’t make me fat”

You have to a commitment, to take risk and be able to put yourself on the line. You have be able to bounce back. People need to want to pay you for the privilege of your presence.

Perspective is needed when you are writing, according to Justin. You have to observe, listen watch and the more you can tap into confidence or the lack of.

“More interesting to want something than to have it” Have an open mind, we don’t want to miss the journey. Its about finding an interesting perspective. JT

“Don’t always write about things that are conditional….whatever you are trying to do, there is no way to get around dealing with feeling-open up yourself to feel…..sometimes you get tossed aside-someone always prefers someone else over you. -Enjoy doing this now, bc you may never hear it again. Do it for doing it sake…..then you can enjoy the journey”BW

“We look at the world through the window of our own eyes. I didn’t get popular until I quit. Throw your hat in the ring, put what you do available for consumption or rejection.Be driven for a love for something, just get in there. Can you get off doing it.” BW

“I grew up listening to songs, I loved songs. I knew who MJ was , but I grew up caring more about who made that song. What feeling did he have to go for that vocal. Once a song is done…you have to let it go. Enjoy the process.” JT

“Love it enough to keep going to the well…..” BW
“Whatever it is, it doesn’t have to always be an art”

“if it does something to you, in any direction it is going somewhere. Dont waste it, just let it go” JT

“A & R— antagonistic and redundant” BW

“Sometimes people don’t understand. doesnt mean they are mean….just that they don’t get it. The dumbest thing you can do is to hold someone responsible for something they just don’t know.Once you commit to doing something..no matter if its serious or silly. If you cheat yourself out of the inner pleasure of doing it…..and please yourself.” BW

“I turned in the record and said this is the first single…..I walked him through all of it. the song came out of a feeling, imagining myself in the middle of a moment where something made me feel that way. I had to go further with the process or it. I had to call up radio programs to tell them it was my record. It wasn’t by design but when the record was done i knew that was what made it interesting for me….i got to express myself the way that I wanted to. I didn’t really think I was brining sexy back…It was a moment.” JT

“You would know what would make someone’s socks roll up and down more than a guy in a chair.” BW

“its an audio visual thing now…for me it was just audio. The concern for us seniors..there is nothing we can do but be concerned. Justin is broad enough, musical enough to where he’s not just fooling you with the video…there are a lot of people who are shy outside of this chair i am very shy….for the person who is just the singer, or just the singers ongwriter who doesn’t have this…I hope we don’t lose, miss hearing profound music….Bob dylan would have been out of luck….with someone like Justin.” BW

“There’s a question of available space….i would hope that in this audio visual age, that we dont lose some very profound statements, you know, bc the favorite mail i get…is somebody says…theres somebody out there, some shy person with issues, but have something profound to say…and books take a lot of time. If you can deliver something profound in 3 to five minute format they can digest it quickly. So I just hope in this transition with gadgets and the internet….I like all that stuff and we need all that stuff..” BW

“realizing that the journey on the way, that the process…..knowing that some idea channeled through you is a part of some body’s life is soo cool.” JT

“Even if it just helps you get through a tough time. Sometimes we confuse the music…with the music business.If you love music, and its in you, dont let all the complications make you fall out of love with music. Bc its a pleasure.” BW

www.kolemusic.com
kole@kolemusic.com

This has only begun and she has already stated “it is just an opinion”
Her fly by the seat of your pants mentality is my kind of woman….honestly, she is just as insane and she is a straight shooter…again…LOVE IT!

Dear universe…..i am sending out good vibes…

Nate (the kid in the hat) hip hop Jazz fusion is the black widows first victim…Nate parades around the stage along with the female vocals and dancing around with no shame…..yes….ladies and gentleman…..IT’s the LINDA PERRY SHOW! (cue circus music)

I am watching as she makes her rounds to get the crowds opinion freely cutting comments short but no one minds…again…LOVE HER!

Victim number 2 takes the stage…
Piano and a dedication to two children who passed from violent crimes.
‘The emotion is what needs to be delivered, don’t change it….’
She sang “Disappear”
That girl is what is so beautiful in indie music right now, authentic, passion….Rachel Assil was beautiful, genuine and truly talented.
www.roadwaylive.com
Twitter.com/rachelassil GO AND FOLLOW HER YO!

Next up…already loving the dreads….
Such a sincerity this is turning out to be the greatest panel I have ever attended. You cant pay for this kind of opportunity to hear talent from all over the country. I will have to locate the guys info….song was called “magnolia”

ALright, honestly..if you aren’t here to hear the INSANE talent in this room I have realized I could never recreate or put it into words. If you aren’t at the ASCAP EXPO, you have truly missed out!

Here’s what needs to happen….I need YOU to respond to this blog and shoot me an email to kole@kolemusic.com to get me all links, pages, sites and performer info so we can all partake in the amazingness of who these indie artists are…….

Nearly every artist in here is capturing emotion in the moment—that is what it is all about.

Shane Thomas was told by Linda Perry at the tender age of 12 “you better not suck”
Classic….
Shane couldn’t have ever imagined that his roadie who rushes to get him set up on stage is a legend. Lucky kid.

It is impossible to encompass the experience of Linda Perry’s Panel…and this my friends was an experience.

For any names, info, links or corrections email me @ kole@kolemusic.com

oh, snap….I just realized I am sitting next to Linda Perry’s Manager Kat…..damn, who knew

People you can not forget that opportunity doesn’t fall into your lap, everyone is waiting for opportunity…..GO GET IT!

Basically, don’t give you music away, if someone isn’t willing to give you an email for your music then they aren’t your evangelists….

So much of what they said goes right along with my presentation at the Politics Online Conference in DC (more to come on that)

I am posting this as I sit here staring at their shining faces so I apologize

More to come Sorry it is fragmented, but that is what you get for being so impatient.

find me here! @kolemusic

Kole Christensen @ Social Media Clubhouse from Social Media Club on Vimeo.

What do you get when you have a gated mansion, infinity pool, game room, movie screening room, 3 floors and the coolest peeps from across the globe?

The Social Media Clubhouse on Lake Austin in Austin, Texas.

To say that I experienced the time of my life is a gross understatement. Chris Heuer and Kristie Wells have the power to bring social networking and real life heroes all into one household from as far away as Paris and Vancouver, BC. The following people should be followed on twitter immediately…
Amanda Coolong
Amy Martin
Chris Heuer
Colette Ballou
Danielle Sipple
Efren Toscano
Gina Hughes
Howard Greenstein
Jeremy Tanner
Khris Loux
Kris Krug
Kristie Wells
Nancy Cole
Kole Christensen
Ponzi Pirillo

I was welcomed into the fold long before I got there and had to pleasure to perform for an intimate crowd whose infectious excitement made it thrilling and humbling. Such amazing people in every sense both personally and professionally. After playing for them and listening to Nate Davenport bang out some stellar tunes, we boarded the Social Media Clubhouse party bus for transport to the hottest spots at SXSW.
A night of karaoke on the bus, partying off the bus and nearly getting attacked by a bear at Mohawk Media Temple, left nothing to be desired and lifelong friends that I can’t wait to see next year. Thank you all for my first time to Austin and SXSW was memorable and inspiring! I can honesty say nothing was better than “co-working” in the kitchen with 12 peeps on laptops talking to themselves and yet deemed as one force to be reckoned with. I have only a glimpse of the greatness I blogged and edited alongside, but I can tell you, you are doing yourself a dis-service to not find out for yourself….

This was such a fun day, got to meet so many awesome indie bands! These are a collection of a few of the performances at the Rusty Spurs Music Tech Mashup venue SXSW 2010. As the official VJ for Social Media Club House I gallivanted around Austin looking to find cool indie music. No badge of course

Plaid pillows draped over floral prints with shop lights illuminating the concrete floor of this unassuming venue. You have stepped into “The Basement” on 24th street in Ogden, Utah, you don’t know how you got here…but you are so happy you made it.

I didn’t know what to expect as I parked in front of The Basement in Ogden, Utah. Northern Utah is still a new scene for me and as I pulled up and situated all my gear in my arms, I try to be unassuming. The second I walked through the door of The Basement, the owner Jason greeted me with a smile and an introduction.
It shouldn’t be such a luxury to feel appreciated, and yet I was beaming from the moment I walked in. You forget how few venues really want you to feel welcome, it’s too bad actually.

By 6:15 I was doing my soundcheck and there was already 30 or so people there to see the band Apparently Yours, a high school band from Roy. I set up quickly, testing my JamMan Loop Pedal, and my microphones (I use 2 because of the looper). My sound check proved to be quick and painless by 6:30 we were ready to rock it.

This crowd was one of the most supportive crowds I have played for in Utah. By my second song a group of 20 or so high school kids gathered around the stage. Wow, I forget sometimes that playing a set can be interactive. We had typical Kole banter back and forth ranging from loving dogs to donkey punching people in the back of their head. By half way through my set we were all laughing and really enjoying ourselves, me onstage doing what I love, them sitting cross legged on the the floor shouting and having a great time.

I wrapped the night with one of my newer songs “That’s why I hate you” and was excited by the warm reception of people approaching the stage. Refreshing sums it up, this was the second show this week, (the other was Ignite Salt Lake), where I really LOVED every moment. Positive energy is something we all hope for, but, it is not so easily found.

I wish I had time to cover all the artists that played, but as you know, I have a lot to prepare for with SXSW coming up faster than I can prepare. I have tons of prep work for #smhc3 Please, take some time to check them out the next time they play.

Hayden Ballou
Kat Tingey
Blue Storks
Jonali

And lastly, KiraMesa.
www.myspace.com/kiramesa

Right now I have to talk about KiraMesa, after all, I now have a t-shirt to prove I am an official fan. The band consists of Alex and Sam, an acoustic guitar and a cello. It was love at first note, even that is an understatement. They are my first featured artist for this blog, featured sounds better than unhealthy obsession. This venue seemed so fitting for such a beautifully artistic experience. I could sit in the darkness of The Basement and let Alex’s voice cradle me in the shadows of the shop lights. The eerie remnants of each note both vocally and with Sam’s cello was perfection. A soundtrack laying out the culmination of Utah’s music scene.
For a moment I didn’t feel like I was in Utah anymore. I felt like I was in a converted loft in the lower east side of Manhattan or back in Brooklyn off the L train. Have you ever realized you were searching for something but you didn’t even realized it? I didn’t until it was staring me down, literally bearing down on me like “where have YOU been”.

KiraMesa, a Bountiful beauty for sure, was so captivating. Let’s just say ,I would venture down a dark alley if I heard this music echoing off the walls of the darkest corridors. Knowing it wasn’t safe, but like the sirens of greek mythology I couldn’t resist….nor would I want to.

The irony of it all was the moment I requested a shirt and followed Alex down a cobble stone alley to where their car was sitting in the dark. I joked with him that I had just described this scenario on a sheet of lined paper and here we are…..venturing down a desolate alley.

I returned to the venue, shirt in hand, excited by the idea of playing future shows with Kira Mesa. It was as if it couldn’t come soon enough.
I spoke with Jason, the owner, before heading out 5 hours after I had arrived. In fact, I was regretting nothing and wanting more from all the artists I saw tonight.

Welcome to the beginning of a new chapter that has only just begun……I love you all, very much, and I can’t wait to take this crazy ride together.

Kole

Let me start with this disclaimer please……There are sooooo many amazing artists playing at SXSW and surrounding unofficial venues I am listing peeps I have seen live! These are artists, people who have passion and true love of music. These are people I would hold a cup to the door in hopes of catching a note.
With that out of the way let me continue….

Wed March 17th
Kole (of course) at The Rusty Spur (unofficial) 10:30 AM (I know) For Music Tech Mashup Showcase

Kosha Dillz-awesome rhymes, very clever @ The Independent 9:15 pm

www.KoleMusic.com
www.Myspace.com/KoshaDillz
www.JoePurdy.com
www.JoshuaJames.tv
www.RosiGolan.com
www.GracePotter.com
www.Myspace.com/TheRescues
www.JohnForte.com

I saw this piece in Paris last October and I saw power shooting from his head. All of the ideas, creations and thoughts exploding out. Today, as I searched pictures for a speaking engagement it caught my eye again. This time he seemed exhausted, and almost overwhelmed with all that was pouring out of his head. I must need Bikram Yoga tomorrow me thinkest.

Crazy when our perspective changes, or as our lives change, the same piece looks different. We can’t ever lose sight in times of chaos. Right now, I am running through a sandstorm confident of the direction, but I can’t see a thing. Thank you so much to all of you. You’re energy, encouragement and support keeps me going.
One year ago I had never jammed with musicians, carried a whole show or even performed in 4 years. After falling with pop culture and being dropped I had given up. I survived a coma 2000, I thought I had tried enough, worked hard enough and deserved it. One year later I am off to Austin for SXSW, Blogging VJ for Social Media Club house started music seminar Summer Jam West with Bobbi Hansen, played Acoustic All Stars, Sundance, News Stations, local write ups, Animal Rescue Fundraising with Pinups for Pups and and so much more.
This year has already brought me more than I had hoped for and I am no where near ready to slow down.

Next up is my social media/interactive understanding. I am so ready , I hope you all are. Not your mama’s tweets, facebook posts or text messages anymore……Pull up your pants, tighten your belts and put on your sneaks….we have a long way to go, and I don’t want you to get blisters, because that is how much I care
It is on like donkey kong.