Chris Vrs. Chris
Chris finally wrote me. Here's his email to me followed by mine back:
Chris,
Sorry for taking so long to reply. I left for a four day camp trip the morning you wrote. Truth is, I hadn't contacted you because I wasn't sure what I thought yet. But it's for reasons you wouldn't expect. The demo was as I thought it would be; a couple of nice songs and a few clunkers (not nessecarily the song, but the performance).
But there are two specific things that make me hesitant:
First, when I've talked to you I've gotten the impression that you really care about your songs, structure, dynamics, etc. but when I came by to your place you basically only played the first 1 1/2 minute of two songs and then said something along the lines of "I can't remember the others songs I was going to play for you". This leads me to wonder if you are really into the idea of having a working band or perhaps you were just having a shitty day or something.
Second, you want the electric sound for all of your songs. I'm really into the blending of acoustic and electric guitars. I know I'll miss playing/hearing acoustic guitar in performance. This is not as much of a concern as the first item.
That said, I'm excited about what a band with you could be as opposed to what you have recorded. I really like the sound you have going on the first two tracks of the demo. If this the route you are heading, I'd definately like to get together and play a few tunes, etc. My brother and Skot (wacky spelling, I know) keep asking me what the deal is and when we get to jam and try things out. So, realistically, I'm the only hesitant one here. I just need to know that you really are into it, because I certainly didn't get that vibe when I was a your house.
Let know know what's going on. Again, sorry for not getting back to you sooner.
Chris Paine
Chris,
I'm truly sorry about the other day. I was having a really shitty performance that day, my brain was on other things and I totally apologize. I felt like crap after you left like, that's the last I'll hear from him...
Anyway, I'm truly into the idea of getting a full band off and going. Like we've talked about, I'm really excited to work with another guitarist of your caliber. I can tell by your style of playing that you'd totally compliment the songs and add those rich dynamics they've been missing. As far as playing out with acoustic and electric, I'm totally up for that. A lot of my songs really NEED an acoustic guitar, especially when it comes down to the studio. I'm pretty much open to fresh ideas and collaboration in order to have the best possible songs. I have some good ideas as far as what the other instruments should be doing, but I like to leave it out there and see what new blood would bring to the table.
I'm also really excited, to be completely frank and honest, to be playing with better supporting musicians. Jenni and Guy were both really great people, but they just never really had their shit completely together, and were just kind of loose and sloppy in general. What I would like is a really tight, professional sounding band. When we're in practice and we mention something about a certain part of a song, it'd be nice if people could remember it for the next time. I like to know that people are going to be there to back each other up when everyone expects them to. A lot of the times subtle parts were missed or forgotten and it really just about drove me nuts.
Anyway, the first two tracks is pretty much the 'sound' I'm going for. I'm also glad you were able to hear at least 'something' interesting in the others. Like I said though, I liking my newer stuff a lot better. With the right musicians though, the songs could sound so much better.
With that said, I really appreciate your up front honesty. I think that's a really good sign for somebody who I would like to work with. I truly apologize about the other day. I was just really unfocused. Not to get too personal, but I should probably mention that my girlfriend of a year and a half and I had just broken up the day before, so I was just kind of out of it. I'm am excited though, to get together and see how things work. If at that point you still have your reservations then maybe it's not meant to be. A better performance, if you're interested (and you can let Chris and Skot know) will be on Tues, July 8th at the Tonic. I'm going to be playing with some really cool singer/songwriters, and it should be really fun.
Anyway, sorry for the crappy vibe last time. Let me know whether you can make it to the show on Tues. If you're still interested after that, then maybe we can talk about taking it from there. Let me know.
-Xtp
Chris,
Sorry for taking so long to reply. I left for a four day camp trip the morning you wrote. Truth is, I hadn't contacted you because I wasn't sure what I thought yet. But it's for reasons you wouldn't expect. The demo was as I thought it would be; a couple of nice songs and a few clunkers (not nessecarily the song, but the performance).
But there are two specific things that make me hesitant:
First, when I've talked to you I've gotten the impression that you really care about your songs, structure, dynamics, etc. but when I came by to your place you basically only played the first 1 1/2 minute of two songs and then said something along the lines of "I can't remember the others songs I was going to play for you". This leads me to wonder if you are really into the idea of having a working band or perhaps you were just having a shitty day or something.
Second, you want the electric sound for all of your songs. I'm really into the blending of acoustic and electric guitars. I know I'll miss playing/hearing acoustic guitar in performance. This is not as much of a concern as the first item.
That said, I'm excited about what a band with you could be as opposed to what you have recorded. I really like the sound you have going on the first two tracks of the demo. If this the route you are heading, I'd definately like to get together and play a few tunes, etc. My brother and Skot (wacky spelling, I know) keep asking me what the deal is and when we get to jam and try things out. So, realistically, I'm the only hesitant one here. I just need to know that you really are into it, because I certainly didn't get that vibe when I was a your house.
Let know know what's going on. Again, sorry for not getting back to you sooner.
Chris Paine
Chris,
I'm truly sorry about the other day. I was having a really shitty performance that day, my brain was on other things and I totally apologize. I felt like crap after you left like, that's the last I'll hear from him...
Anyway, I'm truly into the idea of getting a full band off and going. Like we've talked about, I'm really excited to work with another guitarist of your caliber. I can tell by your style of playing that you'd totally compliment the songs and add those rich dynamics they've been missing. As far as playing out with acoustic and electric, I'm totally up for that. A lot of my songs really NEED an acoustic guitar, especially when it comes down to the studio. I'm pretty much open to fresh ideas and collaboration in order to have the best possible songs. I have some good ideas as far as what the other instruments should be doing, but I like to leave it out there and see what new blood would bring to the table.
I'm also really excited, to be completely frank and honest, to be playing with better supporting musicians. Jenni and Guy were both really great people, but they just never really had their shit completely together, and were just kind of loose and sloppy in general. What I would like is a really tight, professional sounding band. When we're in practice and we mention something about a certain part of a song, it'd be nice if people could remember it for the next time. I like to know that people are going to be there to back each other up when everyone expects them to. A lot of the times subtle parts were missed or forgotten and it really just about drove me nuts.
Anyway, the first two tracks is pretty much the 'sound' I'm going for. I'm also glad you were able to hear at least 'something' interesting in the others. Like I said though, I liking my newer stuff a lot better. With the right musicians though, the songs could sound so much better.
With that said, I really appreciate your up front honesty. I think that's a really good sign for somebody who I would like to work with. I truly apologize about the other day. I was just really unfocused. Not to get too personal, but I should probably mention that my girlfriend of a year and a half and I had just broken up the day before, so I was just kind of out of it. I'm am excited though, to get together and see how things work. If at that point you still have your reservations then maybe it's not meant to be. A better performance, if you're interested (and you can let Chris and Skot know) will be on Tues, July 8th at the Tonic. I'm going to be playing with some really cool singer/songwriters, and it should be really fun.
Anyway, sorry for the crappy vibe last time. Let me know whether you can make it to the show on Tues. If you're still interested after that, then maybe we can talk about taking it from there. Let me know.
-Xtp