Seth Adam

Greetings from Shelburne Falls MA!

Seth Adam — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:50:38 -0000

Greetings from Shelburne Falls MA!

Gerry and I just finished an acoustic set at our favorite place in "The Falls," Mocha Maya's. I've said it once and I'll say it again - this is how a live music venue should be run. They treat the artists with respect and actually do this thing called "promoting." Where as some venues just book the band and leave it to chance, the fine people at Mocha Maya's actually work to make the night a success. Kind of an anomaly in this business, but a welcome one nonetheless.

Anywho... Watching Chris Cubeta & The Liars Club. Cool band. Never saw them before. Really enjoying them. I think they fit well with us. Kinda alternative, kinda inspired by Wilco, perhaps Son Volt, maybe even Counting Crows. Anyway, I'm enjoying them. Check them out if you can. They're from Brooklyn NY.

I meant to write a blog yesterday, as I'm shooting for every Friday now. I'm gonna do my damnedest to make that work.

Got a little further with the record last week. Gerry came in and did some smashing guitar work. Emphasize "smashing" in British accent because it was "SMASHING!" I'm really psyched to get this new record out. It's been really inspiring times this past year. Big changes with friends, family, love, band... I think it's all going to be in there. Even more, once again the boys in the band have proved to be the fine musicians they are, as I had a clear vision for some of the songs that we already laid down and have completely stepped up to the plate and tore them up. Spending time in the studio with Gerry last week was a pleasure. I think it's some of the finest guitar work I've heard him lay down since we started playing together 5 years ago... or however long it's been.

As a testament to making music with some of the finest people ever... G-man, a.k.a. Dicky Burns, a.k.a. Gerry - and myself finished up three songs last night. Untitled as of yet, but I'm proud to say that they're gonna rock a bit more than before. Be prepared. I warned you. :-)

Playing a couple more full band shows for the summer then we're curling up with a nice book in the studio. Really going to concentrate on making a killer record for the fall. Let's just call it an obsession. But back to the upcoming shows, one tomorrow at a benefit, then one more on Thursday at Daniel Street in Milford CT. If you can make it out... no, you BETTER make it out Thursday to Daniel Street! It's our last full-band show for the next 4-5 months. And as an added benefit, we're playing with our friends The Mercury Seed. They rock. It's gonna be a night of rock & roll bliss.

Well that's all for now. Gonna run back to the show.

Gerry says hello!

Peace, love, rock & roll...

-SA

Making some changes...

Seth Adam — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:49:48 -0000

Hello! I'm back from... well... I never really went anywhere. I've always been here, but not here. I don't know if that makes any sense necessarily, so I'll just leave it up to your interpretation.

Mostly, I've been focused on school and trying to make some money these past few months. I'm happy to report that paying attention to my collegiate career has paid off, as I once again scored a series of straight A's this past Spring semester, and am proudly upholding a 3.96 GPA. Only one more year to go and then out into the world of the worst economic condition in years. But alas... I've always been one to turn lemons into lemonade, and am already devising a most awesome plan to navigate these rough economic waters, even already implementing them.

On the money front (and this is where the blog title of 'Making some changes' comes in), I've just been trying to be smart, make good moves, using good judgment. Running a band is an expensive venture. I'm not complaining, but it's just not always easy. We put out a CD (Where You Come From) right on the verge of an economic meltdown and at a time when CDs just are not selling like they used to (some believe that music should be free - I disagree). But specifically on the topic of this blog, I decided to pull down my music off of MySpace. Perhaps MySpace will kick me off for saying the following (and quite frankly, don't care if they do), but I believe that MySpace makes a lot of money off of people providing content. Whether it's a band, a comedian, a movie maker, or even a regular user, all provide content making MySpace a destination for many. If you'll notice, YOU are bombarded with ads when you get here. My logic is this: You provide content. MySpace sells ads. MySpace makes a ton of money off of these ad sales, because MySpace is a destination due to uploaded content. Artists like myself don't receive any money for our content, even though it's used as a catalyst to slap an ad over. I think that's wrong.

In todays music industry, the old business model is DEAD. It's so dead it's turned into oil. Understand, music artists today have a difficult time just breaking even. One wonderful invention to help artists maintain a viable business has been the internet. Nowadays, there are websites dedicated to delivering great content that share their ad revenues with those that provide the content. I think that's the right thing to do. While I use a site that does such a thing, I'm certainly not getting rich off it. Hell, I couldn't even buy gas with that money. But the principle is something I greatly admire. It's something MySpace has never even attempted to do.

Therefore, I've removed my songs from MySpace. Now, there is a widget from ReverbNation (I encourage you to go there) that has replaced the MySpace music player. So, yes, there is still music on MySpace, but it's coming from ReverbNation. It may sound confusing, I know. It's like selling my own gourmet pizza in a Domino's pizza store, if that analogy helps.

In other news...

I'd like to give a great big welcome to Antonio's brother Gerard as the new bass player for the band. Gerard, like his brother, brings a lot of experience, professionalism, and talent to the group. He's a welcome addition to the family and we're all glad to have him aboard. That means that Fred is now free to use both hands and work his magic on the Rhodes. Sometimes 2 are better than 1!

We began recording in April and are intermittently returning to the studio, slowly finishing up the next record to release it in the fall. I don't really have too much info, other than we've finish basic tracking for "I Can't Wait To Let You Down," "Seventy Letters," "The Last One," "Not Sad To See You Leave," and "Vermont." You might recognize these titles from the Everything Is Something Else acoustic EP, and you'd be right. I brought these to the band and they just knocked 'em out of the park as full band renditions, that I just had to include them on the next record. Other working titles for songs we're working on are "Good Christian Woman," "June on a Spoon," "Because I Let You," "Stealing From Ourselves," and "Sunday Morning Got You Down." I still have a lot of writing to finish up, but I am working on it! Fear not! We're also gonna have some special guests on this record too, but more on that later.

Well, I'd love to keep writing, but I think it's time I put my stinky self in the shower. Besides, I'll save some stuff for the next blog.

Hope you're doing fine. Peace & love to you...

-SA

The de-valuization of art...

Seth Adam — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:48:32 -0000

Greetings y'all! I know it's been quite a long time, but I didn't have too much to write about other than my recent bout of depression. But that's boring and who wants to read about that anyway? Just wait for the next record... ;-)

So I'm perusing the job listings at Craigslist, and I came across an ad for an establishment looking for original artwork: photography, painting, etc. They were quite descriptive in what they wanted... something chic, sophisticated, yet "night-life" like. While I was reading, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry... 1) They didn't want to pay for it. 2) Because the art will be displayed in a high traffic area of bar, they made the disclaimer that they wouldn't be responsible for any damage done to the art. 3) They said the art would be available for sale, so the potential to make money was there.

I'm sorry, am I missing something? You want people to display their original pieces of art which costs money to create, time and effort to produce, not pay for it, and then add the extra quagmire that it could potentially be damaged and you'll assume no liability for that? Who in their right mind would submit their art?

As for the "potential" to make money, that's just poppy-cock talk for "we want your stuff for free."

Let's look at the bigger picture, shall we?

Our culture as a whole defies a lot of "what we say we're about." We say we value and reward hard work, but in many cases (not all) we're not willing to pay for it. We say you can be anything you want to be - just as long as you know or blow the right people. We say we are free - but often times, because of a socioeconomic standing (poor vs. wealthy) our liberties are denied. We say we have justice - but when someone serves a sentence and paid their debt to society, they are marked with an "X" for the rest of their life and often cast away from reintegration into society.

In this case of the art, how come we're all willing to pay for gas at ExxonMobil that we all know is going towards another year of record profits, fueling (no pun intended) our dependence on foreign oil, perpetuating unneeded, unjustified wars, polluting the planet, but we're not willing to give to an artist for creating his art?

The above is just one of many analogies that could be made.

Regarding the art scenario specifically, why not offer something of value in exchange for the art? The "potential" is not of real value, and seriously... who's looking to buy art while drinking Bud Light on a Friday night?

I don't have the answers, nor do I claim to. Just thought I'd stir up some discussion. And think about how this translates into music and the ires of illegal downloading. Should music be free? How is an artist to be compensated? Art/Music costs money to create.

Thoughts?

In music news...

We're planning on heading into the studio in the Spring (hopefully) to record the follow up to "Where You Come From." Those are the tentative plans anyway.

We've been performing and subsequently ironing out the songs off of the latest EP "Everything Is Something Else" as a full band. Speaking of which, recording the EP was cathartic for me... I've been dying to do an acoustic record. However, these songs have taken on a fantastic new life with the full band, and I can only credit Fred, Anthony and Gerry for that. They fucking rule. (Ha! Didn't think I'd get through an entire blog post without swearing at least once, did ya?). Again, they fucking rule. My favorites, and I can't believe I'm actually saying this because I love them all, are "Seventy Letters" and "The Last One." Exciting stuff. You'll be sure to hear them on Friday 2.20.09 at The Warehouse in Hartford.

I've got more news to tell ya, but I'll save it for another post. I'll try to post more often now that I'm feeling a bit better.

Hope you're all having a wonderful recession! See, tax cuts work! Just like the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny!

Seriously, I hope you're doing alright. We'll all pray that times will get better.

Peace, love, rock & roll...

-Seth

Shallow Stuff by Seth Adam

Seth Adam — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:14:27 -0000

Nice Boy by Seth Adam

Seth Adam — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:10:20 -0000

A Thousand Times by Seth Adam

Seth Adam — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:07:13 -0000

Alright, Alright by Seth Adam

Seth Adam — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:01:04 -0000

Download the new acoustic EP for FREE!

Seth Adam — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 03:59:18 -0000

The wait is over!

The new acoustic EP, Everything Is Something Else is finally here! This EP was recorded on a Sunday afternoon in December, 2008 and features 5 songs performed & recorded live by Gerry Giaimo and Seth Adam. Because it's the Holiday season and we're feeling mighty generous, you can download all 5 songs - the entire EP - for FREE! All you have to do is go to the ReverbNation page, sign up as a fan, and enjoy the tunes on your favorite mp3 player of choice!

This EP is available exclusively at ReverbNation page. Spread the word... enjoy the tunes, and come out to the shows to hear it live!

The tribulations of anything unseen

Seth Adam — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 07:14:54 -0000

In my former life, I was criticized for being open... for being honest. Can you imagine that? In a world devoid of truth... of anything reminiscent of face value... that one could actually, willfully, knowingly disregard someone for being honest? I think it would be the other way around... that I would've been loved and respected for being truthful. It makes me think that sometimes... simply... other people just don't appreciate who you are and what you do. Would you agree?

Ah... So... I've been working all day in my "new" life. One that feels at times lifeless... like the town I grew up in. But it breeds a hunger and an opportunity to once again drive myself to someone I've never been, or something I've never done before. Anyway, it was time to take a break tonight. I took my buddy for a walk (Chico) and ended up at a party down the street. Free alcohol is a good thing. Well, as long as one can handle it. I suppose it's a bit of a medicine for me lately. Numbs the pain as they say. And it brings out the laughter that hides away during the waking hours. At least for me anyway.

So I'll try not to go off on a tangent on this paragraph. Been working... layout, graphic design stuff. Still trying to find my stride in it. There's a lot to know and there's a lot of beautiful work out there. Which is why I bring it up at all... Because visual art, like music, is vast and objective. It takes it's own twists and turns in the brightest of sunny days to the darkest and loneliest of nights. Visual art helps to tell the story... helps to sell the product... helps to bring the message across. It's a new ocean for me to swim in. Unlike music, which I feel confident I've found my proverbial "stride" in, but always want to push beyond my personal boundaries. Yes... I'm lucky enough to find two modes of expression. Anyone should be so lucky with just one. I guess I won the lotto.

I've been missing music lately. I've been missing my band too. Last week I got to pacify myself and my desire to perform. Another successful show at New Haven's own flagship for musical creativity... Cafe Nine... left me blissful and hopeful. It was kinda like sex without the guilt and without any risk of pregnancies. That was quite a stretch for an analogy, eh? So we really hit our stride as a four-piece last week. It was inspirational for me. Makes me want to play even more. Fred and I, and Gerry and Anthony for that matter, were all in agreement that we were firing on all cylinders (that's an old automotive expression, in case you didn't get it). What's more? It was honest. Yes, as I was discussing in the first paragraph, it all comes back to honesty. Got to share the bill with a truly wonderful band, Pete and J. They're from Brooklyn and I am certainly looking forward to sharing another bill with them. It was a truly great pairing. Thanks to all that came out!

By now I'm wondering if you're wondering why I titled this here blog "The tribulations of anything unseen." Well, honestly, I don't know it sounded good. Doesn't it sound like a bestselling book or something? No? Seriously, it's about not knowing what someone else is going through. You may think you know, but you'll never really know. You know? Which brings me to my next point... relating to the whole honesty theme kicking around these words tonight. No one is that completely honest. I'm not. I sure do open up a lot and tell a lot of stories about my life (see Where You Come From - available now at iTunes), but there's quite a bit that I will never reveal. Some of it is to save face, some to protect the innocent. But I digress because once again, I'm going off on a tangent... "The tribulations of anything unseen." You'll never completely know what someone else is going through. So you know what? Just have a heart. Just lend an ear and hear what the other person has to say and project no expectations on what you want to hear. There are things unseen that remain that way for a reason. It's that simple.

Heading to the studio the first week of December. I hope to have the free acoustic EP out for Christmas. Here are some song titles for you to formulate ideas about:

I Can't Wait To Let You Down
The Last One
Vermont
70 Letters
Not Sad To See You Leave

Is Seth heartbroken again? Possibly. Is he pissed off? Definitely. Is he happy that Obama won the presidency? Abso-fucking-lutely!

Thank you for listening. Thank you for spreading the word. Please continue to do so. It's greatly appreciated.

Oh... before you go... short story. I used to submit songs to this website called TAXI. Basically, they steal your money and dangle a hope of shopping your song for licensing to TV shows and movies. Basically, the whole thing is a scam... kinda like Sonicbids, but that's another story. A few times through TAXI, the so-called "experts" had the opinion that I needed to be more resolute in my storytelling... that they couldn't understand what I was singing about...that I needed to be more direct. Well, I just got this email from Derek Sivers and it had this great quote from Keith Richards:

“Lyrics are best when they're mysterious - like listening in to someone else's phone conversation when the telephone wires have crossed. You don't know the history or context. You don't understand the references. So it draws you in even deeper, trying to understand.

If you're too obvious and explain everything in your lyrics, you don't get that mystery. So what I do is this:

Write out everything I'm thinking, everything I want to say, but then cross out every other line, and write the song using only what's left, even though it doesn't make total sense.”

Keith Richards. The Rolling Stones... bitches. Suck it TAXI.

Peace, love, rock & roll...

-Seth

Well now... it’s been a while hasn’t it...

Seth Adam — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:47:44 -0000

I know I've been somewhat political as of late. It's because my future and the future of the country I love is important to me. But I promise, I'll leave politics out of this one.

Ever feel like you're watching life go by? Like you're standing on the edge of the platform, waiting for the subway line to stop, and it either stops right in front of you and you don't get on, or it just flies by whipping your hair, making a lot of noise that you try your best to ignore. As of late it feels like the latter for me.

To be more succinct, I think a more accurate description of life these days would be that of treading water. Yes. That's a far more realistic description. It's good because I'm not sinking, but not so good because I'm not exactly going anywhere. But it does mean I'm working, keeping myself afloat... not sinking. But it does leave me tired.

I guess I draw that conclusion because I've been juggling a lot lately... a new home environment... a busy graphic design business... school... writing songs... playing shows... Some people call me crazy. And there's probably some truth to that. I don't know anyone that would take on so much and not have it any other way. But I've come to a conclusion... it helps me stay skinny. Ha! Yes... 4 hours of sleep a night and 3-4 cups of coffee per day keeps the body in shape. Don't worry... I eat well. Tofu, salad, mild amounts of fish & chicken, lots of other fruits and veggies... There you go. See? I take care of myself. No need to worry.

Okay... enough rambling. Here's what's happening...

Don't know if I made it abundantly clear on earlier posts, but I will now. FRED is officially the new bass player. No, not playing a guitar style bass, but a Fender Piano Bass. It's given a unique voicing to the bass section of the band. We're still working on the arrangements, as well as getting used to the indigenous frequency of the instrument. But it's all cool. It's like The Doors... except Gerry's a better guitar player. Oh... sorry Doors fans... Ah... a little humor... Back to Fred... The kid works hard and I am SO proud and flattered that he is part of this project, putting in the effort that he does. Thank you Fred.

On the recording front... Yes... yes... yes... I've been saying it forever now. Well, not forever but for a few months... There will be an ACOUSTIC EP released before the end of 2008. It is going to be exclusively distributed (available for download) through ReverbNation.com. If you'd like to get a head start on it, just click on that link and sign up as a fan. You'll be privy to the soon-to-be exclusive download. We're just finishing a couple of fine tweaks on pre-production before we go for the proverbial "gusto." Think of it as an early Holiday present.

And now I will humbly ask for your help... It's really simple. Tell a friend. Send an email to a friend or two with a link to the website, MySpace page, Facebook page, ReverbNation page... etc. Contrary to what may be perceived as the laid back, you-must-get-a-ton-of-chicks, "American Idol" lifestyle, we actually work for what we do, and it's only possible with YOUR help. That's right. YOU are a huge part of this. So help out... On the website, you can download & print out fliers for upcoming shows. You can copy & past web-fliers to your MySpace page. And again, send a link to any of the many web presences to a friend or two. If you need help, just drop ME (Seth) a line. No robots... no interns... I do it myself. So, I need your help! Also, on this here MySpace page and on the official website, there's a list of radio stations. Call 'em up. Request something off of Where You Come From. Just spread the word!

I've had 3 Dogfish Head I.P.A.'s, at this point, so I hope that this is all coherent rambling, versus incoherent rambling. (play that laugh track!) Seriously, this beer is good. No really... seriously... I know I'm making sense. I'm not THAT silly... yet...

This week... I'll be with my good, good friends Gerry & Brian for an acoustic show at The Acoustic Cafe (Bridgeport CT) tomorrow night (Thursday 11.13.08). It's an early, 8pm show. Actually, I can't wait. I love this place and I'm on the bill with some very, very cool folks... Sean Ryan, Lisa Heile & Gerald Goode, and The Mercury Seed. And then on Saturday, I'll be back with the whole band (Anthony, Fred, Gerry) at Cafe Nine (New Haven) - 11.15.08 - 9:00pm. We'll be opening for Pete and J. - Umm... that's MySpace.com/peteandj. Got it? Good. You rule!

Okay... sandwich time. I love late night sandwiches. Yummy!

Did I really just say "yummy?"

So, drop me a line. Tell me how you're doing.

Oh... some video coming soon too! Stay tuned...

Peace, love, rock & rolll...

-Seth Adam

p.s. Remind me to tell you the Montclair NJ, Counting Crows concert story next time.