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I spy with little eye …

Look at none other than the high priestess of all all things interconnected-Moog, Lisa Bella Donna–maybe the most analog person on the internet, using the recently-reviewed the Zoom LiveTrack L-12 in a pretty amazing set.

You know, sometimes people need some validation. It’s also funny how life converges if you let it.

Example: my first analog synth was a Minitaur. What I wanted was a Taurus 3, but I could not make that happen at the time. Today they are long gone, presumably in closets or buried in save-it-for-later-when-I-can-get-to-it collections. Anyway, years later I cross-graded to a Sirin, which was great, but the Minituar was such specific and wonderful little beast. So I was restless. And after a year of seeing the delightful-looking Grandmother out there, I took the plunge, finally renting one. Wow. Bought one almost immediately, and have really loved it since. But, save LBD’s PatchBook, I’ve been using it sans spaghetti cords.

A Bajook!

Then I saw this. Generally only slightly perturbed at the Grandmother’s manual (KB Mode in the VCA not 100% explained), Patch and Tweak with Moog has already, 39 pages in, cleared up some small bits and pieces regarding the Grandmother to an amazing extent, revealing the total the monster I knew it to be. [Book review forthcoming] It also, obviously, features Lisa.

So, as it happens when you let it, while I was cleaning up the studio last night, a bit thoughtlessly cueing up a random Lisa Bella Donna Youtube performance, what did I see pulling it all together!?!

This is all to say that using this mixer at home rehearsing solo, or with the band, or to record solo run-throughs for said band, or recording with your DAW [Ableton Live], AND playing live, from solo-acoustic to full band with click Moog etc., this mixer is the most flexible I have come across when usability and portability are key factors. A pleasure to use, really.

Besides, it’s nice to know you may be on the right track. Have a great day.

-jd

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Doing any kind of official Towns Van Zandt tribute in Austin is like earning an entire Merit Badge en route to Eagle Scout. Truthfully most folks have never heard much of his music outside of “Pancho and Lefty,” but his legend looms large. And for good reason.

It’s a big deal to be asked, so thank you Chicken Ranch Records for asking. 

The Event is THIS WEDNESDAY, and yes, it’s old school to promote via a Website or Blog, but we here at Alpha Juno only have Instagram, this blog, and word-of-mouth.  

YouTube Streaming link incoming ASAP.

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This box has been in my car for years.

You need something physical to sell at shows, to give to record stores, to impress your granny, or to prove to yourself (or your wife) that you are a real-live musician.

Coffee mug? Too nerdy.
Maybe a ‘pocket’ koozie? Please no.
Cassettes are a bit niche.

It’s really down to CD’s, even though plenty of folks have no CD player at home. Actually many folks have cars with no CD player. Worst of all, most folks have no phone w/ a CD player. Everybody streams. Everybody.

Maybe this is a phone that streams!?

Today’s question is: what’s the right thing to do? Do you load up your hands with something that’s going in s**t drawer #11, or do you do you ting and sell? And what are you selling?

This brings up nothing but more questions: What are you in it for? Legitimacy? Money? Job? Are you down with by-any-means-necessary? Are you pumping an old model?

Before you sell CD’s to fans you have to ask yourself: why would they want one? If that answer is no, is there then something that I have that’s of value to my current and future fans. And today, that seems like a tough question to answer. But the solution is poking it’s head out. Finally. (Especially in a current world where there are few-to-no live shows.)

What works and connects? The oldest of schools method: patronage.

People are giving to musicians with no expectation of anything physically in return. As a matter of fact they’ve already taken a partial share of whatever it is you do. If you have their attention you have them. All you have to do is show them the way. 1,000 people paying $1.50 a-month moves the needle. A lot.

The new-olde way seems like a lot more fun than the old way. I’m going to try some new-olde ways.

Stick with the blog to follow my journey.

-jd

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House concerts are not ehe future. They are the now.

Friends and I are putting on neighborhood house shows during all this COVID mess. 30-something shows later we’ve paid out over $30K.
IG page here.

We’re in Austin, and it’s easy to find talented musicians who want to work, but it’s easy anywhere and will work when you try it.

First you need a PA and someone who knows how to work it. If you do not know how to work one, only invite musicians who know how to work one. Sometimes you need a PA. Sometimes artists have one. You can also rent one.

Bose are easy. Keep it very simple.

What I’m getting at here is that there are very few barriers when putting together a show like this. So no need to make them (excuses) in their absence.

TWe have found the following to be true evry time:
_Folks really like seeing music this way
_ People love showing off their pads
_Having Musicans at your house really impresses the neighbors

The vibe for this kind of thing is very strong. People like or like to like live music and they want to help. They know they are helping and have accordingly given generously

It is the now.
Step one tomorrow: How to Schedule a House Concert.

-jd