Tag Archives: poor elvis

Listen, New Song

New Song: You Broke My Heart

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Well, well, well. Look at this. A new song.

I know it’s been a while…since…uh…January 2. But sometimes it’s good to just take a break and focus on other things.

Guess I was focusing a little too hard.

Anyway, it’s also been a month since I’ve done a Talkin’ Headline, and a long time in between re-recorded versions of year-old songs, so I’m gonna start those up again this week too. This blog is all about the practice of songwriting after all. Not the practice of waiting around for some sort of inspiration. Which isn’t a practice at all.

I wrote this new song last week. I think it sounds like the direction that Poor Elvis is headed in. It’s something, at least.

While I was off from writing, did you know that I planned a tour? And recorded and pressed a 7-inch vinyl record? And had a kickstarter project to raise funds for both?

I’m heading out on the road this Friday. Starting in Madison at Mother Fool’s Coffeehouse playing a show with Boo Bradley.

So, it’ll be a busy June. With lots of shows out of town and a few in Chicago, too. But I’ll keep up with the writing and recording. See where it heads.

Listen, Talkin' Headline Blues

The Talkin’ Headline Blues #76

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I can’t believe I actually got this done for today. But I did.

In other news…I’ll be playing a special live version of the Talkin’ Headline Blues on WBEZ 91.5 fm this Friday (4/20). It’ll be during the Eight Forty-Eight program running from 9-10am. You can also listen in on the internet, here.

I’ll be writing the radio version either Thursday night or Friday morning, or both…to get the most up-to-date headlines. Wish me luck…

Also, remember that the Poor Elvis kickstarter project is still moving along. We’ve got 15 backers, so far, after just 5 days, and are almost a fourth of the way to the goal. It’s really easy to donate, and you can get some great rewards.

Listen, New Song

40 Days and 40 Nights

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Well, here’s the first new song of the new year, 40 Days and 40 Nights. Didn’t think I’d quite be able to get this one out. Was having a lot of trouble coming up with any ideas for anything at all.

Then I got this…

I really don’t think this one’s completely done. Maybe it needs another part that’s different, or two more verses. Something. There’s lots that I do like about it, though. I really like the chorus. I’ll admit that I’ve had the idea of using “mmm’s” in a song for a while. I’m just glad they fit in pretty well to this one.

So, I guess that’s it.

So now, on into 2012. Lots more new songs coming. Talkin’ Headlines (one tomorrow for sure) and re-recorded versions of 2011 songs every week. And also maybe some videos of some sort (I still gotta work out what exactly those may be, though).

So, see ya around soon.

Listen, Rewritten Song

Rewritten Song: If I was a woman and you was a man (version 2)

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Well, here’s the last re-record for 2011 of a song from 2010. I think I’ll definitely keep doing this throughout 2012. Not only is it a good way to revisit old songs that I may have forgotten about, but it helps me figure out news sounds and different directions to take the new songs I’m writing.

So, be on the lookout…

For this re-record, I used 3/4 time and condensed the song a little bit. I think that’s always the problem I had with it…a little too much repetition of the chorus. This version works fairly well. Don’t know if it’s as successful as the original, though. Listen to that here for a comparison.

Also, the song that I wrote back in August called “I guess that’s just the way things go” is sorta a re-write of this song too, I supposed. I used that same cat and dog line, maybe cause I think that’s the most successful of all the lines in this tune. Or, maybe cause it’s the first one that I wrote for it. Or, maybe, for another reason. It’s any of those, really.

Anyway. I’m playing a show tonight at the Cicero Public Library. Come check it out, if you can. Should be an interesting show. Starts at 7pm and goes until 8:30. I plan on being really loud.

Listen, Talkin' Headline Blues

The Talkin’ Headline Blues #60

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Here’s the last Talkin’ Headline of 2011. Did you listen to all 52 this year? How did they make you feel? I really hope this was the only place you got all your news.

I’m planning to keep going with the Talkin’ Headline Blues all throughout 2012. We’ll see if it grows and changes at all, I guess. Or if I get tired of doing them.

I’m still working on the final new song and 2010 re-record, so look for those probably tomorrow, or later this week.