Poster

We'll be giving out posters for everyone to distribute on Thursday!

Peace. - Caleb

Workplay Show: Songwriters

Here's the final list of songwriters that will be appearing at Workplay on the 24th of May:

(In no particular order)

1. bekah fox
2. jesse payne
3. david crawford
4. jesse phillips
5. tammy harper
6. josh wilson
7. seth persons
8. natalie moon
9. caleb chancey
10. matthew miller
11. roger eason

Hope to see everyone at my house on Thursday for the Gathering!

Peace. - Caleb

Kick it back Old School (sort of)

Hey Grey Haven,
I’ve been talking to some music industry goobers frequently as of late and I keep hearing how the Internet is such a driving force for the indie music scene and “blah blah blah.” One concept I keep hearing over and over though is that the most successful indie outfits are typically a little innovative in the way they use the World Wide Web and etc… Which I guess in my opinion is a “no brainer”, but for some reason after hearing this continuously I began to brainstorm a format by which to combine Folk and the Interweb into an innovative Booking Campaign. All the sudden the mixture all made sense and I questioned why no one I have ever heard of has tried what I am about to explain.

The idea is to have artists play intimate gigs on the street in a circulating manner. Here’s an example, don’t pay to much attention to details but just the concept- Ex. I play a show at 6 p.m. at 5 Points in downtown Bham in front of Starbucks on Monday; Tuesday I am scheduled to play 7p.m. on 15th Street and 12th Avenue in Tuscaloosa; Wednesday I am scheduled to play 8p.m. on 18th Street and 2nd Avenue in Atlanta; Thursday I play 6p.m. on 19th Street and 24th Avenue at the University of Georgia, etc… Then Pedro and the Kittens are scheduled to play at the same times and locations but on different days. And then the Dinosaurs play at the same times and locations but on a different days than everyone else . The idea is to have someone there when people expect them to be there. So theoretically the streets become a dependable venue for good indie music.
One obvious reason the web will be vital is in promoting the shows. But also the web will be used for video blogs of the shows and podcasts and all the other crazy cool stuff we can do on the Internet… The shows will be acoustic, have a very folk texture, and will be uncivilized in manner. But the use of the Internet will provide a very innovative approach for something considered “old school”. I believe this combination could cause some magic, but I can only see if people want to taketh pat.

I believe we can really draw in communities and businesses to be involved if we allow them to provide publications, posters, products, and etc… at the shows, which in return will provide a larger crowd since we can use them as a way of promoting. Even businesses like Starbucks would provide coffee or something just so we would draw a crowd in front of their store. (Just an example.) Anyway, I understand that something that occurs regularly such as this may cause some up roar and people complaining about the shows wherever. But that kind of stuff can be worked out, especially if we allow the communities and businesses to be involved in the first place. Also, the shows could just be once a week, or even once a month I guess, but they just need to be something dependable that people expect.

OH and the way you can be compensated is just opening up a guitar case and asking for tips… it works… Even selling merch on the street may work, but I think that may be illegal… haha. Directing people to your website and handing out rave cards with your site can provide income as well.

This is all I have for now. The only way this will work is if tons of people are involved in so many ways- from promoting to performing to negotiating. I wanted to see if anyone in Grey Haven wanted to be involved first. So shoot me an e-mail or comment on this blog and state your ideas, whether you love it or hate it, what you think would be better, what will not work, if you think you can help, if you want to play, if you are having surgery, if you are addicted to steroids, etc… Everyone from musicians to web/graphic designers to business peeps will be vital to getting this going and making it a success. This is a brand new idea and I need feedback. PEACE.

-Roger Eason
info@rogereason.com

P.S.- Below is an outline form of my ideas. Feel free to add, take away, run with the stars.

-Name:
Folk Sessions
Folk Sessions Tour
Street shows
Corner gigs
Corner music
Street Gigs


-Circulating street gig locations
5 Points- Birmingham, AL

-Massive Web Campaign
Facebook
Myspace
Youtube
Grey Haven Community
Blogs
Bedouins International Site
Photographer’s sites
Designer’s sites
Musician’s sites

-Massive street campaign
Posters
Rave Cards

-Promote community activities with publications and etc…
-Bedouins International
-Birmingham News
-Stephen Devries Photography

who's who

here is an updated list of grey haven people's contact info & their websites. if i've messed up, please email me (tamaradean@gmail.com) or just leave a comment & i'll correct it!

this list will be helpful for you songwriters looking to contact new people for practices & collaborations...

if you are a songwriter interested in performing on may 24, email greyhavencommunity@gmail.com by this friday! i'm lookin' forward to it!

this link is automatically updated as changes are made. (google documents are so smart!)

Workplay Show: The Planning Starts Now

Ok everyone, the next Workplay Show is set for May the 24th.

I'm freakn pumped.

The last show went incredibly well, but I think we decided can do a lot better on the planning side of things.

So that means starting to plan now.

Tammy (God Bless her), has volunteered to be the receiver and sender of the majority of e-mails for Grey Haven. So, if you have any questions about anything, please address her and e-mail greyhavencommunity@gmail.com . I will then forward on the e-mail to her.

FIRST THING

Ok, the first thing we need to organize the show is a list of interested songwriters. So here's are first deadline:

BY APRIL 25TH (aka this coming friday) WE NEED TO KNOW IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PERFORMING IN THE GREY HAVEN SHOW.

Please e-mail your interest to greyhavencommunity@gmail.com .

If you're ahead of the curve in any way (song titles, who's going to play with you, etc.) please send all of that on as well.

Ok, here's to a great second show! Let's knock it out!

Peace. - Caleb

Watch the Grass Grow #1

If you'll notice, we added a new section to the side-menu. "Watch the Grass Grow" is the area where we will be placing all the Grey Haven Video Projects.

The videos are inspired by the great Vincent Moon and they go like this: Place a musician in an interesting environment and film them playing a song.

Easy enough.

If you are a member of Grey Haven and would like to participate in a Watch the Grass Grow video, send an e-mail to greyhavencommunity@gmail.com with the names of the people you would like to be involved and any ideas you have for a location.

Here's the first of these projects featuring Tammy Harper, Jamie Harper, and Josh Wilson. Enjoy!



Peace. - Caleb

coughy

jamie made a construction paper coughy the mouse a while back. everyday when i come home, i find coughy smiling and waving cheerfully! it is great.

i think i want to make a bunch of them to give out at shows so that you can experience such a joy, too!

what is your email? what are your ideas?

hi you wonderful grey haven people!

1. if you haven't already, update your profile with an email address!!! this way, all the other grey haven people can contact you / stalk you / make you feel obligated to collaborate! also include other contact info/websites, instruments you play, whether they are a songwriter, etc.

2. i think the next hwl song will be based on one line in a story idea jamie & i have. although it could be a long, detailed story, the one line kind of sums it up: "papa bird assured mama bird that the washing would be done before she got home...". i will post the illustration that goes along with it ASAP.

3. what are YOUR music ideas?? please share them. is anyone up for a gathering???

<3 tammy www.myspace.com/handwrittenletters

NEXT GREY HAVEN SHOW

May 24
Workplay
$10



More details soon...

Peace. - Caleb

Hello

I want to start off by saying that I am very happy to have been invited to take part in Grey Haven. I believe that it is a wonderful idea and a great opportunity for musicians from the Birmingham area to present their music in such an open and giving atmosphere. Grey Haven allows collaborations that may have never happened otherwise. Thanks again for allowing us to take part. Please check out our myspace page....The Hotel Palatine@ http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=63991889

We are currently working on our first EP so things are kinda slow...we are recording it ourselves...maybe I can post some things we are working on......thanks again...

Matthew
Hotel Palatine

Half-Alive and the Summer Heat (version 2)

version 2 of this one. so far this song has undergone a few changes of note--lower key and slower pace. i feel this could end up being a bit dreamy (and hopefully still new wave!) by the end of it all. as of now, enjoy another late-night acoustic demo.
i'd love to hear your thoughts, kids.

Click HERE for the tune.

-jdw

prog metal

jesse pointed out that the write up in the black & white (from march 20) referenced the prog metal band of the same name... maybe we should work on our press releases for future shows...!

Grey Haven

You can tell they're prog-rock because Grey Haven isn't spelled "gray." That's what makes it a Lord of the Rings reference. They're also an old-fashioned power trio and will be a great relief for music fans who've been waiting for King's X to come back to town. The men of Grey Haven are just as breezy while knocking out the screaming solos and jaunty heavy metal. They're kind of intellectual, too, although the token moments of great beauty will seem stirring mostly to high school kids. (Friday, March 21, at Workplay.)