The last couple months I have had the opportunity to meet new people in the Boise community that have moved here to venture in new projects as well as expand my network with other creatives.  I hope to share some of these exciting new projects I've discussed with them as they are underway and the development process is in the works.

In the meantime, I've spent the majority of my time producing a show at VaC featuring Solvent from Ghostly International, Austin Hoy(local) and Kitsune.  It was my pleasure to support a talented artist and host him at a venue that best represents the new developments underway in our scene.  During his tour through the venue by one of the owners Anneliessa he said it was 'one of the best venues on the whole tour.'  There are a couple of goals I set for myself for each show and Solvent had just made a check on the list.  The show had a great turnout for some of the biggest electronic enthusiasts.  Even thought the VaC is still growing it is only a matter of time before even more people start coming to shows, especially if we continue to mix up the genres consistently.

During the planning of this show I also started more research for booking artists.  Looking for venues to accommodate a couple of artists in different genres is very time consuming.  The research I find is being uploaded into Crossroads to share with others.  I encourage everyone to write any reviews on the venues, even as little as the environment and/or genre preferences for shows.  Today I uploaded about 25 new venues to the directory located in Portland, OR.  RevoltRevolt opened up for Floater at The Knitting Factory so I headed down to take some pictures.  Check them out in my gallery.  Also a good friend of mine quit his full-time job to go back into music promotions.  I had the opportunity to catch some video and photography for him.  Hoping to keep up all the great energies going on with my musical friends so we can start cross-promoting one another.  

On a music side note I've started a community art project for Boise's First Thursday event on August 5 with The Reuseum a tech surplus store.  Just another idea to get art and local businesses more promotion in our community.  I'm traveling to Denver, CO to research venues in the area next month and hope to start this movement after receiving a request from a fan living in the area.  Taking one for the music once again and finally expanding it with art. 

The last few weeks have been somewhat of a whirlwind for me, but still a good one. Lots of things have been happening as I have become more familiar with the basics of being a local musician in Boise.

For starters, my music video (directed by Taylor Noland, cinematography by Chris Ninness) was finally posted and released on YouTube. Every day the view count grows more and more and it's cool to see. This video was a huge learning experience. For putting together productions like this, I hope to make a much bigger production in the future with the awesome people that I met in LA.

I got a job working at BSU on the Student Programs Board and I will be next years Concerts Coordinator. This will be a huge opportunity to learn the specifics of booking, marketing and event planning all while going to school and hopefully helping the local scene.

I've been playing a few small shows in the Boise area and I have met some cool people, musicians, writers and people in the scene who are willing to help each other out. Whether it be a positive review, a lead on cheap recording or even just a jamming partner, it's a great feeling meeting people who are trying to succeed and help others.

I might be lucky enough to perform at my high school when I go home. Throughout high school, I always played on the stage in the cafeteria during lunch. It would be great to do it again in front of all the 1,500 kids I haven't seen in so long right before their school year is finished.

Right now I am working on contacting venues in Tacoma, Fircrest and Seattle, Washington for shows this Summer when I go home. I'm working with Jen Orr with sending press kits and contacting the right people. Other than acting as an artist manager for me, she has become somewhat of a mentor and I get to learn a lot just by having a few brief weekly meetings with her.

I am always learning in this trade and I am excited to say that the learning won't slow down these next few months. Stay tuned for new shows and demos when I am able to put out some rough recordings!

Steven

(BRIDGEPORT)

 Really I mean catchup.

I'm still catching up on work from being on the road.  I finally uploaded some of the tour pictures on my Facebook fan page, due to a documentary being put together on my life by a college student in Denver, CO.  They are making a multimedia piece incorporating pictures and video on my life as a promoter and marketer along with the many other hats I currently wear.  So I had to start going through some of my photos and in the meantime uploaded some while I was browsing.  There is a lot of video footage to sort through and I plan to start dedicating time specifically for the production of the Brunn mini-series I started.

Last week I interviewed Halloween Swim Team, As Tall As Lions and Lullaby Polar.  This week the publicist for Powerman 5000 contacted me for an interview with Spider for their appearance at The Knitting Factory in Boise, ID.  

My interviews are available on 'Backstage Pass'- www.bsupulse.com

 I'm a bit overdue on an update so I gotta do some catching up.

From March 26th until April 2nd I spent some time in Los Angeles shooting my first music video for 'Just Right.' My friend and co-producer/director Taylor Noland helped film it and his classmate Chris Ninness did the cinematography. We got all the shooting done in one evening and it was really fun. We used a few different locations outside of Taylor's apartment complex as well as a scene on top of his apartment building overlooking all of Los Angeles and Hollywood. From what I saw, the shots looked awesome, and the editing should be done in a few weeks.

I also met with the event planners of Matt Leppell's benefit concert, which was originally scheduled for Apr 21st at Cal Baptist University. Unfortunately I learned that there was some negotiation problems with the school and venue and the whole thing got derailed.

Things aren't all falling through though. Last week on April 5th I had a photo shoot with Clayton Borah Photography. I rode over to the shoot with Jen from Orriginal Promotions and also met my new stylist, Ariana at the set. I got a reminder about how hard it is for me to look spontaneous with lights and cameras and people set up all around me. We got some really great shots though and it's cool seeing a collective of people's work coming together. We are all helping each other out with our respective jobs, trying to get our feet wet in the music scene.

I'm have been working with Orriginal Promotions to put together a press kit to send to the venues in Boise and Seattle/Tacoma. Once the press kit is done we are going to use it to start booking some live shows in those local areas. Hopefully by then I'll have some good reviews from credible sources and build up a nice repertoire this Summer.

The hardest part is the booking process. I never got very good at contacting venues and this is obviously one of the most important aspects of being a developing artist. This press kit should grease the gears though. Until then, does anyone have any good words of advice?

-Steven

BRIDGEPORT :)

 It is great to be back and visit with familiar faces, but I'm ready to get back on the road!

I'm using the next few weeks to catch up on all my reports from the road.  There is so much to write, produce and follow-up on.  I've met some great people and discovered some new things that help me understand the business perspective as an artist.  There are many simple needs that can be met for artists on the road that can be accomplished by sponsorships.  This is a win-win situation for a business interested in non-traditional advertising and for artists that have special little needs. For me- I drink the Light Coffee Rockstars, filled with multiple vitamins made with soy.  If I continue touring, I'm serious about a Rockstar sponsorship.  This is great fuel filled with caffeine and semi fulfilling vitamin needs that are not guaranteed in the dollar menu at Taco Bell or Wendy's.  How fitting is it to have that drink be a lead sponsor for members of our network?  That's what I thought   RevoltRevolt has  a fetish with Sriracha and has tried contacting the company for a sponsoring.  They had a stock of 5 bottles with them on tour.  From a 5-star restaurant to Taco Bell, a bottle made it to every one of our meals.

On www.OrriginalPromotions.com I've updated my personal blog from the tour on the drive from Texas to Cali with several border patrol checks and our pull over incident.  Hopefully I can get the videos uploaded soon, just a matter of production time.  I think reporting venues for our members is top on my list first.

2010-04-06- Nick will confront Tommy Sickles from Nothing face (The Red Room Boise).

My buddy Nick that stays on the Zamboni Coaster (my couch) once in a while tells me he's pissed and wants some answers. He's dedicated his day tomorrow on behalf of all nothingface fans and for the knowledge of my fellow Crossroads Angel network users.
Because it's costing $5, and he has tattoo on his right arm demanding respect, he's taken it upon himself to confront Sickles of Nothingface and demand another album. He says it as I sit here,'I want 10 more tracks of the hardest shit Nothingface has ever put out, and then they can go away.They owe us, and I’m there to get the songs for all the dicking around that they’ve done with us fans. “

Uncle Topper is holding him to it. If he completes his mission, he may have gained a Hightop badge.

It's important to note the tattoo is Nothingface's second album. We honor your journey Nick!
 

 Today we finally made it to San Diego- about time!

We were stoked driving through the highway hills noticing the cactus turn into palm trees and the air starting to get thick.  We were fortunate enough to have Brunn, the bass player have a great hook-up to a hotel in the area.  We may be staying here one tomorrow night if another room opens up for us.  The beach is walking distance, about a block away.  As soon as we went to our room we went down to catch the sunset over the water and catch some pictures.  I look forward taking more pictures tomorrow.  For now I'm catching up on my multimedia action from the past few days.  Let's just say, there hasn't been a dull moment.  

A side project I've started on for this trip is 'Words from Brunn'.  I'll keep you posted on how to check out this mini-series I'm starting.

 Today I'm trying to catch up on all my blogging for ORRiginal blog site 'perspective of a promoter'.  There is a lot of footage I have on my camcorder and 35mm.  I thought that my 35mm had the same cables as my other devices but found out it doesn't, so I have to wait until I get back to Boise.  

For now I've added a new forum titled 'Tour Food' and would like others to share some food ideas for the road.  With the current band I'm on tour, their secret is Siracha on EVERYTHING!  It does help make your day-to-day food taste different.  

I just found out our in-store appearance is cancelled so we have time to check out the SXSW overflow festival going on.  Then we are off to drive half of the miles for our next show in El Paso, TX.  We just made a reservation at Motel 6 along the way.

The trip began with a lot of time spent in the Boise, Salt Lake and Houston airports.  I would suggest only flying Southwest if you are going to Houston.  I think all of the other airlines use the smaller jets based on my experience after this trip and previous times I've had to fly to Florida with a connection in Houston- all small jets.  The flight time was about 4 hours with including the time change.  Not much to report about for the music scene since I had a delay in my arrival time to Texas.  

check out ORRiginal Book for the inside scoop as a traveling promoter.

Ever since I was a kid I've always had a passion for music whether it is listening to it, meeting others who love it, or making it myself. I have never been able to put it down.

In the past few months, I have slowly changed my way of approaching music to a more professional manner, and so far that has made a world of difference.

Earlier in my songwriting/performing career I got to play at a few small venues, coffee shops, churches, open mics and even my high schools cafeteria during lunches. Lately, I've been lucky to add a few more events.

After teaming up with Jen at OrrIginal Promotions, we have planned a promo shoot in early April to put together my press kit. Once that is done, I'll be sending the press kit to venues all over Seattle, Tacoma, Portland and Boise.

For my spring break, I'm flying to LA to film my first music video, co-produced and directed by my friend from high school. I'll be there all week working on music stuff, playing on Santa Monica Pier and of course filming all over LA.

Later in April I'll be going back down to LA again. I have an awesome opportunity to open for Augustana at my friends benefit concert at Cal Baptist University.

I also recently met another songwriter and musician who I'm going to join forces with. This summer I am planing to fly to Denver (where he is from) to make a record with some other players he is friends with.

All of this stuff that I mentioned above are all works-in-progress and I will be updating my blog and updating on everything as it happens.

Cheers!

Steven