No Shortcuts - OTHERWISE & Michael David Winery

In addition to my continual Google image searches for Hope Solo, I've got another creepy habit of spending about an hour a night just stalking my Facebook news feed.  Last night I happened upon a great live video from Vegas based rockers OTHERWISE.  They were playing their new song "Soldiers" at The Roxy in Los Angeles.  These guys are an amazing band and we've brought them in to slay a Rock 'n Roll Wine event before.  I, along with many others, feel it is only a matter of time before their big breakthrough.  So it got me thinking about how hard it must be for a band to reach a point where playing music for others is their full time profession.  How do you get there?

The path used to be very clear cut.  Get signed by a major label.  Then you had the marketing dollars and relationships (via the labels) to get your songs played on the radio.  Once that happens everything is suppose to fall in place.  Radio was the gatekeeper.  But now YouTube, iTunes, Spotify, Facebook, Bandcamp, and various other social media outlets make it possible for ANYONE to distribute music worldwide with the click of a mouse.

So with the music and artist landscape so crowded, how do the legit artists standout amid all the horseshit?  And how do you maintain a relative sense of longevity in the business?

Let's take American Idol winner David Cook.  I saw him play this past weekend.  I was unimpressed.  His opening line was "Let's get this thing over with, I've got some blackjack tables to hit".  Not exactly the way to endear yourself to your fans.  This guy was as personable as a codfish with zero fan engagement.  But I suspect he has NEVER TRULY CONNECTED with his fans.  He swooped us his fanbase from a TV show and pre-packaged radio hits.  He has so many big name collaborators that he has to use a songbook on stage so he doesn't fuck up the lyrics.  Truthfully, I like a few of the songs so this is not to knock his talent or him personally.  But he took, or more accurately, was awarded, "a shortcut".  Don't get me wrong.  Who wouldn't take that?  But the price he paid is that he has no truly GENUINE fans.  They are fleeting.  Inevitably his radio play is going to become less frequent and so will the people buying tickets to his shows.

Which brings me back to OTHERWISE.  In this day and age, they are doing it the right way.  For the past several years they have painstakingly played show after show in sweaty-ass bars to build a loyal and rabid fan base one person at a time.  A community.  They call them the WISE ONEZ.  Many of which I'm sure met at OTHERWISE shows and now share a unique bond.  Sure it's not as many fans as David Cook.  But their fans are GENUINE.  And they multiple by word of mouth recommendation.  The most powerful advertising medium of them all.  If you see them perform live you CONNECT.  You feel raw emotion.  You see raw emotion in lead singer Adrian's face and gestures.  He'll lock eyes with fans, not to challenge them, but to relay confirmation that the lyrics are authentic and the words actually mean something.

Their hard work is starting to gain traction.  "Soldiers" has been at #15 for three straight weeks on SiriusXM Octane channel.  Primarily because loyal fans have called in and requested it.  Individuals from all over the world have started to upload videos using "Soldiers" as their battle cry anthem for whatever their cause.  Because the music resonates.  These guys haven't taken any shortcuts and know the most important asset they have is their LOYAL grass roots following.  If they continue to nurture and grow that community of WISE ONEZ they will ultimately be the ones holding the cards.  And their careers will outlast the David Cook's of the world.  Below is "Soldiers" live at The Roxy:

So what's this got to do with wine?  Absolutely nothing other than I've got the perfect match for OTHERWISE.  The "Petite Petit" from Michael David Winery.  It's a blend of 85% Petite Sirah and 15% Petit Verdot.  It's big, full bodied, boastful and rich with no inhibitions and no excuses for it's boldness.  Once you think you've got all the goodness it has to offer, the finish just keeps lingering on...like a memorable song in your head... 

Michael David Winery 

"Petite Petit"

"I think people who are creative are the luckiest people on earth.  I know that there are no shortcuts, but you must keep your faith in something Greater than You, and keep doing what you love.  Do what you love, and you will find the way to get it out to the world."  - Judy Collins, Singer/Songwriter

Awkward Hotel Stay & The Best Guitar Player I've Ever Seen

I've spent the last 4 days in Austin, TX with Big Brown Bear at a Music Festival Conference so I apologize for the delayed post and the frustration I've caused.  I realize there are only so many times an individual can refresh their screen painfully waiting for my next wisdom-laced diddy.

On Sunday, we checked into the Omni Austin - the conference host hotel.  Because of our procrastination we literally got the last room in the joint.  So we had to share a room.  Yep, two full grown heterosexual professional males bunking together.  That's cool when you're a 19yr old whippersnapper on a college road trip.  When you're 38 you feel like a giant dickhead.  Luckily the room had two queen beds.  Because the last time BBB's 6'6" shiz crashed on a roll-away bed he had some harsh words for Housekeeping.  Evidently, he thinks it's absurd that hotels don't carry cots for giants.

We drank some wine for sure.  We settled at a place called Max's Wine Dive.  A very cool place with a plethora of wines and evidently the best fried chicken in Texas.  Unfortunately, we didn't try the chicken.  The service was fantastic with our man Kevin, or Keith, or Kelvin, Kermit...hell I don't know...his name started with a "ku" sound.  Anywhoo, he was fantastic, pouring us samples of just about everything on the wine list.  Unfortunately a lot of the wines were oxidized and not tasting great but K-man made up for it with his hospitality.  The way all wine bars should be.

The highlight of the trip (aside from the amazing 1am bratwurst cart visit) was a blues/rock musician we stumbled upon named Eric Tessmer.  Strolling along 6th street, we heard Eric and his band playing and decided to drop in and catch some bluesy rock while downing a few Maker's and gingers.  We had no idea what we stumbled upon.  For the next two hours we stood with jaws dropped while this cat shredded his guitar song after song.  He is, by far, the best guitar player I've ever seen live.  Needless to say, we're working on bringing him to Vegas.  Check out the video below...if you have the full 6 minutes it's worth the watch...especially when the tempo picks up in the second half.  And this is TAME to what he does live.

Who Needs Turkey?

It's a well known fact that my Thanksgiving is as much about drinking copious amounts of wine as it is about the food.  Let's be real.  If someone doesn't wake up on the front porch with duct taped ankles and a ping pong ball in their mouth it's been an unsuccessful Turkey Day.

For the first time this year we welcomed the Big Brown Bear for Thanksgiving.  Not only did he add some pizzazz and skills to the menu but, as expected, he wore his drinking shoes.  The extra large Sean Jean's.  Before the evening was over, the 6 wine drinking adults had consumed a total of 16 bottles of wine.  Friday morning I felt like I just completed a 48hr Tijuana tequila ripper.  For those that care, here was the list:

John Anthony "Church Vineyard" Sauvignon Blanc
Del Dotto Sauvignon Blanc, Napa
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
Testarossa "Diana's Reserve" Chardonnay
Good Riesling from the Finger Lakes that BBB brought (sorry...forgot the name...recycling already came)
Archery Summit "Premiere Cuvee" Pinot Noir
Silver Oak Cabernet, Alexander Valley
Some shitty-ass Pinot that we all tried to immediately forget
Moet Rose Champagne
Trinchero "Haystack Vineyard" Cabernet
Joseph Phelps Insignia (underwhelmed)
Joseph Phelps Backus Cabernet (wow)
O'Shaugnessey Howell Mountain Cabernet
Heitz Cellars "Ink Grade" Port (375ml)
Benjamin Tawny Port, Australia (375ml)
Richard "Dick" Graser Dessert Merlot (375ml)

Now.  It's possible you may be wondering how 6 adults could consume so much wine without someone dropping their nuts in the turkey fryer.  Well indeed, I just remembered that Vern the Dentist joined us for the last 5 or 6 wines so we did have a total of 7 adults.

John Anthony "Church Vineyard" Sauvignon Blanc

Carneros, Napa Valley

As you can imagine, picking my favorite wine of this week was a bit difficult but I'm going with the John Anthony "Church Vineyard" Sauvignon Blanc.  There is nothing I like more than a well made Sauvignon Blanc and I think John Anthony makes some of the best.  His Napa Sauvignon Blanc is delicious but his "Church Vineyard" out of Carneros makes me giddy.  He only makes 400 cases of it.  We bought this bottle at their sleek tasting room/bar/ultra lounge in the heart of downtown Napa.  It's a bit more rounded (less zest) than your average Sauvignon Blanc.  Almost a quarter is barrel fermented in new American oak and undergoes a bit of malolactic fermentation.  But that roundness is balanced with just the right touch of acid.  Bliss for me.

Speaking of acid, my song selection for this week is a bit trippy.  It's got some 60ish surf pop sounds combined with a funky sax and suave hooks.  Plus, while making this video one crazy weekend, the lead singer got himself evicted.  Which is kinda cool...

"Generation Handclap" by Library Voices

An Emasculating night of Pinot, Tegan and Sara and Happy Feet 2

Our kids, 4 year old Kaden and 7 year old Chloe, are pretty picky (and a bit pretentious to be honest) when it comes to their entertainment choices.  Last week, Kaden told me the movie Puss In Boots was a "milquetoast spinoff with a squandered cliche-ridden storyline" while Chloe sent her smothered tater tots back proclaiming that she specifically order "extra sharp cheddar".

So this past Saturday the family decided to share some craft brews over dinner then catch a movie.  We chose the Yard House (Michelin 1 star if I'm not mistaken) and the movie Happy Feet 2.  In the middle of dinner, Kaden looks up from his mac 'n cheese, takes a slug off his Belgian Amber, and reflectively asks, "Daddy, are you gonna cry again like you did during the first one?"

You may think this is funny.  However, you try keepin' it together while watching a baby Emperor penguin get ridiculed by his peers.  Don't act like you d***heads have never cried during a children's flick before.

So what's the point of this story?  Besides revealing to everyone what a huge movie pansy I am?  Well, one of the songs playing during dinner was "Telephone Line" by ELO.  Haven't heard this song in maybe 25 years but man it is sexy...all those strings and harmonies (starts at 1:40 in).  Knowing I had to pick a featured wine this week the song made me ponder a nice soft Pinot Noir while at the same time figuring out how to prove to my son that I had a pair.  So a Pinot it will be.

One of my favorites is the Meiomi Pinot Noir.  We've served this several times at our Rock 'n Roll Wine events.  It's soft and approachable with amazing fruit and subtle spice.  But most importantly it's reasonably priced for a Pinot Noir of this caliber - usually under $20.  Not to mention it's made by the prestigious Wagner Family (i.e. Caymus).

So one would surmise that my favorite song of this week would be "Telephone Line".  But it's not.  Despite ELO being an amazing band, there is only so much emasculation a man can take in one blog.  With that said, the clearly logical choice is a sad break-up ballad by the Canadian sister duo of Tegan and Sara.  "Call It Off" is clean, expressive, honest and to the point.  Their voices and harmonies are mesmerizing.  The song is tranquil and simultaneously tantalizing...reminding me of that soft luscious Pinot.

Tegan and Sara - Call It Off from Ashley Brown on Vimeo.

I'm Back Bitches - O'Shaughnessy & Young The Giant

For the past year and a half I've been abysmally negligent in posting on this blog. I know all of my 3 followers (thank you Mom, Dad & Memama) have been left high and dry and feeling a little empty. And for that I have no excuses other than to say that I've been extremely drunk for the better part of the last 18 months. You try remembering a multi-syllabic/numeric password while hopped up on Absinthe.  Much less your childhood cat's first name.  It was Fluffy.

Anywhoo....here is the deal...each and every week I'm going to post a wine & song that I like. You may know them. You may not. Hopefully I may introduce you to something new. You may not give a rat's ass.  And that's ok too.  I don't mind being sad.  So here are my favorites for this week:

2008 O'Shaughnessy "Howell Mountain" Cabernet Sauvignon

This Napa Valley Cab ain't cheap retailing at around $75 per bottle.  But rest easy.  I'm not a pompous prick who is only gonna post  expensive wines.  Let's be clear...I didn't pay for this muthaf**ker.  My buddy Vern did.  I was simply leaching off his goods.  Nonetheless, had it Saturday night and it was spectacular.  After aerating it through his Vinturi (not a euphemism) we kicked back and enjoyed while our heathen buddy Matt opted for this sixth Tecate.  Super complex (it's 81% Cabernet with the other 19% being comprised of Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Carmenere & Cab Franc) and finely balanced with the perfect amount of oak.  Very intense with bold fruit yet soft as a baby's butt.  It was well worth Vern's money.

"Cough Syrup" by Young The Giant

No the wine did not remind me of drinking cough syrup.  This California band's eponymous debut album is full of jams.  "Cough Syrup" in particular quasi-matches the O'Shaugnessy.  It's soft and melodic yet has very bold and intense moments that all run together to form something special.   Enjoy.

Are You Kidding Me?

I Just received this message from a promoter for Encore Beach Club & Surrender - I'm sure the place is amazing but if this makes you want to go there this weekend you need to get more friends...

"I still have open guestlist for ladies for Surrender and EBC, you will not be guaranteed free admission but all ladies who get in within the first hour of opening at each venue each night will get in free! I urge you to get in line 3hour or more before opening! Great news is that even after free admission is over, you will still be allowed in through the invited guest line, you will pay cover but will get in hours before the general admission line! Even better is that you guys can wait in the invited guestline with the ladies that are on the guestlist, as long as your group has a 2/1 ratio of ladies to guys! SO guys bring ladies and give me their names so you can get in faster!"

So let me get this right - you are giving me the PRIVILEGE of waiting in line for 3 hours and paying you $40 bucks as long as I have at least 2 chicks with me - sign me the f**k up - that is AWESOME!

Los Campesinos! were Los Tiresome

Went to a show last night at Beauty Bar to catch up-and-coming indie rock band Los Campesinos!. Besides being intrigued by the exclamation point (a la Panic! at the Disco) at the end of their name, I like British bands. Listening to their accents makes me feel intelligent. Similar to the feeling i have after several cups of coffee each morning...which eventually wears off and I return to my doltish existence. I wasn't impressed with the band. They were unengaging and uninspiring. And my Blue Moon was lukewarm. Plus, what's the deal with no glass allowed on the patio out back? Is there a freaking pool? No. Disappointed, I found myself checking the clock and wondering when the last time that poor keyboard player had eaten. Still bored, I won't suggest a wine pairing.

However, Imagine Dragons (the opening band from Las Vegas) was good. Very enthralled in their music and believable. I was sold. Last song called "Clouds" made me shake my ass or tap my right foot ever so awkwardly. Nice guys too. Maybe I'll bring them in for a Rock 'n Roll Wine event sometime.

Blogging to Satisfy My Ego

Constantly I'm always thinking to myself that EVERYONE would like to get my "take" on things...whether it be wine, music, sports, horse sex in S. Carolina, or lawn darts...I am important...I am very important...hear my words...heed my advice....drink my wine....send me pics...buy tickets to my events and I will like you...a lot. Please feel free to comment often and tell me how impactful my words of wisdom have been upon your life and your process of thought...rock out with your cork out...