A big vicious cycle
Right now the Look Machine has a lot of cool things going on, but at the same time it doesn't seem like we're moving forward because all these things depend on each other. For instance, in an attempt to get shows, I've sent a million emails out and called a bunch of people and gotten some real cool leads. But they all want me to send a demo and a press kit. OK, you all know we're recording the demo, but it's not quite done. . . So I think, well I'll just send some copies of the old demo, which isn't as good, but should be good enough to get us some shows. But then our press kit that is being printed won't be here until May 5th. AHHH!!!

And then yes, I think we need people to dig our music, more of them. But really in my opinion you need to give fans 2 things, shows and albums. Full length albums. And really fun shows. For instance, I really like this band Moments in Grace, but I wouldn't declare myself some huge fan because so far all they have in a 4 song demo, which is awesome, but really not enough to captivate me for a long period of time. So I really think we need to put together a full length. I'm confident that we have enough material to put together a good one, but man the time commitment to do it right. . . Not that it's not worth it, but I wish it were done now. But I think we owe it to people to have it all recorded and recorded well, if we're to expect people to listen to us.

So yes, we are trying to get shows and I'm itching for them, I know it seems like a barren wasteland of shows right now but soon that will change in a very large way I believe. You'll see, there is a lot of behind the scenes conversations going on, and once this demo and press kit are in my possession we can turn them into something.

That is, if we can keep Ian from going to Nepal again! Or Florida, or wherever it is that he is always traveling. He tours like a rock star, but without playing music.

Just kind of rambling really here.

Went to Dutch Wonderland with my kids today -- just me with a 4 year old and 18 month old, and it was a whole lot of exhausting fun. Man it's a treat to have children and to appreciate them. I have the two best children in the world. No doubt about it. They mean so much to me. I'd honestly give up all my dreams for them if I had to, if it would help them or save them or something like that. It's hard to explain when you don't have children, but man they just open up parts of your heart that you never knew existed. I hate it when parents are rude to their children -- and you hear it all the time. Of course I'm not perfect, but Darby and I do try to treat our children like they are people, not pets who can be commanded around.

While at the Land full of Dutch Wonder, we happened to catch a show by a childrens' act called Two of Kind. I have to say, they were pretty good, and had my kids bopping out. My son was shaking his head so much that he hit it on the bench in front of him and gave himself quite a little mark (but it did go away, thankfully). I was watching them and I was just thinking that there are so many people who play music, so much music that goes unlistened to by the vast majority of people in the world. But here were these 2 people wearing silly hats and making a living off of it, and God bless them for it. I mean, they were really putting a lot into it. It was inspirational in a "wearing silly hats and singing about dinosaurs" kind of way.

Darby was at a wedding all day -- a wedding I couldn't attend because we couldn't get anyone to watch the children, and she still isn't home. That party animal.

The next date we were able to get studio time for (bad grammar I know) is Wednesday night. HOPEFULLY, that night we will be finished. I am so happy with the way things are sounding so far, they just sound great. I think people are going to pleasantly suprised. Like thinking, "I thought they were good, but this is very good." Or something like that.

Tomorrow I'm attending a Pet Shower for my sister in law, who just bought a tiny white dog from canada. I've never been to one of these things before. Just thought you'd like to know.

At work, things are really winding down. A lot of my stuff has been transitioned over to other people, so I don't have that much to do on the 2 days that I'm in the office. It's kind of strange, because I'm a pretty hard worker, and pretty aggressive and not the kind of person to do nothing. . . but well that's kind of just where things have landed huh? Hopefully I will get laid off within the month, that is the way it is looking.

A new version of iTunes music store has launched, and now they let people publish their own recommended playlists. If anyone wants to see a nice collection of cover songs, check out this. Another cool thing is that iTunes is starting a free single of the week, of up and coming acts.

Collin has started a conversation up with Jealousy Curve , who are very talented, and they like us too (it's like we're dating), so we're going to be planning a show together sometime soon.