Last week, we were once again present at the Arizona Daily Star Battle of the Bands, and once again we were treated to a promising mix of young bands. The Rialto Theatre was the setting for this night, who in the coming weeks will have some of my favorite artists there like Bad Religion, Charlie Hunter, and Ozomatli. Last year’s winner, Mirror Image opened up the show, and then 6 great bands vied for the chance to spend the next day with us, as well as great prizes from Godin Guitars, Ampeg, Crate, and even Rockband 2. Monterey, an energetic 8 piece ska-core group ending up winning the battle after delivering an extremely up-tempo, high energy set that featured a 4 part horn section.
The next day, the members of Monterey arrived early and what followed was a fun day. The video that we produced reflects the band’s favorite activities, loading gear, hanging out with friends, eating cereal, and chasing around their precocious cat, Mister Boots. I hope it is as much fun to watch, as it was to make.
Oh, and Tucson is a very difficult city to correctly spell, here’s a tip: think of it as “Tuck-son” but please remember that the “K” is silent. Thanks to Chief Engineer Jeff Sobel for the advice!
This past week, we were involved in our first Battle of the Bands of the year, and we had the opportunity to work with a very talented singer-songwriter by the name of Josaleigh Pollett. Josleigh took her voice and guitar and was an extremely pleasant surprise in a pool of exceptionally talented young bands. The next day, Josaleigh came on the bus to record a song and make a music video on board the bus, but she brought so much more than her voice that day…. As a young video producer, I had a wonderful experience directing this video, and what you are about to see is quite possible one of the best pieces of work I have ever done. Thank you Josaleigh, and thank you Ogden, Utah!
This year’s NAMM show in Anaheim, California brought beautiful weather, and awesome exhibits from many of the Lennon Bus sponsors including Gretsch Drums, Mackie, and especially Godin Guitars. During the show, I took some time to hang out and talk with Fred Disanto of Godin Guitars where we talked about the awesome line-up of musicians that Godin brought to our stage this year. They invited some their endorsers to play on the stage, and they were as special and ranged the gamut of musical genres just like the beautiful guitars that Godin produces. From the Latin fusion of Juan Carlos Quintero to the hard rock stylings of Aaron Mclain, this year our stage was rocking all afternoon!
While living on the road, one must always prepared for anything. For example, I was sleeping soundly this early am, all bundled in my bunk, the faint sounds of the Whigs new record still resonating in my brain from my iPod, when I woke up and realized that we weren’t moving anymore, and the bus wasn’t even running. When I went to sleep a few hours prior, we were beginning our trek to Ogden, Utah for the Battle of the Bands to be held at the Ogden’s Historic Union Station. Anyway, I roused myself out of my bunk to learn that the bus needed some pre-emptive maintenance, and we needed to depart the bus so the good people at Detroit Diesel could fix our beloved bus. Nothing too serious, think of it more as a flu shot.
So what do we do when these things happen? The first thing I did when we got to our hotel go to IHOP with the guys for some breakfast deliciousness, apparently D-Lar thought it was a pancake off. (check out his latest Doug’s Blogto learn more!) After my tasty breakfast of 2 eggs, 2 pieces of bacon, and 4 pancakes (all you can eat) I treated myself to a nap! Some say that napping is what attribute some of Thomas Edisongreatest achievements. So I woke up and embarked on my great achievement for the day, entering all the data in from last
week’s inventory! Good thing I have a shiny new 15” Macbook Pro stocked with the latest version of iWork! I am not going to lie to you, it was a tedious task, but Squeeze didn’t write hit songs everyday, right?
After the inventory, I fell asleep again, I was really tired. 2 hours later I woke up to a rather entertaining Martin Lawrence movie, more noticeably and importantly my iPhone was chirping with my dearest Andrea calling me. We had a lovely conversation. When the road stops suddenly, everything slows down, and then I can have a minute to realize why I am here, and then I get to talk to people that really know why I am here, and she is strength when I’m away. Now I am relaxing, watching “Catch Me If You Can” on the TV and music videos on my computer so I can have some fresh ideas for next weekend’s session with the Battle of the Bands Winner. It’s 10:10 pm, hopefully tomorrow we’ll be on our way….
It’s nice to have a night to myself every once in awhile.
This past week, while parked in the lot of the lovely Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn in North Hollywood, I did a lot. I took part in the magical process known as “bus inventory,” Jeff got the Litepanels working, and I even got a tattoo. The most important thing I did this week was spending time at the patch bay with Seamus, learning it, manipulating it, and most of all, loving it. As Seamus put it, signal flow is a lot like water, and the patch bay are pipes and faucets that make the “water” flow. Remember the scene in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom when they are racing through the tunnels and all the water comes rushing out of the side of the mountain? This is almost exactly what signal flow and the patch bay do. Signal flow basically means audio, the signal is generated by a chord strummed on a Godin Guitar, or a note played on our Roland piano. This signal can go anywhere throughout the bus, through the Apogee, through the Aphex preamps, to the computers, even to Mackie monitor speakers. I played around with the patch bays for a couple of hours. Now I can take signal from Audio Technica Microphones and patch it to Logic 8, I can make the iPod rock out in both studios, I can even take the Roland Fantom Synthesizer in the front studio, and have it be heard throughout the entire bus. Very Nice. This was a very important lesson for me because the Neutrik patch bay really is the key to hearing and seeing every thing within the bus. Props to Moose for taking the time to go through it with me!
The best experience for me at NAMM this year were the young performers on our stage. Paul Green’s School of Rock showed the possibilities of educational outreach. Cole Marcus, the amazing drum prodigy proved that he can lead a group of seasoned musicians, and by far, the most amazing performance of the entire weekend was the Trouble with Boys. These kids tore up our stage, and brought people to our stage and impressed and amazed every single person in the audience. Watching these kids made me realize how powerful music can be. They just wanted to play, they don’t care about the money, fame, and other things that some people are focused on. It seriously made me wish time travel was possible….
I have survived my first week on the J.L.E.T.B… even though Jeff thought I would only be able to handle 2 days. Macworld was tight, Stanford rocked, and today we gave tours to the good people at the Apple Headquarters. Right now we are driving from Cupertino to Orange County for the start of NAMM. I love my new bunk, it has got a window, and I can’t explain what it feels like to wake up in the morning and the first thing I see is America whizzing by. I met some amazing people already, most notably the members of Liyana, who have inspired me in ways that I have never been inspired before, but I will talk about them and that more at a later time. I bought new shoes, they are silver and green. I have discovered my appreciation of coffee. Quick props before I go….. Seamus and Tyler for showing me the ropes, D-Lar for the laughs, Jaime for the positive reinforcement emails, and Rob and Jeff for their…. well, ummm, seniority? Most of all, BIG props to Brian and Tony for giving me their respect, this chance, and most of all mentoring me in every way possible while I am aboard this amazing journey…
5:00 AM: My Dad dropped me off at the airport in Milwaukee about 30 minutes ago….
I haven’t slept much, I spend last evening saying goodbye to the people that mean most to me: Mom and Dad, my brother Marek, my best friends in the world, Rob, Dave, and Turner, and of course, Andrea. For some reason when I say goodbye to her, I lose my cool and get emotional, she does too.
I got my ticket, props for the aisle seats. Got through security no problem, props to the “Experienced Traveler” line.
Right now I am sitting at the gate, getting ready to board the flight that will start this new adventure for me. Did I pack everything? Let’s see…. iPod, toothbrush, toothpaste, plenty of socks, did I pack my lucky Mr. T t-shirt? Yes I got it…. Whew!
The plane is boarding now… in a few short hours, everything will be totally different, and I am excited, and with that feeling comes nervousness…
I hope my hotel room has a bathroom.
Ok, good talk! Until next time!
Erik Niewiarowski
About Erik Niewiarowski
Ever since childhood, Erik showed a great enthusiasm for all of the arts, especially music and photography. After studying history at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Erik switched his focus to video production and motion graphics by enrolling at the Madison Media Institute, where he graduated in January of 2008. What excites Erik the most about working on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is having the opportunity to show students the endless possibilities that music and video have, all while spreading John Lennon’s message of peace.
Monterey
Last week, we were once again present at the Arizona Daily Star Battle of the Bands, and once again we were treated to a promising mix of young bands. The Rialto Theatre was the setting for this night, who in the coming weeks will have some of my favorite artists …
Ogden and Josaleigh Pollett
This past week, we were involved in our first Battle of the Bands of the year, and we had the opportunity to work with a very talented singer-songwriter by the name of Josaleigh Pollett. Josleigh took her voice and guitar and was an extremely pleasant surprise in a pool of …
The Lennon Bus and Godin Guitars at NAMM!
This year’s NAMM show in Anaheim, California brought beautiful weather, and awesome exhibits from many of the Lennon Bus sponsors including Gretsch Drums, Mackie, and especially Godin Guitars. During the show, I took some time to hang out and talk with Fred Disanto of Godin Guitars where we talked about …
Erik and the Anycast
Last week at the SVSE expo, I took some time off the busy convention floor to give a quick demonstration on how the Sony Anycast system works. read more
When the Bus needs a Doctor…
Good Evening from Sacramento! While living on the road, one must always prepared for anything. For example, I was sleeping soundly this early am, all bundled in my bunk, the faint sounds of the Whigs new record still resonating in my brain from my iPod, when I woke up and …
Signal Flow is Like Water
This past week, while parked in the lot of the lovely Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn in North Hollywood, I did a lot. I took part in the magical process known as “bus inventory,” Jeff got the Litepanels working, and I even got a tattoo. The most important thing I did …
The Youth and NAMM
The best experience for me at NAMM this year were the young performers on our stage. Paul Green’s School of Rock showed the possibilities of educational outreach. Cole Marcus, the amazing drum prodigy proved that he can lead a group of seasoned musicians, and by far, the most amazing performance …
The Wheels on the Bus
I have survived my first week on the J.L.E.T.B… even though Jeff thought I would only be able to handle 2 days. Macworld was tight, Stanford rocked, and today we gave tours to the good people at the Apple Headquarters. Right now we are driving from Cupertino to Orange County …
On My Way
5:00 AM: My Dad dropped me off at the airport in Milwaukee about 30 minutes ago…. I haven’t slept much, I spend last evening saying goodbye to the people that mean most to me: Mom and Dad, my brother Marek, my best friends in the world, Rob, Dave, and Turner, …
“Lennon” and “John Lennon” are trademarks of Yoko Ono Lennon.
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