If Ham Santa (posted below) was a little much for you to take (understandable) here’s a brand new improvised Christmas song (we did one take and didnt write anything before hand) that might be a little easier to digest (than Ham Santa, see how funny?). Thanks to Jason on the bass, Cale on the keys, and Clayton on the drums. *christmas songs are down try again next year*

On friday the 18th The New Weather Machine will be performing at Henotic in Lethbridge. Our set starts at 9:30 in the main room with other bands to follow.

In an effort to stimulate tradition and invoke the festive spirit, I would like to share an improvised Christmas song that my old band recorded last year. Hopefully we'll do another one this year and in 15 years there will be a space age holo-disc of holiday favorites.

For your listening pleasure, Ham Santa:

*christmas over try again next year*

It's been a month since my last update, time flies! I've been very busy working on a bunch of new songs and with school. If anyone who really really wanted a copy of the free "November Basement Demos" Cd I was giving out through the Facebook group and didn't get one, I found a few more copies in my travel bag. Email me and a copy is yours. Some of the songs found on the Cd are on the music page and should be up for a month or so.

The tough part of this next album is just keeping focused with a genre. As far as new songs go, they're stylistically all over the board. I've got a good idea of where I want to end up, but I'm also not going to stop myself from working on song that isn't going to fit into that idea so I'm just going with the flow. The coming months will tell which direction it goes.

If you haven't joined already, check out The New Weather Machine Facebook group. I just gave away some free demo Cd's through the group, and will have more exclusive stuff in the future.

I'm trying to add and update a few things on the website including the addition of comments to posts, and updated bio/faq, and a few other things. If you find something that isn't working properly please let me know so I can fix it.

Currently listening to:

Get Yer Ya Ya's Out Remaster - Stones (1969)
Is There Anybody Out There - Pink Floyd (1980-1981)
The Airborne Toxic Event (2008)
Rory Gallagher (1971)

I was looking through some pictures i took a couple months ago and found this one. I must apologize. I should have alerted everyone immediately that jetpacks were finally available. I was keeping it to myself all this time but can keep the secret no longer.

For the last couple weeks I just thought i broke my website, but it turns out that I installed Snow Leopard and forgot to update my website program too. Oh well, its all good now. On to the update:


-Currently listening to Animals, The Mono Beatles Box, and Rory Gallahger (who I’m enjoying quite a lot at the moment)

-So after a string of a few great shows I've decide to not press my cd release show in anticipation of a more planned live album a bit in the future. Not saying that it wont happen, it just wont happen soon.

-Tomorrow I officially start my new recordings. This might yield a short run EP, a couple new songs on the website, or a dent into the next record depending on how everything turns out. Im going to start by knocking down the songs that I think are complete finished as far as writing goes, then move on to the stuff that might need a little work. For any non-writers out there, that is always the trickiest part because you have to pick and finalize the individual parts of the songs, the arrangement, certain words or whole verses, etc and basically decide on the final version of a song (even though you may have a hundred different variations you could use).

Im really genuinely excited for the new sounds and ideas I’m incorporating. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I enjoy making them.

-The show last weekend at Henotic with Pilot Speed was alot of fun. The PA wasn't ideal, but it worked out pretty ok. The band played great and we did quite a few songs the first time as a 3 piece as well as a couple brand new ones. Props to Jesse and the Dandelions (who also played upstairs) for putting on a kick ass show.

till next time...

For the first time ever tonight a New Weather Machine song was recorded with some people other than myself, and i thought i would share it with you. Its just a demo, and im trying some new things out production wise, but I hope you’ll get the idea. Thanks to Brad Brouwer for the drums and Jason Schultchen for the bass! The demo is called Drifters Moving On.

Ive added a new video section to the website, and in turn have uploaded a couple of songs from last thursdays show at the Blarney Stone. Ive also got some new pictures from the gig up as well. Big thanks to brad and jason for doing a fantastic job, and to everyone who came out to the show(especially from out of town)!

A couple days ago I was figuring out what my set was going to be for Dr.hook. Instead of taking the easy way out and just learning a couple of covers, I wrote a couple of new songs. I had a couple hours today after a couple of classes, so I put up a couple mics and did a demo of one of the songs. Its up on the music page, the song(which is still a work in progress) is called If No One Knows, well for now anyway.

In the next few weeks I have a couple fun shows. The first being an opening slot for Dr.Hook(Cover of the Rolling Stone, Sylvia’s Mother, etc) at the Blarney Stone on Thursday September 17th, I think tickets are $30 and can be picked up at the venue. I know I said the last show was going to be played as a 3 piece, and it wasnt, but this one will. Some new songs and different arrangements, good times! On Saturday October 3rd I will also be playing at Henotic for Meester Lethbridges Birthday Fundraiser as well.

I put a decent amount of new pictures up as well from last weekends gig if you’re looking to kill time at work or something!

Jon

I just read in some sleazy email that summer is over. There’s always a moment or two of disappointment every year when that realization occurs. My mind always goes directly to halloween and frost, the months between the summer and the snow have a tough time creating an impression against costumes and and scraping windows. On the bright side, maybe i can get a new jacket...

Let’s see what do we have coming up.... On September 5th at the Slice, The New Weather Machine will be playing alongside a huge roster of local talents including Planet Telex, whatever Shaela’s band is called with an extra person, Treeline, and the Skillet Lickers. Itll be a first playing playing as a 3 piece with the fabulous Brad Brouwer and Taylor Ackerman. The idea of the night is relatively compact sets, so there’ll be a few new songs and a few old songs.

Speaking of new songs, Ive been doing demos and things, and one way or another will start proper recording next month. Ive also put up some new music on the music page, including a couple live tracks.

Other than that, I made the decision to jump ship on the day job and pursue a music degree, so we’ll see how that plays into the equation. Its looking like it will open up my schedule a little bit, and im ready for the change. Until next time

Its been a couple weeks, whats new? Hmm the other day I ruptured something in my neck causing both what the doctor likened to a “bad chiropractic adjustment”, as well as extreme pain. That was pretty cool, well it is if I recover soon. Im getting sick of walking like a robot(the bad kind), not turning my neck, and sitting up straight. Oh well, the sleeping for 20 hours isnt so bad for now.

Just prior to the injury, I managed to complete the mixes the upcoming instrumental album. This is not a New Weather Machine, but a side project I am part of. The record is 10 tracks of sort of jazz, sort of rock, jam music. I will have it available on the site when its released, there still is a lot of papers and packaging to figure out so it will be at least a few(6) weeks.

The writing and song development is going well for the next Weather Machine album. Expect some new sounds. Im looking at having an EP but ideally an LP done by November. I am currently planning on recording with a least a couple other people, schedule permitting. My new distressor is sitting and waiting for me to overuse it.

Well, time for more to take some more T3’s and dream about and the fantastic voyages David Bowie and I could go on together.

Last night I assembled a small group of people who have a secret love for 80’s new wave pop music and we recorded a very tasty rendition of modern english’s ill melt with you. thanks to tyson, taylor, and clayton for making this diet pepsi moment possible.

As far as new music goes, still working on new songs for the next record and doing some pre production stuff so i can really nail the sounds im looking for when the time comes. im just about finished the mixes for the live album, and also just about finished the mixes for an instrumental cd im working on with a couple of guys from around town.

until next time

So after a prompting on the weekend from a friend about the recording of my cd release party, i’ve decided to finish the mixing i started many months ago of the show and do a very limited pressing of the show. I haven’t listened back to the performance for a few months, but i really think there are some fantastic moments and that its worth hearing. I think its time to go to bed for the evening, but ive just about finished up the mix and will hopefully complete it in the next few days. Look for it on the web site and on itunes in the next month or so.

June has been a rather interesting month. For some reason when you make plans to get certain things done, life has a way of interrupting and replacing. Hmm notable things in June.....

We’ll the most fun and disappointing was my crazy week writing and recording a theme song for a new animated tv series for Marvel’s Avengers. Unfortunately for me my song did not get selected for a very silly and fixable reason, but thats life. You can judge for yourself, the song should be posted on the music page by the time anyone reads this. **Please note that I had lyrical and content guidelines to follow!!** There are some cheesy moments, but really, its for a cartoon for 35 year olds and the song is supposed to sound like the foo fighters, ac/dc, and led zeppelin. hmm

Ive been working on 3 particular songs that will definitely be on the next album, which hopefully will be sometime before the end of the year, maybe early fall if im lucky.

Im also finishing up the mixes on an instrumental album that im part of, which should be released sometime in the near future. Ill have more details as it approaches.

dont forget to wear sunscreen and listen to your fair share of david bowie. actually this week you can have a pass to listen to emotional rescue a few times too.

jon

normally i wouldnt make a post about virtually nothing, but this week has been pretty decent so far. I also know that there are a few people checking the site for something new to read, so you know who you are - heres something new to read(i also put up some new pictures for you)!. the prospect of my music in movie and tv placement has surfaced again and its kind of fun and exciting. i am excited about at least 4 of the new songs im working on for the next album. not saying that there are only 4 good songs, but there are probably only 4 truly finished songs. its really just been a very positive week.

im hoping to have a new demo or two up in the next couple of weeks as well. The songs im working on are..hmmmm maybe more singular than plural? does that make sense? to fill my desire of not redoing what i have done already, im trying something totally different as far as song writing goes, which i hope will work out for the best for someone at least.

before my late night ranting gets too ridiculous, im going to bed.

jon

finally home after the long drive from the gorge in washington. i went down for the first night of the sasquatch festival and it was pretty awesome. basically a lot of people all just wanting to see some cool bands and crappy overpriced food and beverages. super nice weather, very cool vibe, and the v bomb dropped over a loud speaker within 2 minutes of walking in the gates. i mean really, what more could you ask for besides an auntie anne’s pretzel?

my only regret is that i didnt get to stay and camp for the full weekend but at least i can remedy that next year.

on a side note - some ideas on the next record kind of came together during some portion of my trek and i think what i want to do is making some sense. that or im still a little delusional from whatever the giant mosquitos were pumping into arm/head/neck

Jason and I recorded what i think has been the best of the “one take basement tapes” recordings. if youre not familiar with the idea yet, basically we get together for a drink or two, pick a random song(which lately has been beatles stuff) and then in as few passes as possible record the track with usually only one take per pass. It can be quite a challenge sometimes but is quite a lot of fun. Last night we did “Im So Tired” off of the white album. Check it out on the music page

I added a bunch of pictures to the photos to the picture page that you might want to check out. i had a pretty exciting weekend! as i go through my pictures ill add some more over the next few days.

jon

Coming up in the next 2 weeks I will have some of what is probably the most exciting stuff on the website. I dont want to give it away but I can promise it will be worth checking out!

Ive also added some new pictures of me flailing about at the last show courtesy of my friend norm. check it out

The first new original track since the album was released is now available for you to listen to on the music player, or on myspace if youre into really low quality. The songs called Falling Apart, you can have a listen before you hear it live next friday.

Some upcoming shows to coax April showers.

On tuesday april 7th Dennis Classic will be hosting jam night at the slice. Should be a delay and fuzz fest.

Shortly after on friday april 10th (which is a holiday) there will be a treeline and new weather machine split show. Im excited to see some of the great new material they’ve been working on live.

roooooooaaaaarrrrr

Havent posted an update in a couple cold weeks so i thought i would post some thoughts and what im up to. currently im writing and doing some demos of new songs. i have one in particular im excited about and hope that it works out the way i want it to. as a songwriter, i think that the ability to properly translate what you have in your head lies somewhere between not knowing nearly enough and knowing to much. its why the “legacy” artist cant write important music and the amateur sounds like he should keep his day job. its why slick nashville country can be so bland. its why lame indie rock can suck so badly. im sure it doesnt just apply to music, other forms of creative art probably suffer the with the same issues.

as a listener i want to hear a bit of struggle. i want to see dripped paint where the artist took a chance and was unsure if it would payoff.

i do however think that this eventually comes around as well. after the knowledge saturation point has been reached and sustained, a new avenue is opened. there lies a true master of craft whether it be songwriting, painting, building, speaking, design, etc.. a master is ultimately someone who is truly aware of what they dont know.

in regards to music i can think of very few good examples. its seems like these artists eventually had some sort of break through very very deep into their careers, and somehow harnessed the ability to put out very brilliant, very direct communication. this might be a turn off to some people as the most direct communication can be simple and incredibly threatening. it can be uncomfortable if not taken in context because of the instant level of connection.

ultimately i think that there is a sweet spot somewhere in the middle that resembles or exceeds mastery of craft, when someone knows enough to accomplish the desired task, is fully aware of the unknown, but is still hungry enough to put in some real effort and take a chance or two.

Until next time david bowie


Jon

So now that the first album is done, boxes of discs pressed, interweb littered, and cd release party complete - whats next. Thats a good question, a question ive been thinking about for the last couple months. Lets start with start with a short recap.

-after “29 Months” my debut album was completed. as planned I was able to play all of the instruments, write all the songs, mix and produce it, and somehow figure out how to pay for the replication and mastering.
-the record was well received, ive managed to get it in the hands of a healthy number of fans both locally and abroad via the internet with regrettably minimal promotion
-the cd release party was a success, the band did a great job of presenting the album material live. it was a lot of fun and very gratifying
-during the month of february i took part in the rpm challenge(make an album in the month) and though my best efforts were put forward in the last 10 days, i did not complete it.
-ive been writing a fair bit lately and have recorded a few new songs - some of which im excited about
-found 2 collections of bowie material that i had never heard from 64-66

that about sums up the last few months for me as awesome or anti-awesome as it sounds.

however the question remains, what do i do now? i have a few different options for consideration. i can:

-pursue promotion and perform of the “The New Weather Machine” album solo or with a band
-put effort into some visual arts im interested in, including photography, painting, video etc
-put a legitimate band together, work on new material, and play some gigs
-record another album by myself
-record another album with other other musicians but not in a typical band format
-listen to david bowie until im “defecating ecstasy” - (we are the dead - 1974)
-do some dennis gigs
-stay/remain in isolation and read books
-do nothing at all

of course im always open to suggestions, and my short attention span will probably cause me to change what im doing 4 or 5 times before something sticks, but i do know that i a) dont want to repeat myself and b) improve on what i have done. Im not sure what exactly that is but im sure i know what it isnt. will keep you posted

jon

If youre one of those crazy people who like to watch the tv and its stories, I will be on it tonight between 6:00 and 6:30 and again at 11:00 and 11:30. The piece on me should be about 15 minutes into the show which can be seen on whatever channel City TV Calgary is at your house. I havent seen the bit yet but my silly interview is in good hands so the potential is there! And remember, I can see you from inside the tv.

I have been extremely busy over the last few days and especially the last few weeks but would like to make a delayed special thank you to everyone who came out the the cd release. it was very successful and I appreciate the support. I recorded the show and a few good pictures were taken. Possibly in the next few days or weeks i will make a little section on the website for those of you who couldnt make it

Just a reminder for everyone about the all important CD Release Party next friday february the 6th at the slice bar and grill in lethbridge. I will be doing a live recording of the show so i look forward to seeing you all there! heres the poster to check out:




i also added some new pictures to the photo page.

I have added a new section to the web site to help answer some questions that I get frequently and/or to give you something to read because youre probably trying to kill some time at work or school or something. I will update it as necessary in an effort to keep it relevant so check back with it often.

I will performing a brief 30 minute solo acoustic set this Saturday at the Slice Bar and Grill in support of Treeline. For those of you who want to pick up an early copy of the album so you can familiarize yourself with the songs before the big cd release party on February 6th, that would be a great opportunity to do so. Also, I updated the music page and there are a few new tunes to check out.

Keep warm, there are at least a few more cold days in this stretch.

As of today the album is official available on itunes for download and on amazon.com for download and physical purchase. If you havent picked up a copy yet this is the easiest way yet of getting one.

Hello everyone. Hope youve had an acceptable holiday season and start to the new year. Next week we finally get(close) to what we’ve all been wanting for the last 8 years. I know a rod stewart stomach full of people are as excited as me about it and rightfully so!

On friday we did Dennis 9:The Worst Dennis Ever out at the CMI in Coaldale. Thanks to Paul, Kyle, Jason, and Tyler for putting on a great show! Look for some new pictures on the picture page soon.

With the current state of the economy and the global recession, its easy to look at the glass as half empty. Compared to the impending eruption of the super volcano in yellowstone, the time bomb of the mayan calender, and the idea that Israel has the second largest store of nuclear weapons in the world (see pic) - loosing some money or getting an extended holiday from work looks like a walk in jelly stone park.

On a more important note the date for the Official Cd Release Party of the album is February 6th. It will be at the Slice Bar and Grill in Lethbridge and will tentatively feature Treeline, Crystal Kid(from Calgary), and of course The New Weather Machine. This will be the first performance of the album in its entirety and should be fantastic!