After the last Presets tour, I was planning on taking a couple of months off. But I hadn’t planned on the Christmastime retail bloodbath and the resultantly slow beginning to the touring year!

So, I’ve tightened my belt and I’ve been living off savings for the last 4 months. It’s been kind of slow and great, actually, although I’m itching to get behind a proper desk.

I’ve been spending a lot of time with Shannon, including a little 8-day tour to the Pacific Northwest and back. I’m gearing up for the next Presets tour, for which I depart on March 12. Shannon and I have been making recordings of her songs, although at slower a pace than either of us would optimally like.

Between now and tour I’m visiting my family in Vermont for ten days, during which time I’ll help my sister and her family move into their new house! I can’t believe my kid sister owns a house.

That’s it – I just wanted to say hi. I’ll post tour dates in a bit!

Hi! I just wanted to post something to combat the persistent chirping of crickets around here lately. I’m alive! And I’m doing well.

The rest of the Presets / Rapture tour was great. The two bands made for a cohesive and complimentary night of music. The shows were generally good, although the schedule was a bit much at times – following a bus tour in a van can be trying. At least it wasn’t winter :-)

I’m safe and sound in LA for the indefinite future. Wanna hang out? I have a lot of free time. xo — .j.

The Presets and I did Webster Hall last night, in New York City. If you don’t know the venue, it’s big. It has a capacity of around 1,500 people, but the live room is on the 3rd floor, so the building it’s in is even much bigger than you might imagine. It’s really pretty big.

So, check this out. Last night, the police received a noise complaint during our set. I was mixing at the time.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE VENUE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED.

It was for the amount of bass.

:-D

I’m writing from my parents’ kitchen in Burlington, Vermont, looking out over a beautifully crisp fall morning on Lake Champlain. This first leg of touring with The Presets is over! Some observations on The Presets:

– Kim and Jules are two of the nicest, hardest-working, most well-grounded, politest, and most personable guys I’ve had the pleasure to meet.
– Their live show kicks ASS!

We go back out as main US and Canada support for The Rapture, starting 25 OCT. I’m taking the time until then off, to relax with my family and my favorite singer/songwriter.

Hi! I’m back.

Burning Man was amazing. I got there a little uncentered, and so felt the need to put myself through a sort of spiritual boot camp. I did two to five hours of yoga and meditation a day for the entire week – problem solved! The art was amazing, per usual, but the highlight was definitely having the chance to take time to focus on myself. I needed it. And now I’m back, optimized, and hitting the ground sprinting!

I’m writing this from Montreal, where I’m starting my next tour with The Presets. My itinerary is here – I hope some of you can make it out and say hi!