Because What's Weirder than Alex Trebek?

About five years ago, I sat down to write a story about Alex Trebek.

This story would be different from so many of my other short stories because it would come from an idea.

I didn't write from ideas. I didn't like ideas. Everyone had ideas. I wanted to be different.

My idea was I wanted Alex Trebek to show up to an apartment complex, squat down, and sort of study the distance from this position. Think of it as a contemplative pose. He'd grab his lip, absent-mindedly pinch it, look off into the distance, and stay there for a long time. I just wanted his presence in this pose in this story, kind of like the old man in "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings," but I wanted it to be Alex Trebek, and I wanted him to be squatting, and I wanted to see what would happen.

This is why writing is so wonderful. You decide you want things a certain way, and that's the way they are. At one point, the story was called "A Very Old Game Show Host with Enormous Wings." I just wanted it that way, and it was so.

So, I wrote the story, and I liked much of it, and didn't like other parts of it, so I rewrote the other parts several times over the course of about five years, and eventually I had a story, now called "Waiting for the Question."

That was when I heard about Forest Avenue Press's City of Weird anthology.

(There's a whole section that should go here about the acceptance of this story by City of Weird, but that portion of the tale is coming out later this month at Necessary Fiction, so you'll just have to understand it's coming down the pipe, and I will check back in here when it's up.)

What you need to know now is Forest Avenue Press's City of Weird anthology is available for sale, and it's where you can read my Alex Trebek story "Waiting for the Question" and 29 other stories all set in Portland, and by some very respect fiction writers. It's a real honor to be included, and I think, somewhere, Alex Trebek is happy about it too.

So, please buy the anthology and read my Alex Trebek story and get 29 other Portland stories to boot.

Also, there is a series of readings coming up to celebrate this offering, and I'm participating in two of them. However, the official launch party is this Wednesday at Powell's on Burnside, where my writing compatriot Mark Russell is reading with three other City of Weird contributors. I won't go into all of the revelry scheduled for the event, but let's just say it feels very much like you won't want to miss it.

So, don't miss it!

Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Buy Forest Avenue Press's City of Weird anthology.

Like Coachella, but Pleasant

Do you want to have fun this Tuesday night in Portland?

Then come to The Whom's reading at The Corner Bar at 7:30 PM on 7/28.

The Whom features some of the most entertaining and well-published writers in town, and it seems like every one of them has a new offering out right now. Rebecca Kelley's debut novel Broken Homes and Gardens just came out in May, and Heather Arndt Anderson's second foodie offering, Portland: A Food Biography, was released to accolades earlier this year. Finally, writer/humorist/all-around PDX baller Mark Russell saw his first of a series of DC-released comics come out last month. Pretty ridiculous, yo.

The readings themselves will be short, engaging, and the perfect accompaniment to your $2 BEER!
 
In fact, should you come, you will be the first audience in the History of Man to hear the prologue for my Novel IV, which is called 19 Ways to Destroy Your Rock Band: My Life in the Convincing Fakes.

Think I'm kiddin'?

I assure you I am not.

Come! Bring a friend!

Art

P.S. $2 beers!

Watch Stuck Outside of Phoenix the Movie.

 

Stuck Outside of Phoenix from All Channel Films on Vimeo.

Two Readings in Three Days!

Yep. That's how good I got it.

First was a whole crew of Curbside Splendor readers at the new Reading Frenzy in Alberta. I came for Brian Costello, whose rock-ish novel Losing in Gainesville I plan to review, but I was blown away by the quality work of all four readers.

Second, I made it to Powell's on a rainy Friday night to hear the inimitable Karen Karbo read from the Hawthorne Books reissue of her 1991 slapstick novel The Diamond Lane. The section Karen read felt like it was written yesterday. Wanna read how funny lit fic is supposed to go? Look no further.

So, I'm set with two new, thick titles just in time for the rain.

Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Watch the Book Trailer for Badge.



Buy Badge.

Hey, I've got a Gig this Friday!

Get ready for Ghost Notes in Audio Book!!! It's coming your way June 15th!!!

Despite my hectic audio book schedule, the gig is still on! I wouldn't miss it for the world.



It's at a great little coffee shop in the Sellwood neighborhood of Portland called Twin Paradox. Entry is free. I'll play two sets, which will include any and all of my original material, and you can bet I'll play your favorites. Drop by and see me for free before your normal Friday night craziness.

You'll be glad to know I'm finished editing the Ghost Notes the Audio Book. I'm incorporating as much music as possible, which has turned out to be one of the fun parts of putting this thing together. I've never heard anything quite like it, which is always the litmus test I put my work through. (If it's derivative, why bother?) There's probably a pretty good reason why people don't incorporate more music into their audio books, but I'm just green enough not to care!

And you've heard the sample, right?

So, all that's left to do is to give the entire book one last listen, break it down into segments, master it, and get it to you. Again, I'll be selling CD versions of it from my Web site next week, and the digital download version will be available through CDBaby before the summer's gone.

So get ready for the gig this Friday, and get ready for Ghost Notes in audio book form in just SEVEN DAYS!

Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Buy Ghost Notes



Buy Songs from Memory


Buy Stuck Outside of Phoenix

I'm 40 Today.

Get ready for Ghost Notes in Audio Book!!! It's coming your way June 15th!!!

Yes, as of today, I'm old.


I've never had much of a hang-up with the idea of being 40. I've always held fast to the notion that I'd peak--whatever that means--at 45. The rest of my life is just screw-around time. Hell, I've got five years before I have to straighten up.

In recognition of my 40th birthday, I'm passing along another nugget to you for your aural pleasure. This one is another live cut from my show at Eddie's Attic in Atlanta last year. Shalom, soundman extraordinaire, had our trio dialed in but good that night, and Mr. Hartley doctored the recording a little to make it sound even better. Come hear a live version of "I Don't Know Right Now" at my MySpace Audio page, where you'll find lots of other stuff, too. You'll be glad you did.

Also, I've booked another Portland gig! I will once again play the Twin Paradox coffee house in Sellwood, this time on a weekend night, Friday, June 12th, from 8 to 10 PM. This is an all-originals show; I'll play pretty much everything I know that isn't a cover. Mark your calendars now for Friday, June 12th, from 8 to 10 PM. Free show!

Finally, I'm hoping to find someone who'd like to accompany me for this gig. It can be any second instrument. Another guitarist is the obvious choice, but it doesn't have to be. If you know of someone in the Portland area who might be good at adding a little melody to my songs, please let me know at ae[at]artedwards.com.

That's it for me. I'm off to Ashland to enjoy plays, hiking and food. Yes, life after 40 isn't so bad.

Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Buy Ghost Notes



Buy Songs from Memory


Buy Stuck Outside of Phoenix

Another Song about Oregon

It's happening this Thursday!



I'm playing solo acoustic at Twin Paradox coffee shop in the Sellwood neighborhood of Portland. The age requirement is...none. This is an all ages show. The cover is...none. Absolutely free! Two sets of music by yours truly. You will want to be there.

Why?

Well...because this is my first gig back in Oregon, and I think it's going to be a special night.

That's great. But why would I, the Oregonian with nothing to do on Thursday night, want to be there?

Did I mention that Twin Paradox has a requirement that no artist perform covers? That's right. This place features all original music (and public works) by local and visiting artists. What a bold--and very Oregonian--thing to do. We support our artists, don't we? That might be my favorite aspect of living here.

Great point, but frankly, I've seen your schtick before, and I'd really like to know what's going to be different his time.

A fair question. I've written three new songs this past month, and each of them was inspired by our recent relocation to our fair state. (Yes, the Moss Muse has been kind.) This show will be the first time I perform this trilogy of songs live, so you're going to want to be there to hear them. When one of them becomes the Oregon state anthem, you'll be able to say you were there!

Okay, now you're getting my attention.

Good.

So, drop on by Twin Paradox on Thursday around 7:30,

7:30-9:30 PM

Get your cup of coffee,



Get your scone,



and listen to some original music.

Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Buy Ghost Notes



Buy Songs from Memory


Buy Stuck Outside of Phoenix

Solemines

Hey, you, Portlanders. You haven't forgotten about my big gig coming up, have you?



Thursday, March 26th. Two sets by yours truly at a very cool coffee shop in Sellwood called Twin Paradox. And it's free, for Pete's sake! Come and see me!

Dan Lancelot of Gloritone fame was kind enough to put up a MySpace page for an old band of ours called the Solemines. The band included Jim Gerke, Tim Anthonise, myself on bass, and Dan Lancelot manning the skins. We roamed Tempe circa 1990-91, and we played all the local haunts in those days: Long Wong's, the Sun Club, Chuy's (although I remember this being a tough nut to crack) and Anderson's Fifth Estate (strangely, the only one of the above-mentioned still around). We led off for a Flock of Seagulls at Anderson's once. (No, the dude didn't have the hair thing going on.) That was probably the most famous band we played with. We also played with the Sand Rubies (Sidewinders), but the gigs we most looked forward to were the ones where we led off for the Gin Blossoms.

These usually happened at the Sun Club. Dan would get with Laura Leiwen, then the Gin Blossoms' manager, and get us booked to lead off on a Friday or Saturday night for Tempe's greatest draw. These shows would have roughly 150 to 250 people in attendance, and there was nothing better than getting paid ($75 to lead off for the Gins) to play for people as they trickled in to see the headliner, hopefully turning a few on to our music, then staying all night and watching the Blossoms do their thing until 1 AM.

The thing about Blossoms shows that drove us crazy were the dancers.


No, not belly dancers. People who came to see bands because they wanted to dance.

I remember playing the Sun Club, leading off for the Gins. We did our thing onstage and watched the place fill up. By the end of our set, the place would be overflowing with people, except for the dance floor, a 10 by 20 foot rectangle right in front of us with nary a soul on it. Sometimes our girlfriends would take pity on us and shake their booties during a cover song or two, but the majority of folks didn't find the Solemines groove conducive to dancing. Go here and see if you agree.


Then, we'd clear our stuff off the stage, load out the side door and straight into our cars, come back in and inevitably, when the Blossoms hit their first note, the dance floor would fill instantly with well-lubricated and boogie-ready patrons.



We so wanted dancers of our own, but I suspect we knew that our groove wasn't lanky enough for big-time gestulating. It is what it is.

Still, a cool groove nonetheless. I loved the Solemines, and I love the way this music sounds, even today. Lancelot and Anthonise fueled the rhythm, some natural compliment between Lancelot's hi-hat playing and Anthonise's picking hand. Tim also had this amazing-sounding Fender Bassman amp and a vintage Stratocaster. I was Tim's roommate for much of our Solemines tenure, and I was always blown away by what he could do with a guitar. His style was fresher than most, kind of an American version of Johnny Marr, and his playing and tone more than anything fueled the songs we wrote together as a band.

Jim Gerke was and still is a unique and soulful singer. He could sell me the Brooklyn Bridge with his voice. Jim and I shared much of the lyric writing. There were song lyrics that just Jim wrote ("Never Pass Away") and ones just I wrote ("Wake me when it Rains") but most of them had lyrical contributions from both of us--or all of us. It was the only time in my life I've been in a band when all four members were songwriters. Everyone contributed, and no one got a big head. We were all pretty happy to be there.

Three of the four of us sang, too. I wish I'd sung--then I could say we all sang--but I was very happy writing lyrics and playing bad bass lines in an original rock band on Mill Avenue. I was the youngest of the four, and my bass playing--still heavily influenced by Geddy Lee--shows it much of the time.

So, come become a Solemines friend. You'll be glad you did.

One final note: I've discovered the name of my next project, Belching Pineapple.

I don't know what Belching Pineapple is, or what it will be, but it will be something, and that something will be so monumentally cool Katie Couric's gonna want to interview me.

Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Buy Ghost Notes



Buy Songs from Memory


Buy Stuck Outside of Phoenix

New Live Cut up on MySpace, plus New Gig!!!

It's been a very musical week here in the Land Where the Law is Laid Down.

First of all, I've posted a live version of "Little Known Girl" from my show in Atlanta last year with the inimitable Bret Hartley on guitar and the ever tasty Kevin Leahy on Drums.



This show, recorded off the board by Shalom at Eddie's Attic in Atlanta, is one that I've been listening to on and off for months now, and I thought I'd pass a nugget of it on to you. And not entirely inappropriate subject matter so close to Valentine's Day, eh? Come on over to my MySpace audio page and take a listen. You'll be glad you did.

Next, a new gig! I will be laying down the law solo acoustic on Thursday, March 26, from 7:30 to 9:30 at a great little coffee shop called Twin Paradox in the Sellwood neighborhood of Portland. This place is newly redesigned, has great coffee and treats, is easy to find and has plenty of parking. This is my first show of 2009, and I will be pulling out all the stops to get you to come out early on a Thursday and listen to some classic and some brand new songs by your truly.

Also, Twin Paradox doesn't ask but requires that performing artists play only original music or public domain songs. In other words, no covers. I thought this was so cool I contacted them instantly. So, mark March 26th on your calendar with a great, big, red "Art Lays Down the Law at Twin Paradox at 7:30."

And did I mention this show is absolutely free? Just the right price during these troubled times, eh?

And next week, on this very blog, I will interview Nashville multi-talent Danny White, who just released his debut novel, The Last Rock and Roll Show. Danny and I will chat about his book, his music and what it's like to be a former-bass-player-of-a-band-fronted-by-Roger-Clyne-only-to-give-it-up-to-record-original-music-and-write-novels. (Danny and I have a lot in common, eh?) That's next week, right here at LDL.

I leave you this week with a video that never, ever fails to bring a smile to my face. Get ready for some serious shredding.



I think even I can play guitar better than that!

Yours in laying down the blog,

Art

Buy Ghost Notes



Buy Songs from Memory


Buy Stuck Outside of Phoenix

Portland at Last!

We landed in Portland and found we were missing the Pacific Northwest even more than we realized. Thank you, Oregonians, for keeping it beautiful in our stead.

What's new in the land of laying down the law? Well, of course you know about the Lighten my Load Sale. You don't? Well, just for you, I'm extending the discounts until the new year. I'm talking rock bottom prices. There's still time to buy every Freshie fan on your list something cool for the holidays, and you don't have to go into the poor house to do it. And I'll sign it, too.

Also, I've written about six new songs for a new record, which I hope to record with Mr. Hartley sometime in 2009. If you came to any of my shows in 2008, most likely you heard one or two. I hope to book something for early 2009 in Portland, so keep your eye out for that at my website.

And the sequel to Ghost Notes is well under way. That will also be submitted in 2009.

So everyone have a great holiday, and check back in January.

Art

Buy Stuck Outside of Phoenix



Buy Ghost Notes



Buy Songs from Memory

Off to Oregon Again!

Hello, all.

Just a quick note to let you know I'm once again relocating, this time back to Oregon. It was a difficult decision, but the current economic downturn, and the cold winter around the corner, has us pining for more mild and secure climes. This time, Portland is our destination, and we're looking forward to seeing all of our PDX friends, not to mention our first trip to Powell's in at least a year.

If you're in the Chicago area, what does this mean? It means you have one more shot to see me in the flesh before I head west. The date is Saturday, November 15th. The club is Uncommon Ground in Wrigleyville, and I play solo acoustic at 9 PM. This is my favorite club to play in Chicago, and it should provide the perfect backdrop for a fond farewell to one of my favorite cities. Call to reserve your spot: 773-929-3680.

Also, as I pack everything and drive 2,000 miles to the west coast, I'm looking to lighten my load. This means you'll be presented with an unprecedented opportunity to own some Defunct merchandise. I'm talking good deals. If you've ever wanted Ghost Notes or Songs from Memory or the new Stuck Outside of Phoenix, you're going to want to read this blog next week.

That's it. Until next week,

Art