Was it a dream?
Current mood: indescribable

The entire Bandwagon ( our RV ) was rumbling, up, down, and side to side. I immediately woke up slamming my forehead on the bunk above me. We were supposed to be on route to the All Good Festival in WV, but something told me that was not the case. I looked around and noticed nobody else was awake...how could that be? I then scrambled up to the front of the bus to investigate, given our travel history, one never nows what situation we can get ourselves into. Just when you think you have been through everything, life injects yet another surprise. When I get to the front of the RV, I witness C6 behind the wheel holding on for dear life, like a captain trying to navigate his vessel through a perfect storm. Next, I gazed out the window with my gaping jaw and saw nothing but forest and a road that could barely support a Yugo. Not only that, the ground was nothing but loose gravel with boulders haphazardly protruding through the earth. And to put a cherry on top of it all we were trekking uphill !! My hats off to C6 for an outstanding job on the wheel.
I questioned C6 as to how we found ourselves in this outlandish predicament, and he responded "Stacy" ( the name given to our twisted GPS ).....that explained it all !! You see, sometimes Stacy sends us on paths wide of the mark ( depends on her mood )....I'm not crazy...it's true. Nonetheless we were where we were.
A few moments later, Cliff and Stone awake. They peek their heads into the front cab, and immediately begin to chuckle "this is awesome" in a short staccato high pitched fashion.... ahhh the newbies. It actually took a little of the edge off the situation( love those guys ). We scaled this death trap of a road for about 1.5 miles, mind you we were driving about, oh lets say 1.5 miles an hour...you get the picture.
Finally we arrive at our destination, only to find a dead end road blocked of by a huge metal gate( like one you might find at a military compound ). I guess people take their private property policies to the extreme in these parts. With no room whatsoever to turn around, we had no option but to put this sucker in reverse and backtrack to a spot where we could turn around...and the plot thickens !!! Next, Stone and I jump out of the vehicle to aid C6. We run to the back of the Bandwagon to help guide. Slowly but surely, we where maneuvering out of our madcap scenario when out of nowhere we heard growls and thunderous barks from what sounded like a pack of rabid dogs. We frightfully turned around only to realize that no more than 30 yards behind us, it indeed was a pack of wrathful dogs darting toward us full force. At that time, I could have easily broken the Guinness Book of World Records for the fastest man alive. I reached the drivers side door frantically pounding on it, yelling at the top of my lungs. No words in particularly, just yelling. Thank all that is mighty that C6 opened the door without haste. I dove in head first, and could feel the hot breath from the canines...I mean beasts, at my heels. Talk about your narrow escapes !!!
Eventually, we made it out of there and arrived at the All Good Festival safely, a little traumatized, but safely. We ended up having an amazing show.

Looking forward to the next great dream or adventure !!!

James

12:30 PM - 5 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

All Good Music Festival, Pleasantville, Asbury Park and Lebenon N.H
Current mood: accomplished

Hello and Hola!
Currently driving home from West Viginia at the end of just a wonderful weekend of shows!
The All Good Festival was...beyond "All Good"! packed with spinning, dancing, smiling faces. A little rain, but grateful that the sun came out for us during our sun dance:) I give thanks
Last night (Sat) was the Pleasantville Music Festival in Pleasantville N.Y, playing for our radio friends Chris Herman, Jimmy Fink and eveyone at the Peak in Westchester, N.Y. These guys know how to throw down a day of music! Ending the day with deSoL, Backdoor Slam, and Joan Osborne. Joan was a sweat heart, I even saw our guitarist Cliff give her a peck on the cheek:) GO CLIFFY!!!
Friday night was a home town show for the grand Re-opening of the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, N.J.
Home town shows are fun and full of surprises. We see many people we haven't seen in a while, sometimes in years. Fans, friends, and familia come out who have seen the growth of the band from our days as a 3 piece (me, Armando, and James) to a seven piece, and these days as a six piece. No matter what the incarnation, the love has been there from jump at the Jersey Shore.
Thursday night we performed at a new music series in Lebanon, N.H and I gotta tell you that the good vibes were flying high. You never know what you're gonna get. Lebanon was a new destination for us, and Oh boy the crowd was hungry to be lifted up.

A special point for me in the set, occured during "Mona Lisa" our second to last number. You know the part in the song when the song breaks down to nothing and starts up again? I looked out into the audience, and the entire crowd was on their feet with their hands up in the air clapping, jumping, cheering, and creating a sea of moving energy. Wow! I got chills up and down my arms and down my spine. We were suspended in a truely honest moment of togetherness.
I was so touched that entire night seeing people get closer and closer to the stage, song by song, minute by minute, till everyone was up together dancing, for one common purpose... music and love. We did our job in Lebanon. For that, I am grateful.
Well, we're on our way home to start writing songs.
We are starting work on our new disc due out late spring 2009. I'm excited to loosen up the touring schedule and be able to focus on the other side of this wonderful music trip... creating songs...a new playground. The songs are the play ground, the stage is the monkey bars and slides that we swing and jump off of:)
God bless and hello to the new friends we've made these last few days. Thank you to everyone who brought us your home made jewlery, vegan foods and cakes. You truly make us feel loved.

-buenas noches.
Albie

5:25 PM - 3 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Andy’s Unbelievable Fishing Experience
Current mood: groggy
Category: Friends

July 7, 2008
Oceanport, NJ

As you know, deSoL travels frequently to play shows. We don't always have the time, or make/take the time to "take time off." We're typically workaholics.

A guitar student of mine, George, invited me to go fishing with him a year and a half ago to attempt the enjoyment of relaxing. Considering my touring schedule, it's been very difficult to lock down a day… Well today was the day…and our fluke fishing adventure in the Atlantic was a great success, and there was another noteworthy event that followed…

The fog this morning was dense as we made frequent stops in my tour guide's prime locations. George's friend, Bob (who's paternal line is riddled with fisherman), was with us as well. These guys have been fishing off the Jersey Shore together for the past 20 years. Pros. I, on the other hand, am a novice fisherman; I enjoyed the sport growing up with my dad and his bro/my Uncle Frank, I had another great experience fishing off the northern shores of Prince Edward Island with my buddies Wolff and Dr. Roni Botts, but nothing substantial since then.

Back to today: we threw a bunch of small guys back, and caught a dozen nice keepers, and it looked like the day was done. "Pull up your line, Andy, we're gonna head in." Though the sun came out and the fog lifted a bit, we were pretty much finished and the 2 pros were going to do some shallow trolling on the way back to George's dock whilst I was going to be sunning myself.

As I was reelin' it in, I noticed that there was something on my line. At first I was excited to get one last catch. There was not much of a fight, though, and I realized that what I had was probably not very big. I was peering in the water waiting to see…and I realized that there was a jellyfish tangled in my line…not hooked, but it was about a foot above the hook and sinker…simply folded around the line, temporarily stuck, because of the current. So I shook it off the line and didn't realize at the time that there was some of the jellyfish still sort of on the line…so I worked that off before reeling the rest in. When bringing the line in, I grabbed the weight, secured it to the reel, and then set the pole in its "holster" inside the boat.

I must have touched some of the jellyfish's poison without knowing it. Bob was driving as we were trolling back and I had an itch in my right eye (thought I had one of those "eyelash situations")…so I used my right index finger to move that beautiful lash to a more comfortable position.

Not too long after, my right eye was steadily becoming more irritated, it itched a little now. Then my eye began watering out of control, and the sunlight was becoming stronger than my now sensitive eyes could tolerate. I had my head down to let my eye flush itself, and George asked me if I was alright. I told him that I had "a bit o' the itch in the eye." He handed me a bottle of water and told me to flush it better. So I tilted my head back and poured some water in there. I was having a hard time opening my eye to really let some water get in, George plainly suggested opening my eyes. Difficult as it was, I did and poured more water in there.

My right eye was burning and bothering me so much by now that I didn't realize that I was starting to feel a bit sloppy--and I was noticing my left eye getting funny, too. George asked if I was better and I said, "Not quite yet." I was a little in denial that something might be happening to me other than the eyelash job. I kept my head down, and started feeling my shoulders getting tingly. I took in a deep breath and decided to stay calm. Then it moved down past my elbows. I knew something was in my bloodstream. I could feel it. I told the guys how I felt. Then my fingers started getting tingly and I could feel it working down my torso.

Next thing I remembered was being disoriented and looking up at two men looking down over me asking me if I was alright. I didn't know who they were, where I was, or what was going on…I didn't even know that I had been out fishing the previous 7 hours. I totally blacked out and literally hit the deck (I now know that my left knee & forehead assisted in stopping my body because of the bruise/knot/evidence). Luckily, I fell into the boat and not out. (Bob, a medic in the Vietnam War, said, "You know, that jelly uses 'neurotoxins' to immobilize living creatures…" I learned all this after the fact, I guess I hit the floor the same time he said "neurotoxins." ...though I wish that I could say, "...and I hit the floor faster that you can say 'Neurotoxins!'")

So I was laying on my back on the floor of George's fine fishing boat fully confused as to how I got there. Thinking back about it, I now remember having some disturbing disconnected thoughts while I was out…I remember a weird and scary dark dream. I was really out there for a minute. Seemed like a lifetime.

I continued to stay on my back for the next 20 minutes, not able to move or get up yet. I could still feel the poison doing a job on my nervous system, and I knew I should just stay put. I was almost paralyzed, but not completely…just down for the count. After those 20 minutes or so, I had some comfort in that I could tell that my body was doing slow but sure work on recovering…whew! A positive sign.

I told George I was ready to sit up. He grabbed me a foldable lawn chair and set it up for me. I climbed in the chair and slowly started realizing what just happened. We talked about it briefly…I guess I was, in real time, out cold for a minute or two, and had a little convulsion right toward the end before I came around.

I was amazed—I was so powerless to the jelly's toxin. It fully overtook me, and pretty quickly, too…it all happened so fast. After sitting in the foldable chair for another 10-15 minutes, I decided that I wanted to try to stand up. I needed to prove to myself that I was going to be alright. Bob and George were relieved to see that I was recovering a little. I was still out of it, though.

We got back to George's dock, George filleted the flukes professional style, Bob cleaned up the boat, and I decided I needed to lay down. I was so exhausted…like after an adrenaline rush. My body and brain really needed to chill for a bit. As I was laying down, I felt myself getting close to falling asleep and something told me that I shouldn't give in to fully sleeping or going out again…so I maintained an awake resting pattern that lasted the next hour or so.

Wow, what an experience. It's now 2:12AM early Tuesday morning, and I can still feel a little of the juice still in me. These jellyfish really know how to make a cocktail! I must have said, "That was amazing!" 50 times or more thinking about what happened on our ride back to George's. I was blown away at how well that venom worked, and how my body's circulatory system served as a personal tour guide for the stuff. Then I was amazed at how my body recovered and continued to try to recover after being blitzkrieged. Unbelievable.

So that's it. All in a day's fishing. Fyi, I'm feeling fine now…no strange after effects, just feel a little groggy and maybe some of that jelly cocktail is still in me, though I feel it dissipating.

A funny side note…I've been looking forward to this planned fishing trip (which was extremely memorable) for months now. By the way, I had an excellent time (George and Bob, thank you very much)! It was also the first day that I would be going back to eating some kind of meat. Albie challenged me to have a strict vegan diet for a month, and I gladly accepted on June 4th. I knew that I had the fishing day planned or a while and would put a cramp on my new vegan style…but I believe in moderation…and so I conquered my pact with Albs at 6PM on July 4th…Independence!! I even went a few days extra. (Albie, I plan on being vegan most of the days of the week.) I never anticipated that going back into the non-vegan world, or even the widely accepted pesco-vegetarian world would make for such an adventure!

"...faster than you can say, "Neurotoxins!"
Andybeard

9:47 PM - 10 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment

L.A pt 2

Hey Todos,
Keeping you up to date on what's been happening.
We performed at Extremastudios.com two nights ago. Jorge, J.C,
Nacho, and the rest of our hermanos at ETV treated us right.
ETV is a very cool up and coming web television program that airs every Wed. out of South Gate. It was very inspiring to see the creative ways in which the ETV crew works together to air the show. It's inspired us to start talking about one day having our very own weekly live internet T.V program. It's a very exciting time with all the technology available at our finger tips.
ETV reaches many people in the L.A area as well as reaching a Global market. As we were playing and being interviewed, the hosts Jorge and J.C were receiving Text messages from all over the world. getting instant feedback from your audience is a powerful thing.
Think of Waynes World but in Spanglish...ETV
We played 5 songs: Blanco Y Negro, Lagrimas, Toda Mi Cancion, On My
Way, and Spanish Radio. The Vibe was fun, loose, and loco.
Please catch the show by going to their website extremastudios.com
and clicking on ETV. We Truly had a lot of FUN.

Last night we were invited by Julian and Ric Fazikes to Arka Studios to record an hours worth of songs (acoustically) to be aired on Gritaradio.com. Don't know when its going to air but will keep you posted.
I remember Visiting Grita radio when we went to Mexico City to play with R.E.M. Grita was one of our stops as we were promoting the show and the new disc.
It feels good to hit the Latino market and continue to spread the word about deSoL. The band is starting to intentionally reach out to the Latino market. Believe it or not a band like deSoL is still fairly a new sound to the Spanish market as a whole. There have only been a hand full of bands to really make a big noise with what we do.
Tonight we are looking forward to playing at the Keyclub in West Hollywood with our pals the B-side players. Will let you know how the show goes.
All is well here. I pray everyone is feeling good vibes.
See you soon out on the open road....
Oh...C6's B-day party last night was a night to remember. Please remember to send him some love
Gracias
Albie

12:53 PM - 5 Comments - 5 Kudos - Add Comment

deSoL in L.A

Hey todos mis deSoL bro's and sis'
We are currently in L.A. to Have a few meetings and to play a show
in West Hollywood on Fri night at the keyclub.
Tomorrow night (Wed. June 4th) we are performing a show at a web tv
station called extremastudios.com (ETV) here in the L.A area. It is a
forum for latino rock bands to play their music and talk about the
growing movement of American Latin rock. The show starts at 9pm
pacific time. That's midnight for you east coasters. You can catch it
in archives at your leasure though.
We drove down RT. 1 or should I say "the 1" that huggs the Pacific
ocean today. Drove through Big Sur and enjoyed many beautiful sights.
We all had the shades of our R.V bus opened wide, looking out in awe
at the scenary. We usually take "the 5" down from northern california,
but today decided to take our time and enjoy the view.
Rolled into L.A about 6pm this evening had dinner at El Coyote
Mexican restaurant with Bob and denise from our label Adrenaline music
group. Good veggie Chimichangas! And great conversations with the
label folks about growing deSoL to the world.
It's C6's B-day today. Don't forget to wish him a happy B-day.
Talk very soon.
All is well and exciting in the deSoL nation today. Blessed to be
traveling and safe.
More news to come.
tu amigo
Albie

10:43 PM - 8 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment

New Blog and General Update
Current mood: content
Category: Life

Greetings from San Francisco,

Its Sunday and we are playing the Carnaval Festival here, in the Mission District. The streets are packed with revelers, there are games, vendors, numerous stages and music and dance ensembles erupting on the street. The Memorial Day spirit is infused with the rich Latino influence of this popular South American celebration and many people are in costume. Perfect environment for a deSoL concert...

We've been having a great time playing out west again. We spent 2 weeks traveling the North-West visiting radio stations promoting On My Way. In all, we saw Northern California (where the girls are warm...) Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Iowa and Nevada. We put more than a few miles on the bus and did a lot of maintenance and repairs which you'll see in an upcoming deSoLTv episode. We re-connected with friends and made some new ones, as always. We started passing the time watching LOST. None of us had really seen it so we bought the 1st season on DVD and have been whiling away the hours (while Doc drove) getting up to speed on the show.

We've been getting a great response from the video and contest. Keep up the good work everyone.

Andy "Beard" Letke has weighed in on his experiences of making the OMW video.
Check out his new OMW Blog Post

Thanks and see you again soon,

C6

On My Way Video Blog
Current mood: accomplished
Category: Blogging

Hello all!
Hope the spring time is making you all warm and tingling with the power of the old fertility rites...

Its hard to follow such heavy thoughts from James. Like an old wise man, James never fails to dig up some powerful piece of wisdom at a time its most needed. We've been through a lot of ups and downs in this band but with the strength of our brotherhood and faith in our dream we always find the means to keep growing. With that in mind, we all pulled together to make the video for On My Way. I've created a new blog at blogger.com to coincide with the release of the song and video. I've asked all the guys and even the crew to write about their experiences making the video in the last 3 months. Like the special blog we did from the 2006 middle-east tour, this one will last for the next few months as we tour to promote OMW, as we've come to call it. We'll still be posting here at myspace with our general thoughts and stories from the road, but check the On My Way Video Blog regularly, as we'll be posting every few days or so with new thoughts. We're also working on a few new deSoLTv episodes on making the video and our tour this year so stay tuned for that in the coming days.

Mucho amor,

C6

The Promise Land
Current mood: thankful

I'm On My Way...To The Promise Land...Thats Where I Go...I'm On My Way.......Sometimes life, as we all know, leads us to a place that is unknown to us. Whether it is a change in the physical world, personal, or spiritual change, we all encounter these moments.
I had approached a new and dear friend of mine recently and thanked him for his kindness, support and positive vibes, that he so generously shared with us while on the road. At that moment with a completely earnest look on his face, he said to me, that some day he will tell me how On My Way and the overall vibe of deSoL changed his life. Funny...I was feeling he changed mine.
That exchange of words and emotion strongly reminded me of the power of positivity and of the message of On My Way. How EVERYONE has their struggles, and through any adversity you can overcome it by holding on to that belief, that you do have a promise land, and its an amazing place! I truly believe that maintaining that positivity in the forefront of your mind will get you there. Do you believe?
Their are many people out there who have shown us much love while in our travels and for this, I can speak for the band and crew when I say gracias and thank you! You have ALL touched our lives more than you may realize.
Looking forward to seeing you all very soon!!

Tu Amigo
James

10:47 AM - 14 Comments - 24 Kudos - Add Comment

South West tour
Current mood: good

Southwest Tour

Ahhhh!! We are home for a two week break before we head back out to Reno and some more west coast dates. Nothing like sleeping in your own bed. Don't get me wrong, I loooovvvvvve my bunk on the ole' R.V bus. but It's nice to get home and recharge before getting back out again.
This last tour was a great time! A lot has happened, and I will fill you in. I haven't kept to my New Years Resolution and haven't blogged like I said I would. I know, I know, it only lasted two months before I screwed the whole thing up. Please forgive me, if there is a second chance I will take one:) Clean slate again, O.K?
Now, first things first. We have been playing with a new drummer. His name is "Stone"... Well that's his last name, his first name is actually Chris but, we all started naturally calling him "Stone". There is already one Chris in this band. Our very own Christopher T. Guice, who, by the way, is now being called "C6".... thats right "C6" (I think he's changing it legally folks). So "Stone" it is. "Stone" is the new kid in town. He's young and hungry for some rhythm and grooves. Our Colorado/Southwest fans have already gotten to meet him and I'm getting good feedback. His first show was in Austin Texas at SXSW. Please welcome him with open arms when you see him.

The first leg of the tour was playing with The Salvador Santana band. It was the first time we got to see these guys play. A mixture of funky latino, urban grooves, and melodies. Very likable and danceable. It was really cool meeting up with Salvador and the boys and doing some shows together.
The Second leg of the tour was spent playing shows with "Topaz" a great act out of Austin Texas. These guys deliver a special brand of laid back rock with solid grooves, and some jammy instrumentals with sax solos. A bunch of great guys as well. Looking to meet up with these cats when we are back in Austin.
The shows were all fun and exciting. I guess my favorite night was at Quixotes True Blue in Denver. Don't know why, it was just one of those nights for me. El Paso was fun as well, it was our first time there. I love texas for its latino roots. People naturally get what we do there. Its not such a reach to hear and feel these rhythms.
Many of the days were spent filming our video for our newest single "On My Way". It is actually finished and ready to be let out of the bag. We decided to film, produce, direct and edit it all ourselves. The 6 band members and 3 crew members all put our wills together to get this done. Doc (our sound man) ran the camera. Jessica (our tour manager) was in charge of set construction and wardrobe. Daniel (our guitar tech) ran the sound and made sure everyone had what they needed. Andy and Chris made sure to get it all down on tape, and that the right shots were filmed and the footage was downloaded and edited it onto their laptops. Me and the rest of the band stood around patiently waiting for the words "O'K, we are rolling" to be said. Next thing you know it was "Action". Sometimes it would be 7am in the morning and the earth was still cold, other days it was 3pm in the afternoon and the wind was blowing sand all in our eyes and mouths. No matter what the situations, we kept it alive! and now we have an awesome new video!
I decided to go bare foot for this video. We were all dressed in white. Marching through the deserts of Southern Texas, and Colorado, Marching on train tracks, cotton fields, and dancing on a crowded 6th street during SXSW, I at times wondered if my uncomfortable paws could bare the pain and would it be worth it. But now, looking back, I'm happy I stuck to my bare foot approach. I was "On My Way to the promised land", as a humbled, barefooted, man of earth and spirit delivering myself to that most holy promised land! I enjoyed myself tremendously, and I hope you enjoy what you will be seeing very soon. please keep checking back to the website for news about the video. and some deSoL T.V episodes of "the making of" We are very close to sharing it with everyone. I'm so excited for everyone to have it on their desktops.
We are going to be needing your help in spreading this video virally all over the web. More info on this to come as well. everyone will be able to get a copy for themselves and all their friends to have.
Our new radio single "On my way" will be hitting the air waves at the end of the month and through the summer. "On my way" will be "going for adds" on April 28th. What this means, is that on April 28th our radio promotion team will go and find out who is going to give deSoL a spot on their playlist. In the past we have been blessed with good action at radio. Songs like "Karma", "Blanco y Negro", "Sing it all night", have gotten great response from our radio friends. We are looking forward to give "On my way" a good solid push. Please go on our website and find what radio stations to call in your area and request "on my way".
That is all I have to say. I will write very soon.
I hope everyone is well and ready for the warmer weather.
Please check our tour dates at http://www.desolmusic.com more being put up every week.
Muchas Gracias amigos y amigas
Albie
p.s If anyone wants to reach out to me, you can now find me on http://www.facebook.com would love to communicate with ya on that site as well. request me as a friend:)

7:00 AM - 7 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment

Austin SXSW
Current mood: accomplished

Hey Everyone, It’s saturday night and we are on our way to El Paso from Austin. We had a blast playing at the "Tiniest bar in Texas" last night. What a fun new venue with an outside stage. Austin truly kicks ass, and our fans down here are awesome. We are looking to be down here more and more. Thanks to eveyone for coming out to the show and thowing your positive energy to the stage. I also want to Thank our "Round Rock neighborhood possie" for the love and the showering of gifts. See you next time through. We miss you already. Austin is so alive during south by southwest. Today we spent the morning rehearsing and the afternoon shooting footage for our new video "On My Way". The surge of energy created by all the people on 6th St. is incredible. You will be seeing a new deSoL T.V episode about our experience on 6th St very soon. One really cool thing that happend to us today was a spontanious T.V interview with Matt Pinfield (of MTV fame and a Jersey shore guy too) for Fuse T.V. As we were marching, singing and filming for the "On My Way" video, we marched right into Matt and the Fuse T.V cameras checking us out. They were intrigued to see us all dressed in white marching around 6th St. chanting "I’m on my way, to the promised land, thats where i’ll go, i’m on my way". Matt quickly recognized Andy and remembered us from his home town of Asbury Park N.J. the next thing you know, we are live on Fuse T.V getting some national air time and talking about our experience at SXSW. Thanks Matt and Fuse for the air time! See you again soon We are driving straight through the night to the Sonic Ranch recording complex in Tornillo T.X to do some more "b-roll" filming for the video. Monday we are playing in El Paso only 30 minutes west. The Sonic Ranch is a special place for us. We spent a month here last year writing the songs that became our latest c.d "On My Way" I’m looking forward in spending time on the compound and its 2,000 acres of land touching the Rio Grand and Mexico. It’s such an inspiring and intriguing place for me. The dessert here is powerful. I’m also looking forward in presenting the owner Tony, with a copy of the new C.D. Tony is all about the music and helping artists get creative. It’s an out of this world place to write and record http://www.sonicranch.com Oh I also wanted to tell everyone that we got to spend some time hanging and jamming out with a few of the Del Castillo dude’s while we were here in Austin. These guys are a specail band and we will be doing some touring together soon. I hope all is well. We are looking forward in seeing you all soon. Please keep in touch. Blessings to all Albie

4:28 PM - 7 Comments - 14 Kudos - Add Comment