Slabtown Tonight!
Current mood: lazy

We're playing with Foreign Orange. 1033 NW 16th. Be there or die.

Cheers, jnAllard

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show tonight!

our first portland show in a year! come out and meet the new band!

where: dantes

when: we go on at 9:30pm

Cost: $5

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Another Demo

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A New Song

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Thus far...

we've got basic tracks down for 7 songs. I'm very happy with the sounds, and particularly the ease with which the sessions are going. Lyrically this album is turning out to be much more literal, and autobiographical. Something that frightens me a bit, but has been cathartic. I debated so much about carrying on with this project, and music in general over the last year... I could never do another album like Feeling the Fall or our EP. Ah… time will tell. D and I should have this thing in the can by late January.

Regards, J.N.A.

I'm really digging this: Frally

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A New Song

Those of you who randomly check our page may have a noticed a new tune. The song is called "Fiction Reads." (Subject to change) This is just a rough mix. It will likely morph drastically by the time it's released. All the sounds were made by Dustin and I. We're making great progress on the album and I'll occasionally post rough mixes and demos of songs. They'll only be up temporarily, so bare that in mind if you choose to add it to your profile. Many of you have inquired about shows. We'll be holding off on performing live until the albums finished, but rest assured, we'll be playing a lot upon its release. I will however be doing a few acoustic gigs around town, so stay tuned for those. A few bands I'd like you guys to check out:

The Ramshackles: This is Dustin's thing -http://www.myspace.com/theramshacklesrock 

Foreign Oranges: Jeremy's new project - http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=55269083

Norfolk and Western: Dave's group - www.myspace.com/norfolkandwestern

Nathan Junior: speaks for itself - http://www.myspace.com/fogmachine

Regards, J. Nicholas Allard

Currently listening : This Year’s Model (With Bonus Disc) By Elvis Costello Release date: 19 February, 2002

9:18 AM - 3 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Update
Current mood: working

Gee, it's been a while since I've really thought about this page, this blog, this band, and music in general. One thing's for sure, The Village Green still exists. In what context is a bit harder to define. I've taken a sabbatical from music. It's been what feels like a millennium since I've picked up a guitar. Mostly my time has been spent reading, and occasionally improving my piano playing. The time away has been nice, though it seems silly to mention it. In reality, it's probably only been several weeks at most. I occasionally have responded to messages, and continued to add friends. I'm amazed at people's steadfast interest in this project, sincerely. I just got off the phone with Dustin, and we're going to start recording another record soon. He's been busy with The Ramshackles, which have just about finished their debut. It's hard to say where the next record will lead. I've got loads of material compiled. A vast majority of the "newer" songs I've written were done so on piano. That's certainly a change, considering Feeling The Fall was a bit epic with the guitars. A fact I'm often embarrassed about. The "guitar upfront" sound will likely be thrown out, for what I hope will make a more dynamic LP. That's not to say there won't be plenty of wanking, just that I hope it won't be relegated solely to guitars.

As some of you have gathered, Jeremy is no longer with us, his record making prowess now a hot commodity in Portland. We had a nice run together, and everything was quite amicable. Dustin will take over drums, Pee Pee will continue on bass, and as for a fourth or fifth member, I cannot truly say at this point. I will endeavor to keep those of you who are interested, abreast of our progress. To be honest, I really don't have a concept, or any concrete idea for what the record will be. "Good" is what I'm aiming for! Over the last few weeks I've had much encouragement from friends and family to continue with my music, it's really wonderful to have such support. To be honest, my motivation for this project is the lowest it's ever been. I make no promises about when, or event if, a record will actually be completed. My hope is that it does get finished, and that it's released on a label that pays me, and that those of you who believe in what it is that I do, sincerely enjoy it. Thank you for your time.

Regards, J. Nicholas Allard

Currently reading : A Farewell To Arms By Ernest Hemingway Release date: 01 June, 1995

1:44 PM - 4 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

By popular request... The lyrics to "Om: The Meaning of Life"
Current mood: anxious

See light of sun fallen leaves on the ground

Hear stream of song but my ears they hear no sound

But nothings ever really there

Wind whispers Om chanting love there is no doubt

Be here and now obstacles we are without

Though nothings ever really there

Time has no place carry on there is no pace

Turn round and round consciousness will lead the way

Cause nothings ever really there

She turns me on

Lights the way with rays of sun

And leaves me for tomorrows holiday

And still I try forming words I cannot say

She leaves me for tomorrow anyway

I walk the line I tow behind me all those happy days

And after all I'll feel the fall and I hope you land my way

Sow the seeds of revolution

Tip the scales of evolution

I take a ride that I may find a place to lay my head

And when your gone I'll carry on

Though I may see no end

We're all searching for solutions

Living in this institution

One step on and I feel the sun

And I'm coming down and then

I still feel the morning breeze and it gets me back again

I feel so alive

I see no more light

Currently listening : Macire By Boubacar Traoré Release date: 15 August, 2000

11:25 AM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

A Belated Rant
Current mood: creative

So… It's been awhile since we've updated y'all (That was for Jeremy. He's from Kentucky. They talk funny down there) on the album, shows, etc. Mainly this is attributed to the fact that I've been super busy writing and recording demo's in my home studio, while Jeremy has been engaged in general knob twiddlry for numerous projects. Last week J and I got together to have a listen to my creations, and the consensus was that we should quit our faffing about, and get down to business! We had initially started an album a few months ago, with several songs completed, but we've decided to sack those tunes in the interest of recording the new material. I've incorporated a wider range of instrumentation, reflective of my not so new found interest and appreciation for various African, Indian, and Middle Eastern artists. Mainly Ali Farka Toure, Boubacar Traore, Ali Akbar Khan, and Fela Kuti. I have always been a huge fan of the sitar, which I've played off and on for several years. I was recently turned on to Iraqi oud player Munir Bashir. Really great stuff, if you get a chance, check it out. In addition to some different instrumentation, I've been utilizing some more digital based percussion, loops, and samples. Yes, the sound thus far has changed a little… But not too much! Jeremy and have plans to go into the studio sometime in the next month, provided I manage to pull him from the dungeons of the Odditorium. If all goes well, the album should go public in or around Februaury. There are plans (at least in my brain) to do an accompanying film project. Yes, we're ambisious fuckers! This album will likely be more emotive than it's predicessor… If you know what I mean?!? In regards to any shows, we're not really playing out right now. We have a one off gig at OSU sometime this summer, but thats it! We'll probably do something local around August/September.

A few song titles (subject to change without notice):

1. (Fear) Cuz I love U
2. A Rising Song
3. Pubb'n
4. BossMan!
5. Tik Tak
6. Baghdad (It's not about the troops, I promise!)
7. A-7

Currently reading : The Land Where the Blues Began By Alan Lomax Release date: November, 2002

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The Old Man Is Dead
Current mood: sad
Category: Writing and Poetry

RIP Kurt Vonnegut

- J. Nicholas Allard

Currently reading : A Man Without a Country By Kurt Vonnegut Release date: 16 January, 2007

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