I haven't had a night at home in almost two months. I've been going and going and, like the Energizer bunny, eventually my batteries ran out.

Thursday afternoon, I went home from work with a cold. For the next four days, I watched back-to-back episodes of Law & Order and I did not take a shower. Today is Monday and I need a hair cut.

It turns out that four days on my lonesome are just what the doctor ordered. I feel more myself than I have in some time. Canned chicken soup has psychological benefits, I guarantee it.

In addition to watching more Law & Order than anyone ever should in one sitting, I finally buckled down and taught myself the ukulele. And by 'taught' myself, I mean I can play five chords, badly.





I am uploading this video as the OFFICIAL RECORD of my first ukulele cover. I'm rotten at chord changes and I haven't quite figured out how to strum. Someday, when I'm a ukulele virtuoso, we can all look back and laugh.

p.s. The song is "Almost Lover" by A Fine Frenzy.

Paper Weight: My First EP

Yesterday I released a six-song EP called Paper Weight. It's sometimes pensive, often cathartic, and occasionally joyous. It sounds like it was recorded in my bedroom because it was.

TRACK LISTING
Paper Weight
Tell Me Now
If There's a Way
Feels Like Rain To Me
The Onset (Bonus Track)
Your Last Bridge (Bonus Track)

My First EP: On Sale in 2-3 Weeks

My first EP will be live and available for purchase on Amazon in a few weeks! It has four songs, plus two bonus tracks, and you will love it. You possibly already do.



xo

As Long as It's Me

My dear Evin wrote a song this week. I recorded backing vocals, but the lyrics & guitar are all him.

Here's our little duet:

We wear out slow like an old magazine
Like the jeans on a cowboy
Like a dog to his dream

Twisted as shiva in sheets, you and I
With our voices the same
If we laugh or we cry

I can make you happier than strippers and clowns
Ain't nobody love you like I love you right now
Come to bed with your stockings down
I can make you happier than strippers and clowns

Longing symmetrical, love has two wings
You can rhyme with whatever
As long as it's me

I look in the mirror and I see you through
In my ill-fitting coat
In my oversized shoes

I can make you happier than strippers and clowns
Ain't nobody love you like I love you right now
Come to bed with your stockings down
I can make you happier than strippers and clowns

The mixing is, like, awful. Sorry.

Back in the Saddle (For the Moment, At Least)

After a full year's hiatus from songwriting, I'm back in the saddle with two new songs for February Album Writing Month. You can check out both of them HERE.

If you're a musician, or have any secret aspiration to be, I can't recommend this project enough. It's an amazing community that provides valuable inspiration, motivation, and feedback, in a friendly, non-judgmental environment.

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If There's a Way



i wake up
with my cup
in the morning
i lie down
without a sound
in the night

if there's a way
if there's a way
show me now
cause i can't see
lettin' be
teach me how

chase the days
make them pay
for their crimes
another night
another flight
i'm not on

if there's a way
if there's a way
help me see
cause i'm afraid
it's too late
for you and me

spring to snow
there's a glow
there's a warning
setting sun
like a gun
run while you can

there's a way
there's a way
join this fight
cause i can't see
lettin' me
sleep tonight

Featured on a Podcast Near You!

Exciting news! Some friends of mine have a rad film podcast called Film101 and the latest episode features a few of my songs, including my latest!

The Film101 podcast is worth checking out in general-- the hosts are hilarious and insightful and they choose great topics to discuss. You can listen to the first five episodes on the Dane101 website or by searching for "Film101" in the iTunes store.

New Demo: Paper Weight

I recorded a new demo tonight for Paper Weight. Rough vocals!

Original (30-second) demo is HERE. Read feedback HERE.

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paper weight
you're my paper weight
without you
i might just float away

i'm a red balloon
floating high above the clouds
can't touch the ground
but you reach up through
and you pull me down

you're my paper weight
without you
i might just float away

i'm a tornado
grabbing up all my dreams
and pulling them into the sea
but you calm me

you're my paper weight
without you
i might just float away