NETHERFRIENDS 50 states/50 songs project.
Being prolific is an artist’s dream, although we all know that being productive never lasts. Eventually, we hit an enormous wall and our creativity and ambition flies right out the window. During the summer of 2009, I was on one of the countless mini-tours across the country, sitting in the van bummed out and spacing out. I was kind of miserable and truly contemplating the idea of spending most of my young life on tour. I mean, I understand touring is crucial for a musician and sometimes it’s really fun, but why does it have to feel so unproductive? Wake up, drive, wait outside the venue, play, drink, sleep, etc… Why am I wasting all this time on the road, when I should be at home recording and writing new music? That’s when it hit me like a ton of bricks!! Why don’t I bring the writing and recording on the road with me? I usually have a ton of free time on the road where I am usually being unproductive. Why don’t I push myself and finally strive to become that prolific artist that I dreamed of as kid?
So here is what I’ve got:
Give myself a deadline of one year (starting April 1st 2010) to play a show and write and record a song in each state in the USA. 50 songs in 50 states in one year. The songs will have to be longer that two minutes and I can’t start writing the song until I cross the state line (so, no cheating.) Yes, I know you people will call me a wannabe (Sufjan,) but seriously! This project is actually not a joke, plus I will accomplish it.
What I need:
-Musicians who can tour. (Especially a talented drummer who can record to a click track.)
-A venue in each state
-A house in each state. (Preferably one with a basement.) Where I can record the song and stay the night. If you have any instruments or a piano that I could use for the recording, that would be ideal as well.
-Suggestions for people/ bands to contact for venues (especially in Alaska, Hawaii, and most of the West Coast) or to help contribute to the recordings.
- Some Filmmakers. Anyone who would be interested in documenting this project or editing the footage from the tours.
- Donations or Sponsorships. This one is a little hairy. I guess I might need some cash to get to Hawaii and Alaska…
Feel free to email me at Netherfriendsbooking@gmail.com with help or encouraging words.
Starting April, I will be without a home for one year. It seems the easiest way to get to all 50 states in one year is to avoid the paying bills and rent and make different parts of the country my home base. I plan on touring a ton and being broke forever. I am starting my journey East (Philly) and playing with Mark from the band Hop Along and possibly another friend. Below is the list of dates. If you’d like us to play at your venue/house/party or if you would like to offer up your house, so I can write and record a song in it. Please message me Netherfriendsbooking@gmail.com
If you are unfamiliar with the 50 songs 50 states project check it out here:
April Tour:
April 16th- Philly
April 17th -Delaware
April 18th- Baltimore
April 19th Virginia
April 20th North Carolina
April 21st- South Carolina
April 22nd- Georgia
April 23rd- Florida
April 24th- Alabama
April 25th- Knoxville Tennesse
April 26th Kentucky
April 27th West Virgina
April 28th Washington, DC
May tour
May 13th Philly
May 14th New jersey
May 15th NYC
May 16th NYC
May 17th Connecticut
May 18th Rhode Island
May 19th Massachusetts
May 20th New Hampshire
May 21st Maine
May 22nd Vermont
May 23rd Upstate NY
