Boxing this day

It's physically tough typing this. I'm writing on a shaky train from Hallsberg to Enkoping. After this we'll board a bus back to Uppsala. I've come to separate these holiday travel days from anything resembling comfort. The old saying "getting there is half the fun" is absolutely true. On the way down to Motala we rode in backseat comfort, stopped for some tasty fast food and listened to Billy Idol. "Fun?" you ask. Yes, I guess it was. It was easy, a no-brainer, at least. Coming back to our apartment will be nice. I'm planning on catching some English Premier League football on TV and having a beer. But I will have to work for it. It will get to the time of the day when we step into our building with tired legs and these over-stuffed bags and have to wait for the elevator to come down and it'll be just one of the obstacles to conquer.

I wanted to use about five semicolons in the above paragraph but I didn't. I tend to construct sentences that sound too long, so I bust them up into two equal parts with a semicolon. But I just got done reading a short piece by Kurt Vonnegut called Here is a Lesson in Creative Writing where he says that the only thing that semicolons accomplish is that they prove you've been to college. (The train conductor just nearly spilled into me and mine. The train felt like it wanted to jump the goddamned tracks). So I'll listen to Mr. Vonnegut for the time being and try to get through this without them just because he didn’t' use semicolons in his essay and it turned out to be a pretty good read. We'll call it another challenge to add into the travel day mix.

So we're on this train in our last-minute discounted seats. Ok, we're sitting in the family section. In front of me is a Plexiglas-encased playground. If the train does that almost jumped off the track thing the kids just slam into the clear walls, usually unharmed. Babies are screaming and laughing. The parents here in Sweden are for the most part incredibly patient and calm. Of course this temperament works because if the parents aren't fucking crazy then the kids tend to be less fucking crazy. So why am I writing this? Everyone is doing what he or she should be doing. These families want to get home as bad as I do.

No complaints actually and I'm writing this because it's passing the time. This little girl in a stroller keeps saying "hej" "hej" "hej" to strangers. No one doesn't say "hej" back. The screaming kid has stopped screaming. This train is connecting people back to the places where they are most comfortable. We've said our goodbyes and now it's back to work and routine. It's back to what we do with ourselves to feel normal.

The holidays are equally stressful as they are rewarding. It's hard for me to be so far away from my family back in Illinois during this time of year. But it's getting easier taking on these new traditions here in Sweden. Christmas Eve here is the day when everything festive happens. Christmas day is all about eating leftovers and letting yourself sprawl all over couches and beds in the afternoon. Yesterday, Christmas Day, we took a walk down a section of Motala's beach under a gray sky in the chilly air. We definitely weren't the only people taking this walk. It was another something to do to pass the easy hours of the non-active day. I worked on my language skills, speaking nearly only Swedish during the past few days. I spoke drunk Swedish and polite family-style Swedish (both very important). I made it a point to enjoy everything I could and not miss home too much. The hardest was Christmas morning. That will always be the hardest.

If you've read this far, then I suppose it's fair to you to tell you that I don't have a fancy way of wrapping up all of these loose ends. I'll tag this blog with a stream of consciousness note. It got me from Hallsberg to Enkoping, that's for sure. These tracks roll out over empty fields through quiet towns. All of the houses are red and yellow and the churches are white. A mother stands to my left and while reading a book and rocking her baby’s stroller back and forth she's keeping her balance.

Top of my pops, 2006

At first I wasn't going to do a year-end list. I figured there were already too many floating around out there, so why bother. Well, the other night I was totally enjoying my one zillionth viewing of High Fidelity and after listening to list after list and top 5 after top 5 I realized that not only do I share far too many traits with Rob Gordon but that I also wouldn't be shit without lists. I'm constantly making and rearranging iTunes playlists, can't go to the grocery store without a proper list and have kept a running list of every show I've ever played, ever. These are only a few examples. I could make a list of more things I use lists for but...

This was a really inspiring year in music for me. In a time when people are supposed to not be buying as many records as they had in the past and when record labels are ducking out of the game every day, people who write songs battled through it and did what they do best. Here's to hoping (I'm pretty positive it will) that this continues into 2007.

10. Grizzly Bear - Yellow House
This album is beautiful. I'm amazed at how much Grizzly Bear grew from their first album. No sophomore slump here, not even close. Adding second singer/writer Daniel Rossen completely worked and helped bring them up to where they currently are. Wonder what'll happen if they let their friends remix this album like they did their first? This one exists perfectly on its own. Grizzly Bear on Myspace



9. Milosh - Meme
Michael Milosh has one of the sweetest voices ever. It ebbs and flows over and around electronic backdrops like no other. This album stays pretty much at the same tempo the whole way through. However, I don't feel that faster songs would serve any purpose at all. There is a definite and stable groove to this album that works incredibly well. He's mastered whatever sampler he's using for those clipped 8-bit-sounding beats he's so good at making. Milosh on Myspace


8. The Like Young - Last Secrets
Do you like personal lyrics that can probably teach you a thing or ten? Do you like crunchy guitars and boomy drums that just don't stop? Yeah? Then go buy this thing. My good friends and old band mates Joe and Amanda Ziemba hit the proverbial nail on the head with this record. On this, their third and final full length, everything meshed and in my opinion they went out on a high. The Like Young on Myspace



7. Four Tet - DJ Kicks
I'm a big fan of the idea behind the DJ Kicks series, which is letting interesting musicians mix together their favorite songs to work as a companion to their usual output. The Four Tet DJ Kicks isn't really dance floor friendly, but more of hanging around the house getting stuff done friendly. Based on Four Tet's proper albums I wouldn't expect anything sub par in the form of a DJ mix. This collection of songs covers a whole lot of ground. Four Tet on Myspace


6. James Figurine - Mistake, Mistake, Mistake, Mistake
Postal service, Figurine, Dntel: pretty good track record huh? Jimmy Tamborello is a genius in my book. Everything he touches is gold. Reading some reviews of this album, not all were thinking the same way as I was. But I really dug this release. I think he works best as a collaborator in letting others sing over his music, but his voice and lyrics are geeky enough to fall right into place with his glitchy soundtracks. James Figurine on Myspace

5. The Whitest Boy Alive - Dreams
I missed the boat on Erlend Øye's Kings of Convenience stuff. I caught up with him on his first solo album Unrest in 2003, which I really enjoyed. Besides that he put out a DJ Kicks compilation that opened me up to all sorts of cool stuff, styles and scenes that I was unaware of. When word broke that he had started up a new band sans electronic elements I was sort of disappointed. But that didn't last long. When I heard his voice flow over those simple guitar lines backed by a ridiculously tight rhythm section I was hooked. Erlend may be the only person who could lip sync while dancing around and then stage dive to one of his own songs (The Whitest Boy Alive's "Burning") and pull it off without looking stupid. I saw him do this during a solo set at this year's Pop Dakar festival! The Whitest Boy Alive on Myspace

4. Schneider TM - Skoda Mluvit
Schneider TM's song "Reality Check" off of his 2002 Zoomer album is one of the coolest songs I've ever heard. Based on that I'll keep up with everything he releases. I seemed to be one of the only people that got excited about this release however. It probably just flew a bit too far under the radar for many to notice. Anywho, rumor has it that he became extremely reclusive during the months he spent recording this. And it shows. He's obviously put a ton of effort into the placement of each sound on this album. This is a weird collection of songs, and I like it. Schneider TM on Myspace

3. The Blow - Paper Television
Being someone who's interested in following along with Jona Bechtolt's web presence (and musical projects), I was excited for the release of this album. His involvement in The Blow led me to The Blow who had a number of releases out before his coming in as a collaborator. This is really well crafted, at times dancey, electronic-pop music with smart lyrics. "Parentheses" is one of my favorite songs of this year and this album as a whole is way good kids. The Blow on Myspace

2. Various Artists - Kompakt Total 7
Admittedly I am new, as of this year, to the Kompakt label. I jumped aboard here with their 7th-annual compilation. The Total series showcases their roster's best tunes. This compilation opened me up to "minimal house" or whatever people are calling it. Thanks to Bobby from Irene (of all people!) for turning me on to this. Kompakt on Myspace





1. The Radio Dept. - Pet Grief
Soft vocal stylings layered on top of reverby guitars, synths and drum machines is something that I've heard plenty try to do, but not many do well. When it's done wrong it's embarrassing or just boring. The Radio Dept. does it exactly right and has made it their calling card. Whether they're following a formula in which they've perfected or only know how to make this specific sort of music isn't anything I'm concerned about. This album gives me chills every time I spin it, and that's what matters. The Radio Dept. on Myspace

Time to shine!

You are 'Person of the Year'
You are Time magazine's "Person of the Year" for the explosive growth and influence of user-generated Internet sites such as YouTube, Facebook and MySpace. You were chosen over Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, North Korea's Kim Jong Il and former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Congratulations. - from CNN

...but not to be confused with Time Magazine's 'Man of the Year,' which will always and forever be The Dude.

Probably the best blog entry in the world

Did you know that you can pull drafts at home? I'm guessing some lucky people will unwrap one this year and turn their living rooms into bars. Now that's a happy home.

I Believe In Everything

Here's my little gift to everyone, my second-annual Christmas/Holiday mix. I had a blast putting it together. Maybe you'll find some new holiday favorites in the bunch; I know I did. My hope is that you'll download this and then listen with people that are important to you. You could even burn it, make your own handmade artwork and give it as a gift. I hope you do that. Happy Christmas everyone!

I Believe In Everything: Mike Downey's Holiday Tendency, 2006

It's Not Really Cold When It Snows - The Russian Futurists
Run Away with Me - Jens Lekman
Talkin' 'Bout Christmas - The Rabbits
Skating - Vince Guaraldi Trio
A Raist Fist For Christmas - Chris Hatfield
Hyun's Snowy Night - Busytoby
Holiday Tune in F# - The National Splits
Christmas on the Beach - Irene
Bon Jovis Jullåt - Montt Mardié
Chimes - Andre Kostelanetz
Sub-zero - Snoozer
Christmas Vacation - Descendents

Download the mix! (27:34, 31.6mb)

Dead Spy EP

1. Dead Spy
2. Royalist
3. Television World

Download the mp3s and artwork at A Bunch of Beatniks Riding a Rocket
Happy to announce that the free Dead Spy EP was released today. Thanks goes out to Darren for his enthusiasm and, of course, for releasing free music!

It feels really good to let these songs loose. I have recorded so much material this year, it's crazy. Part of the process that I have missed is the release; that sort of important part of the game where people actually get to hear the songs. My excuse is moving to a new country and going through the steps, meetings, drunk discussions, involved stategic phone calls and the like in finding a label here in Sweden. I don't have any real news at the moment. All I can say is that a 3-song cdr of mine is circulating its way through this fine country and into the hands of people that have record labels. It really is a game of luck and waiting and a whole bunch of luck and more waiting.

I can say, however, that I will most definitely be releasing a cd on Jason Pierce's new Lesson Records in 2007. Jason and I go back a long ways. He was responsible for my involvement with the now-seemingly defunct (I honestly don't know) Recordhead imprint. I was Jason's project when he was at Recordhead, and when he left the label it didn't feel right for me to attempt to continue on without him. So this has been a transistion period in more ways than one for myself, my music and those who are releasing it.

Please know that I don't like being dormant in the release game. It has pained me over the years to have such a scaled back discography. My old band's, The New Constitution, one release in 3 years was a killer. We spent so much time working on demos and strategizing our next move that we lost track of what bands were supposed to do, and that's release music. I hate getting caught up in the business' games for extended periods of time. This free mp3 release is a result of that. Making music is supposed to be fun and letting those who care about the music, even more fun. I remember back in the days releasing the first Mathlete cassette on In a Lighthouse. That was a magic time. I remember self-releasing another Mathlete tape and a National Splits cdr simply because we had a string of shows booked. I like being productive and could honestly care less what format the music comes out on or how much money, if any, I receive for my efforts. I make this music because something in my soul won't let me not make the music. I've positioned myself over the last year in a way that will keep me involved musically for a long time to come. Besides making my own music solo, I've started collaborating with people, via the internet, sending files back and forth. I've begun collaborations with Michael Lenzi (Number One Cup, The Fire Show, Resplendent) as well with Graham Smith (Kleenex Girl Wonder) and I couldn't be happier. The results of these collaborations are yet to be seen, as both projects are in their infancy. But, the wheels are turning and the songs are flowing. Stick around and see what oozes out.