Day One - SXSW to LA

Dear all:

In an unprecedented attempt at web diligence, Liam and Me will try to keep a studio journal in order to keep everyone updated on our progress / setbacks / victories / defeats. We will be as honest as possible to give you an accurate perspective of our creepy lives.

Having just returned from dinner with our A&R, Briks and I are currently sitting in the “lobby” of our “hotel” in LA. Its actually more like a youth hostel with private suites, but it’s a pretty nice setup. Good location in West Hollywood, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a TV that doesn’t work, bunk beds. Ballin. We are surrounded by good-looking collegiate backpackers from Britain and her former colonies. We are completely exhausted and looking forward to a full night’s sleep.

From March 14 until today, we were in Austin, Texas for the SXSW music conference. This year’s was apparently the biggest one yet, with 25,000 crazy people descending on the city for 4 days of showcases, parties, drinking, eating, and deal making. It’s fun to the point of brutality. Widespread indulgence and alcoholism probably shaves a few weeks off your life. Well worth it. Liam and Me played a few great shows – Purevolume’s nightly party shortly after we arrived, an afternoon showcase for Burnlounge on Saturday, and a super hot set at the Viper Room later that night. We also did our first ever videotaped interviews for Havok TV and Stim TV, filled our rented minivan with 14 people, received and gave lots of free schwag, got kicked out of a hotel room, and enjoyed the finer things in life with the staff of High Times magazine. Our Emmy nominated friend Glenn Anderson videotaped much of the madness, which we will share with you soon.

Great bands we saw: Buzzcocks reunion, Kings of Leon, Lynden, New London Fire, Stock Market Crash, Young Love, Junior Senior, Zack Hexum.

Fabulous celebrity encounters: Perry Farrel, James Iha, Wayne Coyne, Breckin Meyer, the cast of Human Giant, that chick who plays “Maybe” in Arrested Development, Albert Hammond Jr.

This morning on two hours of sleep, we left Austin TX at 9:30am, picked up our manager, and drove 3 hours to Houston, and flew to LA. Tomorrow we meet our producers and see the studio for the first time, and maybe start tracking the drums.

Matt