The Ferris Project

So my collaboration with Ryan Ferris has been on the backburner for a long time. We're both in other bands that play quite a bit so it's just a side thing we do. It really has almost no direction, except that we are both trying to break some new ground as musicians. I am trying to take a more active role in the songwriting process, contributing lyrics and helping to shape the musical arrangement. Also, I've always wanted to develop my singing ability. I'm really looking to make music with lush vocal harmonies, and I figure a good place to start is with my own voice. I'm finding that my voice has improved drastically in the last few months, simply from harmonizing. Ryan has been good enough to teach me some vocal parts he had written for his song, and then practice with me until I got it. Most bands just haven't had the time or patience for this, either you can sing or you can't and that's the end of it.
Anyways all of this is fresh in my mind because we had a really great session this afternoon. Another thing I've noticed about music is that you can't judge the potential of a particular band configuration right away. At first, I was mainly in it for the enjoyment and the laughs. But then the songs start to cross the hump and really sound like good tunes. The band starts to take shape and take on a life of it's own. That is a great feeling.
The best piece of advice I can give to any other musicians at this point is to stick with it. Maybe you were in a band that was functioning at a very high level, and now you're in a new one that doesn't seem as good. Give it time, and effort. It will happen.

Random Tidbits

Here's the latest on all of my pending projects:

BW/C (Bradley Wik & The Charlatans) - we have two shows coming up here in Portland. We're booking more soon and will be expanding our circle beyond the Rose City (Seattle and Salem in the works). Also, the EP is selling quite nicely considering it's only in one store- Ranch Records in Salem.

The Winebirds - We have been rehearsing a lot lately, but not for shows. We have a very important studio session coming up at the end of this month. I'm very excited because it'll be my first time in the studio with them. They have the album about half completed already so we've got our work cut out for us. And they record analog! Right, remember that thing called tape? It's much more expensive, time consuming, and the musicians really have to get it right the first time because you can't just touch it up on a computer. Also, they track everything except vocals live with the whole band in the studio playing together at the same time. Sounds normal right? You'd be surprised how few bands actually do this anymore.

John O'Mara - We are doing a small tour in Southern California in mid June, as well as a couple shows in the Seattle area. The addition of the keyboards really adds a lot, and we are starting to play some incredible live shows. His new album is also available now.

Ryan Ferris and the Nick of Time - Ferris and I just played in his studio again today. We've got one song tracked and another about ready to be tracked. It's a really slow moving project- but not in a bad way. We meet about once a week, have a few beers, talk about music and other stuff, and play some songs. It's a great creative process which is never dull and sooner or later we'll get around to finishing some tunes.

Dallas - Haven't seen these guys since I was last in Seattle, which I guess was less than a month ago but feels like an eternity. I know we've got some shows coming up soon, just don't know when. Also, there is more studio time on the horizon, we are waiting for our producer to finish building his new studio.

I should also give a plug for my former band, Scotland Barr & The Slow Drags (not that they need it). They just played to a capacity crowd at the Doug Fir, and the show was filmed for PDXPosed, so watch for that. Scot is writing his best songs ever now, so head on over to www.scotlandbarr.com and catch a show. If you've seen them before, like say when a certain tall and handsome drummer was there, but haven't seen them lately, now would be a great time. The new tunes are great and the band sounds better than ever. Sheesh you'd think they were giving me free hot sauce or something!

BW/C 1st Show Setlist!

We played the Ash St Saloon Wednesday night. Unfortunately, when it's your first show you don't get first pick of time slots. Alas, we didn't take the stage until after midnight. Thanks to all of you who stuck it out. The band before us was, hmm how to put this delicately.... SHITTY! Normally it's never a good idea to badmouth other bands, but I have to break from the standard BS. My conscience is clear. It was a crappy blues band who had probably never rehearsed. Worse than anything I've ever seen, and believe me play enough open mics and you'll see a lot of crap. Word to the wise- don't cover songs like "Crossroads" and "Voodoo Chile". And for those of you with long memories, yes I've covered those and many other shameless over played tunes. But that was a long time ago, I suck for having done it, and I'm here to help the youth of America to not make the same mistakes I did.

OK the good part:

Drive All Night
Back To Brooklyn
Too Hell With You*
Johnny And Mary
Dance With Me Darlin'
Midwest Winters*
I've Never Slept On The Avenue
encore:
Morning Glory (Oasis cover)

The songs with the * are originals we have yet to record, the rest are on the EP- except the Oasis tune of course.

We sold a few EPs, make sure to pick up your copy. Currently only available at shows or from us, but coming soon to iTunes and a store near you!